After the arrival at Calama Airport there will be a single timed transfer (approx 1.5 hours) to the oasis town of San Pedro. Along the way we can enjoy some spectacular views as our transfer leads us past the impressive rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains). Our base for the next 7 nights, San Pedro (2450m) is located on the northern edge of the biggest salt flat in the Atacama Desert. Little adobe houses, cozy restaurants and shops are the base to explore one of Chile’s most spectacular sceneries. After our arrival the rest of the afternoon is free to relax and take it easy as you start to acclimatise. In the evening we will have a technical briefing with our guide followed by a welcome dinner. *Food for thought: If you love empanadas, then a visit to the Empanada shop in San Pedro is a must. Meat empanadas in Chile tend to have the same ingredients wherever you go - minced meat, boiled egg and black olives. You'll also find non-meat ones here too as the town tries to cater for all tastes and diets.

After breakfast we will take a 5 min transfer to the atmospheric ruined fortress of Pukara de Quitor, which sits nestled on a promontory overlooking the Rio San Pedro. This Pukara was built by the local Atacamenian people, cattle breeders and farmers, to defend themselves in times of need. The ancient Indian fortress dates back for more than 700 years. Declared a National Monument in 1982, its construction is pre-Inca from the XII century. Parts of the fort have now been reconstructed by archaeologists and a new trail leading to the top of the fortifications has stunning views out across the whole of the oasis. After a morning exploring the area of Catarpe Valley we will transfer back to San Pedro for lunch at a local restaurant. After a relaxing few hours in the afternoon we make the 50 minute drive to the great Salar de Atacama, an endless white salt flat. Here we will visit the wonderful Chaxa Lagoon, covered with nesting flamingos; this is an extraordinary sight, especially during sunset for which we have timed our visit. We return to spend another night at our comfortable San Pedro hotel.

Today we take a transfer towards San Pedro River Valley through the imposing Cordillera de la Sal. We will leave the vehicles at a river crossing where we will observe the rock art and begin the walk back to the town of San Pedro. Approximately 1.5 hours later we will take a detour to go to the Cordillera de la Sal to climb a small slope for impressive views of the Andes Mountains and the Cordillera de la Sal, a very peculiar lunar landscape. From here we continue walking for a couple of hours in the upper part of the mountain range, where we will find several corrals and ancient rock art and some small stone rucos (shelters) that shepherds used to use when herding animals (llamas, alpacas). We will return for lunch time to San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon we will take a 15 min transfer into the famous Valle de la Luna or Valley of the Moon. We will spend a few hours exploring its stunning sand dunes, ancient salt mines and extraordinary rock formations. We watch as the colours of the valley and the Andean peaks beyond change from deep red, to purple and then pink as the sun slowly sinks in the sky; a truly unforgettable experience. Returning to our hotel, there is a choice of restaurants just a short walk away.

After breakfast we set off on of full days hike we set off to the west to the Domeyko Mountain Range to discover the ancient petroglyphs at Yerber Buenas and admire the kaleidiscope of colours in the Arcoiris (or Rainbow) Valley - a geological and archaeological delight. Our route will provide plenty of time to marvel at the terrain and mineral rich colourful rocks of the Rainbow Valley, a result of erosion and environmental processes over many thousands of years. We then head to Yerbas Buenas where the pre-colombian petroglyphs are located. Drawings carved into the rock walls of a natural shelter, which was carved from compacted volcanic ash before being used by local farmers, these intricate images depict animals and ancient hidden messages not yet understood; something truly extraordinary to behold.

Today will be our first challenging day as we climb higher in altitude with our route taking us from an altitude of around 2700m to 3250m. We make an early start and initially pass the old abandoned mine of San Bartolo. River shoes will be necessary for the first two hours as we trek along the bed of the Rio Grande crossing the shallow river on many occasions. We then change back into our walking boots as we climb past a forgotten mining graveyard and ancient petroglyphs. The trail continues up onto the side of the valley and into a beautiful and barren desert landscape where shade is scarce. There are some areas of the valley that are so dry that scientists have not found any form of life, not even bacteria! In the late afternoon, we arrive at the tiny Indian village of Rio Grande (3250m). This is one of the last remaining indigenous communities of Altiplano people and currently has fewer than 100 inhabitants. We will return to San Pedro de Atacama to our hotel and a well deserved rest and evening meal.

