4-Day San Pedro De Atacama Tour: Moon Valley and Toconao | An Oasis in the Desert

Reception at Calama Airport and transfer to the village of San Pedro de Atacama, crossing the Domeyko and Salt Mountain Ranges.
Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the middle of the desert, whose earliest population dates back to around 11,000 BC with groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers. Later, with the domestication of camelids and the development of terrace farming, permanent villages began to form.
In the afternoon, visit to the Moon Valley: a tour of an impressive salt landscape shaped by water and wind over millions of years, resembling the surface of the moon. Along the way, admire the striking rock formations that make up the Salt Mountain Range, including Las Tres Marías, an interesting geological formation located next to an old salt mine. The tour ends at Mars Valley, also known as Death Valley, an area notable for its unique rock formations and its extreme desert conditions - no plants or insects survive in this harsh environment. From here, enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the Andes Mountains and its volcanoes. At sunset, the landscape offers a spectacular display of colors, accompanied by an aperitif.
Return and overnight stay.
Note: The SIB (shared service) option does not include Mars Valley.

Breakfast at the hotel. ​
Depart on an excursion to visit the picturesque town of Toconao, a town built mostly in liparite stone (volcanic stone) where its main attraction is its church dating from 1744 and the bell tower of San Lucas, both declared National Monuments, here its artisans make handicrafts in liparite stone and alpaca wool. Continuation towards the Atacama Salt flat, the largest in Chile and one of the largest in the world, where the Chaxa Lagoon is located, habitat of 3 species of flamingos, and then continue towards the Altiplanic Lagoons of Meñique and Miscanti, located 4,500 m a.s.l. This area is part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. The lagoons are surrounded by imposing volcanoes that originated as a result of the uplift of the Andes in remote geological times. On the way back, we will stop at Socaire, a typical highland town, where we will see its small houses, its church as the main historical heritage including San Bartolome as its patron saint, its crops on terraces on the slopes of the hill and its viewpoint with an extensive view of the salt flat. Picnic lunch and time to visit local artisans. ​
Return and accommodation.​

Early morning departure to the Tatio Geysers for a guided walk through the geothermal field to observe the fumaroles, which are especially impressive at dawn. On the return journey, enjoy a picnic breakfast while taking in spectacular views of the Tocorpuri and Sairecabur volcanoes.
A stop is made to visit the village of Machuca, known for its traditional farming terraces, adobe houses with thatched roofs, quaint church, and a small wetland where local wildlife such as llamas, alpacas, and flamingos can be observed. Thanks to the revival of agriculture, grazing, cheese production, and tourism, the Atacameño people have gradually returned to this ancestral village. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay.
Note: For SIB (shared service), the visit to the town of Machuca is replaced by a visit to the Putana and Machuca wetlands, where various species of birds and local fauna can be observed.

Breakfast at the hotel. 
At the agreed time, transfer to the airport of Calama (1:30 h).