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Santiago, Calama, San Pedro de Atacama, Geysers of Tatio.
Tour Description
DAY 01: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA: Visit to the Valle de la Luna
Arrival in Calama, reception and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, a small town located 98 km away from Calama, at the foot of the Andean Mountain Range and at the side of the great Salt Deposit of Atacama.
In the afternoon visit to the mythical Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), a scenery of curious geological formations dyed in white by the salt, which give them a moonlike quality. On the way we will stop to take pictures of the Cordillera de la Sal. In the Valle de la Luna we will take a walk through different sectors; we will visit the statues of salt called “Las Tres Marías”, the mine and the caves of salt, wrapping it up at the huge Central Dune, where we will pause to watch the sunset and a panoramic sight of the valley and the cordilleras surrounding San Pedro. Return to your hotel.
Lodging.
DAY 02: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA: Visit to Geysers of Tatio and Salt Deposit of Atacama
At daybreak, (04:00 AM) we set off to the Geysers of Tatio, a spectacular geothermic field located at 4,320 meters above sea level, with cracks that expel wide columns of steam with temperatures reaching up to 85° C. At dawn, when the temperatures drop below zero, the landscape becomes yet more amazing and the spurts can reach heights of up to 7 meters. The phenomenon is produced by the contact between the cold subterranean river and the magma of the Tatio Volcano. Breakfast in the place and the possibility of taking a bath in the pool of thermal waters. Then we visit the Community of Machuca, located approximately 50 kilometers northeast of San Pedro de Atacama and at an altitude of 4.000 meters. Its adobe house and its church, built in a traditional way, have been refurbished. This town in Atacama sustains its economy on pasturing and traditional farming. Return to San Pedro de Atacama at noon.
In the afternoon we visit the Salt Deposit of Atacama, which is the largest salt deposit in Chile and the second largest in South America, after the one in Uyuni (Bolivia).
On the way we will stop in the Town of Toconao, a traditional town built with liparite rock, of volcanic origins. We can appreciate handicraft from the zone of Atacama made of llama and alpaca wool, cactus wood and volcanic rock on its streets, along with the Tower of San Lucas (National Monument and town symbol). Right after we visit the quarries of liparite rock and the Valley of Jerez.
We will continue towards the salt deposit 2,305 meters above sea level; an endless white and rough mantle of salt stained by the fine dust of the desert, under which there is a lake that emerges in the form of small lagoons containing an interesting wildlife, with the pink flamingos, one of the three species of these birds that inhabit the high cordillera, jutting out. We will watch the sunset by the Chaxa Lagoon to then return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Lodging.
DAY 03: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - CALAMA
Breakfast. In due time transfer to the airport in Calama to take your returning flight.
End of our services
Tour Inclusions
INCLUDED:
2 lodging nights in San Pedro de Atacama at chosen hotel with breakfast
Transfers airport – hotel – airport, on regular service
Half day regular tour to Valle de la Luna, tickets
Half day regular tour to Salt Deposit of Atacama, tickets
Regular tour to Geysers of Tatio and Machuca, tickets and breakfast
Tour with bilingual guide English / Spanish
Bilingual assistance English / Spanish at your arrival
NOT INCLUDED:
Air tickets
Tips and extras at hotels
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Others not specified in the itinerary
Note 1: rates valid until December 30, 2007
Note 2: These rates are subject to change without previous notice on dates such as Easter, Labor Day, Christmas, New Year, etc.
Note 3: Rates for a minimum of 2 persons, including those for single rooms.
Note 4: Ask for especial quotations for groups of 4 passengers or more traveling together and for 1 person traveling alone.
WEATHER
Temperatures in San Pedro de Atacama present characteristics of a high desert; in the summer (December through February) the temperature during the day is an average of 27° C, reaching peaks of 30° C, while it drops up to 16°C in the night.
WHAT TO PACK
It is advisable to pack light cotton clothes, t-shirts, short pants, bathing suit, shades, sunscreen and caps for the scorching hours and jackets, gloves, thick socks and other warming items of clothing that will allow you to resist the low temperatures found on the night and high-altitude excursions.
WATER
There is fresh water in almost the entire territory, however, it is advisable to drink bottled water in rural areas; more though if you are not used to tap water.
San Pedro de Atacama has a water treatment plant recently inaugurated. However, if you wish to avoid any inconvenience it is recommendable to drink bottled water, especially when visiting places rather afar.
HEALTH
San Pedro de Atacama has neither hospitals nor clinics, there is just a medic post located in the plaza, which is equipped to deal basic necessities only. Therefore, in case of an emergency you would need to go to the City of Calama, which has the medical infrastructure to cover any respond to any urgent situation.
CHILEAN GASTRONOMY
Chilean cuisine is very diverse. Among its typical dishes we have: Empanada de Pino (dough stuffed with onion, meat, raisins and olives), Pastel de Choclo (made mainly of corn with meat, eggs and olives), Porotos Granados (tender potatoes cooked with gourd and corn), Cazuela de Ave o Vacuno (clear soup of chicken or beef with boiled vegetables), besides those typical of each region.
Lastly, you can not fail to taste the exquisite Mote con Huesillos, a dessert elaborated from a boiled fruit and mote wheat.
IMPORTANT: Enjoy Corporation keeps the right to make changes in the order of the excursions or trips without previous notice due to weather conditions, level of the rivers, arriving and departing hours of planes or buses, or for any other relevant reason, which will ensure and guarantee a better outcome for your trip.