May 2027
INTO MARS
Immerse Yourself in the Atacama Desert
This is not a typical tour of the desert. It is an invitation to slow down, disconnect from the noise and immerse yourself in one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth.
For 5 days, we will explore the Atacama Desert through movement, food, nature and the people who call this place home.
We’ll ride horses across vast desert landscapes, cycle through ancient canyons on electric bikes, float in high-altitude lagoons, soak in natural hot springs, visit altiplanic lagoons and watch the colours of the Andes change as the sun disappears behind the desert.
But Into Mars is not about ticking places off a list.
It is about feeling them.
We’ll come together around the table, from dining at incredible restaurants to sharing a meal in a local home and experiencing the culture behind the food. We’ll meet local people, hear their stories and discover a side of Atacama that goes far beyond its famous landscapes.
We travel in a small group of no more than 10 people and stay in beautiful places, strategically located so you have the freedom to explore. We take care of the logistics so you can be fully present.
Welcome to Mars.
Expedition Details
WHY INTO MARS?
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WHY INTO MARS? *
Atacama can easily become a checklist:
Valle de la Luna.
Salt flats.
Altiplanic lagoons.
Hot springs.
We want to experience it differently.
Through local eyes.
To hear their stories, experience their culture, taste their food and connect through outdoor sports and around the table, sharing beautiful meals.
This is the Do Local way of experiencing the desert.
INTO MARS
Upcoming dates
5 days 7 nights
Trip duration
May 2027
THREE MOMENTS YOU’LL REMEMBER
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RIDE INTO THE DESERT
Leave San Pedro behind on horseback and watch civilisation slowly disappear. Surrounded by rock formations, volcanoes and endless desert, we’ll explore the landscape with local guides before stopping to enjoy a moment together in the middle of nowhere.
No traffic. No notifications. Just horses, desert and the Andes.
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RIDE THROUGH ANOTHER PLANET
One of our favourite ways to experience Atacama is on two wheels. We’ll jump on electric bikes and ride towards the dramatic landscapes surrounding San Pedro, including the area around Garganta del Diablo.
Dusty trails. Red rock. Big skies. And landscapes that genuinely feel like another planet.
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EAT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THIS HOME
Some of the most memorable travel experiences happen around a table. Rather than only eating in restaurants, we want to spend time with local hosts and experience Atacama through their food, stories and traditions. We’ll share a meal in a local setting and learn about life in the desert from someone who actually lives it.
Because discovering a place means meeting its people.
THE JOURNEY
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Calama → San Pedro de Atacama
Our Do Local team will meet you at Calama Airport and take you to San Pedro de Atacama, where the desert adventure begins.
After settling into our boutique lodge, we’ll come together for a welcome dinner to meet the group, our Local Legends and introduce the journey ahead.
Highlights: Welcome dinner · Boutique stay · Meet your Local Legends
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Salt Lagoons · Valle de la Luna · Horseback Riding
We’ll start the day with breakfast in the wilderness, surrounded by the salt lagoons and vast desert landscapes.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll explore Valle de la Luna before jumping on horseback for a sunset ride through the desert.
We’ll stop somewhere special along the way for an alfresco moment and make our own pisco sours as the sun goes down.
Highlights: Salt lagoons · Valle de la Luna · Horseback riding · Pisco sour alfresco
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E-Bikes · Garganta del Diablo · Puritama Hot Springs
Today we explore Atacama on two wheels, riding electric bikes through the incredible rock formations and trails of Garganta del Diablo.
After the ride, we’ll swap dust for water and head towards Puritama for lunch surrounded by the canyon and a well-earned soak in the thermal waters.
We’ll return to San Pedro with free time to wander through town, explore its little shops and enjoy the afternoon at your own pace.
Highlights: E-bike adventure · Garganta del Diablo · Puritama Hot Springs · San Pedro
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Altiplanic Lagoons · Salt Flats · Local Culture
We’ll travel high into the Andes to discover Atacama’s altiplanic lagoons, salt flats, volcanoes, wildlife and some of the most surreal landscapes of the expedition.
Along the way, we’ll share a meal with a local host and learn about their food, traditions and connection to the desert.
We’ll finish the day watching the sunset surrounded by flamingos and the colours of the altiplano.
Highlights: Altiplanic lagoons · Salt flats · Local home experience · Flamingos · Sunset
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Sunrise · Sandboarding · Farewell
One last adventure before returning to Earth.
We’ll wake up early to watch the desert come alive at sunrise, followed by breakfast somewhere special in the landscape.
Then it’s time for one final hit of adventure: sandboarding through the dunes of Atacama.
Afterwards, we’ll return to San Pedro for time to shower, pack and slow down before coming together for our final meal — good food, Chilean wine, photos from the journey and one last toast to Mars.
Then, it’s time to head back to Calama Airport.
