A trip of 43 kms/ 27 miles through the Salt Mountain Range, visiting the Valley of Mars (also known as Death Valley) the Three Maria's - natural rock formations in the desert, and ending up by climbing a huge sand dune in the Moon Valley in order to see the sunset over the Andes from a wonderful viewpoint.

Visit the Padre Gustavo Le Paige Museum, which has an important anthropological collection of the Atacemenan culture. Then continue to the indigenous fortress of Quitor where the first shepherds of this civilization lived on this defensive site.

Continue on to one of the 'ayllus' or settlements which reflect the social system and communal aspects of this subsistence society and the archeological village of Tulor which is composed of a series of round rooms connected to each other and with communal patios. Today, this site is covered partly by the sands of the desert and represents an archeological enigma.

An early morning departure will begin the journey to El Tatio Geysers. Here you will enjoy a picnic breakfast in the geothermal field before a guided walk through the fumaroles, which release steam columns into the cold early morning air.

Return towards San Pedro along a mountain road with stunning views of the Putana Volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri.

Visit the cascading pools of Puritama hot springs hidden in a mountain canyon surrounded by pampas grass. Bathe in the warm waters (changing rooms and bathrooms available) which will relax and rejuvinate you before returning to San Pedro.

On leaving San Pedro de Atacama, head along the side of the huge salt flat and continue until arrival at Toconao, a village where the inhabitants dedicate themselves to the working of the local liparite stone.

Visit the old church and wander round the handicraft shops before a short visit to the Jeri Valley, an oasis in the center of the desert. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon where three types of pink flamingoes breed.