The Atacama Salt Flat is an endorheic basin with highly saline water outcrops, one of which is the Cejar Lagoon. We will venture into the northern part of the salt flat, surrounded by the vastness and accompanied by the Andean volcanoes. Once at Cejar, we will be able to enter its waters and float in the middle of the driest desert in the world.
The Atacama Salt Flat is an endorheic basin with highly saline water outcrops, one of which is the Cejar Lagoon. We will venture into the northern part of the salt flat, surrounded by the vastness and accompanied by the Andean volcanoes. Once at Cejar, we will be able to enter its waters and float in the middle of the driest desert in the world.
Camino del agua
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
We will travel into the interior of the desert where nature and history blend. We will walk inside an incredible and gigantic canyon, an arm eroded by the water of the San Pedro River that flows within it. We will arrive at a sector with a great quantity of petroglyphs, as the place was a refuge for caravans. For most of the hike, we will be walking through water.
*It is recommended to bring two pairs of shoes.
We will travel into the interior of the desert where nature and history blend. We will walk inside an incredible and gigantic canyon, an arm eroded by the water of the San Pedro River that flows within it. We will arrive at a sector with a great quantity of petroglyphs, as the place was a refuge for caravans. For most of the hike, we will be walking through water.
*It is recommended to bring two pairs of shoes.
Gatchi
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
We will begin our exploration in the Vilama sector, where we can see ancient grazing refuges. We will continue walking along the top of a ravine, appreciating the transition of vegetation and geology between the first and second ecological floors, as well as other refuges of the ancient caravans. Always bordering the river, we will have panoramic views until we descend to the feet of the Vilama river.
We will begin our exploration in the Vilama sector, where we can see ancient grazing refuges. We will continue walking along the top of a ravine, appreciating the transition of vegetation and geology between the first and second ecological floors, as well as other refuges of the ancient caravans. Always bordering the river, we will have panoramic views until we descend to the feet of the Vilama river.
233 m
764 ft
-76,5 m
-251 ft
2932 m
9617 ft
2773 m
2515 ft
Elevation Profile
Puribeter
Cuenca del salar
Horseback Ride
Advanced
Full-day
We will leave the hotel on horseback to head to the Beter ayllu, to the south of the oasis, where we will learn about its history and archaeological ruins. Then we will continue towards the Puribeter reserve, a site that preserves the nature and culture of the San Pedro de Atacama oasis area. We will enjoy lunch and a walk in the park and then continue our horseback ride to the Solor Ayllu and back to the hotel.
We will leave the hotel on horseback to head to the Beter ayllu, to the south of the oasis, where we will learn about its history and archaeological ruins. Then we will continue towards the Puribeter reserve, a site that preserves the nature and culture of the San Pedro de Atacama oasis area. We will enjoy lunch and a walk in the park and then continue our horseback ride to the Solor Ayllu and back to the hotel.
133 m
436 ft
-132,7 m
-435 ft
2431 m
7974 ft
2384 m
7820 ft
Elevation Profile
Quebrada de Chulacao
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
At the foot of the Salt mountains, we come to the Catarpe Valley, which receives the San Pedro river that feeds the oasis and the salt marsh. In the valley, we will begin our hike in the Quebrada Chulaco, a great canyon with high walls, with curves and serpentine shapes formed by moldable minerals and water erosion. Upon leaving the canyon we will hike up to a viewpoint with 360° views of the desert and its mountain ranges. We return along the same trail.
At the foot of the Salt mountains, we come to the Catarpe Valley, which receives the San Pedro river that feeds the oasis and the salt marsh. In the valley, we will begin our hike in the Quebrada Chulaco, a great canyon with high walls, with curves and serpentine shapes formed by moldable minerals and water erosion. Upon leaving the canyon we will hike up to a viewpoint with 360° views of the desert and its mountain ranges. We return along the same trail.
156 m
512 ft
-156 m
-512 ft
2582 m
8469 ft
2515 m
8249 ft
Elevation Profile
Caravaneros
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
This hike is a journey through the history of the old caravans and their interaction with the desert. We will cross from the Vilama sector toward the Catarpe Valley along old desert trails until reaching the great canyons in Quebrada Chulaco. This hike gives us broad 360° views that will allow us to understand the desert's different areas and formations.
This hike is a journey through the history of the old caravans and their interaction with the desert. We will cross from the Vilama sector toward the Catarpe Valley along old desert trails until reaching the great canyons in Quebrada Chulaco. This hike gives us broad 360° views that will allow us to understand the desert's different areas and formations.
