Option 1: Trek to San Bartolo Village
After breakfast, tour the the
Museo Arqueológico Padre Gustavo Le Paige, the extraordinary archaeological museum of
Padre Gustavo Le Paige. Among its many artifacts (more than 300,000 archeological pieces from various pre-hispanic cultures) are rows of amazingly well preserved mummies, including the one known as
Miss Chile.
Next, follow up the archaelogical data with a three km hike to the 12th century Pukara de Quitor National Monument and another two km to Catarpe, to see what may have been an Incan Administrative Center for the region.
Continue the trek to San Bartolo village along a scenic canyon. Set up camp and spend the night here.
Tip:
You can drive, ride a bicycle or a horse instead of walking, returning to San Pedro instead of camping overnight.
Option 2: San Pedro de Atacama to Machuca and Rio Grande
After an early breakfast, you'll head north from
San Pedro towards the village of
Machuca (3,600 m). From there, hike for the next five hours over uneven terrain, through the Machuca salt marshes, and down a shallow valley to
Peñaliri. From there you'll trace a stream along an ancient Indian route over terraced fields to the town of
Rio Grande, where farmers and shepherds maintain ancestral customs. Following a picnic lunch, drive back to San Pedro, stopping along the way to visit the
Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs. You'll have a choice of restaurants and activities for your overnights stay in San Pedro.
