We’ve been operation excursions in Atacama for more than 15 years. We want to deliver the best professional services so you can discover one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth with enjoyable local guides.
Join us on our Atacama Desert Semiprivate Tours
CHILE – ATACAMA DESERT PRIVATE & SEMI PRIVATE EXCURSIONS
Ecotours Chile has developed these excursions at Atacama Desert for people that loves exploring on the day and rest comfortable at nights in a hotel or hostel in San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll travel every day among astonishing landscapes surrounded by Volcanoes and secret paths in valleys, salt flats, gorges and learning about Atacama history, culture, archeology, flora and fauna along our local guides. These are semi private excursions, where you’ll go with guests lodging at other hotels or hostels, on defined days during each week.
PD: We invite you to send us an email to info@ecotours.cl and schedule the excursions based on the dates that you’ll be in San Pedro de Atacama. We’ll ask for payment 20 days prior to arrival.
*** GO PRIVATE with friends or family on our Atacama Desert Semiprivate Tours***
SEMI-PRIVATE SERVICE: Top quality standard services with a maximum of 8 passengers per excursion, most of them from hotels that work with us. Our local guides (Spanish–English-Portuguese) and drivers assure a personalized service.
The days and hours of the excursions may vary depending on the season, climatic conditions and the size groups that we form. The final itinerary will be confirmed upon arrival in San Pedro, but even during your stay it can vary depending on mentioned conditions.
ATACAMA SEMI PRIVATE EXCURSIONS
-MOON VALLEY HALF DAY TOUR
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY at 16:00 hrs.
At 16:00, we’ll head toward the Salt Mountain Range (Moon Valley), which forms a natural barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Salt Flat. It is a valley of statuesque, rocky formations, where salt emerges to the surface, covering it with a dry, whitish layer that gives the place a lunar aspect. We’ll visit the statues of salt called “Las Tres Marias“, the salt mines, salt caves and we will walk up by the sand dunes of the area until we reach the summit of the big dune. Here, you will see while a spectacular change of colors happens in front of your eyes and enjoy a delicious cocktail. The valley forms part of the National Reserve Los Flamencos (CONAF) and is administrated by the indigenous communities of Coyo, San Pedro, Quitor, Séquitor, Larache and Yaye.
Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and cocktail.
Not included: entrance to National park, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-SALAR DE ATACAMA – ALTIPLANIC LAGOONS – PIEDRAS ROJAS
DEPARTS EVERY TUESDAY – THURSDAY – SATURDAY at 08.30 hrs
After breakfast, we’ll drive towards Atacama Salt Flat and enter the National Flamingo Reserve. This reserve is formed by a gigantic depression of more than 3.500km2, located 2.300 masl; the biggest salt field in Chile and its large quantities of salt make the surface white and rough. The dryness and altitude of the salt field allow an excellent panoramic view of the area. The bottom of the salt field is composed of an enormous lake, which receives water from mountain rivers and melting snow. As it has no runoff, several small lagoons have formed, where we can observe the three types of flamingos living in the area, the English, the Andean and the Chilean. Then, we’ll head to Socaire village at 3.300 masl to acclimatize and photograph the small church of San Bartolomé.
We continue our day driving to Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons. Both have crystalline water and intense blue color, settled at 4.350 and 4.100 masl where we’ll walk and admire this beautiful place. Once our walk ends, we start our way back until Socaire town, where we’ll enjoy a local lunch and get some energy for our last stop.
Then, we will continue hiking to Aguas Calientes Salt Flat and Piedras Rojas area; limited to the west by the Caichinque volcanic complex, which formed the Medano hill. This last mountain is characterized by shades of grey and brown, contrasting with the sparkling white of the salt surface. Furthermore, its shores, colorful crop marginal lagoons, which in total add an area of between 2 and 3 square kilometers.
Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and lunch
Not included: entrance to National park, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-GEYSERS – WETLANDS – WHITE GEYSER – PUTANA – MACHUCA VILLAGE
DEPARTS EVERY TUESDAY – THURSDAY – SATURDAY at 05.30 hrs.
