Hotel Awasi - San Pedro de Atacama

Toconao and Atacama Salt Lake (7.500 ft.)
Departure: Morning or afternoon.
Van trip: 80 miles (round trip).
Duration: 4 hours approx.
The car leaves Awasi heading south on the paved road to the Salt Lake.
After some 60 mi we reach the town of Toconao, famous for its buildings of liparite volcanic stone. There, we can visit its historic church and bell tower and tour the stalls of craftspeople who offer their goods in the square.
Next to Toconao is Jere creek, a canyon with the only running fresh water in these surroundings. This water has
fed, since long ago, a true orchard of fruit trees and farmed vegetables. Then, we continue on to Chaxa pond,
a National Reserve located at Atacama Salt Lake. This pond is surrounded by salt crusts that result from the
evaporation of salty ground water. In this setting we may observe the flamingoes that inhabit the Salt Lake, as
well as other native bird species. This is undoubtedly a place of captivating beauty from which you can see the
Domeyko Range, the Salt Range and the Andes Range, a panorama that becomes particularly splendid at dusk.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses; if the outing is in the afternoon: Windbreaker, full shoes (for all).

Moon Valley (8.200 ft)
Departure: In the afternoon.
Van trip: 25 miles (round trip).
Duration: 3,5 hours approx.
We leave Awasi and head to the Natural Reserve, which is located some 15 minutes away in the middle of the Salt Range. Its name speaks to us of the magic of the landscape. As the tour progresses, we find lookouts from which to observe the unusual geological shapes which, together with the action of wind and water, have originated a land relief reminiscent of the inhospitable beauty of the lunar surface. The final moments of the sunset when, in a matter of seconds, luminous streaks bring out subtle coloring differences in the mountains, is simply indescribable.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, hiking shoes.

Cejar Pond (7.500 ft)
Departure: 9:30 / 15:3
Van trip: 23 miles (round trip).
Duration: 3 hours approx.
We leave Awasi by car and head to the northern part of the Atacama Salt Lake, crossing part of the Ayllu that
are farthest from San Pedro, and then turn into a dirt road surrounded by sparse vegetation and remarkable
dryness. After some 11 miles we reach Cejar, a set of three ponds located in the middle of the Salt Lake in one
of which we can bathe. Given its high degree of saltiness, you can not only float on the water but in fact cannot
sink, a phenomenon similar to what you find in the Dead Sea (Israel). In this place we can watch birds that live
in the Salt Lake zone, such as flamingoes and Andean gulls, and enjoy a privileged view of the surrounding
ranges whose color contrasts with the deep blue of its waters.
This outing is also optional on bicycle, a ride that takes approximately 1 hour and a half, returning to the Hotel by car.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, bathing suit, sandals.

Highland Salt Lakes (13.800 ft)
Departure: 9:00 / 15:30 Return: 17:30
Van trip: 200 miles (round trip).
Duration: All day.
Highly recommendable, as there are few places in the highlands which offer such a variety. We leave Awasi
heading south and visit the towns of Toconao and Socaire (10.600 ft). Along the way we will find different types
of landscapes, which run from the driest dessert to small oases and mountain views. We will be able to see
vicunas, among other wild species. We will be surprised by the immensity and inhospitable beauty of the Tuyajtu and Aguas Calientes salt lakes, with their turquoise colored ponds inhabited by ducks and flamingoes.
Level of difficulty: Easy, but requires prior adaptation to the altitude.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, warm clothing (jacket, long pants, full shoes, hat).

Tara (14.100 ft)
Departure: 9:00 / Return: 17:30
Van trip: 188 miles (round trip).
Duration: All day.
Leaving San Pedro we take the road up to Jama Pass (13.800 ft), which leads to Argentina, with the splendid
setting of Licancabur Volcano (19.400 ft) and Juriques Volcano (18.800 ft), the unrivaled guardians of the Range. Then, we continue along the highland, crossing swamps and ponds inhabited by wildlife, until we reach the incredible Pakana Monks rocky formations (15.100 ft), true marvels of nature. From here on we follow a track that takes us to the huge rock cliffs that surround Tara Salt Lake, where we will enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch. Putting into words what the majesty of the landscape and the diversity of the wildlife of the place awaken in us is too arduous a task: it is better just to live it.
Level of difficulty: Easy, but requires prior adaptation to the altitude.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, warm clothing (jacket, long pants, full shoes, hat).

