Atacama Contact
Atacama Contact
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Welcome to the driest desert in the world, the Atacama. We want to share with you one of the most beautiful places in the world. We aim for every one of our excursions to be an unique experience, we take care to design them to provide you with intimate moments within nature. It's essential for us to create personal experiences allowing visitors to be in touch with the natural, social and cultural.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Shagun T
4 contributions
Aug 2022
My husband and I spent three days and two nights in San Pedro de Atacama. Starting with the planning of the trip to its conclusion, our experience with Pablo was exemplary. Before we booked with him, he patiently explained (he speaks Spanish, English, and French) what might be worth seeing in the time we had and customized the itinerary to fit our preferences. He didn’t do any sales pitch, or try to sell us additional packages. His outfit is no frills or luxury, but a comfortable, customized, and unique experience.
A few distinguishing things about Pablo:
Pablo knows and loves the Atacama Desert which shows in his great knowledge and understanding of the area, from naming each type of rock, shrub, bird, and animal as well as all the interesting sites. Pablo also took us to some lesser-known areas that were not visited by too many tourists. He respects nature and humans’ impact on nature which is important to us as well. He also knows a great deal about astronomy including naming and showing in the sky the location of more stars, planets, nebulas, and constellations than we ever knew about. He also would give us great geology lessons along the way by explaining various geological aspects that helped shaped the area.
He was thoughtful enough and brought us a bottle of wine and cheese to have at the end of our first day in the middle of the desert while we enjoyed a magical sunset with no one around. Pablo also picked us up and dropped us off at the Calama airport, and even waited for us at the airport to make sure we were checked in before he left.
If you want to intimately experience the real Atacama Desert without a throng of people in big vans with a friendly and highly knowledgeable person, we highly recommend Pablo.
Muchas gracias, Pablo! We hope to come back again!
A few distinguishing things about Pablo:
Pablo knows and loves the Atacama Desert which shows in his great knowledge and understanding of the area, from naming each type of rock, shrub, bird, and animal as well as all the interesting sites. Pablo also took us to some lesser-known areas that were not visited by too many tourists. He respects nature and humans’ impact on nature which is important to us as well. He also knows a great deal about astronomy including naming and showing in the sky the location of more stars, planets, nebulas, and constellations than we ever knew about. He also would give us great geology lessons along the way by explaining various geological aspects that helped shaped the area.
He was thoughtful enough and brought us a bottle of wine and cheese to have at the end of our first day in the middle of the desert while we enjoyed a magical sunset with no one around. Pablo also picked us up and dropped us off at the Calama airport, and even waited for us at the airport to make sure we were checked in before he left.
If you want to intimately experience the real Atacama Desert without a throng of people in big vans with a friendly and highly knowledgeable person, we highly recommend Pablo.
Muchas gracias, Pablo! We hope to come back again!
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYNY212
NY10 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Atacama contact made everything really easy for our mountaineering adventure. We asked for recommendations and they offered a range of curated thoughtful guided options for us to select from. I would encourage you to be honest with them on your skill level because they offer some one of a kind off the beaten path adventures but can absolutely match you with the right activity level. They will find you something incredibly special that you will remember forever. We did a full day hike at altitude and, Rafael made sure we had all the safety equipment we needed, and he had the experience, and knowledge to make it a once in a lifetime experience. I can't tell you how amazing this day was. To put this in perspective I am extremely selective and have been known to be quite critical. This was an incredible experience and Rafael was the best. Book with them communicate what you want and they will build you a very special day. Try and get Rafael he was the best!
Written October 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorie S
5 contributions
Jan 2023
My husband, friend and I had an amazing 3 days in the Atacama with Pablo. The wide open spaces, the volcanoes, the rock formations and geysers as well as the fauna and stars were even better than I had anticipated. And we had tacked on a trip to see petroglyphs, which were wonderful, as was the lunch he prepared for us that day..
We were continually impressed with Pablo's vast knowledge of almost every aspect of the Atacama Desert. Plus, he was a lot of fun!
As independent travelers, you never know quite what to expect with a private guide, but we were delighted with Atacama Contact.
We were continually impressed with Pablo's vast knowledge of almost every aspect of the Atacama Desert. Plus, he was a lot of fun!
As independent travelers, you never know quite what to expect with a private guide, but we were delighted with Atacama Contact.
Written March 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brian-brainz
4 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
Booked a custom tour over the phone and had a wonderful time (visited flamingoes in the salt flats as well as the moon valley for sunset). Our guides English was amazing and was also fluent in French. He was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the science of what made Atacama so beautiful. Highly recommend booking a tour.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ferrancibia
Santiago, Chile16 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Long weekend with the family, 3-day program with Atacama Contact in San Pedro de Atacama. Tailor-made, at our pace with our son with special needs, accompanied by an excellent guide (Claudio) and driver (Mauricio). Everything was perfect, also the lunches in nature in places that only someone with experience can know. Absolutely recommended
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna D
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful time with Pablo - he has a wealth of knowledge and expertise from photography, architecture, geology and astrology, to flora and fauna. Pablo ensured we experienced the more touristy areas at times when it was least busy. He produced wonderful picnics always using fresh, local produce and found us wonderful sites to enjoy the scenery always off the beaten track. I would highly recommend Pablo and Leo - a great team. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hettie E
6 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We were looking for a real outdoor experience, off grid. Not the offers made by those standard operators in town. So we found Pablo and Leo, who took us on a customised trekking in the beautiful area of Atacama Desert.