Today we’ll set off very early and drive in the van towards Tatio geysers. We’ll reach the 4.350 masl and enjoy breakfast. The area is shaped by a series of fumaroles that erupts water and steam of volcanic origin. We will walk this spectacle at dawn in its entire splendor El Tatio lies at the western foot of a series of stratovolcanoes, which runs along the border between Chile and Bolivia.
These series of volcanoes are part of the Central Volcanic Zone, one of several volcanic belts in the Andes, and of the Altiplano–Puna volcanic complex (APVC).
This is a system of large calderas and associated ignimbrites, which have been the sources of super eruptions between 10 and 1 million years ago. Some of these calderas may be the source of heat for the El Tatio geothermal system. There are no recorded eruptions of the Tatio volcanoes in the historical period.
Before returning to San Pedro we explore yet another mighty gift of the earth, known as the “Geyser Blanco” (White Geyser), where the ones who have the heart can get into the thermal waters in the middle of the river.
We’ll also visit the tiny Machuca Village and Putana wetland with important high-altitude ecosystems an a rich biodiversity, being able to observe ducks and andean geese. Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and breakfast
Not included: entrance to National park, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-THE SALT FLATS ROUTE
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY at 08:00 hrs.
This tour will take us to the east of San Pedro de Atacama, towards the Andes Mountain Range. Our first stop will be the Licancabur lookout, where we will enjoy our breakfast, depending on the wind conditions. Anyways, breakfast can be in the next tourist attraction: the wetland of the Quepiaco River, where we will appreciate the contrast between vegetation and mountain range. We can find a great variety of flamingoes as well as other species like Vicuna, Andean fox, Andean Mountain Cavy, Tawny Tuco-Tuco, Andean Avocet, Puna Plover, Yellow-Billed Pintail, and Andean Geese. Flora is also varied with specimens like Coirón, Water Tola, and Tola Amaia, which you can observe on the slopes of the hills.
After that, we will go to the Pacana lookout, so then we go visit the Monjes de la Pacana (Pacana Monks), giant vertical rocks that due to the wind erosion now resemble the silhouette of monks. Then, we will visit the Quisquiro Salt Flat, which is at more than 4,000 m (13,123 ft.) of altitude. Here we will have time to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
Finally, on our way back to San Pedro de Atacama, we will pass by the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat III, known for its colored waters on a beautiful high plateau landscape. Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and lunch
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-RAINBOW VALLEY
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY at 08:00 hrs.
After breakfast, we’ll head by vehicle towards Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs and visit this archeological site; an area of great historical importance due to one of the most important petroglyphs’ group of the region. Through this place, indigenous caravans crossed from the Argentine north-east and the Bolivian Altiplano, and arrived to the Pacific Ocean. We will see varied carvings and drawings in the rock like camelids, birds, monkeys and dogs.
Then, we’ll start our drive towards one of the most beautiful and unknown places in Atacama, The Rainbow Valley, one of the oldest places in the surroundings of San Pedro de Atacama where we can observe millions of years old rocks that surface in differently colored layers – giving the Rainbow Valley its name. You’ll visit the Moai area and visit the east part as well, being able to see tall cactus on the way.
We’ll head back to San Pedro at 13:00 hrs. approximately so you can enjoy lunch in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver and comfortable van
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-ASTRONOMIC TOUR
DEPARTS EVERY DAY AT 20:00 hrs.
Prepared guides will help us combine the traditional scientific astronomy with the ancient Andean vision that had the first astronomers in this place, long before the first telescope was used. We observe the beauty and solemnity of celestial bodies in a unique environment: in the middle of the driest desert of the world. The Atacama Desert has one of the most star-spangled skies in the world which can be observed thanks to the extraordinary diaphanousness of the desert air. In the Andean culture, astronomy is essential in the daily life of their agropastoral societies, and it integrates and influences their architecture, art, music and dances.
To get even closer to the ancient experience, we will sit around the fire to share the stories, myths and legends related to heaven, in the way that grandparents did.
This activity offers gazing the night sky with the naked eye, recognizing constellations or admiring the moon to interpret and share modern and ancient knowledge. As a complement, we will also have the possibility of observing the stars and the moon through the modern telescope. Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
PD: It is very important to consider that during moonlit nights the possibility of gazing planets and stars decreases considerably. Especially on full moon nights very few stellar objects can be gazed, nonetheless you can experience the incomparable brightness of the moon in the desert.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring jacket or parka for cold temperature at night
SEMI PRIVATE HIKING EXCURSIONS
-HIKING VALLECITO & CORDILLERA DE LA SAL – 4 HRS
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY at 16:00 hrs.
