HIKES (2.400 – 3.000 meters above sea level)

These hikes can be taken on the first day.






1. KARI
Duration: Half a day. 2 to 2.5 hours hiking, 4.8 km.
Itinerary: Departure by van (20 min) through the highway toward Calama. Hiking in Kari Creek, an old course of water eroded by the rains and flanked by walls of salt. Return to Hotel in Larache by van (15 min).
Difficulty: Easy except for two vertical descends of approx 2.5 meters.

2. GUATÍN – PUNTA DEL INCA
Duration: Half a day. 2 to 2.5 hours hiking, 4.2 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Explora by van (35 min) through the road to Tatio. The excursion begins descending from the settlement of Guatín up to Punta del Inca, walking alongside the river on its way through the creek. Return by van to Explora (35 min).
Difficulty: Easy descend through a rocky and sometimes slippery terrain.

3. CORNICES
Duration: Half a day. 2 to 2.5 hours hiking, 7.3 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (30 min) toward Valle de Catarpe. Hike across the cornice of the Salt Cordillera with panoramic views of the oasis, the salt deposit and the Andean Cordillera, to finish at the dunes of Valle de la Muerte. Return by van (15 min).
Difficulty: Easy.

4. KAMUR
Duration: Half a day. 2.5 to 3 hours hiking, 8.9 km.
Itinerary: Departure by van (35 min) up to Valle de la Luna. From there begins a hike that runs across dunes, creeks and plains, and where you can appreciate the inhospitable landscapes of the Salt Cordillera. The highest altitude of 2.521 meters is located near the end of the hike.
Difficulty: Easy.

5. ATACAMA CULTURE
Duration: Half a day. Tour: 15 km by van (approx).
Itinerary: Departure by van towards the Padre Le Paige Museum, a very good introduction to the zone. Then we go toward the Pucara (Fortress) de Quitor by van, with a tour by foot and the chance of climbing to the top of the Pucara. First by van and then hiking we visit the Ayllu de Solor, in order to see how the locals live nowadays.
Difficulty: Very easy.

6. HEIGHTS OF CUCHABRACHE
Duration: Half a day. 2 to 2.5 hours hiking, 4.9 km.
Itinerary: Departure by van (50 min) up to the intake of the River San Pedro. An ascending hike until we reach the Alto de Cuchabrache, discovering petroglyphs on the way with vistas of the Valleys of Catarpe and Quitor. Return to Hotel in Larache by van (35 min).
Difficulty: Easy.

7. CHAXA LAGOON
Duration: Half a day 3.5 hours hiking for approx 30 min.
Itinerary: Departure when arriving via Santiago de Chile on an international flight. From there we must take a flight bound for Calama that takes approx 2 hours 30 min. Staff from Explora will welcome and transfer you on a comfortable van to Explora in Atacama, on a trip of approx 1 hour; by van from Hotel Larache southbound toward the Town of Toconao, located at about 38 Km from San Pedro de Atacama. Once in Toconao we visit the plaza, the church and the belfry, historic symbol of the town. After 25 minutes in Toconao we continue southwest for about 20 minutes toward Los Flamencos National Reserve, called Chaxa Lagoon, where we visit the salt deposit and watch some species of avifauna; we wait till dusk and then return by van to Explora.
Difficulty: Easy.

HIKES (3.000 - 4.000 meters above sea level)
These hikes can be taken on the second day.

8. GUATIN - PURITAMA
Duration: Half a day. 2.5 to 3 hours hiking, 5 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (35 min) toward Guatin, from where the hike begins climbing up to Puritama (3.528 meters), a 250 m unevenness. We walk through old settlements and centenarian cactuses on a sometimes rocky terrain. Optional bathe in the thermal waters on arrival. Return to Explora by van (45 min).
Difficulty: Medium.

9. QUEBRADA DEL DIABLO
Duration: Half a day, 2.5 hours hiking, walking distance: 5 km.
Itinerary: Departure by van (15 min) toward Vilama. It is a hard 30-min. ascension until reaching the vantage point of Vilama, with a view of the volcanoes. Hike through the Salt Cordillera descending toward the Quebrada del Diablo (Devil’s Creek), where the high clay and plaster walls accompany the last 45 min. of the hike. Return to Hotel in Larache by van (20 min).
Difficulty: Medium.

