Name: 6-Day Family Adventures - Atacama Desert
Start: 2024-06-01T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chili

AMITY TOURS

Email address verified

12 reviews

Jun 1 - Oct 1, 2024

Group size: 2 - 12

6-Day Family Adventures - Atacama Desert

San Pedro de Atacama, Chili

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AMITY TOURS

Email address verified

12 reviews

Jun 1 - Oct 1, 2024

Group size: 2 - 12

Amity Tours has developed this new tour in the Atacama Desert for families who love walking during the day and rest comfortable at night.

You’ll hike among astonishing landscapes surrounded by volcanoes and secret paths between valleys, salt flats, gorges, in addition to learning about Atacama history, culture, archaeology, and its native flora and fauna.

Before we kick off our bike and hike tour in the Atacama Desert, you should take a day or two to adjust to local time and recover from your travels, and allow for any flight or luggage delays. You should fly into Calama airport (CJC).

In Chile, domestic flights are operated by 3 local airline companies: Latam, Sky Airline and JetSmart.

Official Airport Transfer

The official shuttle company at Calama's Airport is called TransVip.

They are the only authorized shuttle company at the airport, and their staff wears a green and orange uniform.

By contract with the airport, they must have available transport based in the domestic flights arriving every day. They have a counter at the airport, on the ground floor next to the car rental companies.

They offer regular shuttles to San Pedro de Atacama at $12.000 pesos (USD $17 per person), and they need a minimum of 4 people. If they don't have the 4 minimum passengers, or if you want to have a private shuttle, with the same company you can do it at $75.000 (USD $100 per vehicle).

You don’t need reservations and you can pay in Credit Card or Cash. The ATM is on ground floor.

All their shuttle services will drop you off at the hotel or address you are staying in San Pedro de Atacama. Driving time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

For the pre-night stay, we recommend staying at Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás in San Pedro de Atacama, which is well-located with lots of restaurants and other facilities just a short walk away.

Suggested Hotels

Professional guide
English-Speaking speaking (9:1 guest-to-guide ratio)
Private transportation
5 nights’ accommodation
At 3* hotel
All activities
Walking, culture experience with the Likan Antai indigenous community, hot springs, star-gazing
Meals
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 evening cocktail. We also include the f
0 waste on-route snacks
drinking water, local beer, isotonic drinks, trail-mix, fresh fruit and home-made energy bars
Gratuities
At restaurants and hotels
Insurance
Medical and accident
Hiking poles
Water bottle
Available upon request
Entrance fees
To hot springs and national parks

Single Supplement

$290

Day 1
Day 1
Likan Antai cultural experience - Hike in Mars Valley
Welcome to Atacama – the driest desert in the World.

Morning excursion

On our first day, you will meet your team of local professional guides at Hotel. Today we will have a great introductory experience to the Likan Antay culture as we visit the different ayllus around San Pedro de Atacama.

The Ayllu is an ancient type of organization and land management, created by the Altiplano people who inhabited these desert sites.

We will meet Wildo and his family who will share with us an introductory conversation regarding the territory and some of their tradition. We will experience different traditions of the Likan antay people.

Afternoon excursion

After a good rest, we’ll head towards the Salt Mountain Range where the Mars Valley is located. This mountain range forms a natural barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Salt Flat.

After ascending a small dune, we will hike north along one of the cornices bordering the Mars Valley. The stunning panoramic view allows us to appreciate how erosion has molded the Salt Mountain Range, revealing the geological processes that shaped it.

The most fun part of the excursion is a steep but enjoyable descent down a dune, from where we cross the valley on our way back to the van.

Altitude: 2,600 meters above sea level

Distance: 3,7 kilometers

Time hiking: 1 hour 20 minutes

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: La Casa de Don Tomas Hotel

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Day 2
Day 2
Cejar Lagoon ride - Kari Gorge trail hike in Moon Valley
Morning Ride

Today we’ll bike towards Ojos del Salar, the Tebinquinche & Cejar Lagoons, where you’ll get the change to swim, enjoying the gravitational effect caused by the amount of salt condensed, floating very easily. Your eyes will be amazed with the beautiful turquoise color of the lagoon.

