Cacti of the Atacama Desert

(8 days / 7 nights)

The Atacama Desert is by far the driest of the world - in some areas the rainfall is simply nonexistent; however its abrupt coastline is constantly moistened by dense fogs coming from the Pacific Ocean, which transforms this seemingly barren area into an extraordinarily rich hotspot for endemic cacti. Join us on this superb botanical and photographic journey we have designed to discover the wealth and diversity of cacti forms. Along this unique program you might also want to explore the Andean highlands of this narrow country by joining our post-extension to San Pedro de Atacama.

Professional in all aspects from organization to superb guides, Fantástico Sur leads the pack for South American travel.

 

- Dr. Noble S. Proctor, USA
Chile trips 2004, 2005, and 2006

DAY 1
Huasco

The spectacle of seeing tens of thousand individuals of Copiapoa, a remarkable endemic genus, highly specialized to occupy deep dry gullies and the scarce plains found along this coast, is simply breathtaking. There are more than 20 species occurring along this coastal strip of desert together tens of species of Eriosyce, Elychnia, Echinopsis, among several others genera.

Around San Pedro de Atacama, we will be looking for very different array of cacti forms amidst this magnificent scenery. The large columnar cacti Echinopsis atacamensis will be the highlight, however we will be marveled by finding some other forms growing above 13,000 ft (4,000 m), just besides the geyser fields and salty plains.

From Santiago, we will take a short flight to La Serena, a beautiful town located at the southern end of the Atacama Desert. From here we will take the coastal road to Huasco. A few kilometers north we will see our first Copiapoa species - C. coquimbana -, the southernmost of this complex genus, among several other species including, Echinopsis littoralis, Eulychnia breviflora, Cumulopuntia sphaerica and Miqueliopuntia miquelii.

Hostería de Huasco, Huasco (3*).

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DAY 2: LLANOS DE CHALLE NATIONAL PARK
DAY 3: CALDERA TO CHAÑARAL

DAY 2

We will visit a wonderful and seldomly visited national park of Chile, Llanos de Challe. Here we will be delighted to see thousands of maginificent clumps of Copiapoa dealbata, formerly known as C. malletiana. We will look here for other endemic coastal flora including the beautiful and monotypic Garra de León, Leontochir ovallei, a relative a Alstroemerias.

Hostería de Huasco, Huasco (3*).

DAY 3

The impressive road across the desert suddenly joins the Pacific coast from Caldera to Chañaral. The specialty along the coastal strip of desert will be Copiapoa calderana.

Hostería Chañaral, Chañaral (3*).



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DAY 4: PAN DE AZUCAR NATIONAL PARK
DAY 5: CIFUNCHO BAY

DAY 4

Various Copiapoa species are found in this "lush" coastal park. Impressive aggregations of clumps of Copiapoa cinerascens are present in the southern entrance of the park, while thousands of heads of the striking Copiapoa columna-alba are found in the interior, just a few hundred yards from the road, providing wonderful photographic opportunities. If we are lucky we will find individuals of the odd-looking C. bridgesii and of one of the smallest of the genus, the miniature C. hypogaea; C. humilis is more widespread in the whole area, growing at the bases of the large columnar Eulychnia.

Hostería Chañaral, Chañaral (3*).

DAY 5

Near Taltal is located the scenic San Ramón gully where one of the most beautiful Copiapoa species is found, C. krainziana. If time allow, we will inspect the arid coast south of Taltal, towards Cinfunco looking for the local C. desertorum.

Cabañas Caleta Hueso, Taltal (3*).


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DAY 6: PAPOSO NATURE RESERVE
DAY 7: BOTIJA - EL COBRE

DAY 6

Paposo, is a biological hotspot of this barren coast. Here and some special topographic conditions, the Pacific bog accumulates creating spectacular growing conditions for cacti as well a huge number of other endemic vascular plants. Many birds occur in the area, including several endemic ones, which is a rarity, considering that their normal range ends several hundred miles southwards. Here we will be delighted to see the coastal stands of C. haseltoniana, C. taltalensis, C. eremophila and growing in the hills Eriosyce taltalensis, Eulychnia breviflora and Trichocereus deserticola.

