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Day 5
San Pedro de Atacama Van Trips (Half Day and Full Day Excursions)
Ideal for the first days in the desert, to help with the acclimatization process, Van trips will introduce you to the beauty and magnitude of Atacama. You will visit high mountain lakes and witness the Andes in full display of power; the Tatio geysers, the highest and third largest geothermal field in the world.
And, as in all of Alto Atacama’s excursions there is no rush. Take all the pictures that you want, talk to the curious children that approach us in every town, walk through the local markets, make moments last.
The following is the complete list of all van trips available. Your guide will assist in determining which options are advisable each day.
Half Day Van Trips:
Lickanantai Culture: We head out from the Alto Atacama to the Pucará de Quitor parking lot. From here we go via Quitor to the municipal parking lot in San Pedro de Atacama. Visit the Gustavo Le-Paige Museum, the Church, main square, and handicrafts market. Ending with a visit to the Tulor Village. Return to the Alto Atacama Hotel. Length: Half day Level: Easy Altitude: 2440 m.a.sl. Acclimatization: Not required.
Toconao - Atacama Salt Flats (Chaxas Lagoon): Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in a van to the small village of Toconao, "Hidden Valley" in Kunza. We visit the church, square, bell tower, and local handicrafts. We continue the route to the Soncor sector of the National Flamingo Reserve. At the Chaxas lagoon, we see a 14 minute explanatory video (optional). We walk a 400 meter circuit in about 30 minutes to observe the flora and bird life of the area. Sunset with appetizers, return to San Pedro de Atacama to the Alto Atacama Hotel. Length: Half day Level: Easy Altitude: 2300 m.a.s.l. Acclimatization: Not required.
Sunset in the Valley of the Moon: Head out of the Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor, to the crossroads with Licancabur Street following the road to Calama, take road towards Kari Lookout, after we drive to the Tres Marías, central crater, and amphitheatre and continue to the Sunset spot, located in front of the amphitheatre or back to the Kari lookout. Length: Half day. Level: Easy. Altitude: 2550 m.a.s.l. Acclimatization: Not required.
Cave Paintings: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in a van towards the Hierbas Buenas area, where we will see petroglyphs that reflect on the continuous movements of ancient shepherds. We continue to Santiago de Rio Grande (currently a pastoral-agricultural area), where we can observe the architecture, handicrafts, and crops, before continuing on to Matancilla and its Rainbow Valley ( great mineral reliefs made up of copper oxide, sulphur, iron, and gypsum crystals). Return to Alto Atacama Hotel. Length: Half day Difficulty: Easy Altitude: 3250 m.a.s.l. Acclimatization: Not required
Full Day Van Trips:
Tatio Geyser: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel in a van towards the Tatio Geysers, easy walk on a trail within the geothermal field, where we can observe the geysers, fumaroles, springs, and local fauna. On the road, we will see beautifully contrasting landscapes. Very low (below zero) temperatures in the morning, on our return, we will visit the small village of Machuca, and then return to San Pedro de Atacama and to the hotel. Length: Full Day Difficulty: medium Altitude: 4321 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: At least two full days, of having been in San Pedro de Atacama.
High Andes Lagoons: We head southwest out of the Alto Atacama Hotel in the van, passing the village of Socaire before reaching the High Andes lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques (Approx 2hrs 30 min.). The beauty of the area is given by the lagoons surrounded by the high points of the Andes mountain range and the flora that lends the wide variety of color. We can also observe local fauna here. A buffet lunch and return to San Pedro de Atacama and the hotel. Length: Full day Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 4200 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days prior in San Pedro de Atacama.
