Trek the Atacama Desert, Andes and Patagonia

This trekking tour brings you to the most famous and most breathtaking spots in Chile. It is a special tour for all hiking fans that admire climatic and scenic extremes.

Join us on a unique hiking trip through the world’s driest desert and feel the magic of every day”s breathtaking sunset. After a hike over hot sands right through bizarre canyons you can wind down soaking in thermal springs while the Tatio geysers with their booming columns of steam entertain you. The world of the Andes is characterized by giant volcanoes reaching high up into the sky and is home to flamingos, alpacas and vicunas.

Discover the beauty of the Torres del Paine National Park and come with us to see all of its famous highlights. You might often be accompanied by giant condors hovering above the scene while marveling at the fascinating flora and fauna. A boat trip along the icy walls of the Grey Glacier and the hiking tour along the Lago Nordenskjöld into the French Valley will grant you a glimpse into the fascinating world of ice and granite.

Chile Trekking Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: You are scheduled to arrive in Santiago de Chile in the early morning. Experience the busy market live on the famous Mercado Central with us and let us show you the Plaza de Armas, well known for its beautiful church and the local street painters on every corner. The afternoon is free and gives you time to explore the city even more, to shop or to relax. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 2: In the morning, we catch the flight to Calama in the North of Chile. From there, we bring you to the camp Rio Grande (elev. 3,150m), which we set up together in desert-like surroundings. In the afternoon, your first hike will lead you through Valle Arcoiris – a valley with bizarre rock formations and narrow ravines. After this tour we will drive you back to the camp where we spend the night in tents. (Hiking time: approx. 3-4 hours, difference in elevation: 50 meters) (B/D)

Day 3: Another trekking tour that allows you to acclimate will bring you through fertile valleys, terrace cropping to the left and to the right, up to a small settlement of indigines people called Machuca (elev. 4,000m). On your way you will pass the typical mudbrick houses of the Atacamenos and surely see some lamas and alpacas. Right next to the small village and directly at the shore of the hill moor called Bofedal we will set up our camp for the night. (Hiking time: approx. 6-7 hours, difference in elevation: 850m) (B/L/D)

Day 4: Early in the morning, a short hike will bring us to the geyser `El Tatio`, on an elevation of 4,330 meters. To experience the sunrise there is simply fantastic: the scenery with its hissing geysers dipped in all shades of red will leave you speechless. A 3-4 hour hike will lead us down through the Guatin-gorge (Quebrada de Guatin) where you get to know the typical flora of the usually absolutely dry Atacama Desert. During the Atacama Desert trekking tour you will find all kinds of cactuses, among them the flamboyant Cola de Zorro. Todays final destination is the desert oasis San Pedro de Atacama where we stay overnight in a guest house. (Hiking time: approx. 3-4 hours, difference in elevation: 300m) (B/L)

Day 5: Today, while trekking Atacama we will hike through the sparkling and twinkling Cordillera del Sal (Salt Cordillera) to the Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) and the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). After a peaceful lunch break back in San Pedro we will spend the afternoon sunbathing and splashing at the shores of the two-colored Laguna Cejas. Before we return to San Pedro, we would like to show you the perfectly round naturally formed wells called Ojos del Salar (Salt Eyes). The sunset will give the scene surrounded by volcanoes a purple glow when we head back to San Pedro de Atacama. (Hiking time: approx. 3 hours) (B)

Day 6: Today, continuing our Atacama Desert tour, we will drive you through the amazing Pampa del Tamarugal, passing former salpeter mines and salt pans until we reach the oasis Pica, famous for its limes. This cozy little village offers the ideal spots to relax from the long transfer: The soothing natural springs called `cochas` will invite you. Overnight stay in a simple guesthouse. (B)

Day 7: In the morning, we will visit the former Salpeter mine Humberstone. Afterwards, we will head towards the Chilean Andes Highlands. The road trip takes us through the absolutely diversified landscape with its unique fauna so that even the long drive will offer you an unforgettable natural spectacle. Today’s destination is the small Andes village Colchane (elevation 3,750m) which is surmounted by the snow covered volcano Isluga (5,530m). We will spend the night in a small guesthouse in Colchane where we share bedrooms and the bathroom. (B/D)

Day 8: After a visit in Cariquima where you can marvel at giant cactuses we will drive you to the Salar de Surire. Here, we will set up our tents for the next two nights. The Salar is part of the nature preserve Las Vicunas. Las Vicunas is not just superbly located – it presents an absolutely rich wildlife: Vicunas, lamas, alpakas, nandus and flamingos call this idyll home. You will leave Las Vicunas with lots of beautiful impressions to wind down in soothing thermal springs called Termales de Plloquere (elevation 4,200m). Overnight stay in our tents on an elevation of 4,200 meters. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Today, a trekking tour will bring you to the top of the Cerro Chihuana (5,279m) – your first chance to master a 5,000 meter summit. From the top you will have a breathtaking panoramic view over the entire Salar de Surire. After this first moving mountain trekking tour we will return to our camp where you can spend the rest of the afternoon for another relaxing bath in the thermal springs of Polloquere. Overnight stay in our tents on an elevation of 4,200 meters. (Hiking time approx. 5-6 hours, difference in elevation approx. 880 meters) (B/L/D)