10. QUEBRADA DE JEREZ
Duration: Full day, 4.5 to 5.5 hours hiking, 10.2 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (40 min) up to Toconao. It is a hike ascending through the Quebrada de Jerez. Contrast between the orchards and the desert’s aridity. Picnic lunch. Then we cross several creeks following ancient shepherd routes to later descend through one of them. Return by van (40 min).
Difficulty: Hard, although the maximum altitude reached is no higher than 3.200 meters. It is necessary to carry a backpack. In addition, there is the chance to take a 1.5-hour hike (half a day) across the orchards of Jerez.

11. RIO GRANDE
Duration: Full day, 4.5 to 5.5 hours hiking, 14 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (1.5 hrs) toward the picturesque Town of Machuca (4.000 meters above sea level). It is mostly downhill with an unevenness of about 800 m following the riverbank. Picnic lunch in Peñanliri. The path continues bordering the farming terraces of the Town of Rio Grande. Return by van (1 hr).
Difficulty: Medium. It is necessary to carry a backpack.

12. CASPANA / CHIU-CHIU
Duration: Full day. Tour by en van: 200 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (2.5 hrs) crossing the altiplano bound for the picturesque Town of Caspana (3.322 meters above sea level), with a detour toward the Geysers of Tatio. We can watch several of the animals dwelling on the altiplano on the way. Hike visiting farming fields. Lunch in the town. The trip continues visiting the ancient Pucara (Fortress) de Lasana, the Church of Chiu-Chiu until we get to the airport of Calama.
Difficulty: Very easy.

13. TULAN – TILOMONTE
Duration: Full day, 4.5 hours hiking.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (2 hrs) crossing the salt deposit of Atacama until reaching the Town of Peine. Then we continue by van for about 35 minutes until arriving in the ancient indigenous settlement of Tulan (3.200 meters above sea level), where we set off on a hike bound for the Town of Tilomonte (2.360 meters). Lunch in the town. Return by van.
Difficulty: Medium.

HIKES (4.000 - 5.000 meters above sea level)
These hikes can be taken on the third day.

14. QUEBRADA DE NACIMIENTO
Duration: Full day, 5.5 to 6.5 hours hiking, 12.5 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (1.5 hrs) southbound toward the Town of Socaire. It is an ascending hike with vistas of the volcanoes and the salt deposit until we reach the upper entrance to the creek. Picnic lunch in the creek. We descend through a shepherd’s path following the course of the river, and flanked by the creek’s limestone walls. Return by van (1.5 hr).
Difficulty: Medium. It is necessary to carry a backpack.

15. COPA COYA
Duration: Full day, 4.5 to 5.5 hours hiking. Walking distance: 10.5 km.
Itinerary: Early departure from Hotel in Larache by van (2 hrs) toward the geothermic field (4.321 meters above sea level). The first leg of the hike is downhill following ancient paths surrounded by llareta plants and vistas of the volcanoes. Then we start to climb through a box of rocky formations until we reach the picnicking place. After lunch we continue climbing (a 350 m unevenness) bordering Cerro Copa Coya. Return by van and the chance to take a bath in the Thermal Waters of Puritama.
Difficulty: Hard. It is necessary to carry a backpack.

16. SALT DEPOSIT OF TARA
Duration: Full day, 1 to 2 hours hiking.
Itinerary: Departure from Explora by van (2 hrs) toward the Salt Deposit of Tara, located above 4.000 meters. The track runs through the border with Bolivia, going across the Spring of Quipiaco, the monks of Alcapana and the stone cathedrals before getting to the salt deposit, habitat for the fauna of the altiplano. Lunch in the place and then we return to Explora after a short walk.
Difficulty: Easy.

