Come see the Altiplanic Lagoons for their startling and unusual beauty. These are part of the Atacama Desert and the Los Flamencos National Reserve. These high-altitude lagoons come in unusual colors and provide a habitat for an abundance of wildlife, including some unusual birds. Pack for two very different temperatures – this is a desert, and it gets warm during the day but cold at night.

Day 1

Your first day begins with an overnight at the La Casa Don Tomas — a rustic hotel that is not far from the Atacama Desert’s top attractions. The hotel is a typical structure for the Atacama region, and incorporates elements of the serene surroundings into its design.

Day 2

This is a full day dedicated to exploring the Altiplanic Lagoons and the Atacama Salt Flats. This desert is one of the driest deserts in the world provides otherworldly scenery and rare microclimates. The lagoons are home to the rarest birds in the world, including the Chilean flamingo and the Andean flamingo. One of the Altiplanic lagoons has a distinct, bright green color – other unusual colors in the lakes come from the mineral growth.

Your lunch break takes place in the town of Toconau, which has buildings mostly made from stone. The town square dates back to 1750, and your guide can tell you more about the history of this isolated town as you dine.

Day 3

Early in the morning, you’ll set out to see the Tatio Geysers, which is one of the largest geyser fields in the world. You can set your watch by the volcanic activity – the geysers are always at their highest in the morning, when the nearby volcano is waking up. These hot plumes of steamy water burst from cones.

After a break for lunch, you’ll head to the Cejar Lagoon. Despite its reputation as the driest desert in the world, you can still take a dip in this oasis, which has such salty water that it’s quite easy to float. You’ll be surrounded by the white expanses of salt and be able to see the snow-capped Andes looming in the distance.

At 5:00 PM, you’ll head to the airport for your return trip.

Comfortable clothes, sunglasses, camera.

Transportation, English-speaking guide, and entrances fees.