A trip to South America is incomplete until you have travelled to Chile and experience one of the most pristine places on earth....the Atacama Desert. Arrive into Santiago, the country's capital and be whisked away to your hotel by private vehicle and driver. To get to know the city better, a half-day private guided tour is included. Head to the coastal cities of historical Valparaiso and vibrant Viña del Mar for a full day of fun, food and wonderful coastal scenery. Traveling north by plane, you will reach the desert area of San Pedro de Atacama. The beauty of the desert resides in the texture of the land, the starkness of the sky and in how life has found a way to conquer the desert. Atacama is a lunar landscape in places, lush river canyons in others. In some parts, rain has not touched this parched land for the past three hundred years while summer can bring brilliant rainstorms in the mountains. Atacama can be vast empty stretches but it is also a place to see life unfold. The Atacama program offers clients a unique experience including guided explorations, gourmet meals and magnificent climate throughout the year. Each day guests may join a variety of explorations; touring by car, trekking, biking and even mountain climbing. Choose from several options which have been specifically selected according to the weather, guests' desires, the duration and its difficulties. All explorations are accompanied by experienced guides and are available at all levels of abilities to explore the nature or the history of Atacama. Discover the heights of the Andes, enjoy the volcanoes and plateaus or visit the small villages with their traditions and folklore. The Atacama is yours to explore. (Stays are available as a 4-Day, 5-Day or 8-Day option)

Day 1
Santiago
Enjoy a private airport transfer in Santiago with a private guide and driver. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Enjoy a private half day panoramic city tour with your own private vehicle, professional driver and English speaking Guide taking in the main avenues of the city’s civic center as well as the main sites of interest. Visit La Moneda Palace, the current seat of the government formerly the home of Chilean presidents until 1958. Then continue along the streets of the downtown area to the Main Square surrounded by the Cathedral Metropolitana of the XVIII century, the National Historical Museum, and the Central Post Office. Visit the Forestal Park passing in front of the Fine Arts Museum towards Bellavista, the bohemian quarter of Santiago. Continue to San Cristóbal Hill, a beautiful public park dominated by the monumental sculpture of Virgin Mary (36 meter high). From this site, enjoy a panoramic view of the city before continuing toward the modern residential neighborhoods of Pedro de Valdivia Norte, Las Condes, and Vitacura. At the end of the tour you will be dropped back at your hotel allowing you some time for some independent exploring or some relaxation time at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Situated in one of the most prestigious areas of Santiago, Plaza el Bosque Park & Suites is a great choice for families and those who like space. The 179 suites are well-appointed, with a small kitchenette and beautiful views of the city. Breakfast is an array of fresh fruits, dairy, pastries and other morning favorites. Dine at any of the numerous restaurants nearby, which serve everything from Chilean traditional dishes to international specialties. Make use of the abundance of facilities, which include a sauna, fitness room, and a games room with pool tables and chess. Santiago is the capital of Chile, and its largest city. Two decades of uninterrupted economic growth have transformed Santiago into one of Latin America's most modern metropolitan areas, with extensive suburban development, dozens of shopping malls, and impressive high-rise architecture. Santiago has an excellently preserved city square that is a very pleasant walk. It also boasts numerous museums, parks, churches and fine restaurants. Nearby vineyards are a popular day trip.

Day 2
Santiago
Enjoy a private full day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valparaiso and the pretty coastal town of Vina del Mar. Take in the great coastal views as you head along the Pacific coast and soak in the panoramic view of the port, before visiting the home of Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda, whose house is a true hideaway located on the upper part of town overlooking the port. The house is modelled on shipbuilding (Neruda's love for all things maritime is famous) and the gardens have many exotic plants, which make for a restful spot. Continue to the Prat Wharf before going to Vina del Mar where you can enjoy lunch facing the sea. At days end you will be brought back to your hotel in Santiago.
Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Plaza El Bosque Park & Suites.