17. SALT DEPOSITS OF THE ALTIPLANO
Duration: Full day, 1 hour hiking.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache by van (2 hrs) bound for the Salt Deposit of Aguas Calientes and the Lagoon of Tuyaito, located above 4.000 meters, where we take a short hike. Buffet lunch at the Salt Deposit of Aguas Calientes. On the way we will go across the middle of the altiplano watching its flora and fauna. Return to Hotel in Larache.
Difficulty: Easy.

18. TATIO
Duration: Half a day, 1 hour hiking approx across the geothermic field of the Geysers of Tatio.
Itinerary: Departure by van from Hotel in Larache for approx 2 hours until reaching the geothermic field, passing through the Town of Machuca. After an hour in Tatio approx we return to the Thermal Waters of Puritama, where we will stay for about an hour. Return by van to Explora.
Difficulty: Medium.

HIGH MOUNTAIN CLIMBING (5.000 - 6.000 meters above sea level)
Climbing mountains and volcanoes make for demanding excursions proper for experienced individuals in good shape only. They are forbidden for people with heart and/or height conditions. There are a few paths but most of the climbing is through creeks and rocks with the chance of finding snow or ice. These mountains are climbed to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the particularities of the terrain and are not meant to be a competition with yourself or others. However, a previous two or more day acclimatization process is required by taking hard high-altitude hikes. The season recommendable for these ascensions is between September and April, considering how inconvenient the rainy season (January and February) can be on the altiplano. The coldest season at high altitudes is between May and August.

19. MOUNT TOCO (5.604 meters above sea level)
Duration: Half a day, 1.5 to 2.5 hour hiking depending on the snow. Unevenness: 550 m approx.
Itinerary: Departure by van from Hotel in Larache until reaching the old sulfur deposit (1.5 hrs). We begin with a slow ascension through a steep path though with no loose rocks. The summit offers panoramic views of Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
Difficulty: Medium.

20. MOUNT CORONA (5.291 meters above sea level)
Duration: Full day. Unevenness: 750 m approx.
Itinerary: Departure by van from Explora toward Talabre (2 hrs). We begin the ascension, which lasts between 2.5 and 4 hours depending on the snow, through alluviums of rock and volcanic ash. Lunch is on the summit. Descend through alluvium for 2 to 2.5 hours.
Difficulty: Medium to hard.

21. SAIRECABUR VOLCANO (6.010 meters above sea level)
Duration: Full day. Unevenness: 650 m approx.
Itinerary: Departure by van from Hotel in Larache toward sulfur deposit of Sasiel. It is an ascension through rocks and alluvium lasting 2.5 to 3 hours. Crowning of the highest summit in the zone. Complicated 2.5 hour descend. Lunch and optional bath in the Thermal Waters of Puritama.
Difficulty: Demanding.

22. COLORADO VOLCANO (5.748 meters above sea level)
Duration: Full day. Unevenness: 1.250 m approx.
Itinerary: Departure by van from Hotel in Larache bound for Tatio. Ascension through rocks and alluvium fro 6 to 7 hours. Reaching the top. Picnic with vistas. Complicated 3 to 4 hour descend.
Difficulty: Demanding.

23. LICANCABUR VOLCANO (5.916 meters above sea level)
Duration: 2 Full days. Unevenness: 1.350 m approx depending on the snow.
Itinerary: Departure by van 1.5 hrs. Lunch. Schedule: Full day.
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding.
Others: Gasmasks will be used if necessary due to poisonous emanations.

HORSE RIDES
The horse rides detailed below are thought for people with previous experience on horseback and who can feel safe riding for several hours across the desert; people who know how to trot and/or gallop. We have the best saddles both Chilean and English, leggings and helmets. For those people who do not know how to ride and wish to learn or those who have little experience and wish to improve their skills, there are 1 hour lessons in the morning (max. 6 persons) before going on their chosen hiking or biking explorations. After a minimum of two days the instructor will decide if the student is ready to go on a horse ride. Half a day explorations on horseback will be combined with other explorations on foot or bike.

