Atacama Trek & Lascar Climb
Atacama Trek & Lascar Climb
A trekking expedition, supported by 4WD vehicles, following the trails of the Atacama desert and the Andes highlands. This adventure highlights the best of the Atacama. It brings you to experience firsthand the driest desert on earth and climb the summit of an active volcano.
6-Day Trekking expedition in Chile
From: US $ 1,200.00
Carefully prepared to maximize your contact with nature and people while keeping a high level of comfort.
The treks and the climb are accessible to everyone with an average level of fitness.
Everything has been planned for you to hike with your small daypack and enjoy the day while discovering these wild Andean landscapes.
Highlights
Five days across the spectacular Atacama Desert, the world's driest desert and in the Andean highlands.
Explore native villages and ancient cultures.
Explore San Pedro de Atacama and its unique surroundings.
Discover the Salt range and the Moon Valley.
Visit Toconao village and Chaxa Lagoon.
Enjoy Puritama hot springs.
Trek across the Andean High Plateau and its stunning landscapes, flora and fauna.
Climb Volcan Lascar (5,592m /18,346ft)
Difficulty
The treks are technically easy. It involves two days with 3 to 6 hours of hiking and one day climbing a volcano. The Lascar volcano climb, without any technical difficulty, involves a full day with 5 to 6 hours of hiking and ascents of up to 600 meters / 1,968 ft.
SEASON: March to December
DURATION: 6 days/5 nights. Starts and ends in Calama.
PARTICIPANTS: Small groups up to 6 guests
Rates
1 person US $ 3.300
2 people US $ 1.780 each.
3 to 6 people US $ 1.200 each
Based on double room/tent accommodation. For single accommodation please add U$d 320
Included in the price
Private transportation throughout the entire trip. (one 4WD)
Private airport transfer. (2)
Mountain guide (English/Spanish)
Camp staff such as cook, camp assistants according to group size etc.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: 3 days full board and one day half board.
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary: 2 nights in 3* hotel and 3 nights in tent.
All activities and entrance fees as mentioned in the program.
High quality communal camping gear, including tents as well as full base camp infrastructure and services.
Airport transfers as mentioned in the itinerary.
VHF radio communication.
First aid kit including pulse oximeter and oxygen for emergencies.
Satellite phone (on pay per minute basis).
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: SANTIAGO - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
We meet you at Calama airport, at 9am, from where we drive to San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, visit of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Range) and short hike through the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) with its impressive geological formations, vast sand dunes and gorgeous sunsets. Return to the hotel.Lodging: Casa de Don Tomas or similar 2,400m / 7,874 ft.
Meals: No meals included
Day 2: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – VILAMA CAMP
5-6 hours trek / no ascent, some river crossing Morning walk through San Pedro de Atacama. Visit of the famous town church, dating from 1641 and the 12th century Pukara (fortress) of Quitor, carved into the side of a cliff. Its importance faded with the arrival of the Inca and its destruction in 1540 by the Spanish. From the top of this fortress we have a magnificent view over the valley of Catarpe, from where we set off on our trek along a beautiful canyon and cross the Devil's throat. At the end of the day we set up our camp, and while we explore the surroundings, our staff will prepare a delicious welcome barbecue for dinner.Lodging: Camp at 2,600m / 8,530 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Welcome Dinner
Day 3: VILAMA CAMP – PURITAMA TREK – GUATIN CAMP
3 hours trek / 8 km to go, After a good breakfast served in our mess tent, we dismount the camp and drive for 20 minutes to Guatin area. Today our trek follows Puritama river, a green ravine in the heart of the Atacama Desert. We arrive to Puritama hot springs, with natural pools of thermal water at various temperatures, the hottest one close to 35 celsious. Our staff will serve lunch at the shade of the local trees, Tamarugos, and you will have time to enjoy the place. At the end of the day, we drive to Guatin, where we set up our camp.Lodging: Camp at 3,200m / 10,498 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: GUATIN CAMP – TOCONAO - ATACAMA SALT – TALABRE CAMP
Today we drive towards est, reaching the Andean village of Toconao and stopping by Laguna Chaxa, in the heart of the Atacama Salt Flat. Then transfer to Talabre, a small native village in the nearest of the Atacama salt flat, where we set up our camp.Lodging: Camp at 3,258m / 10,689 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: TALABRE – VOLCAN LASCAR SUMMIT (5592m) – SAN PEDRO
Volcan Lascar climb 5-6 hours round trip / 600m ascent We start very early today (4am) and approach to the base of the volcano with the 4x4. The climb follows a good trail, in sandy and rocky terrain and we reach first the impressive crater of this active volcano and then keep climbing for other 30 minutes to reach the summit and enjoy the most amazing panoramic view of the Atacama salt flat and the several surroundings summits, among them Volcan Llullaillaco (6739m), the third highest summit of America. After the climb, we start our return to San Pedro de Atacama. Transfer to your hotel.Lodging: Casa de Don Tomas or similar 2,400m / 7,874 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – CALAMA AIRPORT
Morning at leisure in San Pedro. In the afternoon transfer to Calama airport. End of our services.Lodging: Not included
Meals: Breakfast