5 Days Self Drive @ Atacama Desert

Pick up your rental car at Calama Airport or downtown rental office.  Once having arrived, you should go directly to the MITTA Desk located at the arrival Hall.  Complete the formalities: sign contract, credit card guarantee, check the vehicle.  Start your journey through the spectacular northern ends of Chile. Your destination will be San Pedro de Atacama; once center to the Paleolithic culture. Impressive rock fortresses on steep mountains encircle the green valley, making it truly a unique and stunning sight to visit. It contrasts with the eerily silent desert landscape home to vast plains and salt ponds with octagonal-shaped crystals reflecting the towering volcanoes.  In the afternoon, you can visit the intriguing Moon Valley boasting various stone and sand formations which have been carved over centuries by wind and water. It has an impressive range of color and texture, looking somewhat similar to the surface of the moon.  Note:  there is an information center where entrance fee payment must be is made. You will pay 2 admission fee.  Paid on the spot.  Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

You will have a full day at leisure to explore its surroundings.  Bring enough food and water for the excursions.  We recommend visiting the Atacama Salt Lake located only about an hour away from San Pedro is the Los Flamencos National Reserve where some of the most remarkable arrays of wildlife exist. Home to the dark blue lagoons, flamingo flocks and many other bird species it is an ornithologist’s paradise. The Atacama Salt Flat is similarly a must see and highlight of the region. It is the largest salt flat in Chile with large volcanoes and salt crusts dominating its landscape.  Note:  there is an information center where entrance fee payment must be is made. You will pay 2 admission fee.  Paid on the spot.  Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

You will have a full day at leisure to explore its surroundings.  Bring enough food and water for the excursions.  We recommend visiting the Atacama Salt Lake located only about an hour away from San Pedro is the Los Flamencos National Reserve where some of the most remarkable arrays of wildlife exist. Home to the dark blue lagoons, flamingo flocks and many other bird species it is an ornithologist’s paradise. The Atacama Salt Flat is similarly a must see and highlight of the region. It is the largest salt flat in Chile with large volcanoes and salt crusts dominating its landscape.  Note:  there is an information center where entrance fee payment must be is made. You will pay 2 admission fee.  Paid on the spot.  On the route back to San Pedro de Atacama along route 23, there is a marker for the Tropic of Capricorn. Also near this marker is a white cross which marks the beginning of an old Incan trail. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.