25. THE CORNICES
Duration: Half a day, 3 hours on horseback, 20 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Explora on horseback toward the Valle de Catarpe with trotting and galloping legs to then climb up to the cornice of the Salt Cordillera. Panoramic view and trot through the cornice to then descend through the dunes toward the Valle de la Muerte. (Valley of the Death)
Difficulty: Medium.

26. QUEBRADA DEL DIABLO
Duration: Half a day, 3 hours on horseback, 16 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache to the Quebrada del Diablo (Devil’s Creek). Narrow and irregular path with ups and downs, some jumps and turns, and trotting and galloping. When leaving the creek we appreciate the Andean Cordillera, the oasis and the salt deposit while descending toward the Town of San Pedro.
Difficulty: Medium.

27. CATARPE / VILAMA
Duration: Half a day, 3 hours on horseback, 17 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache, getting into the Salt Cordillera. Visit to the Church of Catarpe. View of the Andean Cordillera. Return through the Town of San Pedro.
Difficulty: Medium.

28. RIO SALADO
Duration: Full day, 5 to 6 hours on horseback, 30 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache toward the Salt Cordillera, and then across the plains bound for Rio Salado. Picnic lunch. Return through the creek following the course of the river and passing through the abandoned Towns of Cuchabrache and Catarpe.
Difficulty: Hard.

29. TO VALLE DE QUITOR
Duration: Half a day, 1.5 to 2 hours on horseback, 9 km.
Galloping on the dunes and around the ruins of Beter.
Difficulty: Medium.

32. CUCTER
Duration: Half a day, 4 hours on horseback, 15 to 20 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache southbound, crossing several ayllus, watching typical Atacama houses on the route.
Difficulty: Medium.

33. CAVALCADE TO AYLLUS
Duration: Half a day.
Itinerary: 2 hour horse ride touring the ayllus of Larache, Yaye and Séquitor. On this tour through the ayllus we go by the San Pedro River, where we can watch the local vegetation and the different farming fields proper of these ayllus. Return to Explora.
Difficulty: Easy.

BIKING
In this case the challenge is to tour the paths of the desert and the cordilleras riding a mountain bike. Using the gear we provide for your comfort and safety, you will be able to fully enjoy Atacama’s geography. The use of helmets, gloves, shades and proper footwear is an important element on all your tours. Half a day explorations on bike will combine with other explorations on foot or horseback.

34. ROUTE OF THE VANTAGE POINTS
Duration: Half a day, 2 hours on bike, 18 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache toward the Valle de la Muerte. It is an ascension up to the Jaranillas Pass with a view of the Salt Cordillera. We descend taking the highway to Calama to return to the hotel.
Difficulty: Medium.

35. LAGUNA SEJAS
Duration: Half a day, 1.5 to 2 hours on bike.
Distance: 19 km. Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache on bike toward the south crossing the ayllus until reaching the area of the Salt Deposit of Atacama with its particular vegetation. The route is flat with some sandy areas. Bathe floating on the salad waters of the Sejas and Agua Piedra Lagoons.
Difficulty: Easy. Return by van (45 min). Others: Sandals for the bath in the lagoons.

36. CIRCUIT OF THE VALLEYS
Duration: Half a day, 3.5 to 4.5 hours on bike, 45 km.
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel in Larache on bike. We cross the Salt Cordillera to descend with a view of the Domeyko Cordillera to the Llano de la Paciencia (Plain of Patience), where a sinuous track leads to a new crossing of the Salt Cordillera, this time across the Valle de la Luna. Return al hotel.
Difficulty: Hard.

37. DESCEND PUTANA TO GUATIN
Duration: Full day, 6.5 to 8.5 hours on bike, 33 km.
Itinerary: Departure by van (1.5 hrs) to the Heights of Putana. We descend on bike through a dirt road with slopes and many uphill sections in the creek, until reaching the picturesque Town of Machuca. Picnic lunch on the way. We continue up to the settlement of Guatin with vistas of the Salt Deposit of Atacama along the way. Return to Hotel in Larache by van (30 min).
Difficulty: Hard.
Others: There is the option of descending on bike up to San Pedro (70 km) or detouring bound for the Thermal Waters of Puritama for a bath.