Distance by bike: 40 kilometers

Elevation: 2.400 meters above sea level

Intensity level: Low/Easy

Afternoon Hike

During the afternoon, we’ll head toward the Moon Valley, located in the Salt Mountain Range, which forms a natural barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Salt Flat. The hike starts at the Coyote rock, a strange rock formation and getting deep into the mountain range and it geologic forms.

We’ll hike 2 hours by the Kari George, admiring beautiful views of Atacama. The Moon is well-known due to it statuesque and rocky formations. Salt emerges to the surface, covering the surface with a dry, whitish layer that gives the place a lunar aspect.

Distance Hiking: 8 kilometers

Elevation: 2.400 meters above sea level

Intensity level: Low/Easy

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: La Casa de Don Tomas Hotel

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Day 3
Day 3
Cacti Valley hike in Guatín - Sunset at Atacama Salt Flat
Morning Hike

After breakfast, departure from your hotel towards the North-East. The excursion starts out by ascending from the Guatín settlement surrounded by hundred-year-old cactus.

The hike begins climbing along a 820-feet slope towards the Puritama hot springs. Once we reach the hot springs, we will relax in mineral hot water and enjoy snacks.

Distance Hiking: 6,8 kilometers

Elevation: 3.600 meters above sea level

Intensity Level: Beginners-Intermediate

Afternoon Excursion

In the afternoon, we will drive towards Toconao. Upon arrival, we will visit the main Plaza, the Church and the historic Bell tower, all of them historic symbols of this town. Moreover, we will visit some vegetable gardens and sample some local wine.

Afterwards, we will continue towards Los Flamencos National Reserve, where the Atacama Salt Flat is located and bird watching is amazing. The Atacama salt flat is the biggest salt field in Chile and its large quantities of salt make the surface white and rough.

There, we will wait until sunset and then head back to hotel in San Pedro.

Distance: 2 km

Difficulty: Easy

Altitude: 2,400 meters above sea level

Accommodation: La Casa de Don Tomas Hotel

Meals: Breakfast
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Day 4
Day 4
Geiser Blanco Loop hike - Star-gazing at night
We begin our journey through geothermal fields from the most visited spot on the Tatio geysers. We then escape the common by following paths made by the passage of vicuñas, they take us to a river of thermal waters where several pools are formed.

We will continue our hike at the source of this river, the Great White Geyser. Finally, we will hike back to the van. We will enjoy a picnic lunch at the geothermal field where you will be able appreciate great views and take a bath at thermal pool.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama where you can rest and relax for a while.

At night we will enjoy an amazing astronomy outing. We'll spend 2 hours that starts with an astronomy lecture in a specially equipped room, followed by a naked eye star-gazing and finally, a celestial bodies telescopic observation.

Distance: 4.5 kilometers

Time hiking: 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Evening Cocktail

Accommodation: La Casa de Don Tomas Hotel
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Day 5
Day 5
Altiplanic Lagoons & scenic Salt Flat overland trip
Today in the morning, we’ll depart towards Socaire village (3.300 meters above sea level) to acclimatize and appreciate the small church of San Bartolomé. We continue our day driving to Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons of crystalline water and intense blue color (4.350 meters above sea level).

Surrounded by numerous volcanoes and mountains, they are a habitat for a variety of species, such as the Chilean flamingo, the small parina, the player Baird and the horned crane, among others.

Afterwards we´ll continue our trip towards the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat. We will enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by beautiful colors and the Andes Mountain Range. Finally, we will reach Piedras Rojas where we will be able to find endemic fauna and flora and enjoy panoramic views. At night we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Farewell Dinner

Accommodation: La Casa de Don Tomas Hotel
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Day 6
Day 6
Catarpe Valley ride - Trasnsfer to Calama Airport
Our last adventure will lead us by bike to the San Pedro River and follow its course in Catarpe Valley. We go through the Pukara de Quitor, an old fortress, and cross the Devil’s Throat, a canyon inside the Salt Mountain Range with zigzagging paths between striking rock formations.

Back to the hotel and private transfer to Calama Airport.