Day 3
Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama
Enjoy a private airport transfer in Santiago with a private guide and driver. Fly from Santiago to Calama airport. Flights are subject to changes based on availability. The flight duration is approximately 2.5 hour. Transfer by Van for a 1 hour drive through the Atacama desert. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordillera de los Andes, Atacama is an immense extension of land and mystery. Alto Atacama has created a program of activities so that you can enjoy as much of the local area as you want, in the way that you want. There is something for everyone, from visiting the local museum to climbing a volcano. The excursions are designed for people who love nature and extraordinary landscapes, but the vast majority do not require any special physical training or technical abilities. All activities are classified by type (by vehicle, on foot or bicycle), length (half or full day) and difficulty. The level of difficulty is rated as follows: Easy excursions are on flat or gently rising and falling ground, much of which is covered by van. These excursions require no acclimatization to the altitude of the Atacama Desert. Medium rated excursions involve some rocky or sandy terrain, short climbs of moderate steepness and/or long treks. Some excursions require a few days of acclimatization to the altitude of the Atacama Desert. Difficult excursions are on tough terrain, involve long and/or steep climbs up to 4000 metres above sea level. These excursions are physically demanding and require acclimatization time. Each evening, you will meet with the guides in the bar to discuss options for the following day. There are eight options per day, taken from a programme of 23 excursions. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Surrounded and embraced by the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt mountain range) and close to the pre-columbian ruins of Quitor, the Alto Atacama Hotel offers one of the most astonishing settings in the world. The hotel has state of the art facilities including a Spa, Yoga fields, hot springs, wooden decks with 6 swimming pools, International bar and a cozy common room with a big fireplace. Add the most impressive sights of the milky way to all of that and you can start getting the picture... The decor is simple yet elegant, with local crafts to enhance the spirit of the rooms. All rooms in Alto Atacama have a private terrace from which the colors of the valley can be enjoyed. Take a nap, read a book or simply relax. The definition of peacefulness aquires a new meaning after a couple of nights here. San Pedro de Atacama is located in Antofagasta Region, in the Atacama desert and near the Salar de Uyuni. It grew around an oasis over centuries, and nearby native ruins showcase pre-Colombian cultures. The city has a significant archeological museum with a large collection of relics and artifacts from the region. Other popular activities include sandboarding and stargazing, with unrivalled views in the dry clean air. The town lies at an average altitude of approximately 2,400m (7,900 ft) and visitors often experience mild altitude sickness such as dizziness, lethargy and headaches.

Day 4
San Pedro de Atacama
The following is a list of all of the half day biking options available during your stay in the Alto Atacama. Your Guide will let you know which options are available each day during your stay.

Katarpe Valley
We cycle from the hotel along the river into the heart of the lovely Katarpe valley. This bike ride takes in the village of Katarpe, the old Inca administrative centre and the tambo. 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 three hour bike ride covering 15km) / Altitude: 2500m / Acclimatization: none required

Ayllu de Quitor/San Pedro villaje
This gentle bike ride takes you across the beautiful Quitor valley and into the town of San Pedro itself. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes, flora and fauna which has made the area so popular with travellers in the world.
Duration: half day / Level: easy (a two hour bike ride covering 10km) / Altitude: 2460m / Acclimatization: none required

Cejar Lagoon
Cycle from the hotel through San Pedro and then along a flat and sandy route to the Lagoon. The lagoons are of a striking white colour which contrast with the surrounding mountains and vegetation. And, because they are located inside the Salar de Atacama, the lagoons are extremely salty which makes swimming in it quite a floaty experience.
Duration: half day / Level: medium (a two hour bike ride covering 22km) / Altitude: 2410m / Acclimatization: none required
Note: if you want to swim in the lagoon, you are advised to take waterproof sandals as the ground is very hard and jagged in places.

Inca Pass
From Alto Atacama, cycle up to the cordillera until you reach a old tunnel that cuts though the cordillera. The tunnel is an amazing feat of engineering built by the Chilean goverment early in the XX century to reduce travelling times from the Andes to the sea. Pass through the tunnel and return to the hotel via Mars Valley.
Duration: half day / Level: difficult (a three hour bike ride covering 20km with two steep climbs) / Altitude: 2700 / Acclimatization: two days

The Desert Valleys
We cycle towards Mars Valley and climb up to the Cordillera viewpoint. From here, you can see across the oasis and the salt flats to the snowcapped Andes. On our way back to the hotel, you pass through the famous Moon Valley.
Duration: half day / Level: difficult (a three hour bike ride covering 30km) / Altitude: 2600m / Acclimatization: two days There are many half day tour options by vehicle available from the Alto Atacama. Your Guide will let you know which tours are available each day for you to choose from. Here is the complete list:

Likanantai culture tour
After a short walk from the hotel to Pukara de Quitor, you will be driven to the historic old town of San Pedro. There, you will stroll around the picturesque town, visit the church and the highly respected museum. Then drive to the archealogical ruins of Tulor – a 2800 year old settlement – visiting a variety of ancient villages along the way.
Duration: half day / Level: easy / Altitude: 2440m / Acclimatization: none required

Tocanao/Atacama saltflats
On the way to the famous saltflats of San Pedro de Atacama, visit the lovely town of Tocanao and the Valle Escondido de Kunza (the hidden valley) where the church and artesan market stalls in the central plaza are located. From here, continue your journey to the saltflats. On arrival, there is a gentle 20 minute walk to the Laguna de Chaxa where you can see wild flamingos and other birds native to the area. Later, when the setting sun catches on the mountains and the lagoons, you will see one of the most incredible sunsets the world has to offer.
Duration: half day / Level: easy / Altitude: 2300m / Acclimatization: none required

Sunset at Moon Valley
A 20 minute drive brings you to the spectacular Moon Valley. This is one of the most famous national parks in Chile and for good reason. The enormous sand dunes and dramatic rock formations create a stunning lunar landscape born of land lifts and centuries of erosion. The sunsets here are extraordinary and no visit to San Pedro is complete without an trip to the Moon Valley to watch the sun go down
Duration: half day / Level: easy / Altitude: 2450m / Acclimatization: none required