High Mountain Villages: We head out of the Alto Atacama hotel in the van towards Guatin, taking the detour to Machuca. After doing at water crossing at the Putana Vado, we can observe its bird life; we then take another detour towards the Tocopuri police outpost, and the Chita pass to Caspana. On this road, we will see a large amount of fauna from this area. We will walk through the fields in this agricultural area, and see the liparita stone based architecture. Lunch will be in this village. We continue to the tiny village of Chiu- Chiu, its church, and if there is time, to the Lasana Pukara before reaching the El Loa airport in Calama. Length: Full day Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 3322 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Yes, at least three full days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Pujsa Salt Flat and the Pakana Monks: We head out in the van from the Alto Atacama Hotel towards the Andes Mountains, passing the Quepiaco Vegas, and the rock formations known as the Pakana Monks. Afterwards, we go back 9 kilometres to the Pujsa Salt Flat where we can observe the flora, fauna, and landscapes of this area of the Andes. A buffet lunch and return to San Pedro de Atacama and the Alto Atacama Hotel. Length: Full day Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 4300 m.a.s.l. (passing to 4690) Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Aguas Calientes Salt Flat and Tuyajto: From the hotel, we take the van on the highway towards the Sico Pass, passing Toconao and Socaire, then a dirt road about 70 kilometres to the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, where a buffet lunch is prepared, while we enjoy the Andean scenery. Length: Full day Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 4300 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days in San Pedro de Atacama
Route of the Shepherds (Trekking): We head out of the Alto Atacama Hotel to the village of Machuca, from where we descend alongside the river of the same name. The return to the hotel is from Rio Grande. Length: Full day 5 hours. Difficulty: Hard Altitude: 4015 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Yes, at least two days in San Pedro de Atacama
The Route of the Llaretas (Trekking): Copa Coya is a hill 5000 m.a.s.l. west of the geyser area, which we will go around in a trek lasting 4 to 5 hours, passing through sandy ravines and in between native high mountain flora. The trek begins with a descent through a stony area, with a barely marked trail, which is in essence animal track. We come to the lowest point of the walk, in the ravine, to start back up a moderate uphill which becomes stepper near the end. The van will be waiting at the end of the walk with a picnic sandwich lunch. Length: Full day. Walking 4.5 to 5.5 hours 8 km. Difficulty: Hard Altitude: 4000 m.a.s.l.
Required acclimatization: Yes. At least two days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Half day trekking and mountaineering excursions:
Valley of the Moon: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor to the crossroads with Licancabur Street, take the highway to Calama and detour to the Valley of the Moon, entering the park through main entrance. We will stop at a sand dune where the trek begins. We come down the dune and continue through the canyon to the left, at the first fork, we take the right hand path. We pass the first lookout, which looks upon the central crater in the Valley. We continue our route and at the second fork, we take the left hand path to get to the second lookout. We cross the great crater and continue to the Tres Marías Lookout, where we will see the sunset.
Length: Half day, 9 km. Difficulty: Medium. Altitude: 2600 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required
Los Colorados: Head out from Alto Atacama Hotel via Catarpe to the old tunnel to Calama. Our trek begins here across the ridge of the Cordillera de la Sal range, to the Great Dune of the Mars Valley through which we descend, ending our trek. Length: Half day, 6 km. Difficulty: Medium. Not recommended for people with vertigo. Altitude: 2550 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required
Alto Katarpe: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel via Catarpe to the old tunnel to Calama. Our trek begins here, across the ridge of the Cordillera de la Sal range, almost to the end of the Catarpe Valley where our van awaits. Length: Half day, 5 km. Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 2550 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required
Kari Ravine: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel via Quitor, to the crossroads with Licancabur Street, taking the road to Calama, then the Kari Ravine detour. From here we walk along the path towards the Kari Ravine, until we reach the Kari Canyon. Return to Hotel Length: Half day Difficulty: medium Altitude: 2650 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required
Quezala Ravine: At the foot of the Lascar volcano, we come to the village of Talabre and south of it is the Quezala Ravine, where we will observe petroglyphs. The trek continues above the ravine for about 1 hour. Head out from the hotel in the van along the highway to Toconao, after crossing the border station, to the village of Talabre, at the foot of the Lascar volcano, with its constant fumaroles. South of Talabre, we come to the Quezala Ravine which we enter to observe its testimony of human existence more than 12,000 years ago. Length: Half day. 4.2 km Difficulty: Easy Altitude: 2810 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required
Los Cardones Ravine: From the hotel drive in the van on the shortcut to Puritama highway, stopping at the Guatin entrance. From here, begin the trek down the Vilama river ravine. At the Apacheta, we break from the rivers path climbing to the top of the ravine to finish the trek. Length: Half day. 6.1 km. Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 3166 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: One night in San Pedro.
