Highlights of the Atacama

Day 1: Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama

After arriving at Calama Airport, you'll be taken by a shared transfer to your hotel in the colourful village of San Pedro de Atacama, passing the impressive rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) on the way. San Pedro is located 2,440m above sea level in the middle of a vast Andean plain.

You'll be free this afternoon to enjoy the village on your own, soaking up the relaxed atmosphere in Bohemian San Pedro. The town has many wonderful restaurants to choose from.

Accommodation: Hotel in San Pedro

Day 2: Atacama Salt Flat and Altiplanic Lagoons

This full day starts with you heading towards the Atacama Salt Flat, the 3rd largest in the world, where you can see two or three different pink species of flamingos at the Chaxa Lagoons. You'll then visit the stunning Miscanti and Miñiques Altiplanic Lagoons at an altitude of 4,200m. Their intensely blue-coloured waters contrast strikingly with the volcanoes that tower above them.

You'll have lunch in a local restaurant and a stroll around the charming town of Socaire, famous for its agricultural terraces.

Excursion: Full day excursion with a private guide

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in San Pedro

Day 3: El Tatio Geysers

Before dawn, your guide will collect you to head north, about 1.5hrs along a dirt road, to the famous El Tatio Geysers – a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. El Tatio is situated at 4,300m above sea level on the Bolivian border and is the highest geothermal field in the world. It's just about as 'in the middle of nowhere' as you can get.

On the way there, we'll stop at the farming village of Machuca - an historic resting place for llama caravans that traveled the Inca Highway.

At the El Tatio geyser field, you'll be able to watch the geyser erupt and the brilliant salt crystals reflect around the steaming pools. We'll also visit Geyser Blanco where some hardy souls even try to dip in the cooler pools.

We'll then return to San Pedro de Atacama before lunch and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Excursion: Half day excursion with a private guide

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in San Pedro

Day 4: Moon Valley; Transfer to Calama Airport

Around 6.30am we'll head to the beautiful Salt Mountain Range where we'll have breakfast while watching the sunrise. We'll then embark on our final hike, into the vast Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). Here we'll walk beside sand dunes until we reach a viewpoint from where we'll have stunning views of the unique landscapes, intensified by the morning sun.

On the way back to the hotel, we'll stop to spend some time with two local families for a taste of typical Atacameñan products and learn about the history, culture and challenges of San Pedro de Atacama.

In the afternoon you'll take a shared transfer from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport, ready for departure or onward travel.

We recommend a flight departing after 5pm.

Meals: Breakfast