Crossing the Altiplano
A place like nowhere else on earth...
The highest, driest place in the Western Hemisphere holds secrets revealed to those with a sense of adventure.
Atacama and High Altiplano
A land of stunning contrasts. Rugged mountains, towering volcanoes, volcanic geysers and hidden lagoons provide a welcome refuge for a surprisingly diverse array of wildlife.
Located over 1,000 miles north of Chile's capital, the village of San Pedro de Atacama is your gateway to the Altiplano and one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Despite intensely arid conditions, water and wildlife abound. Explore the Valle de Luna, Los Flamencos National Reserve, marvel at the majesty of Licanbur Volcano, view geysers, valleys, canyons, petroglyphs, giant cacti.
Crossing into Bolivia, explore remote valleys, majestic volcanoes, explore flora and fauna, learn of the region’s history and cross the famed Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
Explora Atacama Lodge - An opportunity to acclimate
Explora Atacama Lodge provides personal service and exquisite all-inclusive accommodations.
Forty-six rooms and four suites are laid out in a low indigenous adobe-styled courtyard furnished with sleek, contemporary interiors and furnishings. A refreshing pool, spa, and massage room are welcome respites to the myriad of activities offered by the professional guides. The hotel has its own hot springs and a private observatory to take full advantage of night time star gazing.
Remote Mountain Lodges
Rustic mountain lodges have been built in the wilderness to provide comfort and relaxation from your days of exploration. Enjoy spacious rooms, a relaxing main lodge and dining room providing dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Excursions for adventurers of all abilities
Guides will present each guest with a range of activities designed to meet their interests and abilities.
Options include walking, hiking, wildlife viewing horseback riding, mountain biking and more. For a leisurely change of pace, plan a picnic beside one of the picturesque lagoons or enjoy an evening of star gazing.
Your Itinerary
The following describes the 10-night program. See below for other options.
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Day 1 | Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama
You’ll be met at Calama airport and transferred by car for the one-hour drive to Explora Atacama Lodge, located outside the town of San Pedro de Atacama, 7897 feet / 2407 meters above sea level. After your welcome and orientation, you’ll sit down with a guide to plan your activities for the next few days.
There will be an opportunity to explore the surrounding oases, valleys, and volcanoes as you slowly acclimate to the elevation.
Accommodations: Explora Atacama Lodge
Day 2 | Explora Atacama
After breakfast, you can embark on either a full-day excursion or a series of half-day excursions, including hikes, overland drives, and wildlife. There is an activity for every fitness level, and your guide will offer the best matches for your abilities and comfort level. This evening, perhaps enjoy an astronomy presentation at the hotel’s own observatory and take advantage of the crystal clear night skies.
Accommodations: Explora Atacama Lodge
Day 3 | Explora Atacama
A full day to enjoy activities to suit your comfort: hiking, horseback, bike rides, drives, and short walks, and even mountain climbing.
Accommodations: Explora Atacama Lodge
Day 5 | Crossing the border into Bolivia
After am early breakfast, you’ll set out across the Andes to reach the border at Hito Cajón, 29 miles / 47 km/ 29 miles away. You are now in Bolivia. You and your guide will switch vehicles and continue your journey up through the Altiplano.
You’ll visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a number of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. The Colorada Lagoon is the perfect location to spot flamingos and enjoy a picnic lunch, marveling at the colors of the surrounding desert. You’ll finally reach your mountain lodge at Ramaditas in time to watch the sunset and enjoy dinner.
Accommodations: Ramaditas Mountain Lodge
Day 5 | Ramaditas Mountain Lodge
Choose from hikes, overland vehicle excursions, and mountain treks in the surrounding area. Shimmering lagoons, vast valleys, expansive salt flats, and majestic rocky formations can all be found immediately surrounding the mountain lodge. Return back to the lodge for sunset and another tasty dinner before relaxing under the brilliant night sky.
Accommodations: Ramaditas Mountain Lodge
Day 6 | Ramaditas to Chituca
Today’s drive will provide more incredible landscapes as you head north towards the Uyuni salt flat. Explore ancient mines and valleys along the way. The Turquiri lagoon, with its great diversity of birds and rock formations, is the perfect setting for a hearty lunch, followed by the time to explore the region in greater depth. Choices include hiking or alternating drives and short walks. You’ll continue towards Chituca, where you’ll learn about the culture and lifestyle of the local inhabitants.
Accommodations: Chituca Mountain Lodge
Day 7 | Chituca Mountain Lodge
A full day of exploration lies in store for you following breakfast. Alternatively, you may opt for shorter explorations and return back to the mountain lodge for lunch. Walk along old shepherds’ trails, enjoy the blaze of color from nearby quinoa plantations, decipher petroglyphs and pictoglyphs depicting Andean history, or climb surrounding mountains to view the region’s active volcano. At nightfall, the silence of the Altiplano fills the air as you ponder the stars, which have served as a map for the people in the region for centuries.
Accommodations: Chituca Mountain Lodge
Day 8 | Chituca to Uyuni
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off to enjoy one of the possible activities in the area. Explore the surroundings, roaming the cactus forest and the ancient agricultural terraces nearby. Or visit the village of San Pedro de Quemes, a former Spanish settlement with bewildering panoramic views of the Altiplano and the salt flat. You’ll then continue your journey towards the Gruta de Las Galaxias, an astonishing cave with rare geological formations where you will discover and experience a fascinating part of Andean history.
