ATACAMA explorations explora Atacama І Hikes T2 Reserva Tatio T4 Cornisas Nights of acclimatization Nights of acclimatization needed: 2 needed: 0 Type: Half day Type: Half day Duration: 1h Duration: 2h 30 min Distance: 2,3 km / 1,4 mi Distance: 6,7 kms / 4,2 mi Max. Altitude: 4.321 m.a.s.l / Max. Altitude: 2.710 m.a.s.l / HIKES 14.176 f.a.s.l 8.891 f.a.s.l Description: This exploration Description: Departing by van, we offers a different way of visiting head toward the Catarpe Valley Our hikes have been designed according the Tatio geysers, a geothermal by an old road. From there, we to different interests and levels of skill. field with over 80 boiling water hike along the ledges of La Sal They vary in length and difficulty so we sources. In this trip there are Mountains, with panoramic views always recommend travelers to talk to their excellent opportunities of studying of the oasis, the Atacama salt flat, guides before choosing an exploration. the highlands fauna, which includes and The, La Sal, and Domeyko Every evening, guides brief travelers vicuñas, flamingos and foxes, Mountains, three mountain ranges on the different explorations, so that among others. We walk through the that shape the region’s geography. they can choose one that best fit their reserve with views of The Mountains By the end of the exploration we interests. Exploration times do not consider and steaming hot water sources. descend through Marte Valley’s sand transportation. Return to the hotel by van. dunes. This is a good opportunity to learn more about the local history, geography and archaeology. Return T3 Quezar Puritama to the hotel by van. Easy Nights of acclimatization needed: 1 Type: Half day T5 Kari T1 Cuchabrache Duration: 2h Nights of acclimatization Nights of acclimatization Distance: 3,5 km / 2,2 mi needed: 0 needed: 0 Max. Altitude: 3.539 m.a.s.l / Type: Half day Type: Half day 11.610 f.a.s.l Duration: 2h 30 min Duration: 2h 30 min Description: Departing by van from Distance: 5,6 km / 3,5 mi Distance: 5,7 km / 3,6 mi the hotel, we head north until we Max. Altitude: 2.606 m.a.s.l / Max. Altitude: 2.698 m.a.s.l. / get to an old grazing farm. From 8.549 f.a.s.l 9.803 f.a.s.l there, we descend through a ravine Description: Departure by van from Description: Departure by van into a slightly upward trail that explora to La Sal Mountains, where from explora to the source of the leads to the Puritama hot springs, we walk along the Kari ravine, a San Pedro River. Uphill hike that where we enjoy its swimming pools. canyon formed by water erosion and leads to the summit, with views of To bathe in these thermal waters, surrounded by huge sedimentary the green valley of Catarpe against at approximately 32ºC (90ºF), is a walls of clay, gypsum, and salt. La Sal Mountains and Los Andes’ stimulating experience for both the During the hike, we’ll tackle volcanoes. This is a great opportunity body and the spirit. The first thermal different kinds of slopes, descending to enjoy panoramic views, the well has been reserved for our through a sand dune and two desert’s silence, and to get a general travelers. Return to the hotel by van. waterfalls (these only carry water idea of the Atacama territory. Return *Please bring swimsuit and sandals. during the rainy season). Return to to the hotel by van. Towels will be provided. the hotel by van. explora Atacama І Hikes T6 Puricamar T8 Guatin – Punta del Inca T10 Guatin – Puritama Nights of acclimatization Nights of acclimatization Nights of acclimatization needed: 0 needed: 1 needed: 1 Type: Half day Type: Half day Type: Half day Duration: 2h Duration: 2h 30 min Duration: 2h 30 min Distance: 4,6 km / 2,9 mi Distance: 3,5 km / 2,2 mi Distance: 4,8 km / 3 mi Max. Altitude: 2.577 m.a.s.l / Max. Altitude: 3.204 m.a.s.l / Max. Altitude: 3.539 m.a.s.l / 8.454 f.a.s.l 10.511 f.a.s.l 11.610 f.a.s.l Description: Departing by van from Description: Departure by van from Description: Departure by van the hotel, we head toward La Luna explora we take the road toward from explora to Guatin, a small Valley. From here, we hike through the Guatin village, at the confluence shepherd village, where we begin the reserve’s south side, one of its of the Puritama and Purifica Rivers. an uphill hike that leads to the edge least explored areas. The landscape For the most part, this exploration of the ravine of the Puritama