Atacama Desert & Altiplano - Trekking Adventure in the Andes of Northern Chile

13 days
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Small Group Tour
The Altiplano highlands and the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile rank among the most adventurous trekking destinations for hiking fans on the South American continent. Impressive volcanoes - most of them 6,000 m (19,685 ft) high, glistening salt lakes, colorful lagoons, steaming geysers and the driest desert on this planet define the Altiplano highlands and m...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Admire the world's highest volcano lake, the Lago Chungará (4.570m /15,000 ft) in the Lauca National Park and then enjoy a typical Andean dish, llaita (seaweed) with goat cheese and potatoes
    • Visit the salt lake ""Salar de Surire"", observe flamencos and vizcachas and relax in the natural Polloquere hot springs
    • Climb the volcanoes Cerro Guane Guane (5.097m/16,720 ft) and Cerro Toco (5.604m/ 18,385 ft) in the middle of the Andean high desert
    • Experience the sunrise at the hissing and steaming Geyser El Tatio and enjoy the sunset in the colorful Valle de la Luna (Moon valley) in the worlds driest desert – the Atacama
    • Visit the former saltpeter mine Humberstone and explore the desert oasis San Pedro de Atacama
    • Insider Tip: Stroll to the harbor, watch pelicans and sealions and try fresh ceviche, a tasty raw fish dish, in one of Arica's tiny harbor restaurants

What's this trip about?

    The Altiplano highlands and the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile rank among the most adventurous trekking destinations for hiking fans on the South American continent. Impressive volcanoes - most of them 6,000 m (19,685 ft) high, glistening salt lakes, colorful lagoons, steaming geysers and the driest desert on this planet define the Altiplano highlands and make them unique. Join us on this unforgettable trekking trip and experience the most interesting contrasts between the barren and dry Atacama desert & the lush green Azapa- and Lluta-Valleys. Immerse into the world of the Aymara-Indigenous and follow the historical Ruta de La Plata (silver route). From a technical point of view, climbing the 5,000 m (16,400 ft) selected summits does not really create difficulties.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeUp to 79 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityArica
End CityCalama

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

  • South America
  • Chile

Attractions

  • Atacama Desert

Activities

  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Trekking

Trip includes

    • Accommodation: 11 nights in hotel or guesthouse in double room with private bathroom and 1 night in Refugio in shared bedrooms and shared bathrooms
    • Meals: 12 x breakfast, 2 x box lunch, 2 x dinner
    • Local English/Spanish speaking certified trekking guide (WFR)
    • Transport: all private transfers as per the detailed itinerary
    • Airport transfer in/out
    • Emergency equipment: including a first-aid kit and VHF-equipment / satellite phone
    • Permit for the ascents of 5,000 m / 16,400 ft mountains
    • All entry fees as per the detailed itinerary

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Arica

Upon arrival at the airport of Arica, we pick you up and bring you to your hotel. Take some time to refresh and relax or stroll through the little seaport to see the numerous pelicans and sea lions. Later on, you meet with the group for a first briefing with your local team. Overnight: Hotel ""Antay Hotel & Spa"" in Arica in double room with private bathroom.

Day 2: Seaport Arica

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you walk with your guide up to “El Morro” lookout and to the “San Marcos Cathedral”, designed in France by Gustave Eiffel. In the afternoon you can go for an optional boat ride along the Pacific coast, where you will be able to o...

Day 3: 7,000 years old Chinchorro mummies – Andes Village Putre

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you travel through the Azapa-Valley to visit the Azapa Museum in San Miguel. Here you can admire mummies and relics of the Chinchorro culture that are more than 7,000 years old. Later, head for the idyllically situated Andes-village Putr...

Day 4: Trekking tour to acclimate

Meals: Breakfast

Your hike today will show you Putre’s surrounding area: the breathtaking landscape and Vilacaurani’s “Pinturas Rupestres” (rock paintings). See alpacas and lamas and get to know the typical flora of this region. In the evening you can taste alp...

