Private airport transfer in Santiago with a guide and driver.
Fly directly from Santiago to Calama airport. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours.
Please note: Flight rates and availability are subject to change until booking.
You will be met at the airport and transferred by private vehicle and guide to the Awasi Lodge.
Included in your stay are the following: lodging, breakfast, lunch, appetizer and dinner (lunch on the date of check-in is not included), alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, private outings, 2 half day or 1 full day excursion per day is included (on check-in/check-out day there is only 1 half day outing included), transfers from/to Calama Airport.
At Awasi, excursions are private, exclusive, and are programmed according to your preferences and pace. Tailor-made outings are designed with your private guide who will help you plan your trips and will accompany you during your stay. You can choose full- or half-day trips. We offer easy strolls or intense treks for the more adventurous, horse-back riding, bicycle rides, visits to archaeological sites, visits to the salt flats, Altiplano lagoons or villages hidden among the deep valleys. You can get up at dawn to go and see the geysers and relax in the thermal pools. Bird watching or an evening astronomic tour with local guides are some of the experiences you can organize during your stay at Awasi.
Tocanao and Atacama Salt Lake: Depart by private vehicle from Awasi Lodge and head south 60 miles to the town of Toconao. There, you can visit its historic church and bell tower and tour the stalls of craftspeople who offer their goods in the square. Next to Toconao is Jere creek, a canyon with the only running fresh water in these surroundings. Then, continue on to Chaxa pond, a National Reserve located at Atacama Salt Lake. In this setting you may observe the flamingoes that inhabit the Salt Lake, as well as other native bird species. Length: 4 hrs, Difficulty: Easy
Moon Valley: Depart for the Natural Reserve, which is located some 15 minutes away in the middle of the Salt Range. As the tour progresses, you will find lookouts from which to observe the unusual geological shapes which, together with the action of wind and water, have originated a land relief reminiscent of the inhospitable beauty of the lunar surface. Length: 3.5 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Cejar Pond: Cejar, a set of three ponds located in the middle of the Salt Lake in one of which you can bathe. Given its high degree of saltiness, you can float on the water but in fact cannot sink, a phenomenon similar to what you find in the Dead Sea (Israel). Here you can watch birds that live in the Salt Lake zone, such as flamingoes and Andean gulls, and enjoy a privileged view of the surrounding ranges. Length: 3 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Puritama: The road to the hot springs provides a magnificent view of the Andean Range. Upon arriving at the hot springs, go down the creek to the pools, which are surrounded by a native vegetation that also acts as a shelter for birds. There are 7 different pools to choose from, ranging in temperature from 86F to 92F, which makes them ideal for relaxation. Length: 3.5 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Rio Grande: Upon reaching Yerbas Buenas, you will find ancient petroglyphs carved on huge rock walls. After travelling over a steep road you will arrive at Santiago del Rio Grande. From there, enjoy a spectacular view of the valley, its farming terraces, animal corrals, and creek hillsides. You can also take a walk around the town and to the farming sectors, as well visiting the church and the craftsmen. Length: 3.5 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Catarpe: Depart Awasi heading north, passing de Quitor Ayllu-famous for its pukara fortress and cross the San Pedro River. There, you can take a walk in the Tambillo and Devil’s Creek sector. Continue on to the Ayllu at Catarpe, where you will have lunch in an old adobe house. Then continue on to an old Inca tambo -a highway resting place- and the San Isidro church. After seeing the valley, visit an old Salt Range tunnel from where you have an imposing view of the valley below. Length: 2.5- 3.5 hrs. Difficulty: Easy.
Zapar: You will tour an incredibly green canyon that suddenly crops up in the middle of a dune. Down this canyon runs water that comes from the Andes Range. Walk from Tambillo, surrounded by its amazing vegetation of Tamarugo trees, and reach Zapar crossing pasture zones that are archaeologically very important. Finally, make a stop for lunch at one of the local homes who will host you. The view of Atacama Salt Lake from here is one of the best there is. Length: 2 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Kari Hike: After a 15 minute drive from Awasi, you will reach a lookout from where you can admire the geological majesty of the Salt Range. The hike starts here and then continues on a narrow path with a ravine on one side. After going down a small dune, you will find Kari canyon, a dry ancient riverbed with rock descents, grottoes and caves. This excursion has different entry and exit points. Length: 2 hrs, Difficulty: Intermediate.
Guatin Hike: Leaving Awasi by car, take the road north to San Pedro where you will reach a valley called Guatin, by a creek, along a bank of the Bizama River. A profusion of cacti, different geological formations, small waterfalls, brooks, rocks, give the area a special attraction. After hiking for two hours you will reach an abandoned shepherd ranch from which you will begin your journey back. Length: 2.5 hrs, Difficulty: Imtermediate.
Barrancas Hike: Leaving San Pedro you will cross the Ayllu of Quitor, to the Salt Range. From here you will begin your hike, first crossing this tunnel and then climbing the range. Once you reach the top, take in the splendid view of the oases, the irregular formations, and the sight of the Andes and Domeyko ranges. Length: 1.5 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Vilama Hike: After a 20-minute ride from Awasi you will reach the small Vilama valley in the Salt Range, where you will begin your walk. You will reach a flat zone with a panoramic view of the Andes. Here, find an ancient abode with petroglyphs that speaks of the history of the ancestors. Walk along this dry plain until you arrive at a downhill trail that takes you to the winding Devil’s Creek. Length: 2 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Atacama History: Depart Awasi to the Quitor Pukara, an Atacama fortress, located in the Ayllu of Quitor, 2 miles from San Pedro. From its height, enjoy a privileged view of the valley. Continue to the town of Tulor, here you will visit the digging of ruins and the reconstruction of original homes according to the criterion of archaeologists. Length: 2.5 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Walk Around Town: This is a walk to get to know San Pedro and see beyond its restaurants and shops. Enjoy a guided tour of the Father LePaige Museum, the town square, the town church, the house of Pedro de Valdivia, the craft market and the main street. Length: 2 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Bicycling The Allys: From Awasi you will depart on your bicycle andl tour some of the following San Pedro Ayllu (farming communities): Solor, Solcor, Sequitor, Larache, Quitor and Catarpe. Length: 1.5 hrs, Difficulty: Easy.