159 m
522 ft
-183 m
-600 ft
1617 m
5304 ft
2515 m
8249 ft
Elevation Profile
San Isidro
Cuenca del salar
Bike
Moderate
Half-day
We ride our bicycles to the Catarpe Valley in the Salt Ridge. We pedal through switch paths between canyons...
We ride our bicycles to the Catarpe Valley in the Salt Ridge. We pedal through switch paths between canyons made of reddish soil in a place known as Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). We visit the San Isidro church into a historic area.
325 m
1066 ft
-325 m
-1066 ft
2.584 m
8.476 ft
2.431 m
7.974 ft
Elevation Profile
Cordillera de la Sal
Cuenca del salar
Overland
Easy
Half-day
We take a van to the Salt Mountain Range to see typical desert landscapes: open reddish clay grounds, sand dunes...
We take a van to the Salt Mountain Range to see typical desert landscapes: open reddish clay grounds, sand dunes, and sedimentary rock formations. We walk up to the highest point of this mountain range to see the panoramic views. We will take a 30 minute walk through one the least known mountainsides of the Salt Ridge.
Gran Salar
Cuenca del salar
Overland
Easy
Half-day
We leave in a van to Toconao, located to the south of San Pedro de Atacama. We walk to the village square and then through an area...
We leave in a van to Toconao, located to the south of San Pedro de Atacama. We walk to the village square and then through an area of vegetable gardens. We finally take a van to the Chaxa Lagoon, located in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, an ideal place for bird watching within Atacama’s Salt Flat.
Tebenquinche
Cuenca del salar
Overland
Easy
Half-day
Departure from Explora by van to the northern part of the Salar de Atacama arriving at the Tebenquinche lagoon, habitat for various birds...
Departure from Explora by van to the northern part of the Salar de Atacama arriving at the Tebenquinche lagoon, habitat for various birds in the area. We can walk along the lagoons to learn more about these special formations with views of the Andes.
Kunza
Cuenca del salar
Overland
Easy
Half-day
In this exploration we learn about the Atacameño history and culture. We start with a guided tour of an archaeological deposit...
In this exploration we learn about the Atacameño history and culture. We start with a guided tour of an archaeological deposit where we can see ceramic pieces and other historical artifacts fit for a museum. Later on, we move on to the village of Tulor, one of the first settlements. We end the exploration at the mythical desert bookstore.
Tambo
Cuenca del salar
Bike
Expert
Half-day
We bike ride to the Catarpe Valley. We ride up to Cuchabrache, through an old road that crosses the Salt Mountain Range...
We bike ride to the Catarpe Valley. We ride up to Cuchabrache, through an old road that crosses the Salt Mountain Range. We ride through plaster and crystallized salt creeks. This exploration includes seeing part of the local culture and petroglyphs, as well as the San Isidro church.
*Temporarily unavailable. Consult other exploration options with your Explora guide at the destination.
568 m
1863 ft
-568 m
-1863 ft
2.690 m
8.823 ft
2.431 m
7.974 ft
Elevation Profile
Huayra
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
We take a van to the Mars Valley in the Salt Mountain Range, where we begin a walk with views to the different mountain ranges...
We take a van to the Mars Valley in the Salt Mountain Range, where we begin a walk with views to the different mountain ranges in the region and felling the wind of the area. We descend through sand dunes and continue walking across the valley, where the van will be waiting to take us back.
145 m
476 ft
-249 m
-817 ft
2.710 m
8.889 ft
2.614 m
8.574 ft
Elevation Profile
Catarpe
Cuenca del salar
Bike
Easy
Half-day
We bike ride to the San Pedro River and follow its course to Catarpe. We go through the Quitor pukará...
We bike ride to the San Pedro River and follow its course to Catarpe. We go through the Quitor pukará, an old fortress, and cross the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), a canyon inside the Salt Mountain Range with zigzagging paths between striking rock formations. We return through the same road.
244 m
800 ft
-244 m
-800 ft
2.546 m
8.351 ft
2.431 m
7.974 ft
Elevation Profile
Ckuta
Cuenca del salar
Bike
Moderate
Half-day
We take a van to the Salt Mountain Range and begin bike riding in the Paciencia plains. We travel to the Moon Valley through...
We take a van to the Salt Mountain Range and begin bike riding in the Paciencia plains. We travel to the Moon Valley through sandy soil and beautiful landscapes. The return trip is an uneven path that includes different ascents and descents.