Hiking and Rappelling in Salto del Chintaguay

The gorges of the Atacama Desert offer a unique exploration opportunity through the Salto del Chintaguay gorge with an option for rappelling.

Hiking and Rappelling in Salto del Chintaguay

Pickup is available from your hotel in Pica at your chosen time, followed by a 4x4 journey to Salto del Chintaguay in the Tamarugal Pampa. The excursion begins with a visit to a hilltop for panoramic views of the Atacama Desert. The medium-difficulty hiking route is approximately 2 kilometers (1.25 miles).

During the hike, participants will ascend 70 meters (230 feet) to a viewpoint featuring scenic vistas of the gorge. A break will be taken for a snack, including an energy bar, chocolate, nuts, and fruit, with options for tea or coffee.

The trek continues along the ravine's edge, where pre-Columbian pictograms will be observed and interpreted. The tour concludes with a return to the starting point and a return trip to your hotel, estimated to take four hours after pickup.

Add a Rappelling Experience

For an enhanced adventure, a booking option for rappelling in Salto del Chintaguay is recommended. This includes the initial trekking route followed by a 7-meter (23 feet) rappel.

After the rappel, a short walk along the ravine will be followed by an additional rappel of 5 meters (16.5 feet). The tour concludes with a review of the pre-Columbian pictographs before returning to your hotel in Pica, approximately five hours after pickup.