Atacama
Desert & Altiplano, Chile
Explorations in
Atacama
Activity
Difficulty
Areas
Punta del Inca
Quebradas Intermedias
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Hike -
Moderate
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Half-day
We take a van to Guatín, a grazing area and junction point of the Puritama and Purifica rivers, and source of the Vilama River...
More details >Punta del Inca
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Exploration Path
We take a van to Guatín, a grazing area and junction point of the Puritama and Purifica rivers, and source of the Vilama River. There, we walk along a canyon known as the Valley of the Cacti due to the existence of giant cacti. We cut cross the canyon crossing the river several times and descending along different waterfalls.
84 m 275 ft
-223 m -731 ft
3.205 m 10.512 ft
3.066 m 10.056 ftElevation Profile
Puritama
Quebradas Intermedias
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Hike
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Moderate
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Half-day
We take a van to Guatín where we begin an ascending walk. We walk for almost 30 minutes along giant cacti up to the Puritama River creek...
More details >Puritama
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Exploration Path
We take a van to Guatín where we begin an ascending walk. We walk for almost 30 minutes along giant cacti up to the Puritama River creek. There, we descend to walk along the river, through rock walls and vegetation. We arrive to the Puritama Hot Springs were we will have some time to relax.
327 m 1073 ft
-58 m -192 ft
3.538 m 11.605 ft
3.269 m 10.722 ftElevation Profile
Huayra
Cuenca del salar
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Hike
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Easy
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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...
More details >Huayra
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Exploration Path
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.
*Temporarily unavailable. Consult other exploration options with your Explora guide at the destination.
145 m 476 ft
-249 m -817 ft
2.710 m 8.889 ft
2.614 m 8.574 ftElevation Profile
Cornisas
Cuenca del salar
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Hike
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Moderate
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Half-day
We take a van to the Catarpe Valley, where we will walk along the edges of the Salt Mountain Range, with views to the oasis...
More details >Cornisas
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Exploration Path
We take a van to the Catarpe Valley, where we will walk along the edges of the Salt Mountain Range, with views to the oasis, the salt field and the mountain ranges that define the geography of this destination. We then cross different dunes of the Mars Valley and return by van.
*Temporarily unavailable. Consult other exploration options with your Explora guide at the destination.
224 m 735 ft
-279 m -915 ft
2.710 m 8.889 ft
2.514 m 8.246 ftElevation Profile
Kamur
Cuenca del salar
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Hike
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Moderate
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Half-day
We take a van to the Moon Valley to appreciate the different landscapes of the Salt Mountain Range, where erosion by water...
More details >Kamur
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Exploration Path
We take a van to the Moon Valley to appreciate the different landscapes of the Salt Mountain Range, where erosion by water and wind has originated dunes and unique geological formations that can only be seen here. This hike, from west to east, goes through a path that is not frequently used.
*Temporarily unavailable. Consult other exploration options with your Explora guide at the destination.
197 m 646 ft
-185 m -607 ft
2.564 m 8.410 ft
2.432 m 7.977 ftElevation Profile
Matancilla
Quebradas Intermedias
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Hike
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Easy
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Half-day
We take a van to the Domeyko Mountain Range where we walk following a creek that used to be a route for gathering and bartering caravans...
More details >Matancilla
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Exploration Path
We take a van to the Domeyko Mountain Range where we walk following a creek that used to be a route for gathering and bartering caravans. The walk ends at the Rainbow Valley formed by huge multicolored walls of mineral-rich soils. We return by van.
204 m 669 ft
-263 m -863 ft
3.231 m 10.598 ft
3.134 m 10.280 ftElevation Profile
Wanaku
Quebradas Intermedias
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Hike
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Moderate
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Full-day
We take a van to the Domeyko Mountain Range, where we walk through trails that were formerly used as transit and bartering routes...
More details >Wanaku
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Exploration Path
We take a van to the Domeyko Mountain Range, where we walk through trails that were formerly used as transit and bartering routes and where we can still see remains of the Atacameño culture. We continue to the Rainbow Valley, a place with huge multicolored walls that explain the geological shaping of the Atacama region.
410 m 1345 ft
-336 m -1102 ft
3.292 m 10.798 ft
3.198 m 10.489 ftElevation Profile
Incahuasi
Quebradas Intermedias
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Hike
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Advanced
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Full-day
We start walking in an old farmhouse at the foot of the volcanoes of the Andes mountain range. We will enter the Jorquencal gorge...