Day 10: This morning, we will drive you to the Lauca National Park. Passing the picturesque village Guallatiri, we will soon reach the UNESCO biosphere preserve that was founded in 1970. We will bring you to the highest volcano-lake on earth – Lago Chungara (4,570m) reflecting the two twin-volcanoes Parinacota (6,342m) and Pomperape (6,282m) magically on its waters surface. Parinacota’s residents are proud of their church that obtained some fame for its wonderful and rare frescos dating back to the 18th century. We will stay overnight in a guesthouse in Putre (3,500m) (B/L)

Day 11: We get up early in the morning and start our trekking trip to the top of Cerro Guane Guane (5,097m) after a 45 minutes drive. The incredible view from the summit onto the vast Altiplano with its olive-colored highmoores (Bofedales) and salty-white rimmed lagoons will reward you splendidly for the long way up. In good weather you can even see Bolivias highest peak– the Sajama (6,520m). You can find archaelogical remains of the Aymara culture around the summit, proof of religious ceremonies dating back hundreds of years. Difference in elevation: 700 meters for ascent and descent. Hiking time approx. 4 hours (ascent), 2 hours (descent). Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Putre (3,500m). (B/-/-)

Day 12: Today, we travel to the Chilean seaport Arica at the Pacific cost. You can explore the little town on your own, go shopping or go down to the port to see the numerous pelicans and sea lions. In the afternoon we fly to Punta Arenas, having a short stopover in Santiago de Chile. Overnight stay in a hotel. (B)

Day 13: We will drive to Puerto Natales where we check in to our guesthouse. You can use the rest of the day to explore the small town at the Ultima Esperanza Fjord. In good weather you might have a first wonderful view onto the Paine Massif and the Monte Balmaceda. Overnight stay in a guesthouse. (B)

Day 14: In the early morning we will drive to the Torres del Paine National Park. From the Grey Lake a ship will bring us along the imposing ice walls of the blue-shining Grey Glacier. With a bit of luck we might even experience giant blocks of ice thundering into the lake. After the boat trip we hike to the lagoon Laguna Negra and follow the path of winds to the Pehoe Lake. We spend the night in a mountain cottage that serves as a guesthouse where we share bedrooms and a bathroom. (Hiking time approx. 4 hours, difference in elevation 350 meters) (B/D)

Day 15: Today, we begin our Torres del Paine trek, we will hike to the ‘Mirador” of the valley Valle Frances passing the beautiful lake Lago Skottsberg. In good weather conditions, the view onto the incredible mountain world of the Paine Massif is extraordinary. Once in a while, we might even be entertained acoustically by the thunderous rumble of ice avalanches and hanging glaciers of Paine Grande (3,050m). We will hike along the Nordenskjöld-Lake until we reach the refugio `Los Cuernos`. It is located right at the foot of the mountain-formation with the same name at the shore of the lake. In the little cottage we share a bedroom and one bathroom. (Hiking time approx. 7 hours, difference in elevation approx. 600 meters) (B/D)

Day 16: A day for some easy hiking: After a short walk through the bizarre scenery of the region with its many lakes and glaciers we will reach the camp `Las Torres`. From here, you have a perfect view onto the magnificent Almirante Nieto (2,640m) and with a bit of luck we even see the unique granite towers of the Torres. We return to Puerto Natales and come together for our farewell dinner. Overnight stay in a guesthouse. (Hiking time approx. 4 hours, difference in elevation approx. 100 meters). (B/D)

Day 17: In the morning, you will board the public bus. It will bring you to the airport of Punta Arenas. Once again you can enjoy the pastel-colored and wind-shaped pampas that characterize the region. (B)

• Location: Chile
• Duration: 17 days / 16 nights
• Start / End: Santiago de Chile / Punta Arenas
• Activities: Trekking, boat ride to Grey Glacier. Please Note: This hiking trip brings us into regions without a developed infrastructure and we often spend days without any contact to the rest of civilization. Therefore, all team members must be in an excellent physical shape. You should be foot sure with a sound fitness level. Neither higher elevations nor longer and strenuous hikes now and then should create problems for you.
• Highlights: Salar de Atacama, Lauca National Park, Valle de la Luna, Oasis Pica, Tatio-Geysers, Putre, Lago Chungara, Salar de Surire, Torres del Paine “W” Trek, Boat trip to Grey Glacier
• Season: March to October
• Included: Accommodation (combination of guest houses, tents, and refugios), all meals mentioned in itinerary, local bilingual guide, all transfers and transport as detailed on itinerary, boat trip to Grey Glacier, entry fees, camping gear and tents
• Not Included: Sleeping bags, tips, domestic and international flights, meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Prices: Please contact us for pricing