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The Empire of Stars
Our recommended tours to explore the Atacama Desert feature the natural highlights of the driest desert on Earth. Giant sand dunes, jagged canyons, enormous salt flats and boiling geysers, not to mention a smoking volcano…
Your result includes travel itineraries in Atacama Desert
Puerto Varas - Torres del Paine - Atacama Desert - Santiago de Chile
North Argentina - Atacama Desert - Uyuni Salt Flats
Buenos Aires - Northern of Argentina - Santiago de Chile - Atacama Desert - Uyuni Salt Flats
Yes, all the explorations to the Atacama main destinations can be enjoy all year round.
Yes, it is recommended to eat light meals, drink plenty of water and do not drink alcohol. It is recommended to do quiet activities the first days and more demanding explorations for the last days.
It is the driest non-polar desert on Earth. This ecoregion is rich in metallic mineral resources, such as copper (Chile is the largest producer in the world), iron, gold and silver, and non-metallic, such as boron, lithium, sodium nitrate and potassium salts.
The Atacama Desert is considered the best place on the planet to observe the sky and develop astronomy. Because of its altitude, its low cloud cover and humidity, and the low light pollution, it is perfect for stargaze.
The Atacama region is characterized by a semi-arid climate. At night the temperature fluctuates a lot, it can fall to -25 °C, and during the day rises between 25 and 50 °C. There is not much difference between summer and winter.
Comfortable clothes and shoes for outdoor activities. It is recommended to dress in layers, as there is a lot of thermal amplitude. Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended.
Outside of the North and South Poles, the Atacama Desert is the driest in the world. Departing from the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama (a small city of little adobe houses, unpaved streets and cozy restaurants), vast salt flats, active geysers and intense blue lagoons are waiting for travelers.
Perhaps the most amazing attraction at all can be seen at night. Given the desert’s remote location and the lack of artificial light, this is one of the most incredible places for stargazing. With its crystal-clear skies, no light pollution and 300-plus cloud free days, it is no surprise why San Pedro de Atacama is an absolute must-visit place for stargazing. Don’t miss out on any of these tours to the Atacama desert.
Explore
Since colonial times, Santiago, founded in 1541 by the Spanish adventurer Pedro de Valdivia, has served as Chile’s capital. It’s located in the Central Valley and it features an amazing mixture of art deco and neo-gothic architecture with fantastic views of the Andes Mountain Range. Some of the attractions of Santiago are art collections of pre-Columbian and contemporary art, local markets, and beautiful parks like Cerro Santa Lucía.
Northern Argentina is known as a region of contrasts since it features historic plazas, red mountains, and green oases. Indigenous culture may still be found in the traditions and folklore of this region, which was once part of the Inca Kingdom. Salta is the starting point to explore Northern Argentina. Visit the Calchaquíes Valley and the city of Cafayate, hometown of Torrontés wine. Take some days to explore the province of Jujuy, located at the north of Salta, which features the Humahuca Gorge, declared World Heritage by UNESCO and the Great Salt Flats,
Located in Bolivia, Uyuni Salt Flats are considered one of the most extreme in South America. Stretching more than 4,050 square miles of the Altiplano, it is the world’s largest salt flat, left behind by prehistoric lakes that evaporated long ago. Visiting Uyuni is different from anything you might have experienced before. The biggest Salt Flats in Southamerica offer wide wildlife experiences that include pink flamingos living in the highest lake on Earth and guanacos herding in a backdrop of colossal volcanos.
Established in 1959, Torres del Paine National Park features Lakes, glaciers, and hiking paths in its 227.298 hectares of land. Paine means “blue” in the local Tehuelche language, while Torres means “towers.” Its first inhabitants, the Tehuelches, were a native community of skilled hunters which only survives today in Argentina. Explore the “W” trek, Patagonia’s most famous hiking route, and live a multi day experience into the wild. The “Torres del Paine” name refers to the three distinctive granite peaks of the Paine Mountain Range that soar more than 6,500 feet (nearly 2,000 meters) into the sky.
In these hand-picked articles from our blog you will find useful information for your next trip to Atacama Desert:
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Our vacation was fantastic. Everything was well prepared. Excellent communication with the organizer; my emails were nearly immediately responded to. The accommodations were as promised, with a few additions. In hotels/hostels, there was information on our departures/excursions waiting for us. The transportation was on time. We had ample time for ourselves and were free to use it anyway we saw fit. I have nothing negative to say. I'd like to go on this vacation again, even though I only have positive recollections! Already missing the sun, rain, people, and scenery.
What an experience - a 3 day trip in the Atacama desert. Big skies, glorious stars, geysers, deserts, valleys and mountains - all in great company and superbly organised. I was travelling solo and the guide and group made me feel hugely welcome.
We did not do the tour per se, but had a fully personalized 21 day tour of Argentina and Chile, that included Buenos Aires, Iguazu falls, Ushaia, El calafate, Torres del Paine, Bariloche, the Andes lake crossing to Chile, Puerto Varas, Santiago and the Atacama. All of this, flights , hotels, daily excursions, airports transfers were arranged by Lucia, at Say Hueque. Everything went so smoothly. It is so comforting at every destination to see your name on a sign. All the hotels were perfect for what we wanted. the pick ups were timely, the guides were excellent. We could not have been more satisfied.
I had the absolute pleasure of sharing our recent Atacama trip that you helped him plan. Patricio could not have put together a better trip plan for us!! The trip was amazing from the moment we arrived in Santiago to the sad departure we made 3 weeks later. I loved every part of the trip and each day I couldn’t believe that it could get better. And then it did!! Thank you for all the work you put into scheduling all our activities and for all the many questions you answered for us in our planning. I want to come back and explore more of your amazing and absolutely beautiful country!! Thank you again so much.
We found Say Hueque by accident in an internet search and liked the fact that we could shape our own trip and pick and choose. The booking process with Lujan was very easy. She was patient and flexible and very well organized. Our favorite destination was the Atacama Desert. The guides were excellent,. We will never forget how powerful and magnificent they are. We will be happy to recommend your company to others.
I booked a two week customised trip that took me through from Buenos Aires, El Calafate & Iguazu Falls in Argentina, Atacama desert in Chile & Uyuni salt flats in Boliva. The whole trip was planned out with the help of consultants at Say Hueque. They were excellent and very responsive to queries and changes that i had to make at the last minute. They used very good local guides who were always on time for pickups. The hotels everywhere except Bolivia were of a very high standard. They were very clear about the facilities in Bolivia being very basic but i booked it anyway. I'd definitely recommend them and would use them again if i return to South America.
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