Miscanti Miñiques (13.800 ft)
Departure: 9:00 / Return: 17:30
Van trip: 188 miles (round trip).
Duration: All day.
A true meeting with the highland landscape. We leave Awasi taking the road south and visit the towns of Toconao and Socaire (10.600 ft). Then, we follow the road to Sico Pass up to the detour to Miscanti and Miñique Ponds which are part of Los Flamencos National Reserve (14.100 ft). The main features of the place are its ponds and native birds such as the tagua and the blanquillo. This outing includes lunch and, possibly, an optional visit to Chaxas pond on the way back.
Level of difficulty: Easy, but requires prior adaptation to the altitude.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, warm clothing (jacket, long pants, full shoes, hat).

Tatio Puritama (13.800 ft)
Departure: 6:00 / Return: 12:00
Van trip: 157 miles (round trip).
Duration: All day.
We head north and gradually gain altitude as we cross the highland and observe the very rich flora & fauna of the place. After two hours on the road we reach the Tatio Geysers, intermittent springs that gush out as imposing steam and hot water columns. After visiting the place we will have breakfast, enjoying the place and the peculiarity of its fumaroles. Before returning to Awasi, we stop at the Puritama warm springs, where we can bathe and enjoy an appetizer (see Puritama).
Level of difficulty: Easy, but requires prior adaptation to the altitude.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, lots of warm clothing (jacket, long pants, full shoes, hat).

Puritama (11.100 ft)
Departure: In the morning.
Van trip: 38 miles (round trip).
Duration: 3,5 hours approx. With an appetizer (lunch when we get back).
The road to the hot springs provides a magnificent view of the Andean Range, with its marked changes of color in the formations and the vegetation, characterized by the appearance of the first high altitude cactaceae and bushes. Upon arriving at the hot springs, we go down the creek to the pools, which are surrounded by a native vegetation that also acts as a shelter for birds.
There are 7 different pools to choose from, ranging in temperature from 86oF to 92oF, which makes them ideal
for relaxation. The quality of the waters, the natural setting, and the gourmet appetizer we enjoy here, make this a moment of unforgettable communion with nature.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, bathing suit, sandals.

Caspana-Airport (14.100 ft)
Departure: 9:00
Van trip: 125 miles (round trip).
Duration: 8 hours approx.
After breakfast in Awasi, we head northwards and gradually gain in altitude, crossing the highland with its ponds
and its characteristic flora & fauna. After an almost two-hour trip we come to a detour that takes us to the town
of Caspana, whose inhabitants still farm on terraces as in the past, and to an ancient sector with Inca-style rock
buildings. In this framework full of history and greenness we stop for lunch. Continuing on our tour we pass the
town of Chiu-Chiu, with its charming XVI century Church, consecrated to Saint Francis and famed to be the oldest in Chile. Finally, we reach the Airport and thus conclude this stage of the trip. Optional: the Tatio Geysers, if not visited before in the Tatio-Puritama outing.
Level of difficulty: Easy, but requires prior adaptation to the altitude.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, hiking shoes, warm clothing (jacket, long pants, full shoes, hat).

Rio Grande (9.800 ft)
Departure: 9:00/15:00
Van trip: 125 miles (round trip).
Duration: 3,5 hours approx.
This is not one of the most frequent tour visits, but it is specially attractive. Upon reaching a place called Yerbas
Buenas, we find ancient petroglyphs carved on huge rock walls. The meaning of these carvings is still hidden and indecipherable. After travelling over a steep road we come to the town of Santiago del Rio Grande. From there, we enjoy a spectacular view of the valley, its farming terraces and animal corrals, and the cacti that grow on the creek hillside. We can also take a walk around the town and to the farming sectors, as well as to visit the church and the craftsmen who work clay with ancestral techniques.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, Sun glasses.

Matancilla (9.800 ft)
Departure: 9:00
Van trip: 112 miles (round trip).
Duration: All day.
We head towards the town of Rio Grande. Along the road we stop for a close look at the marvelous Yerbas
Buenas petroglyphs. We then take the road to the town of Matancilla, a zone of valleys surrounded by
multicolored hills: gray, green, red and orange shades populate the hillsides. Touring these valleys by car or
on foot, you may see a landscape that is completely different from what you see near San Pedro. An optional
visit to Rio Grande takes one hour longer.
Level of difficulty: Easy.
What to bring along: Sunscreen, sun glasses, windbreaker.