Hiking Tours > Atacama & Santiago

B = Breakfast    BL = Box Lunch   L = Lunch   CV = Coctail VIP    D = Dinner

Arrival at Calama Airport or central bus station and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. On the route to San Pedro we will stop at the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain) at a lookout point. Salt Mountain is a spectacular geological phenomenon. Composed of big salt deposits, gypsum and red clay earth, the Cordillera de la Sal offers rugged scenery rich in natural sculptures. Arrival in Mars Valley where we will have a 1,5 hrs hike surrounded by red-brown hills of peculiar morphology, it is also a part of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains). Walking between attractive geological forms, beautiful dunes appear interrupted by sharpened hills rich in crystallized gypsum. This scenery recreates a planetary image, and during dawn and twilight hours, everything ignites in an orange tone. After 1 hour hike, we’ll arrive in San Pedro de Atacama and check in at our hotel, accompanied by lunch. In the afternoon drive to the Cary Canyon and trek to the Moon Valley to wait for the sunset. Valle de la Luna is situated in the middle of the Cordillera de la Sal; it is a valley of statuesque, rocky formations. Salt emerges to the surface, covering the surface with a dry, whitish layer that gives the place a lunar aspect. 
In the Valle de la Luna, we visit the statues of salt called “Las Tres Marias“ , the salt mine, the salt caves and we will walk up by the sand dunes of the area until we reach the summit of the Big Dune. There you will see the whole valley at the sunset, while a spectacular change of colors happens in front of your eyes. After sundown, you will enjoy a VIP cocktail under the stars. Our guide will explain and show you the stars constellations of the southern hemisphere. Transfer back to your hotel.

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After breakfast we’ll head to Toconao and Chaxa Lagoon. On the way we will have a view on the ALMA Project. The Atacama Large Millimetres Array (ALMA) is an astronomy project currently under development and consists of 64 antennae, 12m diameter each, which will be constructed in the Chajnantor zone, 5,000 meters above sea level. ALMA was formed when some of the most important millimetres astronomy projects consolidated into one global project. The individual projects were the European Large Southern Array (LSA), the US Millimetre Array (MMA) and the Japanese Large Millimetres and Sub millimetre Array (LMSA).
Afterwards we’ll head to Toconao, a 600 inhabitants town who make their living through agriculture and handcrafts. We will look at typical handcrafts made of llama wool, cactus wood, volcanic rock and alpaca wool. We will visit the Tower of San Lucas, which is a National Monument and symbol of the town. The houses of Toconao are constructed mostly from liparita, a very white stone extracted from the nearby quarry. We continue the trip to see the Salar de Atacama (salt lake) and enter the National Flamingo Reserve at Chaxa Lagoon sector. This National Reserve is formed by a gigantic depression of more than 3.500km2, located 2.300 m.a.s.l. The Salar is the biggest salt field in Chile and its large quantities of salt make the surface white and rough. The dryness and altitude of the salt field allow an excellent panoramic view of the area. The bottom of the salt field is composed of an enormous lake, which receives water from mountain rivers and melting snow. As it has no runoff, several small lagoons have formed, where we can observe the three types of flamingos living in the area, the English, the Andean and the Chilean.

We continue in the direction of the Altiplano. We will stop at Socaire village at 3.300 m.a.s.l.  to acclimatize and photograph the small church of San Bartolomé. It is the last village of Lican Antai or Atacameño culture for the travelers on their way to Salta in Argentina, along the Sico Pass international road.
We continue our trip to Miscanti and Meñique lagoons of crystalline water and intense blue color  at 4.350 and 4.100 m.a.s.l. Surrounded by numerous volcanoes and mountains, they are a habitat for a variety of species, such as the Chilean flamingo, the small parina, the playero de Bird and the horned crane , among others. In the surrounding scenery, the hills of Miscanti and Meñiques can be seen, and the area is part of the Flamingo National Reserve. We will have a Lunch-Box on the way and a 2 hour hike in Valley of Callejón Varela afterwards.
Return to San Pedro de Atacama,  dinner and overnight.

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Morning for outdoor activities. Trek from Guatin along the Puritama River. Come to the hotsprings and enjoy a relaxed hot springs bath. Lunch there and return to San Pedro de Atacama. One hour hike to Pukara de Quitor, 3 km north of San Pedro. This fortified village was constructed during the last stage of San Pedro cultural development, between 1000 and 1500 A.D. It was constructed in order to protect the inhabitants and goods of the area against the constant attacks of neighboring groups. With Pedro de Valdivia’s arrival in 1540, the first battle between the Spanish conquistadors and Atacameños occurred. This battle was famous for the brutality of the conquistadors, who, after knocking down the defenses of Pukará and defeating the Atacameño resistance, took the leaders captive and decapitated them.
The walls of the central part of Pukará have been reconstructed, so that you can imagine what the settlement was originally like.
After Quitor we will hike for 2.5 Hs. the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) Salt Mountains is a spectacular geological phenomenon. Composed of big salt deposits , gypsum and red clay earth, the Cordillera de la Sal offers rugged scenery rich in natural sculptures.  Return to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight.
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Early departure to see in the morning the fumarols of the Geysers El Tatio. We’ll have a second breakfast at the geothermal field, walking around and observing the Andean flora and fauna. Drive to the Andean village Caspana and have a soft trek there, visiting its church. Caspana lies in a fertile valley in a deep gorge. Caspana has a large cultivated area of approximate 46ha. in terraced style (inca style) and extensive fields of flowers and vegetables in the riverbeds. All this makes Caspana a mystical Andean village. Here we will have lunch.
After lunch drive to Lasana and trek for 2 hours along the river to Chiu Chiu. Transfer to the Calama airport. End of services.