River has rock formations, natural goes through a cactus valley. (Puritama means hot water in Kunza sculptures, and huge sand dunes. The trail follows the river along a language). We walk for 45 minutes By the end of the hike, we enjoy a canyon, crossing it several times, surrounding the ravine until we 360° view from La Sal Mountains to and descending by the edge of reach the river’s edge, where old the Atacama Desert. Return to the waterfalls (with falls of 3 meters/ 10 Atacama settlements and the source hotel by van. feet, approximately). Finally, leaving of Puritama hot springs are located. the canyon, we enjoy panoramic Here, we have a light snack and views of Atacama. Return to the enjoy the warm water pools. This hotel by van. exploration offers archeological and Moderate anthropological nuances, and an opportunity to get to know the local T9 Kamur flora and fauna. Return to the hotel T7 Matancilla Nights of acclimatization by van. Nights of acclimatization needed: 0 * Recommended for travelers who needed: 1 Type: Half day want to get acclimatized to the Type: Half day Duration: 3h 30 min next level hikes that reach 4.000 Duration: 2h 30 min Distance: 7,4 km / 4,6 mi m.a.s.l. (13200 feet). Please bring a Distance: 4,8 km / 3 mi Max. Altitude: 2.571 m.a.s.l / swimsuit and sandals. Towels will be Max. Altitude: 3.292 m.a.s.l / 8.435 f.a.s.l provided.. 10.800 f.a.s.l Description: Departure by van from Description: Departure by van explora to La Luna Valley where we from the hotel toward the Domeyko enjoy the varied scenery of La Sal Mountains, home of the guanaco, Mountains, where the wind and a mammal of the Camelidae family. water erosion have carved the land We visit archaeological sites with into stone sculptures, geological cave paintings and walk through a formations and sand dunes. We ravine that was used as a caravan walk across several valleys and route for trade and foraging vast plains, typical of the desert by several ancient people that landscape. Return to the hotel by populated the Atacama Desert. van. By the end of the hike, we arrive to the Arcoiris Valley, a site with huge earth walls. Rich in minerals, these walls render a multicolored landscape. explora Atacama І Hikes T11 Kulamar T12 Ruta del Agua Advanced Nights of acclimatization Nights of acclimatization needed: 2 needed: 1 Type: Full day Type: Full day T14 Río Blanco Duration: 5h Duration: 5h Nights of acclimatization Distance: 9,7 km / 6,1 mi Distance: 9,6 km / 6 mi needed: 2 Max. Altitude: 4.141 m.a.s.l / Max. Altitude: 3.819 m.a.s.l / Type: Full day 13.585 f.a.s.l 12.529 f.a.s.l Duration: 5h Description: Departure by van Description: Departure by van from Distance: 7,3 km / 4,6 mi from the hotel, we take the road to the hotel toward the north side of Max. Altitude: 4.408 m.a.s.l / Argentina toward the the Andean the Puritama Natural Reserve. We 14.461 f.a.s.l Highlands. We begin the walk at start hiking with views of the The Description: This exploration offers over 4.000 m.a.s.l. (13.123 f.a.s.l) Mountains, its volcanoes and the a different perspective on the Tatio with views of several salt flats and Atacama salt flat basin. To get to the geysers. We depart by van toward highland hills. With birdwatching hot springs, we walk across several the geothermal field where we opportunities, this exploration leads ravines, some of them deep and others begin an upward hike with views us through salt flats until we reach shallow. The hike offers a chance of the geysers and the Andes the pass of the Mochota Hill, with to note several changes in the flora Mountains. Then, we descend views of the Aguas Calientes salt and visit the habitat of the Andean through an open ravine leading to flat. Finally, we have lunch at a spot mountain cat, one of the world’s least a little-known warm-water river. that will be selected depending on studied endangered species. At the hot We walk along the river through weather conditions. springs, we have a light lunch and enjoy mineral formations typical of this of the thermal pools. In the evening, we geological region. keep walking along the ravine toward * Not recommended for travelers Guatin, a grazing area. Because of with vertigo. the contrasts in flora and fauna due to elevation changes, this hike offers a chance to visit intermediate ravines T15 Quebrada de Nacimiento between the oasis and The Mountains.