The entire time, they where super helpfull, relaxed and looking with us for solutions were nescessary.
What we absolutely loved, was their knowledge of nature, landscapes, they showed us the big range of diversity in rockformation and had this bright sense of humour.
We now know all about chachi and fox-poop. And these guys can cook (vegetarian) like crazy (#lilypower)!
How we say it in Dutch: “genieten”
Love Dorin en Hettie
The entire time, they where super helpfull, relaxed and looking with us for solutions were nescessary.
What we absolutely loved, was their knowledge of nature, landscapes, they showed us the big range of diversity in rockformation and had this bright sense of humour.
We now know all about chachi and fox-poop. And these guys can cook (vegetarian) like crazy (#lilypower)!
How we say it in Dutch: “genieten”
Love Dorin en Hettie
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee B
Perth, Australia19 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
San Pedro de Atacama was the final destination of our six week holiday in South America and was a true hidden treasure. What an amazing place. Francisca our English (& French & Spanish) speaking guide and Ivan our bus driver were outstanding. They planned two and a half fabulous & different days of adventures - salt lakes, rainbow valley, geyers, hot springs, ,luna landscape, beautiful sunsets and spectacular night sky.. Francisca was welcoming and friendly as well as very knowledgeable, nothing was too much trouble. Ivan our skilled driver spoilt us with sunset nibbles & drinks, a lovely breakfast - the best hot chocolate, and on our final day a delicious lunch in rainbow valley. San Pedro de Atacama is a must see destination call Francisca at Atacama Contact. You won't be disappointed.
Written August 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Lee,
Thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure to have your group and you are all welcome any time. I hope you got the hat back in Australia alright, let me know.
Written September 1, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sandi h
Perth, Australia10 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
San Pedro de Atacama was an afterthought add on to our five week holiday across South America. Now it's all we talk about. What an amazing place. There were nine of us all friends with one and a half days of excursions organised. So with our other day and a half we decided to engage the help of our tour guide Francisca to plan some extra outings. She came back with a few ideas so we took her advise and did them all. We just couldn't get enough of the fantastic landscape and views. The history as rich as we had experienced anywhere else in SA. Francisca was not only fun, interesting experienced and able to take us off the beaten track, she was backed up by an incredibly competent driver Ivan. We had breakfast prepared from the back of the van at Tatio Geysers, lunch under the shade of a big rock in Rainbow Valley and even climbed a rough track to some Inca ruins few would be able to see. We were so well looked after I am telling anyone who will listen, go to San Pedro and call Francisca at Atacama Contact. You won't be disappointed.
Written August 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words Sandi. It was a pleasure for us to have you guys as well!
Written August 3, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jean-Claude L
Stanford, CA29 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I spent 6 days in the San Pedro de Atacama area in August. San Pedro is of limited interest and full of noisy tourists. The surroundings are extraordinary, but traditional tours only go to a few places, all at the same times, hence bringing huge crowds. Instead, I used the service of Pablo Garcia, the founder of Atacama Contact. Pablo is a climber and a mountain lover. He knows the area extremely well. He took me to spectacular places with no or few tourists. Amazingly, we even visited the Geysers del Tatio with ZERO tourists. We went there in the late afternoon, whereas tours come in the early morning (tours tell that the steam of the geysers is most impressive in the morning, but it is as impressive in the evening whenthe light is even more beautiful). Pablo is also an accomplished photographer. Over many years, he has identified gorgeous viewpoints that few other people know, even local people. I have greatly enjoyed my 6 days with Pablo.
Written July 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Jean-Claude,
I greatly enjoyed our conversations.
Written July 5, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No reviews since 2017 - are you still in business?
Written November 3, 2019
Yes we are in business, we asked people to make review when we started the TripAdvisor site. After getting some reviews we stopped bothering clients asking them to write them. We manage the business through the website and e-mail we only did this trip advisor listing for transparency so people can complain or praise us, to give our clients more confidence.
Written June 18, 2020
We have a trip planned to San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago. After the earthquake Tuesday morning we got notified about the yellow alert for Lascar Volcano. We are worried about traveling there due to the higher risk. We were going on Sunday April 15. Can you give us your advice? Thanks
Written April 11, 2018
Volcanic eruptions of the Lascar volcano still allow lots of different activities, it is not dangerous unless you are climbing it.
Written June 18, 2020
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