Ruta De Los Salares Guided Tour: An Honest Look

San Pedro de Atacama, a place with some out-of-this-world scenery in Chile, has so much to offer, but with all those choices, picking the right tour can feel like an uphill climb, almost like trying to find your way through a maze! So, right now I’m going to get into one particular tour, Ruta De Los Salares, which is meant to show you some super fantastic salt flats and the high-altitude scenery around there. You know, hopefully, after going through what I experienced, it will be easier for you to decide if it’s up your street, or not.

What Ruta De Los Salares is all About

So, the Ruta De Los Salares tour, it takes you way up into the Andes, and that way you get to witness a bunch of spectacular landscapes. These sights, they usually have bright blue lagoons, huge, impressive salt flats, plus, that chance to glimpse some wildlife living their lives up at high elevation. The whole point, really, is to show people the awesome raw beauty of the Atacama Desert beyond the very well-known spots, like the Valley of the Moon, or the Tatio Geysers. In effect, you could say the tour promises something much more remote, well off that usual tourist track, and something quite a bit more challenging to reach all on your own.

Most tour companies, they usually leave from San Pedro early, somewhere round 7 in the morning-ish, and then get back in the late afternoon, sometime around 6 in the evening-ish. Expect a long day because of all the driving. Normally you are bundled into a 4×4 because that’s what you need to actually handle the pretty rough roads, particularly once you’re higher up in the mountains.

What is usually included in the trip cost? Usually you can anticipate things like transport in a 4×4 of course, a guide who speaks both Spanish and English, and usually, lunch too, or at the very least, like, a packed lunch kind of affair. Just you should check what you’re booking to know what’s actually covered. What you are quite likely going to have to pay for yourself are park entrance fees (sometimes they sting you with those) and any drinks, plus snacks on the way.

Stunning Spots on the Salt Route

You’ll see many absolutely spectacular things on this trip! Just, where you go usually can change a little bit based on the tour group and weather. Although, you almost certainly should count on some of the real big hitters. Okay, so Salar de Talar is one such spot, picture an awesome salt flat framed all around by crazy-looking volcanoes; it feels kind of like being on some alien planet, or something. Its crazy stillness and these like, mind-blowing views, really just get to you, you know?

Then there’s Laguna Tuyajto, way, way up high, that at about 13,000 feet, this is something to behold. Very striking because the bright blue water, contrasts big time with the stark desert around it. Loads of people take pictures, mirroring shots they’ve seen. You should check out the local wildlife, specifically, the Andean flamingos.

Salar de Aguas Calientes, this gives you more wild vistas, and maybe another flamingo sighting. All these stops have seriously breathtaking views of those crazy high-altitude landscapes, I think they are the tour’s selling points.

Getting Ready for Your Salt Flat Adventure

This bit is really so, so vital! If you’re going on this tour, being properly prepared can change everything, it could literally make or break that entire trip, it seems to me. So first off: that altitude. That Atacama Desert is high, very high! You can find yourself short of breath and potentially dizzy if you aren’t acclimatized to the height before heading out there.

It’s a great idea to give yourself, like, a couple of days hanging around San Pedro de Atacama before going on a tour. This gives your body the time to adjust gradually. Drink heaps of water, really easy does it on day one, skip very strenuous activities, and listen very carefully to what your body’s telling you, you know?

Pack for all types of weather; Atacama can change without notice. Layering is super important! Wear clothes so you can add or peel off layers. Bring that hat and sunglasses. And then lots, and lots, and lots of sunblock because the sun there is unforgiving! In addition, wear closed-toe footwear because the terrain can be uneven.

Altitude sickness, very real. Many of those hotels in San Pedro sell coca tea (mate de coca), and it may, or may not work for you, it might be worth trying! Those headaches, or feelings of faintness, don’t ignore them, tell that tour guide so that he can do what he can to help. Being in shape helps to prepare for this trek.

The Good, The Bad, and that Ugly

Let’s run through a few things, from what I observed on the ground. What’s good? No question about those views! Absolutely unbelievable. Experiencing landscapes is the primary point of these adventures, this one especially brings the goods on that promise. Plus, most guides really do put the effort in and speak fluent English and Spanish, giving pretty good explanations all the way around. Plus, you see, many, if not most people report a certain feeling of isolation, a long way from everything on those tours, just the thing for some introspection, and taking stock.

Those parts that could have gone better, what about those? Okay, some people feel very rushed at specific spots. I would say so much is packed into that one day that you could always use more time just to stop and be quiet for a moment, and just soak it all in. Then again, that is tours. Road quality isn’t amazing and it can be super bumpy, and rather uncomfortable on occasion. Those things can affect anyone with bad backs or other mobility problems. So many reviews, do comment on very basic lunches. The food generally, it sounds functional more than luxurious, okay?

Other Points to Think About

The kind of company you book your tour with does actually change the feel of that experience. Big agencies, those well-known brands in San Pedro, they often have very reliable transport and their tours, they operate to tight schedules. Though sometimes, that means less flexibility.

Then there are smaller outfits that may be a little more easy-going but they may or may not be so predictable. Getting some solid recommendations, could be from fellow travelers, it is a top idea when you try to pick.

You should also look at prices closely; I am saying prices differ a bit. What you get and how far in advance you book; these often change costs. Do double check absolutely everything that’s covered.

Check eco-friendliness. Loads of tours in areas like the Atacama Desert, really need you, me, us to support companies that show dedication towards sustainable practices to minimize what effect tourism does on that environment.

Another important factor; what that group size is. Going on tours, on those big buses with what seems like half the world, compared with more personal experiences, when that party is smaller: feels worlds apart, doesn’t it?

For you to be certain the tour completely fits you, double check if what that agency tells you regarding things such as wheelchair access, food preferences is absolutely all correct. What can they do?

Is that Ruta De Los Salares trip for You?

Right then, summing up, so you get to weigh everything up yourself: Should you actually spend that time and money and energy going on that Ruta De Los Salares trip? Right then, what are you after on the vacation? Is it awesome views and wild scenery? And can you actually cope with that altitude and long day of travel? If the answer is yes to those things, then, as a matter of fact, the answer will likely be yes, that tour is for you.

Anyone really keen to see what that Atacama is made of away from everything will see so much on that Ruta De Los Salares. Just make certain to plan ahead regarding what’s necessary; altitude, suitable gear and expectations: that’s going to mean you squeeze every last drop of what’s possible out of your adventure!

There you go: hope this look into things assists you while arranging things out there! The Atacama is something completely different.

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