Hiking and Rappelling in Salto del Chintaguay

The gorges of the Atacama Desert are notable, particularly the Salto del Chintaguay gorge, where a trekking route and a rappelling activity are available.

Hiking and Rappelling in Salto del Chintaguay

Pick-up is at your hotel in Pica, followed by a 4x4 vehicle ride to Salto del Chintaguay in the Tamarugal Pampa. The trip begins with a ride to a hilltop for panoramic views of the Atacama Desert. The medium-difficulty hike through the gorge covers approximately 2 kilometers (1.25 miles).

Participants will ascend 70 meters (230 feet) to a viewpoint for scenic views of the Salto del Chintaguay gorge. Snacks provided include an energy bar, chocolate, nuts, fruit, and a choice of tea or coffee. The hike continues along the ravine's edge, featuring pre-Columbian pictograms.

After the trek, the 4x4 will return you to your hotel in Pica, approximately four hours after pickup.

Add a Rappelling Experience

For an enhanced experience, consider the option for rappelling in the Salto del Chintaguay. This starts with the trekking route followed by a 7-meter (23 feet) descent. Participants will then walk along the ravine before engaging in an additional rappel of 5 meters (16.5 feet). After viewing the gorge's pre-Columbian pictographs, the return to your hotel in Pica occurs five hours after pickup.