San Pedro de Atacama: 4-Day Magic Desert Adventure

False advertisement and VERY poor operation.

It is advertised as a 4-day tour. We expected a full 3-day adventure plus the last day to be transferred to the airport. In reality, this is what we got: Day 1 Morning: Nothing arranged. Day 1 PM: Scheduled to be picked up at 1:30 pm for Cejar Lagoon but the tour guide showed up 1 hour and 15 minutes late Day 2: Full day activity Day 3 Morning: Ruta de los Salares but we were not given pick-up time in advance. So, when the tour guide showed up we were still in bed. Day 3 afternoon: Nothing arranged. So in reality, we got 1 full day and 2 half-day activities instead of 3 days of activities. The way they communicated gave me the impression they wanted to avoid communicating with us as much as possible. No Whatsapp account (at least they did not give it to us when I asked for it). When dialing the listed phone number, an outgoing message in Spanish would be played and then hung up. No chance to speak to anyone or leave a message. I had my hotel front desk people help me dial all of their listed numbers and got the same.

via Viator

Once in a life time experience in Atacama

In 4 days we were exposed to many adventures and different sceneries. The pick ups were from our hotel drop off in the town centre. The tour guides were excellent. Lots of knowledge to share on the animals, rock formation, fauna. They went beyond to give the group a good time. The breakfast was always welcome and lunch in the middle of the desert was a once in a life time experience. Highly recommend

via Viator

unknow flower in Altacama desert

The picture was taken in ALtacama desert near San Pedro De Altacama in Northern Chile. Who can tell me what flower is it. Thank you very much for any help.

Response from the operator: Hello, apparently it is a yellow añañuca (Rhodophiala bagnoldii)

via Tripadvisor

Do not book -- did not show up for tours, wasted money, and terrible communication

Absolutely worst tour company I've ever booked. They shortened the tour from 3 days to 2 days due to New Years (only informed us weeks after booking) and then didn't show up for 90% of the tour. Out of everything listed, we only saw the Tatio Geysers. After that, they never showed up and didn't respond to any questions about pick-up. They told us to book tickets the day before to the Valley of the Moon, which cost $55, and then never came to bring us on the tour. They apologized for the 'mistake', and then reconfirmed our 6am pick-up for the next day -- which they again did not show up for. Speaking to locals, they also told us bringing us to the Geysers (which has 4320m elevation) as the first activity is an awful idea due to elevation sickness, which can knock someone out for 2-3 days. In an effort to cram everything into 2 days, they risked my family's health and safety. We did not trust they would pick us up for our flight back to Santiago, so we elected to book our own transportation instead, which cost a lot of money last minute. Francisco, who seems to manage their Viator bookings, is abrupt and unhelpful. He provided incomplete itineraries and we had to repeatedly ask for more information. Despite the previous good reviews, please do not risk your trip with this tour company. They refunded us the tour money, but no compensation for any last-minute transport or attraction tickets, not to mention flight tickets and accommodations. It was a waste of a trip to a beautiful place and I sorely regret booking with Ruta Chile tours.

Response from the operator: We are sorry for the problems, but New Year's Eve was very difficult due to the guides and drivers, but for that reason we do not charge you for the transfers and the tour to the tatio geysers

