Discover the mystical beauty and inspiring geology of the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on the planet. Witness the fantastic colorful display of the Valley of the Moon. Visit the Altiplanic lagoons Mescanti & Meñiques and Tatio Geysers. Explore the Lasana Valley and its preserved petroglyphs. In the second part we will bike through wine country at Maipo Valley, taste wine and see local vineyards. On the last day of the trip we will head for the river for some fun wild river rafting.

Full Intinerary
Day 1: Santiago
Day 2: Santiago
Day 3: Santiago-Calama-San Pedro de Atacama
Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama-Altiplanic Lagoons
Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama - Geisers del Tatio
Day 6: San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago
Day 7: Maipo Valley Wine Tour
Day 8: Maipo River Rafting
Day 9: Santiago/Fly Home

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago: Transfer to the hotel upon arrival

Day 2: Santiago – City tour
Morning city tour of Santiago, visiting the Government Palace, San Cristobal Hill. Afternoon at leisure for shopping or taking an optional excursion. (B)

Day 3: Santiago – Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Calama (1 hour and 45 minutes). Upon arrival in Calama, transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis located in the middle of the driest desert in the world, Atacama Desert. An exploration to the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range), with magnificent geological formations and sediments of various colors. The origin of the Cordillera de la Sal corresponds to the origin of the Atacama Salar; therefore, its rocks are mainly composed of salt and similar clay, creating an extremely special and inspiring landscape, and originating the mystic Moon Valley. Exploration trek through inner valleys, watching caverns and abandoned salt mines and winding dunes (B, L)

Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama – Altiplanic Lagoons
Today we will visit the Altiplanic (High Plains) lagoons. Located 4500mts above sea level, these turquoise blue lagoons are surrounded by imposing volcanoes created by the lifting of the Andean Mountain range, during remote geological times. Its waters come from the underground and are originated by defrosting. During the trip, you will also visit Socaire, town of Atacaman peasants. Return to San Pedro. (B, L)

Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama - Geisers del Tatio
Trip at dawn towards the Andean foothills. There are few places in the world where thermal energy can be actually seen by man. The peculiar geological conditions of the mountains of Tujle, together with the volcanic activity in the area, created the favorable geological conditions for the creation of El Tatio Geysers. We will enjoy the thermal pools. On the way back will have reached 4500 m. of altitude, which is literally being close to the clouds and the Andes Mountain Range, blended with beautiful colors. We will view the active Tocorpuri volcano and the amazing Sairecahur (6200m High). Breakfast will be served at the Tatio Geysers. Return to San Pedro at mid-day. Rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 6: San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Calama to take flight back to Santiago. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival. Rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 7: Maipo Valley Wine Tour
Once in the wine country, we unload the bikes and ride through three vineyards and the small towns supported by the wineries. The three vineyards vary not only in the wine they produce but also in the background of their origin. We visit a rustic family-owned estate producing a wide variety of wine including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere (thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in Chile in 1995); a contemporary vineyard, started by a wealthy Santiago family to produce high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah and Cot (Chile’s version of the famous Argentine Malbec); and finally we finish in a 100% organic vineyard where we will taste wine directly from the tanks. After the final vineyard we take the transport to a countryside restaurant for lunch. Back to Santiago. (B)

Day 8: Maipo River Rafting
After breakfast we head to Maipo Valley, and towards the Andes Mountains, ever growing closer and more visible as we continue. Arriving at the river base of either San Alfonso or San Jose we will meet our experienced and skilled guides who will equip us will all the rafting gear needed (wetsuit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket) and go over all technical and safety instructions with us to prepare for this exciting trip! The Maipo River, flowing between steep canyon gorges and cutting through the heart of the Andes mountains is a class 3 to 4 river (depending on the snow melt) and thus suitable for both first timers as well as experienced rafters. Putting in at Either San Alfonso or at El Melocoton we sail through this river valley crowned by spectacular Andean Scenery. Return to hotel. (B, L)

Day 9: Santiago - Fly Home

Price Per Person: $1990
Single Supplement: $470
Trip Duration: 9 Days
Best time to Travel: March - September
Departures Dates: 2011: March 30, April 15, May 27, June 24, July 22, Aug 27, Sep 24

Included:
All ground transportations
Hotel accommodation
Meals as in itinerary: 8 – breakfasts, 3 – Lunches
Guide
Bikes, helmet, gloves, support van
Raft, life vast, fist aid kit, helmet
Insurance

Not included:
Air ticket of any kind
Chile visa reciprocity fee ($130)
Drinks of any kind
Gratuities
Tax
Personal expenses