Atacama Desert Oasis Trip Highlights
- Excursions to salt flats, geysers, petroglyphs and volcanoes
- Visit traditional Altiplano villages
- Stay in a charming adobe boutique hotel
Atacama Desert Oasis
Choose from a range of cultural and adventure excursions by day and return to your boutique spa and gourmet food by night.
From: $2,300 | 4 DAYS | CHILE
Itinerary Overview
This trip to the Atacama Desert offers countless cultural and adventure excursions to choose from during the day, while spending nights in a true oasis, the Tierra Atacama boutique hotel and spa. After exploring the surreal landscapes of the Atacama, return for a dip in the pool and enjoy a local Cabernet with gourmet cuisine. Don’t forget to take advantage of the world’s best moonscape and stargazing.
DAY 1 • Atacama desert
Arrive to Calama and transfer to Tierra Atacama. Take a dip in the pool before meeting your guide and planning your excursions. Walk to the petroglyphs at Devil’s Canyon, or cruise to the adobe streets of Toconao and meet the locals before photographing the flamingo-filled desert salt flats.
DAY 2 • atacama desert
Head out early to the smoking columns of El Tatio geyser. Enjoy breakfast as the sun rises and gives light to this incredible natural wonder. Spot vicunas, foxes and Andean ostriches before heading back to the village. Enjoy a gourmet dinner and local wine as the world’s most impressive night sky emerges.
DAY 3 • atacama desert
Take a cool, desert-morning horseback ride and spend the afternoon at natural springs in the canyon. Or choose to awake early and attempt to summit the 16,500-ft Toco Volcano.
DAY 4 • atacama desert
Take a leisurely bike ride to a variety of traditional Atacameñan villages before transferring to the airport.
Is It For Me?
Luxury boutique spa accommodations are the perfect compliment to a flexible adventure itinerary in the surreal setting of this mind-bending landscape.
Knowmad has vast knowledge and operations in Chile; this is a private trip and we are happy to modify excursions, accommodations, and the flow of the itinerary to perfectly suit your travel style and interests.
Have questions? Talk to an expert: 612-315-2894
Important Info
Costs
- From $2,300 per person / 2 travelers for 4 nights
All costs are subject to seasonality and room category. We guarantee same or better pricing than booking directly with the lodge. All Knowmad trips are custom and exact pricing is provided in your trip proposal.
We offer door-to-door trip planning services; Knowmad will navigate fixed-date entries, seasonal differences, logistics in transportation, and coordinate your accommodations and excursions for a holistic, seamless itinerary.
LIGHT, MODERATE, OR VIGOROUS TRIP Activities are flexible and include hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, cultural opportunities and spa.
LENGTH 4 days – 3 nights
BEGIN / END – San Pedro de Atacama (Calama Airport)
Air Travel
INTERNATIONAL Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. You may arrange your international airfare independently, or we are happy to offer our feedback and assistance in helping you book it.
REGIONAL If booked by Knowmad Adventures, internal airfare for this trip (Santiago/Calama/Santiago) averages $200, however this is an approximation and the airfare is subject to change upon booking. If you would like to arrange your own regional flights, please consult us prior so we can verify the departure and arrival times.
What's Next?
Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Signing up is easy. Call us at 612-315-2894 or email [email protected] and reserve your spot. Or simply download our registration form, fill it out, and send it back to us along with your trip deposit. Please refer to registration form for terms & conditions.
Weather & When to Go to the Atacama Desert
San pedro de Atacama enjoys clear skies and sunshine 90% of the year. Because of its altitude (8,200 ft) San pedro has more moderate temperatures. Throughout the year daytime highs average in the 70s F (21-25 C) and the evening is typically cool, between 40 and 50 F. Precipitation is extremely minimal throughout the year, although occasionally there is a heavy rain or two in February.
Prior to your departure, you are provided a detailed pre-trip information packet including a recommended pack list, information about the regions you’ll be visiting, suggested readings, up-to-date health information including any recommended vaccinations and more.
Accommodations
Our trips feature comfortable accommodations that complement their surroundings. We seek out intimacy and character, but never sacrifice cleanliness and security. We also find the best value for quality. In general, our physically moderate to vigorous trips feature hotels classified as 3+ to 4 stars, while less physically demanding trips feature 4+ to 5 star hotels.
As South American travel specialists, we’re experts and have inspected hundreds of properties. Knowmad is happy to suggest upgrades and alternative hotels based on your preferences to ensure your trip is perfect for you. Photos below are from this itinerary’s preferred accommodations. For more specifics, call or write to request more info.
Extend Your Adventure
Easter Island
A tropical paradise with history, culture and mystery at every beautiful turn, a visit to Easter Island – the world’s most isolated speck of land – will captivate any traveler. Meander through the picturesque countryside dotted with volcanoes, and learn about the mysterious Moai statues erected by the original Polynesian tribes who inhabited the island. Still today little is known about the statues or their creators. While circumnavigating the island on visits to the diverse Moai sites, you’ll have opportunities to relax on deserted, white-sand beaches, explore volcanic caves with petroglyphs and walk the rim of a seaside volcano.
Wine Country
Bike from vineyard to vineyard on gentle country roads, tour the cellars, taste fine wines, eat gourmet cuisine and stay in charming boutique hotels. With premier wine growing valleys just an hour from Santiago, a few days in wine country is an ideal extension to your adventure and a good example of the diversity of landscapes and lifestyles within Chile.
Patagonia
Pair two of the world’s extremes adding a journey to Patagonia to your Atacama trip. The juxtaposition of the world’s driest desert with glaciers and granite mountains makes this one of the most unique combination trips the world over.
Let The Journey Begin
Planning a trip to South America might seem a little overwhelming at first. Knowmad offers door-to-door trip planning: first, we listen, and then we help you navigate the seasonal differences and itinerary options, resulting in a holistic, seamless, and custom-crafted experience, all at a guaranteed best value.
The simplest way to get started is to give us a call at 612-315-2894or to fill out this short form so we can learn more about your travel preferences.
