Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Evening flight to Calma. Arrive to Calama and drive to San Pedro de Atacama (98km) by way of Valle de La Luna. As the sun gets down admire the amazing rock formations of Cordillera de la Sal and hike immense sand dunes to the lookout points. Overnight Hotel in San Pedro.
Day 2: Enter Valle de Marte and start walking the Corniza trail (3hrs) over the ridge of sandstone mountains. Descend to San Pedro Valley and walk (1hr) to the remarkable fortress of Quitor (XII century). Walk (3km) to San Pedro. Evening drive to Miscanti and Meniques lagoon at 4,500m/ 13,500ft for a short 1hr acclimatization trek. Drive down and enter Atacama Saltflat on time for sunset. Includes (B).
Day 3: Drive to the village of Rio Grande (3,500m/ 10,500ft) and trek(5-6hrs) an scenic trail that follows the course of smaller waterways through narrow and beautiful valleys inhabited by indigenous people and their lamas. We keep gaining altitude until reaching the green pastures of Machuca (4,100m/ 12,300ft) teeming with wildlife and a spectacular view of Licancabur. Set up camp in Machuca. Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 4: At 5am we start driving towards El Tatio (4,500m/ 13,500ft) on time to observe the geysers in action at sunrise. To keep progressing in our acclimatization we start hiking Cerro Soquete (5,400m/ 16,200 ft ) aiming its summit. Drive back to Puritama hot springs for a healthy bath and back to San Pedro. Includes (B, BL).
Day 5: Drive up to 4,500m/ 13,500ft to the border crossing over to Bolivia. Set up base camp next to Laguna Blanca or at Laguna Blanca shelter. Includes (B,BL,D).
Day 6: Acclimatization trek around Laguna Blanca; Includes (B, BL, D).
Day 7: Start the ascent at 4am and reach the summit around noon. Keep a slow pace ensuring acclimatization. Hike down through a giant toboggan and reach base camp by 3pm. Take down base camp and drive down to San Pedro. Includes (B, BL).
Day 8: Drive back to Calama on time for your flight. Includes (B).
* Physical Demands: Although none of the programmed ascents are technically difficult they demand great physical endurance and stamina, therefore, it is important to be in good shape to reach the summit. Oxygen deprivation or "puna" will affect everyone to some extent, however, we will gradually climb to higher altitudes.
* Physical and Medical Certificates: These mountain expeditions require the passenger to be physically qualified to be accepted on the trip. It is so, each passenger will be asked to answer and send ahead a short query in order to evaluate his (her) physical condition and gain and idea of his (her) most probable performance at the mountain.
* Equipment Supplied
Standard equipment includes 2 person mountain tents, a kitchen/dining tent, tables and stools, light, cooking equipment and utensils, first aid kit, etc.
* What you need to bring: A complete equipment list is included with the reservation form. The expedition demands technical gear such as: sleeping bag (comfortable to -20ºC); full length sleeping pad (ice); a high mountain backpack 90 lts (6.000 cub.inch); plastic double boots; trekking boots; ski poles; personal clothing (feet, upper and lower body, hands, head, etc); ice axe and crampons; For the days not on the mountain consider light/heavy clothing for summer (Dec-March)/ winter (Jun-Aug).
* Transport: 4x4 vehicles.
* Accommodation: All nights during the expedition will be spent in 2-person tents. DBL rooms while in San Pedro de Atacama
* Participation: The camp setting will be in general responsibility of both the guiding Staff and the trip's participants. The cooking will be more likely responsibility of the guiding staff with the active help of the participants.
* Changes on the itinerary: Reasonable changes can be made in the itinerary because of the weather conditions or if judged to be in the best interest and well being of the participants; In the itineraries there are one or two extra days, in case we do not reach the summit on the first attempt or in case of bad weather. If we succeed on the first attempt we will then decide, depending on our guide judgment, to either extend the excursion on the mountain or to come down before the scheduled time.
* Climate: Each expedition dossier contains fully detailed information in this matter however consider that over 6.000 m/ 19.500 ft the temperature drops to -30ºC and can reach +30ºC during the day.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices Season 08/09 (Oct-Nov):
- US 2,154 p/p (2-4 people)
- US 1,904 p/p (5 people)
- US 1,733 p/p (6 people).
Price Includes:
- All the ground transportation from the time we pick you up at Calama
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- One English speaking mountain leader-guide
- Spanish speaking mountain assistants if more than 3 participants;
- Common camping and mountain equipment
- Entrance.
Price Excludes:
- Permits.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
Archeology/History
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