Bike Distance: 16 kilometers

Meals: Breakfast.
Read more

Day 1

Likan Antai cultural experience - Hike in Mars Valley

Welcome to Atacama – the driest desert in the World.

Morning excursion

On our first day, you will meet your team of local professional guides at Hotel. Today we will have a great introductory experience to the Likan Antay culture as we visit the different ayllus around San Pedro de Atacama.

The Ayllu is an ancient type of organization and land management, created by the Altiplano people who inhabited these desert sites.

We will meet Wildo and his family who will share with us an introductory conversation regarding the territory and some of their tradition. We will experience different traditions of the Likan antay people.

Afternoon excursion

After a good rest, we’ll head towards the Salt Mountain Range where the Mars Valley is located. This mountain range forms a natural barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Salt Flat.

After ascending a small dune, we will hike north along one of the cornices bordering the Mars Valley. The stunning panoramic view allows us to appreciate how erosion has molded the Salt Mountain Range, revealing the geological processes that shaped it.

The most fun part of the excursion is a steep but enjoyable descent down a dune, from where we cross the valley on our way back to the van.

Altitude: 2,600 meters above sea level

Distance: 3,7 kilometers

Time hiking: 1 hour 20 minutes

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: La Casa de Don Tomas Hotel

Everything about this trip was wonderful: our guide, Matias, was incredibly skilled & so great to spend time with and he took such good care of us; our driver, Juan, was completely reliable and such a great guy; the accommodations were over-the-top great and the food was fantastic! We have been on many cycling trips all over the world and this ranks up at the top. Even though the weather was not the best, the time we had on this trip was the best!

By Becky D for Becky Denevan - 8-Day Road Cycling Tour, Lake & Volcano District on Nov 19, 2024

Our self-guided bike tour around Lago Llanquihue was truly the trip of a lifetime. The bike ride itself offered challenging hills, varied terrain (beaches, countryside, small towns, forests, etc), and incredible lake and volcano views the whole time. We also very much enjoyed biking up to the waterfalls and Lago Todos los Santos, where we took a boat across the river for a fun lunch. The accommodations (Casa Ayacara, Entre Volcanes Lodge, and Hotel Awa) were all great in different ways, and everyone was extremely friendly. We also enjoyed the food and restaurants in the region a lot as well. From a logistics standpoint, the RideWithGPS maps were very helpful and the luggage transport service was always on time and reliable. We arrived to each hotel after biking to find our bags had already been moved into our room, which was so nice. Caitlin with Amity Tours was SO SO helpful in making this trip as incredible as it was. She helped us by suggesting an itinerary, and then listening to what we wanted and making adjustments and customizations to the trip to make it absolutely perfect. I cannot thank her enough for helping us think through every little detail. A few of the great things she did was help us book a private hot tub experience at Cancagua Day Spa near Fruitillar (which was a highlight of our trip, for sure) as well as adjust our itinerary to allow us to lodge in a different area and have a dedicated bike day to go to the waterfalls/Lago Todos los Santos. She was patient, flexible, understanding, professional, and, above all, absolutely nailed it! Thanks Caitlin!

By Patrick K for Megan & Patrick's Milestone Birthday Adventure! on Feb 18, 2024

we had great food, met wonderful people, and learned a lot and kept safe by our enthusiastic guides.

By Gail H N for (2) 6-Day Patagonia Experience in Torres del Paine Gail on Dec 24, 2023

Even though concerned about the lack of internet, this made the experience even better! The standard dome was a bit chilly but so comfortable once in the well blanketed bed. The yoga was a great addition and the food couldn't have been better. I liked the choice of activities every day and loved the guides. Great trip!

By Betsy B for 6-Day Patagonia Experience in Torres del Paine Betsy Barrett on Dec 23, 2023

The Eco Domes are fantastic. We had a Superior Suite Dome which was large with lots of storage. It had both a wood stove and a bathroom heater. The bed was very comfortable. The food at Eco Camp is plentiful and delicious. Our guides were great--so knowledgeable about Chile and the local flora and fauna. Lots of little surprises each day. It was great having a yoga option. The logistics of getting to and from Eco Camp were perfect. Highly recommend this trip.