Atacama Desert, Chile with Luxury & Style (6 Days): A Sample Itinerary
ID #: DT-C-6-2-9-11-RAIJ
DavidTravel Itinerary Highlights include:
Atacama is nestled along the
coast of Chile, and is one of the greatest deserts on Earth.
Isolated and beautiful, it offers the extremes – from lunar
landscapes to lush river canyons. There are parched areas that
have not been touched by rain for three centuries, and hidden
arroyos that flood from brilliant summer rainstorms. Beauty here
resides in the texture of the land, the starkness of the sky and
in how life has found a way to conquer the desert. The Atacama
Desert chronicles a history of the struggle for survival, the
adaptation to environment and the comprehension of natural
cycles.
• The beauty & colonial architecture of
Santiago
• The stark and mesmerizing moonscape vistas in
Atacama
• Exploring the stark landscape of the Atacama Desert by foot,
bicycle or road
• The volcano crater of Tres Marias
• The clear night skies – offering incredible views of the
southern constellations
• Navigating through the labyrinth of vendors at the Los
Dominicos Craft Center in
Santiago
Overview:
Chile’s elongated, unique shape makes it one of the world’s
most geographically unique countries, and this South American
nation’s cartography lives up to its reputation. From top to
bottom, thousands of miles encompass arid, rain-starved desert
in the north to the icy glaciers of the south. The beautiful
Andes mountain range is rarely far from view, defining the
country's eastern border.
Such a rich natural setting provides Chile with a wealth of
possibilities for fans of the great outdoors. From excellent
skiing facilities, through to trekking, horse riding and
white-water rafting, adventure sport opportunities in Chile will
push most adrenaline junkies to their limits.
The country's capital Santiago nestles in a central valley
between the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Mountain range. A
cosmopolitan city with its own version of Bond Street - Alonso
de Cordova - it has several museums, Spanish colonial buildings
and parks and taking to it by foot is simply the best way to see
it. Santiago also has a wide range of accommodation and
restaurants nestling on the cobbled street corners.
Chile is a success story among South America's economies with
many international firms choosing Santiago as their headquarters
in recent years. Its copper industry has long been a mainstay of
the country's income, although agriculture and wine bears some
economic significance. Chile has been politically stable since
1990 following the demise of General Augusto Pinochet's 17-year
dictatorship.