Day 5: Trekking tour to acclimate on a smuggler trail

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a short transfer will bring you close to the Nevados de Putre mountains, on an elevation of 4,200 m (13,780 ft). You will hike back to Putre on a very old path which was used in the past by smugglers. After this trek through th...

Day 6: Suri Plaza & Mars Valley – Cosapilla mountain ridge (5,100 m / 16,730 ft) – Lago Chungará

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, you head up to one of the Altiplano´s best kept secret, to Suri Plaza. After an hour and a half drive you arrive at the “Mars Valley” - so called because of the deep reddish and orange sand and mountains around the...

Day 7: Summit Cerro Guane Guane (5,097 m / 16,720 ft) – Andes Villages Parinacota & Guallatiri

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Get up early in the morning and start your trekking trip to the top of Cerro Guane Guane (5,097 m / 16,720 ft). The incredible view from the summit onto the vast Altiplano with its olive-colored peatlands (Bofedales) and sal...

Day 8: Salar de Surire – Pampa de Tamarugal – Oasis Pica

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you drive to the Salar de Surire. The Salar (salt lake) is part of the Nature Preserve Las Vicunas. Las Vicunas is not just superbly located – it presents an absolutely rich wildlife: vicunas, lamas, alpacas, ñandus an...

Day 9: Former saltpeter mine Humberstone -– San Pedro de Atacama – Sunset Moon Valley

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you visit the former saltpeter mine Humberstone. Afterwards you drive through the amazing Pampa del Tamarugal, passing former saltpeter mines and salt pans. In the late afternoon you will reach San Pedro de Atacama. On an elevati...

Day 10: Valle de la Muerte & de la Luna – Salar de Atacama / Chaxa Lagoon

Meals: Breakfast

Today, hike through the sparkling and twinkling Cordillera del Sal (Salt Cordillera) to the Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) and the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley, elevation 2,600 m / 8,530 ft).

After a lunch break in San Pedro de Ataca...

Day 11: Ascent of the extinct Volcano Cerro Toco (5,604 m / 18,385 ft)

Meals: Breakfast

Today, climb the extinct Volcano Cerro Toco (5,604 m / 18,385 ft). From its top, you have a stunning panoramic view on the bizarre desert world surrounding the summit. Elevation gain of approx. 400 m (1,310 ft) ascent/descent; walking time approx. 4 hours. Overnight: Hotel „La Casa de Don Tomas“ (or similar) in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 12: Geyser “El Tatio” – Guatin-Canyon

Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning, you visit the Geyser “El Tatio”, at an elevation of 4,330 m (14,200 ft). To experience the sunrise there is simply fantastic: the scenery with its hissing geysers dipped in all shades of red will leave you speechless. Afte...

Day 13: Airport drop-off

Meals: Breakfast

Private Transfer to the Airport of Calama.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,650
Price per day$281
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Moser Active.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Moser Active Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
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Other Moser Active Reviews

D

Daisy

Feb 2022

Provided byMoser Active

I will definitely recommend Ushuaia to anyone traveling to the region

Thank you for diligently planning and coordinating my travels during a crazy time. I didn't think I would feel comfortable traveling internationally, but after going...

J

Julie

Feb 2022

Provided byMoser Active

Mission accomplished!

Just want to let you know that we are heading back to the US. Thank you for the wonderful arrangement for the group while we were in the region. It is an unforgettab...

J

Jonathan

Feb 2022

Provided byMoser Active

An amazing adventure possible!

Thank you for making an amazing adventure possible! Even before the trek began (Torres del Paine O-circuit), Moser helped organize every detail for my entry into t...

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Tour Operator

Moser Active

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The local trekking expert team of MOSER Active is one of the leading tour operator based in Chile - Patagonia, specialized in extraordinary and top-quality trekking, hiking tours, soft adventure, mountain expeditions and custom round trips in Patagonia and the rest of Chile. 

 Christian Moser established MOSER Active and is still the general manager of the enterprise. Christian is responsible for the marketing, sales and product management. Additionally, he is our mountain expedition leader. All of the tours MOSER Active offers have been explored and arranged by Christian himself. Whenever time allows, he enjoys being out in the fascinating world of mountains and glaciers of Patagonia and other parts of Chile; he is constantly on the lookout for unique routings for his customers.  

