Atacama, the Driest Desert

Santiago · San Pedro de Atacama · 7 nights

Seven nights from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama, paced around the days that matter.

The Journey

Seven nights across two stops: Santiago for three nights and San Pedro de Atacama for four. Every transfer between them is private and timed around the day's plan.

The days are built around Historic Centre and the Hills, Valle de la Luna and the Salt Range, Valparaíso and the Wine Valleys and El Tatio Geysers and Altiplano Lagoons. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.

The defining moment of this route: private observatory night with an astronomer. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.

Signature Highlights

Private observatory night with an astronomer
Historic Centre and the Hills, Santiago
Valparaíso and the Wine Valleys, Santiago
Valle de la Luna and the Salt Range, San Pedro de Atacama
El Tatio Geysers and Altiplano Lagoons, San Pedro de Atacama
Stargazing and Desert Culture, San Pedro de Atacama

Day by day

Your Itinerary

8 days

01
Day 1 · Santiago
Arrival in Santiago
Arrive at Arturo Merino Benítez International, about 30 minutes by road into the city and transfer privately to your base. Time today to walk Lastarria or Bellavista and look up at the Andes above the city.
- Private transfer via Arturo Merino Benítez International
- Walk Lastarria or Bellavista and look up at the Andes above the city
- Time to settle in before dinner
Meals:
D
02
Day 2 · Santiago
Historic Centre and the Hills
Plaza de Armas, La Moneda palace and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights on the dictatorship years, then the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal.
- Museum of Memory and Human Rights
- Cerro Santa Lucía or San Cristóbal funicular
- Mercado Central seafood lunch
Meals:
BL
03
Day 3 · Santiago
Valparaíso and the Wine Valleys
The painted hills and funiculars of Valparaíso on the coast, or the Maipo and Casablanca valleys for Carmenère and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Valparaíso hills and street art
- Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana
- Maipo or Casablanca wine tasting
Meals:
BL
04
Day 4 · San Pedro de Atacama
Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama
Fly north to Calama and transfer across the salt flat to San Pedro. On arrival, take it slowly: the village sits at 2,400 metres and excursions climb much higher.
- Fly north to Calama and transfer across the salt flat to San Pedro
- Take it slowly: the village sits at 2,400 metres and excursions climb much higher
- Timings reconfirmed locally the day before
Meals:
B
05
Day 5 · San Pedro de Atacama
Valle de la Luna and the Salt Range
Salt-crusted canyons and dunes in the Cordillera de la Sal, timed for the late light when the range turns red, and the Valle de la Muerte.
- Valle de la Luna at sunset
- Cordillera de la Sal
- Valle de la Muerte dunes
Meals:
BL
06
Day 6 · San Pedro de Atacama
El Tatio Geysers and Altiplano Lagoons
A pre-dawn drive to El Tatio at 4,320 metres, where the fumaroles are strongest just after sunrise, then the altiplano lagoons and flamingos at Miscanti and Chaxa.
- El Tatio geyser field at dawn
- Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons
- Chaxa flamingo reserve
Meals:
BL
07
Day 7 · San Pedro de Atacama
Stargazing and Desert Culture
One of the clearest night skies on earth, with a guided astronomy session, plus the Puritama hot springs and the Atacameño village of Toconao.
- Guided astronomy night (no full moon)
- Puritama thermal pools
- Toconao village
Meals:
B
08
Day 8 · San Pedro de Atacama
Departure from San Pedro de Atacama
A last desert sunrise before the drive back to Calama. Private transfer to Calama airport in good time for your onward flight.
- A last desert sunrise before the drive back to Calama
- Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it
- Private departure transfer
Meals:
B

Inclusions

Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk

Not included

International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)

Transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer

Visa & Documentation

Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible

Common Questions

Will the altitude affect us?+

San Pedro sits at about 2,400 metres, and the El Tatio geysers at over 4,200 metres. Take the first day easy, drink water, and talk to your doctor before travel.

When is the best time for stargazing?+

Any time of year, with the darkest skies around the new moon. The Atacama has some of the clearest skies on Earth.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Chile?+

Usually, yes, although holders of some other valid visas may be exempt. We check the current requirements and supporting documents for your passport when you book.

How far in advance should we book?+

Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Yes. Every journey is a starting point: add or remove nights, swap a day's plan, change hotels or reorder the route, and your travel specialist re-plans the whole trip around it.

What is the payment schedule?+

Your quote sets out the deposit that confirms the booking and the date the balance is due. Both depend on the hotels, airlines and guides involved, so they are agreed with you before you pay anything.