Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast at the hotel. Tatio Geysers and Machuca (half-day regular tour) Today, we will visit the impressive fumaroles of the Tatio Geysers. "Tatio" in the language of the indigenous people who once inhabited these slopes means "Crying Old Man." The geysers are located at an altitude of over 4000 meters above sea level. Hot water fountains appear at sunrise from 06:00 to 07:00. At this time, the fumaroles of water and steam reach their maximum height, and hundreds of "puddles" with boiling water present a stunning sight. Our trip starts early in the morning to witness the sunrise in one of the most important geothermal fields in the world: the Tatio Geysers. There are more than 70 fumaroles, from which steam jets emerge, forming pools of boiling water. The most amazing part of the day is the sunrise, with the contrast between the bright blue sky and the clean steam of the geysers. In the center of this impressive natural landscape next to the Andes, we will enjoy a refreshing breakfast, which will also help us warm up, as the temperature in the mornings is -2°C below zero. Then, we will visit a rural pool where you can enjoy a bath in the hot springs of Cordillera. Returning along the road to San Pedro de Atacama, we will observe the beauty of the landscape, its valleys, local flora and fauna, highlighting charismatic vicuñas and vizcachas. Afterward, we will stop in Machuca, an Atacameño town consisting of only a couple of houses made of straw, thatch, and cactus wood, where its inhabitants engage in tourism and offer products from Andean craftsmen and typical cuisine, such as llama meat, sopapillas, and empanadas. We will also visit the beautiful San Santiago Church, the patron saint of the town, and a small wetland where flamingos, ducks, and other birds live. Included: entrance fee to Tatio Geysers. Group transfer to Calama and departure to Santiago.