Hostería Chañaral, Chañaral (3*).

DAY 7

Today we will make the impressive journey along the abrupt coast towards Antofagasta. The highlight here will be one of the most northerly species, Copiapoa solaris and one of the most local and critically endangered species such as C. ahremephiana and C. decorticans.

Hotel Radisson, Antofagasta (4*).


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DAY 8
END OF TRIP

We will take an early flight back to Santiago. Those continuing with the extension will head to Calama and San Pedro de Atacama.

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Extensions

HIGH ANDES EXTENSION

 

Day 1/8 • Flight to Calama
San Pedro de Atacama

Today we will fly to Calama. Later we shall drive to the pleasant village of San Pedro de Atacama, which will be our base for the following three nights. During the afternoon we will explore the impressive Valle de la Luna or Moon's Valley, and its salty, crusty formations. This silent place acquires very dramatic colors by sunset. We will climb a gentle hill in order to enjoy this grand spectacle, seen the fertile San Pedro oasis valley surrounded by the impressive, barren Atacama Desert plains.

Hostería San Pedro, San Pedro de Atacama (4*).

 

Day 2/9 • Chaxa Lake
Miscanti & Miñiques Lagoons

We shall visit Salar de Atacama, one of the largest saltpans in the world. The salar and its diatoms are a magnet for the flamingoes, this being one of the few places where you can observe up to three species; Puna, Chilean and James's, the latter being the rarest in the world. By noon we will visit the little stone village of Toconao with its unique constructions. This is a small pre-Hispanic settlement, and in the surrounding area we will find a selection of interesting petroglyphs. During the afternoon we will visit the impressive Lagunas Miscanti & Miñiques which hold one of the few breeding populations of the scarce Horned Coot. We might see herds of vicuñas around these lake agiant the magnificent mountain backdrop.

Hostería San Pedro, San Pedro de Atacama (4*).

 

Day 3/10 • El Tatio Geysers

Today we will explore the impressive El Tatio Geysers, located at an altitude of 13,800 feet (4,200 metres). This is one of the highest geyser fields in the world. Early in the morning we view a bizarre landscape filled with columns of steam, covered by cones of crystallized silica and other salts, and containing ponds of boiling pastel-colored mud. Surprisingly, some plants and animals are adapted to live in these extreme environments at the very limit of where life is possible.


Hostería San Pedro, San Pedro de Atacama (4*).

 

Day 4/11 • Flight to Santiago

By noon we will travel to Calama and take our flight to Santiago where our trip ends.

 

 

Cacti of the Atacama Desert can be combined with the following optional extension:

. Easter Island (5 days / 4 nights).
. Patagonia Explorer (8 days / 7 nights).

Dates & Prices

Main Trip:8 days / 7 nights.
High Andes Extension: 4 days / 3 nights.
Meet/Depart:Santiago, Chile.
Group Size:Maximum of 10 participants.

Main Trip: Sun Nov 2 - Nov 9, 2008
Post-Extension: Sun Nov 9 - Wed Nov 12, 2008

RATES:
TBA per person in double occupancy.
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement (TBA) will be added if single accommodations are requested or forced.

The trip price includes:
All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, plus park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes:
Tipping, travel insurance, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to La Serena / Antofagasta to Santiago?
Domestic flights Santiago - La Serena / Antofagasta- Santiago (approximately US$ XXX-XXX / £ XXX-XXX per person).
Duration of the flight: Santiago - La Serena (c. 1 hour) / Antofagasta - Santiago (c. 2.5 hours).



TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the FANTASTICO SUR registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 700 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 300 / £ 155 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 90 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.