The desert Salar de Atacama, the volcanoes to it's east and the highland (Altiplano) is one of the most spectacular areas of the world. There you can find not only the hiighest active volcano on earth, Llullaillaco with an altitude of 6739 m, there is also the active Lascar (5600 m) and the beautiful cone of Licancabur (5916 m). Further south is the highest non active volcano Nevado Ojos del Salado with 6887 m.
Our first destination will be Tatio with geysirs and hot springs, followed with the hikes up Lascar, San Pedro, San Pablo and finally Llullaillaco and Nevao Ojos. In between we will visit the saltkakes, hosting two species of flamingos.

Demands and travelcomfort:
This expediton is for adventurers, alpinists and for those, who love the desert. The volcano hikes are difficult with ice technics. The altitude is tramendous and needs preperations. Hiking time will be as much as 15 hours for some summit hikes. Life and hygiene will be very basic during the days out of hotels. Check with your doctor, if this circumstances (hiking in high altitudes) are ok with your physical conditions.
Note: All participants of this expedition have their own responsibility due to danger of volcanic activity, the desert in general and the altitude.

Experiences by Chris Weber, your tour leader:
I have visited the Atacama in April 1993 and 2004. The have explored the area around San Perdo (Tatio and the Valley de la luna) and I have climbed Licancabur and Lascar. In May 2004 I have climed successfully the volcano Nevado Ojos (6893 m), the highest non active volcano on earth.

Images below: 4x4wheel is essential, view to Ojos; hike to the summit Images Above: view to Llullaillaco (4000 m); camp 2 (6000 m); Inca ruins near the summit.

Travel shedule:

We have to give a deadline for conferming your participation 6 month before traveltime. This is due to a safe planing and a chance for those, who are eventually on the waiting list.
Necessary documents and vaccinations:
- A passport good for at least half a year when entering Chile is required.
- A visa is not needed for Germans, but maybe for other nationalitys. If needed, it should be replyed at least 4 weeks before the arrival in Chile at the embassy in your country.
- A valuable yellowfeever vaccination is required for entering the country if you have been in an infected area just before the expedition. We recomment also Hepatitis A (eventually B), Thyphus, Polio and Tetanus.
Customs declaration:
All film and foto aquipment has to be declared by entering and leaving the country.

The costs
of a participation will be given more precise half a year before departure. It will depent on the rate for a US$ to other related currencies (Euro, Peso) and some local costs (for example petrol) , which can be not exactly calculated at that stage.

Included on our tour: Transport of the group in 4xwheel cars and buses; local flights from Stgo to Calama and from Copiapo to Stgo; overnight in the hotels (x) standard double room or single doublerooms depending on your boodking; full board; local staff; insurance to cancel the tour in case of health problems; entrance fees; permits; most tips.
(x) If accommedation in one particular hotel is not availiable, equal accomplishment will be given. Further more we reserve the right to change the program if necessary.

Not included achievements:
Journey (flights) to/from Chile (Stgo); payments for a visa; departure- and airport-tax; your personal shopping and expenditures; alkoholic drinks; all other things not included in the achievements of VEI.

Detailed tour maps will be given at a later stage.

Special Equipment:

Powersupply for video, computers and light. All these systems should be fully charged before leaving your home country and again before leaving in the desert. We will bring on 12V (36AH) accumulator with the 4xWeel car and a solar charging system (12V). Think of batteries for your tourch.

General Travel Equipment:

The list of basic travel equipment, which we will hand over to you at a later point, is based on our experiences and is to be understood as a support of your planning.