Atacama desert stargazing and camping adventure

Itinerary in brief:

• 4 nights camping

Day 1: Arrive in Copiapo, Chile  

On arrival at Copiapo airport, you will be met and driven for 1.5 hours to the private campsite at La Puerta, a small oasis located 70km away from Nevado Tres Cruces National Park.

On arrival, you’ll have lunch and your English-speaking guide will brief you about the activities of the upcoming days. These will consist of four nights of camping, moderate treks, kayaking expeditions and wildlife encounters. In the afternoon, there is an easy 1.5-hour acclimatisation trek, followed by a traditional welcome dinner in the evening. Tonight, you’ll spend your first night under the starry skies of the Atacama!         

Day 2: Nevado Tres Cruces National Park    

After breakfast, you will be driven to the Santa Rosa Lagoon, located at 3,762m which is home to migratory flamingos. From here, you’ll take a 1.5-hour trek to a stunning lookout point from where you will be able to see the lagoon as well as the Maricunga Salt Lake.

After exploring, you will arrive at the campsite in time for lunch and have some time to rest. In the late afternoon, you can choose to go on another walk in the desert, or you can relax before dinner is served under the starry skies of the desert.

Day 3: Pan de Azucar National Park    

Your day will start early this morning when, after breakfast, you will be driven to the Pan the Azucar National Park, nestled along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

The drive will be around 4 hours, but you’ll make several stops along the way to visit the Maricunga and Pedernales salt lakes, the mining city of El Salvador and to eat your packed lunch. Tonight’s dreamy campsite location is right beside the ocean and several islands. The national park is home to wildlife from guanacos in the desert to penguins in the islands. This afternoon there’s a 2.5-hour walk to explore this extraordinary place before dinner this evening.                

Day 4: Pan de Azucar National Park    

A new day full of adventures! First up is a kayaking expedition in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, exploring the park’s coastline and its nearby islands. If you’re lucky, you may spot some of the Humboldt penguins that inhabit the area. From here, you will continue kayaking to the small fishing settlement of Caleta Pan de Azucar where you will stop for lunch.

Back at the campsite, you’ll have some time to relax before going on a 3-hour trek to a lookout point. From your vantage point, you can appreciate the contrast of landscapes in the park; the blue ocean waters on one side and desert on the other. Tonight you’ll have dinner and make the most of your last night camping.

Day 5: Depart Copiapo       

Today it’s time to bid farewell to your guide and the team who have helped to create lasting memories on this adventure. You will be taken to Copiapo airport by private transfer to connect with your onward travel plans.