Trek through the Atacama Desert in Chile on this South American holiday before summitting Lincancabur Volcano
As the oldest desert on earth, the Atacama is not only described as the best stargazing destination on the planet, but its stark beauty is home to incredible volcanoes including Licancabur (5920m). As the holy mountain of the Atacameno people, summiting Licancabur is an explosive highlight of this fantastic South American trekking holiday to Chile and Bolivia. Here, nestled between the Andes and the Pacific, you’ll discover a jaw-dropping landscape of salt lakes, flamingo-filled lagoons, bubbling geysers and captivating peaks. We start in the quaint town of San Pedro, with Licancabur as our backdrop, acclimatising with gentle walks exploring the sites of San Pedro. From the flamingos on Chaxa Lagoon to the Valley of the Moon, we’ll immerse ourselves in this incredible lunar landscape which includes remote communities and rich cultures. After an acclimatisation circuit of Copa Coya (4500m), we relax in hot springs and visit the famed El Tatio geysers before heading to Bolivia. Here, we’re surrounded by flamingos and the beautiful lagoons of Blanca and Verde. However, it’s the summit of Licancabur at 5920m that offers the magnificent Atacama Desert at our feet. This adventure holiday is an awesome combination of the most magnificent landscapes, ancient cultures and the opportunity to summit one of the world’s most incredible volcanoes.