Tambo-Katarpe: Drive out in the van from the villa to the Katarpe Ayllu (20 minutes). Visit the church in Katarpe, and afterwards a walk over the plains and ravines up to the ancient Inca tambo of Katarpe. Return to the hotel in the van (10 minutes) Length: Half day. 3 km. Difficulty: Easy Altitude: 2510 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required
Katarpe-El Diablo Ravine: Head out in the van from the villa to the Katarpe Ayllu (15 minutes). Visit the church in Katarpe and then walk through the spectacular Cordillera de la Sal range ravines. Coming out of the El Diablo Ravine, we will be in the midst of the high walls of salt, clay, and gypsum for the final 45 minutes of the trek. Return in the van to the Alto Atacama hotel (10 minutes). Length: Half day. 2.8 km Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 2530 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required.
Jere Valley: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in a van to the village of Toconao, "Hidden Valley" in Kunza. Then we take a detour that reaches the Jere Valley, where we can see small plots with fruits and vegetables being grown... we will also observe the flora and fauna of the area. Return to San Pedro de Atacama and to the hotel. Length: Half day, 4 km.Difficulty: Easy Altitude: 2475 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required.
Mountaineering:
Licancabur Volcano: The classic route to climb the Licancabur Volcano is up the southwest side of Verde Lagoon (4350 m.a.s.l.) under the east slope of the Juriques Volcano, neighbour of the Licancabur, in Bolivia.
From the lagoon, we advance north, on the western shore, on a 4x4 only trail, from where we can see the ascent route. Afterwards, the trail takes a turn west and finally swings south, rising through a sandy ravine up to the village of Licancabur, 8 kilometres from the cone of the Licancabur volcano and the Juriques volcano, in Bolivia.
From the Bolivian refuge, the trail begins on the north east side of the Licancabur, where the first ruins at the base of the volcanic cone are located. The trail rises in a zig zag directly to the summit, through loose material at a 40º incline. At the end of the zig-zag, there are large rocks, through which the trail becomes lost at times. The path is south east, to a false summit. From this point, the summit ridge which is towards the northeast continues to the northeast end of the crater, which is the highest point of the volcanic cone, in which we find a beautiful lagoon. Vestiges of Inca artefacts have been found here. The view of the Atacama Salt Flat and the Andes mountains is breathtaking. Length: Three days. Difficulty: Hard. Altitude: 5916 m.a.s.l. (from 4.900 up to 5.916.). Required Acclimatization: Yes (at least 4 full days and having participated in at least one trek over 4000 m.a.s.l.).
Toco Volcano: Head out from the Alto Atacama Hotel in the van to the abandoned sulphur mine (1 hour 15 minutes approx). It begins the rise through a steep trail all the way to the summit. Beautiful panoramic view of the Bolivian lagoons and of the volcanoes in the Andes Mountain range. Length: Half day. Walking 2 to 3.5 hours. Difficulty: Hard Altitude: 5612 m.a.s.l. Elevation change: 365 mts. (5212 to 5612 m.a.s.l.). Acclimatization Required: Yes (at least 3 full days and have done at least one trekking excursion over 4.000 m.a.s.l.).
Mount Kimal: We leave early from the hotel, on the highway towards Calama, taking the detour to the Valley of the Moon through the Llano de la Paciencia. At kilometre 5, taking the road that goes right, through the antennas on the Domeyko range, following through to the base of Mount Kimal, where we can see the vestigial remains of old mountain camps, which is where we begin our ascent. Length: Half day. Walking 2 to 3.5 hours. Difficulty: Difficult. Altitude: 4280 m.a.s.l. Elevation change: From 3430 m.a.s.l. to 4280 m.a.s.l. Acclimatization Required: Yes (at least 3 full days and have done at least one trekking excursion over 4000 m.a.s.l.).
Mountain bike Half Day Excursions
The geography of Atacama is perfect for mountain biking. You will be fully equidep and guided while exploring stunningly beautiful trails and paths that enter pristine territories.
Everything done is approached with evolution in mind, therefore seasoned mountain bikers will be among Alto Atacama's team of guides, no matter if you are a beginner just wanting to pedal for fun & sights, or a person looking to improve your skills on a bike, we have a journey ready.