We will go to the west of San Pedro, to enter the plain of patience which is bordered by the Cordillera de Domeyko and the Cordillera de la Sal. The latter, made up of large deposits of salt, gypsum and chalky reddish earth, offers us a landscape rich in natural sculptures. We’ll head to the sector known as Vallecito allowing us to know less-known areas of this lunar aspect valley and afterwards we’ll stop at the abandoned magic bus, also known as magic bus, where we will enjoy the landscape at sunset and take some pictures.
The hike takes us through the Cordillera de la Sal where we observe a spectacular geological phenomenon. Composed of large deposits of salt, gypsum and chalky reddish earth, this mountain range offers magnificent caves with stalactites, sharp ridges, a landscape of unique morphology and an impressive view of the Salar and the volcanoes of the region.
Between dunes and extensions of crystallized gypsum stones; small hills and sharp ridges starts to appear, in which erosion has created particular figures that thanks to the effects of light, mold different shapes. Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and cocktail
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-HIKING RIO SALADO – 4 HRS
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY at 16:00 hrs.
Our day will start by taking route 23 heading west to enter the depression between the Cordillera de la Sal and Cordillera de Domeyko, called Llano de la Paciencia and drive towards the point where we will start a short walk to enjoy the view of the formations by the erosive factors of wind and water, in the Cordillera de la Sal.
We continue the journey by vehicle to the Río Salado sector, arriving at the first encounter with expressions of rock art representative of local indigenous activities from approximately 3,000 BC. where pre-Hispanic caravans left their testimony through numerous petroglyphs.
Before returning to San Pedro de Atacama, we will finally visit the sector where the so-called Piedra de la Coca is located, which in ancient caravan interpretation used to be an important reference point both at a referential level of orientation and traditional Andean culture. Afterwards we return to San Pedro de Atacama by van and drop you off at your Hotel in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and cocktail
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
-HIKING MACHUCA TO RIO GRANDE – 8 HRS
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY at 08:00 hrs.
We’ll hike from Machuca village, located at 4000 masl, to Rio Grande village, famous for its terrace cultivation. Its location was strategic, as it was the forced passageway for caravans traveling between San Pedro de Atacama and Chiu-Chiu. Proofs of this are the surrounding archeological sites that show petroglyphs of the guanaco hunters during the pre-Hispanic period.
We’ll walk along the valleys formed by Peñaril River and with the possibility to see the typical flora and fauna of the Altiplano, framed by breathtaking colors that emerge from rocky formations. Once we end the hike, we’ll jump in the van and drive to San Pedro de Atacama, dropping you off at your Hotel or in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver, comfortable van and lunch
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
HIKING RAINBOW VALLEY – 5 HRS
DEPARTS EVERY MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY at 08:00 hrs.
We’ll start our excursion by driving 70 kms to the Rainbow Valley.
It owes its name to the variety of colors that can be seen in the hills of the valley; earth colors, red, beige, green, white, yellow, combined with white salt and blue sky. The colors show the richness and different concentrations of clay, salts and minerals. On this valley you can see the confluence of three mountain ranges: The Cordillera de Los Andes, The Cordillera Domeyko and The Cordillera de la Sal.
Our hikes start by walking one hour along the trails of the caravans that had been trading throughout South America until reaching a beautiful lookoutpoint to admire this valley. Then we’ll descend to hike by the valley, passing by the Moia area and visit the east part as well, being able to see tall cactus on the way.
Once we end the hike, we’ll jump in the van and drive to San Pedro de Atacama, dropping you off at your Hotel or in town.
Included: Pick up and drop off at your hotel, english speaking guide, professional driver and comfortable van
Not included: entrance to National park, water, tips for guide and driver.
Recommendations: bring sunscreen, sunglasses, an extra layer for wind and 1,5 lts of water
If you have any questions on our Atacama Desert Semiprivate Tours and would like a tailor made program; don’t hesitate to contact us