ATACAMA DESERT TRAIL - CHILE
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The Atacama Desert in Northern Chile is the driest desert on earth, created by the rain shadow of the Andes. east of the desert. It is one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes on earth made up of salt basins (salares), sand and lava flows. As you can imagine the Atacama is extremely sparsely populated. Our ride takes us from Calama in the centre of the desert to San Pedro de Atacama, a natural oasis. En route we camp in tents under brilliant clear skies - no rain is guaranteed! We ride at all paces on excellent criollo horses. An incredible adventure and not too much heat due to the 6,oooft altitude.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ATACAMA DESERT TRAIL
Day 1
Calama - Chiu Chiu
Arrival at Calama Airport. Reception Dinner. Hotel.
Day 2
Chiu Chiu – Puente del Diablo (Horse Ride: 6 hours)
Our trip begins in Chiu Chiu, with a visit to the cemetery, and then we ride to Chiu Chiu lagoon to continue up by Salado River until we get to Puente del Diablo where we will spend the night camping.
Day 3
Puente del Diablo - Turi
(3.000 mts. altitude) (Horse ride: 6 hours)
Moving forward by the Rio Salado, we cross Puente del Diablo we ride to the Vegas of Turi (3.100 mts.) and finally arrive to Turi village, we visit the handcraft goat milk cheese factory and taste their delicious products.
Bath in Turi’s pool with mineral water. Camping beneath the stars.
Day 4
Turi - Paniri
(Horse ride: 6 hours)
Crossing the pampas the ride leads us to the Pucará de Topain, and finally we reach Paniri, the only walled town in this place. Ride visiting the town, farming terraces and nearby caves. Walk around a giant cactus forest. Overnight at some villager’s houses.
Day 5
Paniri - Toconce
(3.600 mts. altitude) (Horse ride: 6 hours)
Setting out from Paniri Viejo we cross the bridge of an old dam, enjoying a splendid view of the cactus forest. We continue our way bordering the Chao hill and crossing little ruins through out the track, until we get to an old ranch where we have lunch.
After crossing passes that go through the pampas, we descend by a slope from where we can see Toconce town on the other side of the canyon. We reach a little dump in ruins where several caves can be seen on the end of the canyon. Incredible farming terraces are seen on the mountain slope. We arrive to the quiet town of Toconce where we will sleep in local accommodations.
Day 6
Toconce - Caspana
(3.400 mts. altitude) (Horse ride: 5 hours)
We start our ride following the car road, passing by the cemetery, and from there we take a path bordering Toconce River until we get to a little slope that take us to the bottom of the canyon. Following the river we cross the bridge to take the track to Caspana, between giant cactuses and local vegetation.
Town visit.
Day 7
Caspana
Free day in Caspana. Geysers del Tatio visit. Same overnight accommodations.
Day 8
Caspana - Lari
(3.305 mts. altitude) (Horse ride: 4 hours)
We start travelling by the Camino del Inca, leaving away towns and riding through this Camino until we reach our final destiny, San Pedro de Atacama.
From Caspana, we continue the Camino del Inca that crosses pampas through several little canyons until we reach the little ranch of Incahuasi, where we will find water for the horses. We continue up by the Camino del Inca till we reach some black and light grey rock passes where Lari is located; there drinkable water is found under the sand. Sleep out in the open.
Day 9
Lari - Turcapo
(Horse ride: 9 hours)
We start the road to the highest part of the plateau exceeding the 4.000 meters of altitude; there we will ride with a marvellous view of peaks and volcanoes. We start descending by a long slope that drives us to the bottom of a big rough canyon with little SALARES. We visit one of the few local inhabitants that live in a natural cave. We sleep outdoor close to the ranches and houses of the villagers. Camping.
Day 10
Turcapo - Rio Grande
(Horse ride: 4 hrs.)
We cross big areas of Cortadera (local vegetation), visiting fruit orchards and general agriculture, and then our ride takes us through a stone slope till we get to a plateau full of wild donkeys. We cross this plateau straight through the Camino del Inca to descend by the other side in direction to Rio Grande from where we see sown fields.
Day 11
Rio Grande - Catarpe
(2.438 mts. altitude) (Horse ride: 8 hrs.)
Set off from Rio Grande going up through cars road to get into the pampas taking the Camino del Inca. Long descent by little slopes and hillocks with a great view of the volcanoes and hills and far behind we can see the vegetation of San Pedro de Atacama. There begins agriculture sowing too, this place is known as the Inca Centre of Catarpe.
Day 12
Catarpe - San Pedro de Atacama
Continue descending until we get where the rivers Salado and Grande merge, place of petroglyphs. From this point on the vegetation begins to be more and more abundant until it becomes Chañar forests and others…Descending by the Rio Grande we get to the Pucará of Quitor, and then we will ride to “La piedra de la Coca” and finally we are going to cross the Moon Valley for to arrive to San Pedro de Atacama. Hotel.
Day 13
San Pedro de Atacama
Tour of San Pedro de Atacama town that was the principal centre of the ATACAMEÑA culture.
Visit of Padre le Paige Museum. Final dinner. Hotel.
Day 14
San Pedro de Atacama - Calama
Transfer to Calama ready for your domestic flight to Chilean capital and then an international flight to Europe
Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
NOTES - ATACAMA DESERT TRAIL
If less than 6 riders are confirmed at the time of your reservation the following small group supplements apply:
4-5 riders booked - £295 per person
2-3 riders booked - £749 per person
These supplements are fully refunded if more riders join the group
GETTING TO CALAMA AIRPORT
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flight page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers from the meeting point, meals, accommodation in twin or triple rooms with shared bathroom, riding, horses, tack, English speaking guide, luggage transport and excursions described in itinerary.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International and local flights, airport taxes, insurance, drinks, single room supplement, items of a personal nature and gratuities.
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