Duration:
12days - 11 Nights

Please contact us for alternative dates and/or wine trips !

Description:
The Atacama Desert in Northern Chile is a spectacular almost magical region. The “altiplano” or "high plains" possess fascinating natural and archeological sites. Examples are the moon valley which seems to belong to another planet, the great Atacama salt flat with its numerous flamingos and the mighty vapor eruptions of the Tatio Geysers. Near to Arica in the Lauca National Park you will find the highest lake on earth. We invite you to explore this part of the world where you will meet fascinating cultures and people.

Program:

• Day 1: Welcome to the international airport in Santiago. Transfer to our nice and charming 4 star hotel Torremayor in Santiago City. After our welcome drink and a break, we will eat lunch in the typical Central Market. City-Tour Santiago with visiting the most important places including the overlook point "Cerro San Cristobal".
• Day 2: Early Flight from Santiago to the “oasis” and City of Calama. Drive from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama with view to the impressive Andean mountain range and volcanoes at more than 6.000 meters above sea level. Check-In in the new and comfortable 4 star Hotel in San Pedro. The small village from which it takes its name was once the center of the “Atacameño” civilization. In the afternoon visiting the arid wasteland of the Moon Valley with a fascinating sunset.
• Day 3: Driving to the Salar de Atacama (largest salt lake of Northern Chile) with visit on route to the town of Toconao. Toconao is a picturesque village built of bricks of white volcanic stone, which lends the town a classic yet unique Altiplano appearance like the church and bell tower. Visit to the Laguna Chaxa with Flamingos, and good opportunity to see many rare birds in their natural habitat. Drive to the magic lagoon Miscanti and Miñiques at 4.300m above sea level. Eat lunch with a typical family from the Altiplano with great view over the salt lake. Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
• Day 4: Excursion to the environment to explore the fascination of San Pedro a visit to the world-famous museum in San Pedro and a special visit to a family will be on our day schedule. Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
• Day 5: Early morning visiting the El Tatio Geysers, 4.300m above sea level, where great pillars of water and steam which rise up some 10 meters high and reach temperatures of 85°C. On our return back at the natural hot springs Puritama, where you enjoy an spectacular swim. In the afternoon drive to Calama. Hotel in Calama
• Day 6: Special Visit to the huge amphitheatre of the biggest open-cast mine in the world “Chuquicamata”. Drive through the world's driest desert from Calama to Iquique. The city of Iquique became the center of the nitrate trade after its transfer from Peru to Chile at the end of the War of the Pacific. Hotel in Iquique
• Day 7: This day we heading back into the desert to visit the ghost town of Humbertstone. Visiting the environs of Iquique and visit to the nitrate ghost town “Humbertstone”. On the way we will stop at a surprising “oasis” – woods in the middle of the desert! In the afternoon you can relax at the swimming pool or to take a swim in the pacific ocean. Hotel in Iquique
• Day 8: Driving from Iquique to Arica, through the vast and empty white desert. The Atacama is so dry that there is absolutely no vegetation -- no trees, no grass, no shrubs. On the way to Arica, we will visit the geoglifas de Chiza, located against the foothills of the Andes. Hotel in Arica
• Day 9: Morning departure to discover the fascinating beauty of the Lauca National Park, classified as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. It is surely, one of the most beautiful regions of Chile. We appreciate the local fauna, and visit Parinacota. Finally, we arrive at Lake Chungara, the highest lake in the world, deep blue wild surface from where we have a fantastic view on Parinacota (6342m) and Sajama (6520m). Overnight in a simple Hosteria in Putre.
• Day 10: After a relaxind breakfast we head back to Arica to visit the most historical places “El Morro”. In the afternoon walk through the center of the city. Hotel in Arica.
• Day 11: Early Transfer to the airport and flight from Arica to Santiago. The afternoon visit to a private exposition of Chilean “contemporaneous” painters. We’ll celebrate that last night in a nearby restaurant. Hotel Torremayor
• Day 12: After breakfast today, Transfer to the international airport.

Our services

• 11 nights in good quality Hotels with breakfast included. (1 night in a simple Hosteria in Putre)
• National Flights: Santiago –Calama, Arica – Santiago
• Welcome drink in Santiago.
• Lunch and variety of Chilean food in the traditional central market.
• City Tour in Santiago with the overlook point of  “Cerro San Critobal”
• All transfers from and to the airport.
• Road maps and all travel information. 
• For this 12 day trip you will get an insurance Pick-Up for 4 people
• Professional Travel guide (English & German spoken) from and to Santiago
• Dinner in the Hosteria in Putre.
• All Entrance fees in museums, national parks, hot springs
• Ask about current prices and travel dates!

Not included:

• Tips
• Petrol