As in all of Alto Atacama’s excursions, guides will help you choose the most suitable trails for the day. Followingis a list of mountain biking excursions.
Quitor Ayllu & San Pedro de Atacama: We leave the hotel on the bicycles crossing the beautiful Quitor Valley, and its colourful cropland. Visit the town of San Pedro de Atacama. We continue to the Quitor Ayllu and back to the Alto Atacama Hotel. Length: Half day, 10 km. Difficulty: Easy Altitude: 2460 m.a.s.l.
Katarpe Valley: Head out from the hotel riding 500 meters, to the foot of the Quitor Pukara, where we will cross the San Pedro River, to enter the Katarpe valley, to the church 7 km away. Length: Half day. 15 km. Difficulty: Easy Altitude: 2460 m.a.s.l.
Cejar Lagoon: Heading out from the Alto Atacama Hotel, we cross the Quitor Ayllu, passing by the town of San Pedro de Atacama, the Conde Duque Ayllu, continuing through Yaye and Solcor to the Solor Ayllu, and then to the Poconche Ayllu, taking the detour on a dirt road that takes us to the Cejar Lagoon (1 hour approximately) and returning to the Alto Atacama Hotel. Length: Half day 21.6 km. Difficulty: Medium Altitude: 2410 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Not required Note: if you want to swim in the lagoon, we advise that you take waterproof sandals as the ground is very hard and jagged in places.
Inca Pass: Head out from Alto Atacama Lodge to the Katarpe Valley. We take the detour towards the old tunnel, where we will climb until reaching the base of the ridge. First point of interest. Here we begin a descent that takes us to the Coca Rock, second point of interest. We continue the descent to the Llano de la Paciencia, where we connect with the road that takes us back to San Pedro de Atacama through the Mars Valley. We will come down the dunes while observing the geological formations. Return to the Lodge via an interior road of the Quitor Ayllu. Length: Half day, 29 km. Difficulty: Hard Altitude: 2600 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Yes, two nights in San Pedro.
The Desert Valleys: We pedal out of the hotel at an altitude of 2470 m.a.s.l. heading south east, to cross the San Pedro River after 500 meters and continue up through the Quitor valley, observing foxtails, breas, carob trees, and chañares, among other flora.
At km 6, we take an old road at the fork that used to connect San Pedro de Atacama with Calama, with a strong grade for 2.5 km until reaching an old tunnel dating back to 1930. Inside, there is landslide material that does not allow motor vehicles to cross. It is, nevertheless, completely safe to ride through it.
After crossing the tunnel and a well deserved rest stop, we continue our way down through the formations left by water that once flowed down the soft slope of the western face of the Cordillera de la Sal range, opposite the Llano de la Paciencia, until we reach the "Coca Rock" (where we observe that this great rock has small cavities where the ancient shepherds placed the coca leaves they chewed onto the rock). We continue pedaling south until we reach the current Calama-San Pedro Highway.
Up to here, the route is the same as on the Coca Rock excursion, except that now, instead of taking the direction of San Pedro de Atacama, we cross the highway through the Llano de la Paciencia to the western entrance of the Valley of the Moon, so that we then cross the Cordillera de la Sal range, heading east, passing the Tres Marías (wind carved rock formation, named by Father Gustavo Le Paige), the central crater of the Valley of the Moon, and the great dune.
We continue our route across the vichufita (compacted salt and mineral) road to the international highway, and arrive in San Pedro de Atacama after riding these 38 exhausting kilometres. Length: Half day. 43 km. Difficulty: Hard Altitude: 2470 - 2750 m.a.s.l. Required acclimatization: Yes, two days in San Pedro
Descent from the base of the Sairecabur Volcano: We leave the Alto Atacama Hotel early, with the bikes loaded onto the van, while we drink water constantly. Drive to the base of the Sairecabur volcano, where we will see an old sulphur mine. We do a final check on our GIANT bicycles, before we go downhill on the Devils Hill to the Puritama hot springs. Length: 4 hours, 44 km. Difficulty: Hard. Experts only Average altitude: Between 2470 to 3800 m.a.s.l. Overnight at Alto Atacama. |
Tatio Geyser |
Valley of the Moon |
Cycling |
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Peru & Galapagos
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