More details >Incahuasi
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Exploration Path
We start walking in an old farmhouse at the foot of the volcanoes of the Andes mountain range. We will enter the Jorquencal gorge where we will explore the varied vegetation, history and study of the Andean cat in the Puritama reserve. After crossing a varied landscape we will arrive at the Puritama hot springs, to rest there. Return by van to Explora.
181 m 594 ft
-832 m -2729 ft
4.195 m 13.760 ft
3.537 m 11.601 ftElevation Profile
Rio Blanco
Altiplano
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Hike
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Advanced
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Full-day
We take a van to the Tatio Geysers, where we first walk up and then down a creek to reach an unknown warm water river, the Blanco River...
More details >Rio Blanco
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Exploration Path
We take a van to the Tatio Geysers, where we first walk up and then down a creek to reach an unknown warm water river, the Blanco River. We walk along the river’s bed near geysers and mineral formations unique to this geological landscape.
31 m 101 ft
-421 m -1381 ft
4.408 m 14.458 ft
4.226 m 13.861 ftElevation Profile
Cuchabrache
Cuenca del salar
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Hike
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Moderate
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Half-day
We take a van up to the Catarpe Valley, where we begin ascending the Salt Mountain Range. On the way, we’ll see petroglyphs...
More details >Cuchabrache
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Exploration Path
We take a van up to the Catarpe Valley, where we begin ascending the Salt Mountain Range. On the way, we’ll see petroglyphs and from the top, we can admire the green valley landscapes contrasting with the colors of Salt and Andes Mountain Ranges. This is an ideal introduction to the Atacama region. We return by van.
*Temporarily unavailable. Consult other exploration options with your Explora guide at the destination.
283 m 928 ft
-292 m -958 ft
2.693 m 8.833 ft
2.550 m 8.364 ftElevation Profile
Kimal
Montaña
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High Mountain Ascent
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Moderate
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Full-day
We ride a van for two hours to the Domeyko Mountain Range, until we reach the Kimal hill, the source of one of the most iconic Atacameño...
More details >Kimal
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Exploration Path
We ride a van for two hours to the Domeyko Mountain Range, until we reach the Kimal hill, the source of one of the most iconic Atacameño legends. We walk up a steep trail to the summit with panoramic views to the salt field and the mythical Licancabur and Juriques volcanoes. We descend and return to the hotel.
695 m 2280 ft
-752 m -2467 ft
4.266 m 13.992 ft
3.594 m 11.788 ftElevation Profile
Toco
Montaña
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High Mountain Ascent
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Moderate
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Half-day
We leave by van and head to the Andes Mountains, an hour from Explora, where we begin ascending...
More details >Toco
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Exploration Path
We leave by van and head to the Andes Mountains, an hour from Explora, where we begin ascending. We take a steep trail up to the summit with views to Bolivia, Argentina, and the surrounding volcanoes.
*Ideal introduction to high mountain.
520 m 1706 ft
-520 m -1706 ft
5.610 m 18.401 ft
5086 m 16682 ftElevation Profile
Láscar
Montaña
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High Mountain Ascent
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Moderate
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Full-day
We take a van for two hours entering the altiplano of the Andes Mountain Range. At the base of the active Láscar volcano we begin our ascent...
More details >Láscar
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Exploration Path
We take a van for two hours entering the altiplano of the Andes Mountain Range. At the base of the active Láscar volcano we begin our ascent through a soft terrain and gradually climb. At the summit we will have a wide view with different volcanoes and the Salar de Atacama basin.
594 m 1948 ft
-594 m -1948 ft
5.592 m 18.342 ft
5.006 m 16.420 ftElevation Profile
Corona
Montaña
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High Mountain Ascent
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Advanced
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Full-day
We take a van for two hours up to the base of the Corona Hill. There, we begin ascending through a challenging terrain due to the presence of...
More details >Corona
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Exploration Path
We take a van for two hours up to the base of the Corona Hill. There, we begin ascending through a challenging terrain due to the presence of crags and loose sand that make movement difficult. At the summit, we see different volcanoes, among them the Lascar with its typical vent.
769 m 2522 ft
-769 m -2522 ft
5.262 m 17.259 ft
4.506 m 14.780 ftElevation Profile
Soquete
Montaña
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High Mountain Ascent
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Advanced
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Full-day
We start walking through mud geysers, crossing green valleys with high Andean flora and fauna. After passing through different geological...
More details >Soquete
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Exploration Path
We start walking through mud geysers, crossing green valleys with high Andean flora and fauna. After passing through different geological formations we reach the needle, its particular summit formed by eruptions and carved by the erosion of wind and water.
883 m 2896 ft
-883 m -2896 ft
5.366 m 17.600 ft
4.487 m 14.717 ftElevation Profile
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