HOTEL AWASI
Tocopilla 4 - San Pedro de Atacama See Map
Toconao and Atacama Salt FlatDeparture: Morning or afternoon. Trip by car: 130 km. (round trip). Length: 4 hours aprox. We start your jorney travelling by car going South through paved road to the Salt flat. 38 kms away we will find the Toconao village, well-known due to its liparita stone buildings. There we will visit its historical church and bell tower, touring the artisan stands offering their products in the square. Next to Toconao, Quebrada de Jere can be found, through this canyon flows the only riverbed in this area. A long ago this spring crosses an authentic fruit orchad. After this, we will continue to Chaxa Lagoon, national reserve located in the Atacama Salt Flat. This lagoon is surrounded by salt scabs originated by the underground saline water evaporation. Here we will be able to watch flamingoes living in the Salt Flat, and other native species. This is, without any doubt, a place of breathtaking beauty, where Domeyko, La Sal and the Andes Mountains Ranges crown the background, this place is specially awe-inspiring during the sunset. |
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Moon ValleyDeparture: Afternoon. Trip by car: 40 km. (roundtrip). Length: 3,5 hour aprox. We departure from Awasi to this Natural Reserve, located 15 minutes away from the town, in the middle of the Sal Mountain Range. Its name expresses the magic landscape. During this tour we will stop in many viewpoints for us to watch incredible geological formations, which added to the wind and water action, have originated a surface ivoking the Moon surface. The sunset, when lumious reflections carry out color shapes over the moutains is simply unique. |
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Cejar LagoonDeparture: 9:30 / 15:30. Trip by car: 36 km. (roundtrip). Length: 3 hours aprox. We departure by car from Awasi heading northern part of the Atacama Salt Flat, crossing part of the far away San Pedro’s ayllus, then we will take a dirt road surrounded by aridity- After a 18-km trip we wil get to Cejar, made up by three lagoons located in the middle of the Salt Flat, and we will be able to take a bath in one of them. Because of the high salt concentration, we will float and we won’t be able to sink, likewise the Dead Sea (Israel). In this place we will watch birds living in the Salt Flat, such as flamingoes and Andean seagulls, enjoying a privileged view to the surrounding mountains ranges. This excursion can be made by bycicle. Approximate time: 1 and a half hour, returning by car. |
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Altiplanic Salt FlatsDeparture: 9:00 / Regreso: 17:30. Trip by car: 330 km. (total ida y vuelta). Length: Full day. Highly recommended, few places in the Altiplano offers so much variety. We will departure from Awasi heading south, visiting Toconao and Socaire towns (3,230 m.a.s.l.). During our trip we will find several landscapes, from the driest desert to little oasis and mountain landscapes. There we will watch vicuñas, among other wild species. The immensity and breathtaking beauty of the Tuyajtu and Aguas Calientes Salt Flats will amaze us, due to the turquoise color of their lagoons, where ducks and flamingoes live. |
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TaraDeparture: 9:00 / Return: 17:30. Trip by car: 300 km. (roundtrip). Length: Full day. Departing from San Pedro we will take the road to Paso Jama, border crossing to Argentina (4,200 m.a.s.l.) with the awe-inspiring background of Licancabur (5,916 m.a.s.l.)and Juriques (5,740 m.a.s.l.), solitary guardians of the Mountain Range. After that we will continue through the Altiplano, crossing through meadow and lagoons inhabitated by animals until we get to the incredible rock formations of Monkes de la Pakana (4,600 m.a.s.l), marvels of nature. From here we will go to a trail to huge stacks surrounding the Tara Salt Flat, place where we will enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch. It is hard put in words what this magnificent landscape and diversity of wild life produce. |
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Miscanti MiñiqueDeparture: 9:30 / Return: 17:30. Trip by car: 300 km. (roundtrip). Length: Full day. A real encounter with the Altiplanic landscape. We departure from Awasi going south, in order to visit the Toconao and Socaire towns (3,230 m.a.s.l.). After that we will continue through the way to Paso Sico until the detour to Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoon, part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve (4,300 m.a.s.l.) The main feature of this place are its lagoons and native birds, such as taguas and blanquillos. This excursion includes lunch and an optional visit to Chaxas lagoon can be added during the return trip. . |
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