A Perfect Atacama Desert Trip
Chile | Jan 11 - Jan 18, 2023

Eric
Eric H.
Tualatin, OR | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2023

The core of our trip was seeing the Atacama Desert and visiting its important sites. Lorena was excellent in tailoring our plans to suit our interests and time-frame. Transit arrangement to and from Santiago were flawless and out hotel in san Pedro de Atacama was perfect as a quiet, high quality location to venture from. Accommodations at the Don Tomas were comfortable and the food was fresh tasting with touches of originality. There are dozens of tour operators in San Pedro, but I felt that Lorena had selected the best of the best for our trip. We did five tours in four days and all were excellent: stargazing, the Tatio geysers, Piedras Royas & the salt flats, Valle de la Luna, and the Puritana canyon trek.

Hotel Review
Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás
San Pedro de Atacama

The Don Tomas is an oasis within the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. The accommodations are comfortable and tastefully decorated. Coffee, tea, or water--plain or infused--are always available. The breakfast offers the usual array of continental and American items, all arranged beautifully. On the lunch and dinner menus, offering all have a local slant, both veggie and non-veg. I especially liked the fresh ingredients in the salads and highly recommend the Oriental pasta for its earthly richness. One caveat: for a pre-breakfast start on your tour, the take away sack lunch is rudimentary at best.

Authenticity & Character
Once inside the gates, you feel like you are in an charming oasis.
Location
It is a 10 minute walk to the center of town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Stargazing Tour
Stargazing Tour
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puritama Canyon Trek
Puritama Canyon Trek
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats & Lagoons
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats & Lagoons
San Pedro de Atacama

This tour provides a wonderful experience of the immense salt flats seen from the red rocks, the "piedras royas." The lagoons are beautiful deep blue lakes at the base of volcanoes. A chance to view flamingoes in a reserve comes at the end, as a fitting culmination.

Quality of Experience
Food
The lunch we had was unique: a green salad with veggies and chicken in a Mason jar. Oil and vinegar were there to season to taste. I loved it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour of Tatio Geysers
Tour of Tatio Geysers
San Pedro de Atacama

This tour is not to be missed. After a very early start, you arrive at sunrise at one of the largest geyser fields in the world. all in a very dramatic setting at 11,000 feet. The earth seems alive with steam vents and roiling geysers. Although below freezing, the ground is warm to the touch.

Quality of Experience
Food
It was great to have fresh scrambled eggs to go with the usual breakfast fare. Kudos!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Jan 27, 2023

You are so kind... thanks Eric! I hope Shirley will be able to see Chile through your photos as she embarks on her own inside journey. I'll keep her and son in my thoughts. Atacama is a beautiful location and I am super happy you were able to enjoy your trip.
All the best,
Lorena