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Step away from the busy circuits of the Atacama and follow a lesser-known canyon trail from Puritama Hot Springs into Purilibre. This moderate high-plateau trek pairs geological variety with quiet Andean landscapes.
Step away from the busy circuits of the Atacama and follow a lesser-known canyon trail from Puritama Hot Springs into Purilibre. This moderate high-plateau trek pairs geological variety with quiet Andean landscapes.
Steam lifts briefly from the Puritama pools as the small group gathers, backpacks clicking shut and guide checking boots. You move away from the carved terraces around the springs and descend into a high plateau canyon where the air thins and silence stretches like a horizon.
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Operated by Andes Travel · San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
Steam lifts briefly from the Puritama pools as the small group gathers, backpacks clicking shut and guide checking boots. You move away from the carved terraces around the springs and descend into a high plateau canyon where the air thins and silence stretches like a horizon.
This route follows a centuries-old passage through volcanic rock and compacted alluvial fans—landforms shaped by ancient eruptions and intermittent Andean torrents. Vegetation is sparse but purposeful: tufts of yareta and thorny shrubs, occasional queñoa groves at higher pockets. The trail threads natural viewpoints and sculpted rock walls, offering angled light that reveals layers of oxidized minerals and cemented sediments.
Culture here belongs to the Lickan Antay (Atacameño) people; stone pathways and small water channels recall traditional water management in an arid landscape. The hike is an exercise in restraint—nature dares you to slow down, to notice the canyon’s small life and the cold clarity of the sky.
Practical details: expect a moderate 6–8 km out-and-back with roughly 200–400 m cumulative elevation change on uneven dirt trails and occasional loose scree. Altitude hovers in the high-plateau range—bring layers and move at a steady pace. The tour includes transit from San Pedro de Atacama and a walking ration snack; guides handle route-finding so navigation is low-tech but the footing demands attention.
Timing matters—start in morning light to avoid afternoon gusts and to keep the return comfortable. Hydrate early, protect from sun and wind, and leave room for quiet: the reward is a stretch of Andean edge that feels reclaimed by the land itself.
The route is rated moderate—short steep sections and uneven footing make it suitable for hikers with some prior day-hike experience; guides keep the pace manageable.
Yes—altitudes are on the high Andean plateau. Allow time in San Pedro to acclimate and report symptoms to your guide; the tour expects moderate fitness.
The tour supplies a walking ration (fruit, energy bar, juice) and transportation; you should still carry personal water and extra snacks if you need more.
The tour returns to Caracoles near the town center; from there most accommodations are an easy walk or a short taxi ride.
Andes Travel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Steam lifts briefly from the Puritama pools as the small group gathers, backpacks clicking shut and guide checking boots. You move away from the carved terraces around the springs and descend into a high plateau canyon where the air thins and silence stretches like a horizon.
Steam lifts briefly from the Puritama pools as the small group gathers, backpacks clicking shut and guide checking boots. You move away from the carved terraces around the springs and descend into a high plateau canyon where the air thins and silence stretches like a horizon.
This route follows a centuries-old passage through volcanic rock and compacted alluvial fans—landforms shaped by ancient eruptions and intermittent Andean torrents. Vegetation is sparse but purposeful: tufts of yareta and thorny shrubs, occasional queñoa groves at higher pockets. The trail threads natural viewpoints and sculpted rock walls, offering angled light that reveals layers of oxidized minerals and cemented sediments.
Culture here belongs to the Lickan Antay (Atacameño) people; stone pathways and small water channels recall traditional water management in an arid landscape. The hike is an exercise in restraint—nature dares you to slow down, to notice the canyon’s small life and the cold clarity of the sky.
Practical details: expect a moderate 6–8 km out-and-back with roughly 200–400 m cumulative elevation change on uneven dirt trails and occasional loose scree. Altitude hovers in the high-plateau range—bring layers and move at a steady pace. The tour includes transit from San Pedro de Atacama and a walking ration snack; guides handle route-finding so navigation is low-tech but the footing demands attention.
Timing matters—start in morning light to avoid afternoon gusts and to keep the return comfortable. Hydrate early, protect from sun and wind, and leave room for quiet: the reward is a stretch of Andean edge that feels reclaimed by the land itself.