"LAGUNA LEJÍA & THE DEEP ALTIPLANO" PREMIUM Tour

"LAGUNA LEJÍA & THE DEEP ALTIPLANO" PREMIUM Tour

LAGUNA LEJÍA & THE DEEP ALTIPLANO IN SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE: Escape the ordinary and venture deep into one of the most remote and untouched regions of the Chilean Altiplano. This exclusive expedition takes you far beyond the traditional tourist routes, revealing a landscape where towering volcanoes, pristine lagoons, endless salt flats, and vast high-altitude plains create one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Atacama Desert. Our adventure begins early in the morning as we leave San Pedro de Atacama behind and gradually ascend into the spectacular Andean highlands. Along the way, the scenery transforms dramatically as colorful mountains, ancient lava fields, and immense volcanic formations accompany our journey through one of the highest inhabited regions on Earth.

Our main destination is the extraordinary Laguna Lejía, a hidden jewel nestled at the foot of the imposing Lascar Volcano. Located at nearly 4,300 meters (14,100 ft) above sea level, this pristine lagoon offers an unforgettable setting where turquoise waters perfectly reflect the snow-dusted peaks surrounding it. Its peaceful atmosphere, combined with the absolute silence of the Altiplano, creates an almost surreal experience that few travelers ever discover. As we continue exploring the Deep Altiplano, you'll travel through vast open landscapes rarely visited by conventional tours. Massive volcanic chains, colorful mineral formations, ancient salt deposits, and spectacular geological features reveal the extraordinary forces that shaped this unique corner of the Andes over millions of years.

The region is also home to remarkable wildlife. Throughout the journey, it is common to encounter graceful vicuñas grazing across the plains, elegant flamingos feeding in high-altitude wetlands, Andean foxes, rheas, and an impressive variety of native birds that thrive in this extreme yet fascinating environment. To complete the experience, we'll stop in a privileged natural setting to enjoy a delicious outdoor breakfast or lunch surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in northern Chile. Every stop along the route offers exceptional opportunities for photography, allowing you to capture the incredible colors, textures, and contrasts that make the Atacama Desert one of the world's greatest natural wonders.

Designed for travelers seeking authentic experiences beyond the usual destinations, this full-day expedition combines breathtaking scenery, remarkable geology, unique wildlife, and the peaceful solitude of one of the last truly untouched landscapes in South America. Discover the hidden beauty of Laguna Lejía & The Deep Altiplano and experience one of the most exclusive adventures San Pedro de Atacama has to offer.

Itinerary

• Discover one of the least explored regions of the Atacama Desert on an exclusive journey through the remote Chilean Altiplano. Far from the traditional tourist routes, this expedition invites you to experience the Andes in their purest form, surrounded by majestic volcanoes, pristine lagoons, colorful salt flats, and extraordinary wildlife. It is the perfect adventure for travelers seeking authentic landscapes, absolute tranquility, and a deeper connection with nature.
• Our day begins before sunrise as we depart from San Pedro de Atacama and gradually ascend into the spectacular Andean highlands. As we leave civilization behind, the scenery changes dramatically, revealing vast volcanic plains illuminated by the first golden light of the day. Along the route, we'll pass through the small village of Talabre, where visitors contribute a local community entrance fee before continuing into one of the most isolated areas of northern Chile.
• Beyond Talabre, mobile phone coverage disappears completely, allowing you to disconnect from everyday life and immerse yourself in one of the quietest and most pristine environments in the Andes. To ensure your safety throughout the journey, our guides are equipped with satellite communication while you simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery unfolding before your eyes.
• Our first destination is the spectacular Laguna Lejía, located at more than 4,300 meters (14,100 ft) above sea level beneath the imposing Lascar Volcano. On calm mornings, the lagoon becomes a perfect natural mirror, reflecting the surrounding volcanic peaks while the fumaroles of Lascar — the most active volcano in northern Chile — rise dramatically into the crisp mountain air. This unforgettable setting provides the perfect location to enjoy a delicious outdoor breakfast surrounded by one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the Atacama Desert.
• Continuing deeper into the Altiplano, we'll explore the impressive Aguas Calientes II Salt Flat, where dazzling white salt formations contrast beautifully with the intense reds, browns, and ochre tones of the volcanic terrain. The area is also home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including flamingos, vicuñas, Andean foxes, and numerous native bird species that thrive in this unique high-altitude ecosystem.
• Our adventure continues to one of the region's hidden geological treasures: the spectacular Overo Crater. This ancient volcanic crater surprises visitors with its vibrant mineral colors and dramatic volcanic formations. Thanks to our specially equipped 4x4 vehicle, you'll have the rare opportunity to reach one of the most fascinating extinct volcanic craters in the Chilean Andes with exceptional comfort.
• After a day filled with unforgettable scenery, remarkable geology, and incredible wildlife encounters, we'll return to San Pedro de Atacama in the early afternoon. To conclude this extraordinary experience, you'll enjoy a delicious homemade lunch in a peaceful garden setting, the perfect ending to one of the most exclusive and least-traveled adventures the Atacama Desert has to offer.

