Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Atacama: Fascinating salt flats, culture and desert oases
Our exclusive tour takes you from San Pedro straight to the breathtaking Reserva Nacional de los Flamencos. First, you’ll experience the majestic Salar de Atacama, the world’s third-largest salt flat. This vast white expanse captivates visitors with its moon-like landscape set against a deep blue sky. In the heart of this vast expanse, you’ll visit the Chaxa Lagoon, a protected paradise and vital sanctuary for Chilean flamingos and numerous migratory birds. We’ll then drive to the picturesque colonial village of Toconao. On a leisurely stroll through the cobbled streets, you’ll admire the traditional adobe houses and the historic 18th-century Church of San Lucas, a listed national monument. You’ll also gain an insight into local crafts, renowned for their delicate sculptures carved from volcanic liparite stone. To round off the day, you’ll explore the impressive Quebrada de Jere gorge. This oasis surprises visitors with an idyllic stream and lush vegetation of palm and carob trees set amidst steep rock faces. As a significant archaeological site, it is home to petroglyphs and pictograms dating back thousands of years, created by indigenous cultures. This varied route comfortably combines spectacular natural wonders, vibrant culture and deep historical insights into the fascinating Chilean Altiplano.