Bicyling Death Valley: Depart on bike from Awasi towards the road to Calama. Pedal on slight climb up to the Death Valley entrance in the Salt Range. Reach the highest point in the valley and appreciate impressive views; after a descent, meet the paved road on which you pedal back to Awasi. Length: 2.5 hrs, Difficulty: Intermediate.
Bicycling Coca Rock: Ideal for those who love adventure and enjoy physical exertion. Start out on bike from Awasi and head north until you reach Patience Plain, a flat zone that connects to the paved road and then to Moon Valley. Crossing the Park, you will head back to San Pedro. Length: 4 hrs, Difficulty: Difficult:
Ayllu Horse Ride: A horse ride around town, traversing narrow alleys with houses typical of the area. You can also go a bit further to visit other more distant Ayllu such as Solor, towards the south. Ideal for those who enjoy the communion with animals and with the landscape. Length: 2 hrs
Las Barrancas Horse Ride: Depart Awasi down the road to Quitor Pukara. Crossing the San Pedro River continue to Catarpe Ayllu, where you may trot and gallop. Take an old road up to the Salt Range, reach the highest part and then continue trotting or galloping along the cliff cornices, and San Pedro valley. Length: 4 hrs, Difficulty: Intermediate-Difficult.
Highland Salt Lakes: Depart Awasi and visit the towns of Toconao and Socaire (10.600 ft). Along the way see dry dessert, small oases and mountain views. You will be able to see vicunas, among other wild species and the beauty of the Tuyajtu and Aguas Calientes salt lakes, with their turquoise colored ponds inhabited by ducks and flamingoes. Length: Full day, Difficulty: Easy.
Tara Salt Lake (with Lunch): Take the road up to Jama Pass (13.800 ft), which leads to Argentina, with the splendid setting of Licancabur Volcano (19.400 ft) and Juriques Volcano (18.800 ft). Then, continue along the highland, crossing swamps and ponds inhabited by wildlife, to the incredible Pakana Monks rocky formations (15.100 ft), true marvels of nature and onwards to the huge rock cliffs that surround Tara Salt Lake, where you will enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch. Length: Full Day, Difficulty: Easy, requires prior adaptation to altitide.
Miscanti Miniques (with Lunch): Depart from Awasi and visit the towns of Toconao and Socaire (10,600 ft). Follow the road to Sico Pass, to Miscanti and Miñique Ponds which are part of Los Flamencos National Reserve (14.100 ft). The main features are its ponds and native birds such as the tagua and the blanquillo. This outing includes lunch and, possibly, an optional visit to Chaxas pond on the way back. Length: Full Day, Difficulty: Easy, requires prior adaptation to altitide.
Tatio Puritama: Depart Awasi, cross the highland and observe the very rich flora & fauna of the area. After two hours on the road, arrive at the Tatio Geysers, intermittent springs that gush out imposing steam and hot water columns. After visiting the area, you will have breakfast. Before returning to Awasi, make a stop at the Puritama warm springs, where you can bathe and enjoy an appetizer. Length: Full Day, Difficulty: Easy, requires prior adaptation to altitide.
Caspana-Airport: After breakfast, depart Awasi, crossing the highland with its ponds and its characteristic flora & fauna. After an almost two-hour trip you arrive at the town of Caspana, whose inhabitants still farm on terraces as in the past, and to an ancient sector with Inca-style rock buildings. In this framework full of history and greenness you stop for lunch. Continuing on the tour, pass the town of Chiu-Chiu, with its charming XVI century Church, Finally, arrive at the Airport, concluding this stage of the trip. Length: Full Day, Difficulty: Easy, requires prior adaptation to altitide.
Matancilla: Depart Awasi and head towards the town of Rio Grande. On the way,stop for a close look at the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs. Then take the road to the town of Matancilla, a zone of valleys surrounded by multicolored hills. Touring these valleys by car or on foot, you may see a landscape that is completely different from what you see near San Pedro. Length: Full Day, Difficulty: Easy.
Talabre: Walking its streets, admire the style of its buildings, its church, its history. Journey on by vehicle and then walk down some 600 ft to admire petroglyphs, ancient Atacama vestiges. Back to the town where you will have lunch at the home of a local family. Then you will have two options: one is to return to San Pedro; the second, to continue either to Chaxas lake or to Zapar, end see these places at sunset. Length: Full Day: Difficulty: Easy if done fully by car. If opt for the hike, it is Intermediate to difficult.
Accommodation: Awasi Lodge Situated on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama, a little oasis town huddled around the riverbed of San Pedro River, Awasi Lodge is no ordinary hosteria. It is a new boutique hotel with the highest standards of personalized service. Its hosts are proud to offer travellers a place of serenity and beauty that aims to strike a perfect harmony with its surroundings. Built with natural, local materials - adobe, stone and wood, its ambience exudes an air of earthy luxury, where great attention is paid to every detail. The Lodge comprises of only 8 cabins, which ensures an intimate and private atmosphere to make each guest feel at home. The circular, thatch-roofed cabins are constructed in the local style with traditional materials, tastefully furnished for comfort and style, each with its own spacious bathroom and private patio where you can relax in privacy.