Highlights: Desert sunrise · Sandboarding · Farewell meal · Expedition memories.
MORE DETAILS
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Boutique stays. Local character. A proper place to come home to.
After spending the day outside, where you sleep matters. Our base in San Pedro will be a carefully selected boutique lodge that reflects the landscape around it while giving us the comfort we need to properly recover. Think warm architecture, beautiful communal spaces, great food and somewhere you'll actually want to spend the afternoon.
Single, double or triple? You choose.
Just let us know your preferred room setup when booking, and we’ll take care of the rest. Rates may vary depending on occupancy and availability.
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We don’t treat meals as the space between activities — they’re part of the experience.
All meals throughout the expedition are included and carefully selected as part of the journey. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know when booking so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Expect a mix of carefully selected restaurants, local ingredients, meals shared with hosts, outdoor food moments and one special multi-course farewell dinner. Some meals will be refined.Others might happen outside with dusty shoes. Both matter.
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Leaving places better than we found them.
We created Do Local because we believe travel can be more than consumption.The places we explore give us a lot. We want to give something back.
Our long-term goal is to direct part of the value created by our expeditions towards local conservation and ecosystem restoration National Parks in Chile, while continuing to prioritise locally owned businesses, guides and suppliers throughout our journeys.
Travellers will also have the opportunity to make an additional voluntary contribution to the conservation initiatives connected to our trips. We will clearly communicate the specific conservation partner and contribution attached to this expedition once the partnership is confirmed.
Because protecting a place shouldn't be separate from travelling through it. It should be part of the journey.
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Into Mars is designed for curious travellers who value experiences more than checklists.
You don't need to be an athlete.
But you should enjoy being outdoors, trying new things and occasionally getting dusty.
This journey might be for you if you:
Love nature and outdoor adventure.
Care about good food.
Prefer small groups over tour buses.
Want to meet locals rather than simply observe a destination.
Are comfortable with plans occasionally changing because nature has other ideas.
And believe that the best travel stories rarely begin with:
"We stayed at the hotel all day."
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Maximum 10 travellers.
Small groups allow us to move differently. We can stay in smaller and local properties. Work with independent local suppliers.
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4 nights of boutique accommodation
Do Local Expedition Leader
Local guides and Local Legends throughout the journey
Private ground transportation during the expedition
Airport from Santiago to San Pedro.
Airport transfers between Calama and San Pedro at the designated group times.
Daily breakfast
Selected lunches and dinners as specified in the final itinerary
Welcome dinner
Horseback riding experience
Electric bike experience
Altiplanic lagoons and salt flats excursion
Thermal waters experience
Valle de la Luna experience
Local cultural and food experience
Multi-course farewell dinner
Do Local welcome kit
Travel journal
Reusable water bottle
Photography throughout selected moments of the expedition
Post-trip Do Local photo book
Pre-departure support and private group communication 24/7.
Contribution to our designated local conservation initiative once confirmed
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International flights to Chile
Travel insurance
Visa or entry requirements, where applicable
Personal expenses
Extra spa treatments unless specifically included
Tips and gratuities
Additional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary
Costs resulting from circumstances outside Do Local's control, including significant weather disruptions, flight changes or delays
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No. The horseback experience will be adapted to the group's ability and led by experienced local operators. We will ask about your previous experience before departure so we can organise the activity appropriately.
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You should have a reasonable level of general fitness and feel comfortable being active outdoors. This is an adventure trip, but it isn't designed as an endurance expedition.
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Several experiences take place at significant altitude. We intentionally structure the itinerary to allow time to acclimatise before travelling higher into the Andes. Guests should disclose relevant medical considerations to their doctor and follow professional medical advice before travelling.
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Yes, subject to availability. A single supplement will apply.
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No. International flights are nor included.
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We'll get in touch for a short conversation.
Do Local trips are intentionally small, so we like to understand who is joining, what you're looking for and make sure the expedition is a good fit. Once your place is confirmed, you'll receive the booking information, payment schedule and access to the private expedition group.
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This is the desert, not Disneyland.
Weather, road conditions and other environmental factors can occasionally change what is possible. Our team may adjust the order, timing or location of activities when necessary, always prioritising safety and the overall quality of the experience.
Sometimes Plan B becomes the story you remember most.
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In most cases, yes. Let us know about allergies and dietary requirements before booking so we can confirm arrangements with our local partners.
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Yes. Every traveller should hold appropriate comprehensive travel insurance covering the destinations and activities included in the expedition. Final insurance requirements will be communicated before booking.
FAQs
INTO MARS
Immerse Yourself in the Atacama Desert
5 Days / 4 Nights
Maximum 10 travellers
Atacama Desert · Chile
Horseback Riding · E-Bikes · Salt Flats · Altiplanic Lagoons · Thermal Waters · Local Food · Boutique Stay