Santiago and Atacama – Contrasts of Chile in 7 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Santiago

  Upon your arrival at Santiago International Airport, you will be greeted by your driver and then transferred in a private vehicle to your hotel, located in one of the capital's iconic neighborhoods. Check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free for you to rest from your journey or start exploring the city at your own pace. Depending on your energy, you can take a first walk in the surroundings, discover a local café, or enjoy a beautiful view from Cerro Santa Lucía or San Cristóbal.

• day 2

  Valparaiso: UNESCO World Heritage

  This morning, departure from your hotel for a day excursion to Valparaíso, a coastal jewel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by your English-speaking guide and a small group, you will set out to discover this charming and contrasting port city. Valparaíso captivates with its bohemian atmosphere, steep hills crossed by old funiculars, colorful houses, and countless street art murals. You will stroll through its historic neighborhoods such as Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, exploring cobbled streets, art galleries, small cafés, and breathtaking viewpoints over the bay. After this artistic and cultural immersion, return to Santiago at the end of the afternoon.

• day 3

  Guided Santiago

  This morning, you will set off for a 4-hour guided tour to discover Santiago, a modern and dynamic capital that blends history, culture, and urban life. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you will explore the city's iconic sites: the Plaza de Armas and its colonial buildings, the Palacio de la Moneda, the historic Lastarria district, and the spectacular views from Cerro Santa Lucía or San Cristóbal. After this introduction to the Chilean capital, return to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon to further explore at your own pace. You can visit a museum, go shopping in trendy neighborhoods, or simply relax in one of the city's many parks.

• day 4

  Flight to the Atacama Desert

  Early in the morning, flight to Calama, in the north of Chile. Upon your arrival at Calama airport, collect your luggage. At the exit, someone will be waiting for you with a small sign indicating Pampa Transfer, or go to the company counter. The transfer is shared, meaning you will share the van with other passengers from the same flight who are also going to San Pedro de Atacama. The transfer will drop you off directly at your hotel. San Pedro de Atacama is a charming village located in the heart of the Atacama Desert, one of the driest and most fascinating deserts in the world. Nestled at about 2,400 meters above sea level, this small Chilean oasis is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes that seem to come from another planet, with salt flats, geysers, turquoise lagoons, and extraordinary rock formations. San Pedro is not only the ideal starting point to explore iconic sites such as the Valley of the Moon, the Tatio Geysers, and the highland lagoons, but also a place full of culture and history. Once a crossroads of trade routes, it has preserved an ancestral heritage linked to the indigenous Atacameño people, whose traditions are still alive. Strolling through its dirt streets, you discover a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, with adobe houses, craft markets, and a historic church dating from the 17th century. San Pedro is also renowned for being one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation, thanks to its exceptionally clear skies. Whether you are a nature lover, a hiking enthusiast, or passionate about astronomy, San Pedro de Atacama is an unmissable destination, offering unforgettable experiences in an extraordinary natural setting.

• day 5

  Excursion to the Arcoíris Valley and the Valley of the Moon

  This excursion will take you to the magnificent landscapes of Matacilla and the Rainbow Valley, a canyon with different colors due to the presence of various minerals. You will then head to the village of Yerbas Buenas, to discover petroglyphs that bear witness to the historical importance of the place. Indeed, these traces were left by indigenous tribes who passed through this area as they traveled from northeastern Argentina to the Bolivian Altiplano to reach the Pacific Ocean. Pick-up at your hotel between 7:30 and 8:00 am / Return to San Pedro scheduled around 12:30 pm Difficulty: low / Maximum altitude: 3,000 m / Entrance fees included / Snack Next, you will head to the Valley of the Moon. During this excursion, we will visit the Valley of the Moon, a unique desert landscape that seems straight out of another world. With its impressive combination of rock formations, dunes, canyons, and craters, the Valley of the Moon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the landscapes stretching to the horizon, while learning about the history and geology of the area. This tour also includes a stop at the Mirador del Coyote, a panoramic viewpoint that offers a spectacular view of the Valley of the Moon and its surroundings. We will also visit the Tres Marias, a rock formation that resembles three gigantic stone statues, as well as the Salt Cave, a natural salt formation shaped over time. Pick-up at your hotel between 4:30 and 5:00 pm / Return to San Pedro scheduled around 8:30 pm Difficulty: low / Maximum altitude: 2,600 m Entrance fees included / Cocktail Group activities, with English/Spanish-speaking guide.

• day 6

  Altiplanic Lagoons

  Expedition in the morning, in the heart of the Andes mountain range, towards the Altiplanic lagoons. In addition to being the best excursion to gently acclimatize to the altitude, this outing is the most complete of all those offered in San Pedro. You will discover "las lagunas altiplánicas", that is to say the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, located at the foot of the Andes and the volcanoes of the same name. The beautiful shades of blue and the local wildlife will transport you to a magical landscape. The tour will continue to climb in altitude with the Salar de Talar and the viewpoint towards the Red Stones. During this excursion, you will surely have the chance to observe flamingos, vicuñas, foxes, and various birds. Then, head to the Salar de Atacama and the Chaxa lagoon to observe flamingos, as well as the two villages of Socaire and Toconao. Plan to bring very warm clothes, gloves, hats, scarves, as temperatures can be very low. Pick-up at your hotel between 6:30 am / Return to San Pedro scheduled around 4:30 pm Difficulty: medium / Maximum altitude: 4,300 m Entrance fees included / Breakfast and box lunch Group activity, with English/Spanish-speaking guide

• day 7

  Salines Road

  Your guide will pick you up at your hotel between 8:00 and 8:30 am to set off along the route of the salars. You will start the day by enjoying a fabulous view of the Licancabur volcano. The first stop is in front of the imposing Licancabur volcano, where you will enjoy breakfast in an exceptional setting. Continuing along this route, you will stop at the Quepiaco bofedal, a perfect habitat for birdwatching and discovering the characteristic wildlife of the region. The journey continues until you reach the Monjes de la Pacana and the Guardian of the Salar, rock formations resulting from volcanic activity, which will amaze you with their unique features. Next, head to the farthest point: the Quisquiro salar, where you will learn more about the formation of this salt deposit. Finally, you will explore the Salar de Aguas Calientes II, a magnificent setting that highlights the region's natural environment. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and warm clothing, as temperatures can be low at altitude and it can be very windy. Pick-up at your hotel between 8:30 am. Expected return to San Pedro around 4:30 pm. Difficulty: medium / Maximum altitude: 4,300 m Breakfast and box lunch Group activity, with English/Spanish-speaking guide.

• day 8

  End of stay

  Pick-up at your hotel between 5:00 and 5:30 AM to take you to the famous Tatio Geysers. Departure before sunrise towards the highest geothermal field in the world... The spectacle of the great fumaroles of the Tatio Geysers is impressive and takes place in an otherworldly landscape, which cannot leave anyone indifferent. You will visit both geothermal fields and be able to observe the impressive Tatio volcano, while breakfast will be served on site. This will be followed by a journey through the heart of what is called the Altiplano. Through these vast plains at over 4,000 meters altitude, you will observe the flora and fauna of our desert, then make a stop in the village of Machuca with its small Andean church, before returning to San Pedro around midday. Max altitude: 4320 m Breakfast is included during this excursion. Bring very warm clothing, as well as a hat, gloves, and scarf, as the temperature at this altitude can be very low in the morning. Entrance fees included. Then, group transfer to Calama airport or the bus terminal if you wish to head towards Northern Argentina. You can connect Atacama with Purmamarca and Salta by bus.