So far all the trekking days have been slightly different with changing scenery throughout the day and we follow the same pattern. Now we follow the Peñaliri River and en route we walk through deserted villages with old, eroded terraces, a testament to the agricultural practices of the ancient Indian peoples. During the afternoon we pass through a 'Cactus Garden' and begin to climb through tussock grass out of the valleys we've been walking through for the last two days, to reach the village of Machuca. Situated on a high platform, at a height of approximately 4100 metres this area is renowned for its rich vegetation and great variety of wildlife. Formerly a stopping place on an Inca trade route across the Atacama, only a few shepherds and their llama herds now live in Machuca. Transfer back to our hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

We have a very early morning transfer (45mins) towards the Tatio Geysers (4200m), where we will have time to stop and observe the activity. As the sun rises, the major thermal activity of the steaming waters takes place. From almost 900m below the earth, boiling steam bursts up to 40m over the surface of these spectacular geysers. From here we have a circuit trek around the small summit of Copa Coya crossing a pass just below 4500m. Leaving the geysers we begin our walk which lasts approximately 4 hours as we head towards a high Andean plateau. The puna grasslands played an important historical role centred on the llareta plant which was used traditionally for combustion, although nowadays, its slow growth means it's not a feasible fuel option. Along the trail we see typical Andean vegetation and maybe viscachas (similar to chinchillas) before stopping to enjoy lunch with a wonderful view of the Alto Loa villages. This area shows a different view of the Atacama than is normally experienced. After descending back to our support vehicle we have time for a refreshing and relaxing soak in the Tatio Hot Springs which are now usually empty. The drive back to San Pedro takes around 2.5 hrs and we'll check back into our hotel before heading out into the town for dinner.

After lunch and a morning relaxing in San Pedro we set off on our drive towards the Andes and the perfect volcanic peak of Licancabur. We pass the Chilean customs post on the outskirts of San Pedro and 40 minutes later we reach the Bolivian border post at Hito Cajon (4500m). After 1 hour 40 minutes we reach Laguna Blanca (4350m) and the lakeside mountain refugio that will be our base for the next 2 nights. We also meet our extra local Bolivian climbing guide here. The rest of the day is for acclimatisation and relaxing in this area. There are superb photo opportunities, with the volcanoes Licancabur and Juriques rising majestically above the lagoon. During most seasons there are flamingos to be seen and there are also hot springs nearby.

After breakfast at the Refugio, we will be transferred to Laguna Verde, where arsenic and copper deposits give a stunning iridescent colour to the waters. This is also the base of Licancabur at 4500m. We complete our preparation for the ascent of the volcano with an acclimatisation trek to an altitude of approximately 5000 metres or even higher if time and fitness permits, we will enjoy our packed lunch before descending to the Laguna. Afterward we transfer back to the refuge and have the rest of the afternoon to relax and rest. It is an early dinner and bed by 9 pm in preparation for the following day.

Today is summit day. We will be woken around 2.00am for an early breakfast before we depart our refuge and drive up to Camp Inca at approximately 4600m, where we will begin our walk. The ascent is in no way technical and there is usually very little snow on the mountain, but at this altitude it does provide a very challenging ascent. Most of the climb is on a path which steeply follows a succession of switchbacks up through a rocky ridge. Arriving at the summit after 7 hours or so, we will enjoy spectacular views of nearby peaks and a panorama that extends over Chilean and Bolivian territory to the salt flats of the Atacama. Nestling in the summit crater is a small lake, one of the highest on earth and in several places on the crater rim there are ancient Inca ceremonial ruins. Descent is via a steep scree slope and also retraces part of ascent to Camp Inca in a further 2 to 3 hours, we drive back to San Pedro, arriving late afternoon. Tonight we can head out for dinner together and celebrate a fantastic trekking holiday.

After breakfast we check out of our hotel and there will be a single timed transfer back to the airport where our holiday ends.