Atacama Luxury Adventure Retreat

This itinerary is an example of how you could spend your time on this all-inclusive experience. Please see the full list of excursions available.

Day 1: Transfer from Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama; Guatin Gatchi Valley hike

After arriving at Calama Airport, you'll be taken by a private-shared transfer to your luxury hotel on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll pass through incredible rock formations en route to the small oasis town of San Pedro located at 2,440m/8,000ft above sea level.

On your first afternoon you’ll take a short drive to the flourishing Guatin Gatchi Valley. You'll start the hike following a trail through a cardon forest, passing by giant cacti, to the confluence of two rivers - the Puritama and Purifica. The former river is has warm, thermal waters, and the latter cool, mountain meltwater.

On your way through the valley you'll encounter small waterfalls and interesting vegetation before reaching a beautiful panorama of the sweeping valley below.

Duration: Half-day
Difficulty: Medium-difficult

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tierra Atacama

Day 2: Morning hike and bathe at Cejar Lagoon; Afternoon excursion to Atacama Salt Flats

This morning excursion takes advantage of the cooler temperatures. You'll leave the hotel by bike, heading south towards the Atacama salt flat.

The terrain is mainly flat and only slightly uneven in places. When you arrive at the Cejar Lagoon you'll see the amazing, thick salt crust formed around its edges. Due to the high salt concentration in the water here you'll be able to float in the crystal-clear waters.

After a swim and a rest, you'll be driven back to the hotel.

Duration: Half-day
Difficulty: Medium

After lunch at the hotel, you'll head out to the Atacama Salt Flat - the third largest salt flat on the planet. This excursion begins with a visit to Toconao, an isolated desert oasis village. You'll explore the main plaza, 18th-century church and artisan workshops before continuing on to Chaxa Lagoon in the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

This salt flat is home to the famous flamingoes, along with Andean gulls and highland chorlos. You'll take a gentle walk along the trails that meander through this haven with some great opportunities for photography.

Duration: Half-day
Difficulty: Easy

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tierra Atacama

Day 3: El Tatio Geyser excursion

Today's excursion takes you to one of the iconic sights of the Atacama. You'll set off early to reach the Tatio geysers just as the sun rises above the horizon.

You'll spend some time at the geyser field, home to over 80 geysers, where you'll also have breakfast.

On the journey back to the hotel we could spot vicuñas, foxes, vizcahcas and Andean ostriches, before stopping at the village of Machuca. This tiny settlement has a wooden church and handicraft stalls.

Duration: Full-day
Difficulty: Easy

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tierra Atacama

Day 4: Purilactis hike

On this fascinating hike, you can expect to see crystalline rivers, dramatic rock formations and some of the oldest petroglyphs in the region.

You'll take a transfer towards the Domeyko Mountain Range before starting the hike near the Salado River, at an altitude of 3000m. From here you'll head into the arid terrain of the surrounding gorge, passing 10,000-year-old petroglyphs at Yerbas Buenas - the former crossroads of several important trading routes in the region.

Undulating pathways lead you between rocky outcrops and caves to the remarkable Rainbow Valley - one of the truly iconic destinations in the Atacama. The multi-coloured cliff sides here have been formed by millennia of shifting wind patterns.

You'll walk through this valley and on the other side you'll have lunch before being driven back to the hotel.

Duration: Full-day
Difficulty: Medium

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tierra Atacama

Day 5: Transfer to Calama Airport

Your private-shared transfer from the hotel will take you back to Calama Airport between 7am and 12:30pm for your flight and onward travel. We recommend a flight departing after 2pm.

If you require a transfer outside of these times it will be considered a private transfer and will be charged for accordingly.

Meals: Breakfast