MOSER Active’s enthusiastic team of trekking and mountain guides shares Christians love for the beauty of this unique mountain world. All guides are regularly trained and instructed according to MOSER Active’s philosophy. At the same time, experienced staff takes great care of all administrational requirements cooperating with local Chilean partners.  

Our excellent reputation, experience and knowledge made our company one of the most popular partners for trekking tours and hiking trips in Chile. Coming from Austria, Christian has been living in Chile for many years now. In Puerto Natales he found the perfect place for starting his business. Our presence in the region enables us to cooperate with local partners easily and guarantees high quality travelling service to our customers. 

Why travel with MOSER Active?

When traveling with us, we want you to experience the most UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC PLACES, taste all the culinary highlights, get a glimpse of new cultures and marvel at the natural beauty of each region. Meeting local residents often leaves the deepest impressions - you get to know the customs and traditions of the indigenous people and learn about their way of living. Follow us away from the beaten paths and the highly frequented towns to discover the unexpected! 

Among the variety of trips we offer, every traveller finds the right tour. Individual travellers can join fixed group departures or create their own custom tour using our easy-to combine short trips. No matter what you prefer – the soft adventure hiking trip, the exceptional and challenging trekking tour, expedition cruises or special interest tours for mountaineers, hobby photographers... 

 For all our trekking tours through the Chilean mountain world we supply TOP NOTCH EQUIPMENT. We purchase our equipment from well-known manufacturers that certify best test results even under extreme weather conditions. Among others we use brands as Northface VE 25 expedition tents, Seal-line Dry-bags and Therm-A-Rest-thermomats. 

 We choose our accommodations with the utmost care: we assure you neat and clean hotels and lodges while we renounce unnecessary luxury. The welcoming and warm atmosphere of the accommodations often paired with a spectacular location is what our guests appreciate the most. 

 For our trekking tours we found cozy mountain lodges and beautifully located camping grounds to grant our guests unforgettable all-pure-nature nights. Those overnight-stays give all our tours an even more adventurous character. 

 We keep the size of our traveling group’s small as only this way you get the feeling you are traveling with friends. You will be happy to share the wonderful views, the intensive experiences and all adventures a trip offers with your travel companions. Our trekking tours, soft adventure trips and expeditions are limited for only 12 people per group; individual short trips acquire at least two guests.

For all of our trips we promote highest ethical standards when it comes to the environmental IMPACT of our traveling tours. We want to increase our guest’s awareness for pure nature. Therefore we often leave the beaten path, camp out in the wilderness and limit the group size to 12 travellers. We practice the leave-no-trace-behind-principles and always respect the unique fauna and flora of the region. 

Our guides make the difference! All our guides are enthusiastic trekkers, nature lovers and superb experts for the country and its people. They have a profound knowledge of the local life and tradition, speak at least two foreign languages and love to share their own passion for the destination with our guests. It goes without saying, that they are all well trained in wilderness first aid (WFR). 

 

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Single supplement: extra charge p.p. $490 USD
    • Not appointed meals and beverages on the itinerary
    • Optional trips, e.g. boat ride on day 2
    • Tips/gratuity
    • Local payments
    • International and domestic airfare and airport charges
    • Travel insurance is not included in this tour - Travel insurance is mandatory to buy.

Accommodation

,Antay Hotel & Spa - Arica, Terrace Lodge - Putre, El Huarango - Eco Retreat - Pica, Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas or similar - San Pedro de Atacama
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners

Age Requirements
Up to 79 years
Optional Activities

Activity Level:

Day tours that will challenge you moderately. Differences in elevation but also in temperature will be the most challenging part. This hiking trip brings you into regions without a developed infrastructure and you spend days without any contact with civilization. Therefore, good physical fitness and team spirit are necessary requirements for this tour. Higher elevations should not create problems for you.

Additional Information
Trip ID
mosera-AtaDesMos

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