Experience the mesmerizing beauty of the desert during this Atacama tour. Reserve your spot today to embark on an extraordinary trekking adventure!
Join us on a weeklong trip, full of exciting adventures. Marvel at the otherworldly rock formations in the Moon Valley, witness the incredible eruptions of the Tatio Geysers and explore the vastness of Atacama’s Salt Flats.
Admire natural wonders in northern Chile on this thrilling Atacama tour.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the world’s driest desert.
- See the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons.
- Visit local indigenous villages and examine Pre-Columbian Ruins and Geoglyphs.
- Enjoy starry skies.
- See the Atacama Salt Flats and participate in “off the beaten path” trekking.
itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: The Adventure Starts
- Day 2: Rainbow Valley & Petroglyphs
- Day 3: Trek to Rio Grande
- Day 4: Rio Grande to Machuca
- Day 5: Machuca to Tatio Geysers and Guatin Gatchi Valley
- Day 6: Atacama Salt Flat and Lagoons
- Day 7: Goodbye Atacama
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: The Adventure Starts
We’ll arrive at Calama Airport and drive straight to San Pedro de Atacama, passing the impressive rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt mountains). Once in San Pedro, we receive a briefing over lunch about the upcoming days and in the afternoon we embark on our first hike in the vast, amazing Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). On the hike, we will walk over sand dunes until we reach the viewpoint from where we will witness one of the world's most beautiful sunsets, intensified by the warm colors throughout the Valley. We come back to town and stay overnight in San Pedro.
Day 2: Rainbow Valley & Petroglyphs
After breakfast, we’ll drive towards Yerbas Buenas and walk to the San Pedro River, exploring small canyons. The path crosses the river and there are unique geological formations.
Our journey will take us to the Domeyko Mountains and Rainbow Valley, known for its breathtaking stripes of copper, silver, jade, violet, and more. Immerse yourself in the terrain's beauty, shaped by erosion.
After experiencing Rainbow Valley, we'll continue to the Yerbas Buenas campsite, where you'll see pre-Columbian petroglyphs. These images, etched on rock walls from volcanic ash, tell stories of ancient animals and hidden messages.
At the end of the day, we will camp under the starry Atacama sky.
Day 3: Trek to Rio Grande
We set off early, passing the old abandoned mine of San Bartolo. As we climb, we come across a forgotten mining graveyard and ancient petroglyphs. The trail then leads us up to the side of the valley, greeted by a breathtaking and desolate desert landscape. Shade is rare, and some areas of the valley are so dry that scientists have found no signs of life, not even bacteria! By late afternoon, we reach the intimate indigenous village of Rio Grande (3250 m.a.s.l.), one of the few remaining Altiplano communities with fewer than 100 residents. We camp within the protective walls of the village church, with nearby inviting pools where we can wash and unwind.
Day 4: Rio Grande to Machuca
Today will be the most challenging day as we walk towards Machuca Village. The trail continues alongside streams in narrow valleys with locals and llama herds. We’ll climb steep canyons, gaining altitude until we reach the wetlands of Machuca, full of wildlife.
You'll encounter Peñaliri, offering a view against peaks and wilderness. See traditional plantations thriving in the high-altitude environment with native potatoes, corn, and onions. This glimpse into adaptability is a highlight.
From here, we view Licancabur Volcano, the sacred mountain of the Atacameño people. At 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level, we’ll relax and acclimatize at our campsite next to a 'bofedal' - wetlands where llamas graze.
Day 5: Machuca to Tatio Geysers and Guatin Gatchi Valley
After breakfast, we’ll leave Machuca and head to the Tatio Geysers, arriving after the sunrise crowds. The Geysers can be enjoyed in sunlight at a relaxed pace. The geothermal field is incredible, with steam bursts up to 40 meters high.
After exploring the geysers, we'll drive to Guatin Valley. We’ll hike through a Cardon forest, encountering giant cacti. We'll reach the confluence of two rivers: warm Puritama and cool Purifica, forming the Vilama River, which sustains the ecosystem. Continuing through the valley, we'll follow a rocky path with waterfalls and cross the river, passing unique vegetation. Finally, enjoy the enchanting view of the valley below, adding a magical touch to our hike.
Day 6: Atacama Salt Flat and Lagoons
We get up feeling refreshed and satisfied that we crossed the heart of Atacama with the same explorer spirit of its first inhabitants. We’ll drive towards the amazing Salt Flats, home to astonishing birds like the Chilean Pink Flamingos. Then we continue driving towards the marvelous Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, full of turquoise waters that beautifully contrast with the autumnal colors of the Altiplanic lands. It’s a truly incredible landscape! We’ll spend our final night in San Pedro.
Day 7: Goodbye Atacama
On the final day, we’ll relax and wander around the village, visiting the handicraft shops, church, and museum.
In the afternoon we will drive to the Calama Airport to catch our flight back to Santiago... Adiós Atacama!
Please contact us for dates
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Atacama | Hotel Kimal or similar |
| Atacama | Campsite or similar |
Whats included?
- One expert English-speaking guide.
- All ground private transportation as indicated in the itinerary.
- 3 nights in 3-star hotel in San Pedro.
- 3 nights camping.
- Sleeping mat.
What’s not included?
- Sleeping bag (you need to bring your own).
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip).
- Voluntary tipping to guides and staff.
- Domestic flight tickets.
- Personal items.
Notes
Important notes:
- A minimum of 4 people is required to confirm a departure at the advertised price, supplements apply if the group is only between 1-3 people. Maximum of 14 people per group. Please ask us for availability.
- The trip starts in the morning at the Calama Airport. The last transfer pick-up time is 12:30 PM. The trip finishes at the Calama Airport and we suggest booking flights departing after 5 PM.
- Trekking in the Atacama Desert requires more physical preparation than for most vacations. On this trip, you will be trekking between 4 to 7 hours a day for 4 continuous days at high altitudes on dry sandy terrain. On the fourth day, the trail will run into the highlands (average 4,100mt / 10,500ft) which is demanding given the altitude. Guides will always have oxygen tanks with them if someone feels sick.
- Guide to passenger ratio: 1:6, a maximum of 14 people per group.
- During the treks, you will only have to carry your daypack.
- If you would like to have this tour in Private, please ask us for prices.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
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