By rental car from the Atacama Desert to Lauca National Park
The unknown high north of Chile is home to a very desolate landscape with beautiful national parks. You will feel small in the landscape of huge volcanoes and salt flats. In this inhospitable area you will get acquainted with typical Andean settlements. For the adventurers among you, the route of the Atacama Desert via Colchane and Salar de Surire and through Las Vicuñas National Park and Lauca National Park is an unforgettable experience. The scenery is breathtaking; from the high volcano Isluga to the salt flat of Surire and hundreds of llamas and alpacas, groups of vicunas and proud flamingos. During this trip you will get to high altitudes above 4,000 meters and you will have to cross a small river by car. Easier route is possible through several pre-cordillera villages in the Copda Valley.
This trip can be booked in different accommodation categories. Please note that there is only simple accommodation available in Colchane.
Tips & Tops Northern Chile:
- Visit the world's largest copper mines near Calama on Day 5. Along the way you can often see abandoned cemeteries of the many miners who have died over time. Or abandoned villages like the ghost town of Humberstone.
- On day 8, you'll have time to visit the charming Andean settlement of Parinacota and the world's highest lakes Chungara and Payachatas against the backdrop of the 6,000-foot-tall Parinacota volcano
- This trip can also be built into our combination tour of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. Desert, high peaks and good wine
- Or finish with a special stay on Easter Island or Robinson Crusoe island
- Please point out our recommended accommodations: San Pedro de Atacama: Tierra Atacama Hotel, Awasi Hotel, Alto Atacama, Explora Hotel
- This adventurous tour by rental car is not suitable in the period from mid-December to March.