Valle de Jere
A 45 minute drive from the hotel takes you through the village of Tocanao to the Quebrada de Jere (Jere Gorge). A gentle walk through beautiful, cultivated gardens allows you to appreciate the centuries-old irrigation systems that enabled man to settle in the area. The verdant vegetation, thanks to the Jere River, provides a wonderful contrast to the dryness of the surrounding desert. During this tour, you will also see a number of pre-historic petroglyphs: drawings carved into the rocks that acted as signposts for the Incas on their travels to and from the sea.
Duration: half day / Level: easy / Altitude: 2475m / Acclimatization: none required

The Tatio Geysers
Leave the hotel before dawn to arrive at the famous geysers at daybreak: the steam and vapors are all the more impressive with the cold and the light of the early morning. At the geyser field, you will also see geysers thermal pools, mud fountains, colourful rock formations, hot streams and flora and fauna. The return journey is quite stunning with an abundance of wildlife and beautifully contrasting landscapes.
Duration: half day / Level: medium (due to the altitude) / Altitude: 4321m / Acclimatization: two days The following information lists all of the half day trekking tour options. Your Guide will let you know which options are available each day of your stay.

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

Los Colorados
From the hotel, you take a short drive along the ancient road which crosses the Cordillera de la Sal. From here, you begin a delightful trek along the top of the cordillera which provides panaromic views of San Pedro, the oasis, the salt flats and the snowcapped Andean mountains. 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

Kari Gorge
A 20 minute drive from the hotel brings you 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

Los Cardones Gorge
A 45 minute drive takes you to Guatin where you 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 colorful rocks and vegetation.
Duration: half day / Level: medium (a two walk covering 4km, some steep/slippery terrain) / Altitude: 3166 / Acclimatization: one full day

Alto Katarpe
This trek takes you to the viewpoint at Katarpe with its stunning views across the cordillera and the Katarpe Valley. You 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. Return to Alto Atacama by the lush San Pedro River and the village of Katarpe
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

Tambo Katarpe
A 15 minute drive takes you to the village of Katarpe. Here, visit the old church and enjoy a gentle walk through wonderful plateaus and gorges until you arrive at the tambo of Katarpe. 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

Katarpe / Devil’s Gorge
We drive 15 minutes to the village of Katarpe. After visiting the church, trek through the gorges of the Cordillera de la Sal. Leaving through the Devil’s Gorge, through spectacular high walls of salt, clay and gypsum.
Duration: half day / Level: medium / Altitude: 2530m / Acclimatization: none required
Mountain
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. There are lots of full day excursions to choose from by vehicle as well as trekking. Your Guide will let you know which options are available each day. Guided tours by vehicle include a visit of the Altoandina Lagoons, local villages of the Altiplano and the Tara saltflats. Full day trekking excursions include following an ancient shepherd’s route along the Machuca River, a steep and long climb involving incredible views of the oasis, the Andes and the salt flats, a trek through dunes, gorges and flats, a ridge hike with panaromic views of San Pedro, the oasis, salt flats and snowcapped Andean mountains. Full details on all of these excursions are available from your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor. Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Alto Atacama.

Day 5
San Pedro de Atacama
Consider any number of half or full day shared or private guided tours such as: a half day visit to the interesting village of Toconao, the lush Jerez valley, Salar de Atacama - the largest salt lake in the country, and Chaxsa Lagoon where you can have the opportunity to observe the wide variety of birds that inhabit the lagoon, especially pink flamingos. Alternatively, consider a half day tour to Sejar lagoon, where you can float in its waters due to the high salt content (higher than that in the dead sea). There are often Flamingos in this area which are a beautiful sight to see. Another option is a tour to the Puritama Hot Springs which are constantly replenished by warm water that emanates from under the surrounding rocks and vegetation. Finally, consider an archeological tour taking in Pukara de Quitor, a 12th Century (pre-Inca) fortress. Partially restored in 1992, the Pukara de Quitor is one of the most complete and impressive of these early defensive measures. From there, discover the site of Tulor, dating back to over 2,000 years ago, and the earliest known settlement in the area known as the “Aldea de Tulor”. It consists of circular dwellings interconnected by common passages and patios. Please speak to your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if any of these are of interest. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Alto Atacama.

Day 6
Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
Fly from Calama to Santiago. Flights are subject to changes based on availability. The flight duration is approximately 2.5 hour. Transfer by Van from Alto Atacama resort for a 1 hour drive through the Atacama desert to the Calama Airport. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary. Calama is a city and commune in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It is the capital of El Loa Province, part of the Antofagasta Region. The River Loa, Chile's longest, flows through the city. At an elevation of 2,400 metres (7,900 ft), Calama is the gateway to the geological and archaeological wonders of Chile’s high central desert. In 2003 the nearby town of Chuquicamata, by one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world, was dismantled, partly because of environmental reasons, and partly due to encroachment from the mine's expansion. Residents of Chuquicamata then moved to Calama, away from company-owned residences, to find housing on their own.