Day 1 – Valle de la Luna (Total Pedaling Distance: 30km/19 miles)

Private transportation from your accommodation to the Santiago airport for the short 2 hour flight to Calama. Your bilingual driver will meet you at El Loa Airport for your transfer to the Alto Atacama hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (approx 1 hour journey). Enjoy the morning to get settled and explore town.

In the mid-afternoon, meet your guide and set out on bike toward the famed Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). As you cycle through canyons flanked by mysterious rock and salt formations and climb jagged escarpments to gaze out over the desolate landscape, you can’t help but feel like you are traversing the surface of the moon. It’s not surprising that scientists chose this valley to test a Mars rover prototype. Continuing over the smooth surfaces of giant sand dunes, you will witness firsthand the vivid colors reflected in the Cordillera de la Sal as the sun moves toward the western horizon. (Level of Difficulty: Medium)

Hotel: Alto Atacama

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 – Salar de Atacama, Catarpe Allyu, Cordillera de la Sal (Total Pedaling Distance: 37km/23 miles)

You set out this morning heading south on your bike toward the perimeter of the expansive Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flat). Your destination is Laguna Cejar, an anomalous sink hole in the middle of the salt deposits about 22km from San Pedro. Similar to the Dead Sea, the extremely high salt concentration in this lagoon allows swimmers to float effortlessly in the clear water. After a rest and the chance to swim, you’ll head back to your hotel by vehicle. (Difficulty: Medium)

In the afternoon, your adventure leads you on bike first to the Catarpe Allyu, the Cordillera de la Sal, and Devil’s Canyon, where you will find yourself surrounded by amazing formations of salt, clay, and gypsum. Your return follows the course of the San Pedro River back to town. (Difficulty: Medium)

Hotel: Alto Atacama

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – Catarpe Valley and Valle de Martes (Total Pedaling Distance: 29km/18 miles)

Tracing the movements of the ancient shepherds, you set out this morning to explore the desert valleys and petroglyphs on an intense 29km half day bike excursion where you will pedal through the Catarpe Valley, over enormous dunes, and into the Valle de Martes (Difficulty: Hard). Enjoy a free afternoon to relax at the hotel or embark on an excursion of your choice (plan with hotel).

Hotel: Alto Atacama

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Geysers del Tatio and Termas de Puritama:

Thousands of stars and the vivid brushstroke of the Milky Way across the sky will still be visible as you begin your day with a 4am pickup and set out to meet the sunrise at 4,300m (14,100ft) above sea level, where dozens of geysers burst forth from the ground in spectacular form. As you make the descent back to San Pedro, you will stop to enjoy the Termas de Puritama, a group of eight thermal pools hidden in a lush canyon which are known for their therapeutic properties. The experience is sure to be unforgettable for both the body and spirit. Back in San Pedro, afternoon transportation awaits for your transfer to Calama in time for your flight back to Santiago.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Optional additional day (between original Day 3 and Day 4 activities) Climb Volcano Toco:

Your journey begins early from your hotel with a 90 minute drive to the base of the volcano. The hike begins at about 4,800m (16,500ft) above sea level. Your 4-hour ascent brings you to the peak of the volcano at 5,650m (18,645ft) above sea level, where your hard work is rewarded with amazing views of the Bolivian Altiplano to the east and the Salar de Atacama to the west. Descent is via the same route, where the vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. This trek is considered intermediate intensity and requires that you have spent at least 2 nights in San Pedro to acclimatize.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This tour is available to begin every day, all year round.

Price per Person (US$)

• Quitor Guest Room: $1,533.00 adult / $1,149.00 child
• Catarpe Guest Room: $1,701.00 adult / $1,275.00 child
• Tilo Guest Room: $1,872.00 adult / $1,404.00 child

*Program based on a stay of 3 nights in double occupancy. Please contact your Santiago Adventures Travel Specialist if you would like to add additional nights to your stay in San Pedro de Atacama

*Child rate applies to children ages 3-12. Infants 0-2 years free of charge, cribs subject to availability.

*Program based on a stay of 3 nights. Please contact your Santiago Adventures Travel Specialist if you would like to add nights to your stay in San Pedro

 

Price Includes:

• Ground transportation to & from Calama and San Pedro de Atacama with bilingual driver
• Excursions in San Pedro de Atacama with bilingual driver/guide
• All entrance fees where applicable
• Comfortable mountain bike & relevant equipment
• Three (3) nights lodging with breakfast
• Meals as detailed in itinerary

A note about traveling to high altitude: San Pedro de Atacama is located at 2,450m (approx. 8,000ft) above sea level, and it is common for visitors to the area to experience varying levels of altitude sickness, including headaches, lethargy, nausea, and dizziness. Excursions to the important sites near San Pedro can reach up to 4,000m (13,000ft) in altitude, so it’s important to consider the following when planning your travel to the region:

• If you suffer heart problems, high blood pressure, or obesity, consult your doctor before travelling to high altitudes
• Try to avoid eating heavy meals or fried food
• Be sure to drink plenty of water
• Avoid drinking soft drinks with sugar
• Limit consumption of alcohol
• Aspirin is helpful for combating altitude sickness

 

Hotel Alto Atacama: In the shadow of the tranquil Cordillera de la Sal, Hotel Alto Atacama sits just outside San Pedro. The hotel is designed in the traditional adobe style of the region’s indigenous populations and includes a complete spa, hot springs, Yoga fields, six swimming pools, and a variety of intimate indoor and outdoor settings.