Continuing the drive north, the majestic Salar de Uyuni unfolds in the distance. This salt flat is the largest and highest on Earth, located at an elevation of 12,024 feet / 3,665 meters. You’ll stop for lunch at the salt flat, where your next choice of activity heads out for a hike at Pescado Island or an overland vehicle journey. Finally, you’ll complete the crossing of the salt flat, ending at Uyuni Lodge, tucked into the slopes of the Tunupa volcano.
Accommodations: Jirira Lodge
Days 9 & 10 | Uyuni
Enjoy spectacular views over the Uyuni salt flat from the comfort of the lodge. Your guide will help you select the activities to fill your next two days. You can choose from hikes, overland trips, and bike rides. Climbing the multi-hued slopes of the volcano up to 17,835 feet / 5,432 meters, biking across a section of the salt flat, or cruising the slopes of the volcano by vehicle and stopping by at villages along the way are a few of the possibilities.
Accommodations: Jirira Lodge
Day 11 | Transfer to Uyuni Airport
Today, you’ll cross back across the massive expanse of the salt flat to Uyuni Airport for your flight to La Paz and home or onwards to your next adventure.
Alternate Itineraries:
7-Night Program: 3 nights Atacama, 1 night Ramaditas, 1 night Chituca, 2 nights Jirira
8-Night Program: 4 nights Atacama, 1 night Ramaditas, 1 night Chituca, 2 nights Jirira
11-Night Program: 4 nights Atacama, 2 night Ramaditas, 2 night Chituca, 3 nights Jirira
Dates & Prices
This program operates year round. This is an all-inclusive private adventure for up to a maximum of 8 guests and may commence on any day of the week, subject to availability.
Prices
7-Night Program: $8400 per person, double occupancy, $12600 single
8-Night Program: $9600 per person, double occupancy, $14400 single
10-Night Program: $11400 per person, double occupancy, $17100 single
11-Night Program: $12540 per person, double occupancy, $18810 single.
Minimum age for children is 12 years - no discounts apply.
Inclusions
All airport transfers
Accommodations at Explora Atacama Lodge on an all-inclusive basis
All meals, snacks and open bar. All activities with guides and 4WD vehicles)All activities, meals and accommodations at Ramaditas, Chituca, and Uyuni lodges.
All biking gear and trekking poles
All entrance fees to nature reserves, national parks, and archeological sites.
WiFi access in common areas
Exclusions
International airfare to Chile and return from Bolivia
Domestic airfare from Santiago to Calama, and from Uyuni to La Paz
Pre-tour accommodations in Santiago, please contact us for options.
Post-tour accommodations in La Paz, please contact us for options.
Any items of a personal nature
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Deposit, Payment & Cancellation Schedule
INDIVIDUAL BOOKINGS OF ONE TO FOUR TRAVELERS
Deposit
A deposit of $1200 per person is due at time of booking
Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at time of booking those services
Payment
The balance is due 90 days before departure
Domestic or regional airfares are due at time of ticketing
Cancellation
Up to 151 days before departure – deposit may be refunded, or transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date
150-91 days before departure – deposit is non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date.
90-61 days before departure – all monies received are non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date.
60-0 days before departure – 100% of full trip price is forfeited
Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.
SMALL GROUPS OF FIVE OR MORE TRAVELERS
Deposit
An initial deposit of $1200 per person is due at time of booking
A second deposit of $1200 per person is due 150 days before departure
Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at time of booking those services
Payment
The balance is due 90 days before departure
Domestic or regional airfares are due at time of ticketing
Cancellation
Up to 151 days before departure – the initial deposit may be refunded or transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date
150-91 days before departure – initial deposit and second deposit are non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new departure within one year of original trip date
90-61 days before departure – 50% of full trip price is forfeited. The remaining balance is non-refundable, but may be transferred towards a new departure within one year of original trip date
60-0 days before departure – 100% of full trip price is forfeited
Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.
See additional Terms & Conditions »
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to go?
This spectacular adventure is only offered during the dry season (April through December).
What will I see?
The Atacama and Altiplano are a stunning contrasts of nature’s raw power. From jagged mountain peaks, to towering volcanoes, to dry desert floors concealing hidden lagoons, you’ll experience a dramatic contrast of colors and the magnificence of a night sky completely devoid of light pollution. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet the rugged indigenous population that live in this harsh and unforgiving environment.
Is this trip for me?
This adventure features altitudes averaging 11,000 - 12,000 feet (3350 - 3660 meter), with one major mountain pass in excess of 13,375 feet / 4077 meters. The first three days will provide an opportunity to acclimate, and activities will be geared to your level of fitness. Obviously the more fit you are, the more activities you can enjoy, but those who are not up for high altitude hikes will have plenty of opportunity to take in the scenery on 4WD outings with short walks.
Is Internet available?
Internet will be available during the first three days while at Explora Atacama Lodge. The remainder of the journey will not have access to internet. Cell service will also be limited to non-existent once you leave San Pedro de Atacama.
Can special dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes. You’ll have an opportunity to list any dietary restrictions as part of the booking process. Chefs and guides will be advised to ensure you have tasty, nutritious meals that meet your dietary needs.
What is the maximum number of guests?
The mountain lodges along your route have a maximum capacity for 8 guests in 4 double rooms.
What about single guests?
Single guests may be accommodated on a private basis. The cost is twice the double-occupancy rate..
What is the policy regarding children?
The minimum age for children is 12 years.