via Viator

Great way to experience atacama with the experts

This tour included airport pickup and dropoff. Mine was a shared shuttle from Calama airport to San Pedro De Atacama and back. Ruta Chile had coordinated my 4 day trip with a local guide in San Pedro De Atacama called "Desert Adventure". There was a lady standing with my name card at the airport. She helped me with where to go and enter name for transport registration. I did not know how to speak Spanish and most of the people at airport did not know how to speak English so coordinating where to wait for shuttle was difficult. I had to ask 4-5 times about it and finally figured it out through hand actions. On the way we had some spectacular views of the region. It was a 1.5 hours journey. The driver dropped me at the hotel. Later in the afternoon they picked me up again to visit Valle de la Luna and Mars. Desert Adventure picked my up and dropped me off at some other tour guides office for this tour. Many tour guides there collaborate in this manner when they have few people registered for a tour. Note make sure you atleast 1L drinking water with you anytime you go for a tour. The remaining 2 days of my tour to Atacama were spectacular with Desert Adventure themselves. The detailed itinerary looked like below, This program doesn't include ASTRONOMIC TOUR (night service) or VALLE DEL ARCOIRIS TOUR (Half-day AM service). DAY 1: TRANSFER IN. Transfer from Calama airport to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. You must send the complete information of your arrival time (Aerolinea - Number of hours - arrival time). Suggestion: I pick you up before 10:00, so you can do a service in the afternoon. VALLE DE LA LUNA TOUR Average service day PM. Valle de la Luna is located approximately 10 kms. from San Pedro de Atacama and situated within the salt range, where he had walked and observed a geological show such as the salt statues "The Three Marias", the Salt Caves and the Great Dune. * Summer time 16:00 return 20:00 hrs. at 20:30 * Invierno Hours 15:00 return 18:30 to 19:00 Admission not included: $ 4,000 per person (approx) - You must pay in cash before entering the park. Recommendations: Llevar pullover, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, mineral water and comfortable walking shoes. DAY 2: MIRADOR ROJAS ROJAS, ALTIPLANIC LAGOONS AND SALAR DE ATACAMA We will visit: - Miscanti and Miñiques highland lagoons located at 4200 m.a.s.l. and you can appreciate the fauna of the place. - Piedras Rojas Viewpoint where you can see the Salar de Aguas Calientes and Salar de Talar, where you can see the reddish rock formations. - The Atacameno town of Socaire where you can see the cultivation terraces and the village church. - Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile and the Chaxa lagoon to observe 3 types of flamingos and other species. - Toconao town where we will appreciate the fantastic architecture of the bell tower and the village church. The tour includes breakfast and lunch. * Departure from 06:30 to 07:00 return approx. 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets not included: $ 5,500 per person (approx) - must be paid in cash before entering the parks. Recommendations: Bring warm clothes, light clothes, sunscreen and mineral water and comfortable walking shoes. Excursion not recommended for: children under 7 years, pregnant women and people with heart problems and hypertension. DAY 3: TATIO GEYSER EXCURSION Departure at dawn towards the Geiser del Tatio located at a distance of 97 Kms from San Pedro and at an altitude of 4,300 meters. Upon arrival, a walk is conducted directed by the geothermal field, and then finish in the thermal pool sector with water at 40º approx; and where passengers can take a restful bath. It includes breakfast * Departure from 04:30 to 05:30 return approx. 12:00 to 12:30 Entrance not included: $ 10,000 per person (approx) - must be paid in cash before entering the park. Recommendations: Eat light dinner the night before and do not drink alcohol. Bring warm clothes (freezing temperatures), swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water and fresh clothes for the return. Tour not recommended for: People with hypertension, heart problems, pregnant women and children under 7 years. TOUR TO LAGUNA CEJAR Turquoise lagoon, which due to its great salinity allows us to float in it. Later, we will visit the Ojos del Salar, lagoons with almost fresh water, where it is also possible to bathe. This tour ends at the Tebinquiche Lagoon, to enjoy a beautiful sunset with a snack. * Summer hours 16:00 return 20:30 hrs. at 9:00 p.m. * Winter hours 15:00 return 19:00 to 19:30 Entrance not included: $ 17,000 per person (approx) - must be paid in cash before entering the park. Recommendations: Bring pullover, sunscreen, bathing suit, water, towels and sandals for the bathroom due to the salt crystals. DAY 4: TRANSFER OUT Transfer from your Hotel San Pedro de Atacama - Calama Airport You must send the complete information of your departure flight (Airline - Flight number - departure time). The pick-up time is coordinated between 3 to 4 hours before the departure of your flight.

Response from the operator: It is a good package, you said it all. we appreciate your rating

via Tripadvisor