Includes

• Guide service in Spanish and English.
• Pick-up from your accommodation,
• Talabre entrance fee.
• Breakfast.
• Lunch.

Note: Our PREMIUM collective excursion service provides personalized attention and the expertise of highly experienced tour guides, designed for groups from 1 up to a maximum of 9 passengers. This tour operates daily with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Does not include

• Tips and gratuities.
• Professional guide in French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. If you would like a guide in these languages, please request one in advance and pay an extra fee, subject to availability.
• Other services not described in the program.

Estimated Schedule:

• Pick-up: Between 5:00 AM - 5:30 AM from accommodations located within the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama.
• Estimated Return: Approximately 2:00 PM, subject to weather conditions, road conditions, visit durations, and daily operational coordination.
• Approximate Duration: 10.00 hours - 10.30 hours.

Transportation available for this excursion:

• 1 to 4 passengers: Toyota Hiace, Toyota 4Runner, or Toyota Hilux.
• 5 to 7 passengers: Toyota Hiace or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
• 8 to 12 passengers: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. (Shared services accommodate a maximum of 9 passengers.)

Availability:

This excursion does not operate with daily departures, as tour availability depends on several factors, including seasonal weather conditions, actual availability and minimum passenger requirements.

• December 25 and January 1: The excursion does not operate due to national holidays.

Reservation Deadline:

• We strongly recommend booking this excursion as early as possible. Ideally, reservations should be confirmed at least 10 days prior to the scheduled departure date, with no further reconfirmation required.
• As the operation of this excursion is subject to daily availability and operational conditions, bookings made less than 10 days before departure will be subject to confirmation. In such cases, the local operator reserves the right to decline the reservation if the minimum number of participants required to operate the excursion is not met.

Important Note:

Our agency strongly recommends that passengers follow an appropriate sightseeing schedule based on altitude levels. This gradual acclimatization helps the body adapt more comfortably to the region’s elevation and significantly reduces the risk of altitude-related discomfort during the trip. We recommend the following:

• High-altitude excursions should be scheduled from the second day of your stay onward. Our suggested order is: Piedras Rojas & Altiplanic Lagoons first, followed by El Tatio Geysers, and finally the Salt Flats Route, which reaches the highest elevations.
• For passengers continuing their journey to Uyuni, we strongly recommend completing at least two high-altitude excursions in San Pedro de Atacama before traveling to Bolivia in order to facilitate proper acclimatization.
• For volcano ascents, we recommend a minimum of three full days of acclimatization in San Pedro de Atacama. Guests should ideally complete the region’s higher-altitude excursions before attempting trekking activities such as Cerro Toco or Láskar Volcano.

Following these recommendations will help ensure a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable experience while exploring the Atacama Desert and the surrounding Altiplano region.

Notes:

• Level of difficulty: LOW.
• Maximum elevation during the excursion: 4,500 m.a.s.l. (meters above sea level).
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Basic fitness level is sufficient. No trekking experience required. Suitable for most active travelers.
• Recommended minimum age: There is no official regulation that prohibits or restricts minors from participating in this excursion. However, our agency does not recommend the participation of infants or young children due to the long travel distances, the nature of the terrain, the desert's weather conditions, and the limited access to medical facilities, as the nearest hospital is located approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama.
• Children's rates: No special child fare applies. Under Chilean law, all minors must travel using an approved child restraint system or safety seat, occupying an individual seat inside the vehicle. Therefore, all children are charged the full adult fare.
• The activity takes place in a remote area with no shelter or restroom facilities available. Weather conditions may change rapidly, and stop durations may vary accordingly.
• Excursion days and schedules may vary depending on the season, weather conditions, and the groups forming.
• The pickup and return times depend on the season and will be confirmed upon booking confirmation.