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Pick up from the hotel in Santiago and drive 62 km onwards the Andes across the Maipo river valley. On weekends the locals come out to the street to sell “Empanadas and Pan Amasado” the most typical country meal together with honey, home made marmalade and some wooden handcrafts.

Arrive in San Alfonso or around the area at some 2.000m and start trekking following narrow and steep trails used by the arrieros (Andean cowboys) to take cattle and herds to higher grazing lands during summer. Depending on the season, there are many waterfalls, streams and pools where cold-refreshing bathes can be taken. On winter and springtime the giant Condors fly down in search of food to a lower altitude where we might have the chance to scout them. The route will vary depending on the interests and physical condition of the participants; this tour is lead by our experienced guides who are happy to point out the many spectacular views, as well as the native flora & fauna along the trail. The average hiking time is 3hrs.
Enjoy lunch at a restaurant. Typical meal consists normally of barbecue, grilled fish and salads served with wine and drinks.
Star driving down to Santiago with stop at the village of La Obra where the small winery of El Raco is located. The name el Raco stands for the warm winter wind that blows in the Andes forecasting the rains.
Drive back to Santiago arriving at your hotel at 18:30 hrs aprox.

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Pick up from the hotel in Santiago and drive 62km onwards the Andes across the Maipo River valley. On weekends the locals come out to the street to sell  “Empanadas and Pan Amasado” the most typical country meal together with honey, home made marmalade and some wooden handcrafts
Arrive in San Alfonso and Cascada de Las Animas or El Toyo at some 2.000m and start trekking following narrow and steep trails used by the arrieros (Andean cowboys) to take cattle and herds to higher grazing lands during summer. Depending on the season, there are many waterfalls, streams and pools where cold-refreshing bathes can be taken. On winter and springtime the giant Condors fly down in search of food to a lower altitude where we might have the chance to scout them. The route will pass the vegetation line and will mean about a 500 or 800mt gain. The aim of the hike will be a summit of some 3.000m with splendid view over the Maipo valley. Box lunch is deliver to everyone at the start point to pack it on their backpacks and enjoy it while on the mountain.
Star driving down to Santiago. Time permitting we would stop at the small winery of El Raco to learn a bit of the Chiles celebrated wine tradition.
Drive back to Santiago arriving at your hotel at 19:30hrs app.

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Ecotours invites you on a fun-filled excursion through the Andes Mountain Range, just a short distance away from Santiago. An 8-hour trek will allow us to reach the summit of Cerro Provincia, which peaks at an altitude of 2.750 meters.
Departure from hotel or meeting point at 8:00 am in a private vehicle, embarking on the route to Farellones.

After about 40 minutes of driving, we will arrive to Puente (Bridge) Ñilhue, where we will start with the trek through the mountain range.
During our journey, we will see mountain birds and flora, and if we are lucky, we will get the chance to see Vizcacha (Chilean rodent). After one hour we will arrive to Vallecito, where we will enjoy a brief rest and will swim in a beautiful waterfall.
We will resume the trek and hike up for one more hour until we get to Altos del Naranjo, (Naranjo Heights), altitude of approx. 1,800 mts. We will enjoy the beautiful view from under a big Peumo while we catch our breath. If we feel fine physically, we will continue with the second half of the excursion, and head for the summit of Cerro Provincia, altitude of 2.750 meters.

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, the scenic views will the best compensation for our efforts during the 4 and a half-hour trip. At the summit it is possible to see the Condor (National Bird) and herds of wild horses.

We will gain back our energy and begin the hike back. It will take about three hours to get back to Puente Ñilhue. We will transport back to the hotel or meeting point in the vehicle. Arrival time will be approximately 9 pm. End of services.

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Pick up from the hotel in Santiago and drive 62 km onwards the Andes across the Maipo River valley. On weekends the locals come out to the street to sell “Empanadas and Pan Amasado” the most typical country meal together with honey, home made marmalade and some wooden handcrafts
Arrive in San Alfonso and Cascada de Las Animas or El Toyo at some 2.000m and start trekking following narrow and steep trails used by the arrieros (Andean cowboys) to take cattle and herds to higher grazing lands during summer. Depending on the season, there are many waterfalls, streams and pools where cold-refreshing bathes can be taken. On winter and springtime the giant Condors fly down in search of food to a lower altitude where we might have the chance to scout them. The route will pass the vegetation line and will mean about a 500 or 800mt gain. The aim of the hike will be a summit of some 3.000m with splendid view over the Maipo valley. Box lunch is deliver to everyone at the start point to pack it on their backpacks and enjoy it while on the mountain.
Star driving down to Santiago. Time permitting we would stop at the small winery of El Raco to learn a bit of the Chiles celebrated wine tradition.
Drive back to Santiago arriving at your hotel at 19:30hrs aprox.

info@ecotours.cl