Excursions
Trekking
Atacama by foot is where everything starts. Walk in the same trails that have been used for centuries, breath the air, the contrasts, the essence of Atacama. Witness life unfolding with confidence in a strong territory, and also witness ways of life that remain synchronized with nature, proud.
Our trekking excursions have been designed for people with different physical levels; there are very mild walks and more demanding excursions. Considering the features of the Atacama Desert, acclimatization is an important factor to have in mind when choosing a journey, our guides will provide all the necessary information to make this a great experience.
- 10. Moon Valley
- A 30 minute drive takes us to Moon Valley. Once inside the national park, we will begin a 9km trek through the dunes, gorges and flats that have helped make San Pedro famous throughout the world.
Duration: half day
Level: medium (a three hour trek covering 9km)
Altitude: 2450m
Acclimatization: none required
Note: this excursion is not recommended for people with vertigo - 11. Los Colorados
- From the hotel, we take a short drive along the ancient road which crosses the Cordillera de la Sal. From here, we begin a delightful trek along the top of the cordillera which provides panoramic views of San Pedro, the oasis, the salt flats and the snow-capped Andean mountains. We descend via the dunes of Moon Valley.
Duration: half day
Level: medium (a two and a half hour walk covering 7km)
Altitude: 2700m
Acclimatization: none required
Note: this excursion is not recommended for people with vertigo
- 12. Kari Gorge
- A 20 minute drive from the hotel brings us to the Kari viewpoint from where we will walk along a narrow path into the Kari Gorge. Here, you can see spectacular rock formations of gypsum, clay and salt and see how the wind and water have left their mark over thousands of years.
Duration: half day
Level: medium (a two hour walk covering 5km, some very steep descents)
Altitude: 2600m
Acclimatization: none required
Note: this excursion is not recommended for people with vertigo - 13. Los Cardones Gorge
- A 45 minute drive takes us to Guatin where we will walk through this lovely gorge, carved over the centuries by the Vilama River. During the walk, you can enjoy the beautiful contrasts provided by the rocks and vegetation.
Duration: half day
Level: medium (a two walk covering 4km, some steep/slippery terrain)
Altitude: 3166
Acclimatization: one full day - 14. Alto Catarpe
- This trek takes you to the viewpoint at Catarpe with its stunning views across the cordillera and the Catarpe Valley. We will visit the old administration centre of the Incas and see a wide variety of petroglyphs which, thousands of years ago, served as crucial forms of expression for the local inhabitants. We return to Alto Atacama by the lush San Pedro River and the village of Catarpe
Duration: half day
Level: easy (a two hour walk covering 5km)
Altitude: 2721m
Acclimatization: none required
Note: this excursion is not recommended for people with vertigo - 15. Tambo Catarpe
- A 15 minute drive takes us to the village of Catarpe. Here, we visit the old church and enjoy a gentle walk through wonderful plateaus and gorges until we arrive at the tambo of Catarpe. A tambo is where the Incas stored vital provisions for their regular trips from the Andes to the sea and back. This excursion gives visitors a wonderful cultural insight into the lives of the Incas.
Duration: half day
Level: easy (a one and a half hour walk covering 3km)
Altitude: 2510m
Acclimatization: none required - 16. Catarpe / Devil’s Gorge
- We drive 15 minutes to the village of Catarpe. After visiting the church, we trek through the gorges of the Cordillera de la Sal. Leaving via the Devil’s Gorge, through spectacular high walls of salt, clay and gypsum.
Duration: half day
Level: medium
Altitude: 2530m
Acclimatization: none required - 17. Waillar
- A one hour drive brings us to the small town of Machuca. We trek along the Machuca River, following an ancient shepherd’s route and passing the old farm at Peñaliri with its lovely cultivated terraces, until we reach Rio Grande. Today, Rio Grande is home to less than 100 people, the majority of whom work the land to produce lettuce, corn, alfalfa and potatoes and to raise herds of llamas, sheep and goats.
Duration: full day
Level: medium (a five hour trek covering 14km)
Altitude: 3800m
Acclimatization: two days - 18. Quezala Gorge
- We drive south taking the east flank of the Atacama salt flat, the town of Talabre is where we start our trek. Located at the footsteps of the active Lascar volcano Talabre is a fine example of an altiplanic village, defying ages & ashes. The trek follows the river that carves the beautiful Quezala Gorge.
Duration: 2 hours
Level: medium
Altitude: 3500 m
Acclimatization: none required - 19. Toco
- This is a relatively short but very challenging excursion – the reward is the incredible view from the top. Here you get the best views of the cordillera, the salt flats and the oasis – you can even see the famous Bolivian lagoons that sit on the other side of the Andes.
Duration: half day
Level: difficult
Altitude: 5600m with variations of up to 500m
Acclimatization: three days
