The Valley of the Moon, altiplanic lagoons and the El Tatio Geysers from San Pedro de Atacama
The Atacama in northern Chile is the driest non-polar desert on Earth, and one of the most varied: salt-crusted valleys, blue lagoons with flamingos, smoking geysers and volcanoes close to 6,000 metres high. Everything is explored from San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis village of adobe houses at about 2,400 metres.
Our Atacama tours combine guided excursions with comfortable hotels in San Pedro. You can arrive from Santiago on a flight to Calama, or overland from Bolivia at the end of the Uyuni lagoon route, and continue to Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia or Easter Island.
| Place | What you will see | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Moon and Death Valley | Salt-crusted ridges, dunes and rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal, at their best at sunset | About 2,500 m |
| Laguna Chaxa | A lagoon in the Atacama Salt Flat, part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, where flamingos feed | About 2,300 m |
| Toconao and Socaire | Villages of volcanic stone with the San Lucas church and pre-Hispanic farming terraces | About 2,500 to 3,200 m |
| Miscanti and Miñiques | Two deep blue altiplanic lagoons beneath the volcanoes that give them their names | About 4,100 m |
| Piedras Rojas | Red rocks on the shore of a salt lagoon, with a short trail | About 4,000 m |
| El Tatio Geysers | One of the largest geyser fields in the world, visited at dawn when the steam columns are highest, with vicuñas and flamingos at the Machuca wetland on the way back | About 4,320 m |
San Pedro is at about 2,400 m, but the lagoons and the geysers are above 4,000 m. We start low and leave El Tatio for the end, so your body adapts day by day:
| Day | Plan | Why in this order |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival from Calama, afternoon in the Valley of the Moon | Low altitude, near San Pedro |
| 2 | Laguna Chaxa, Toconao, Socaire and the lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques or Piedras Rojas | A first full day that climbs above 4,000 m and returns to sleep at 2,400 m |
| 3 | Dawn at the El Tatio Geysers and the Machuca wetland | The highest visit, once you are acclimatised |
| 4 | Optional: hot springs, a stargazing night or the crossing to Uyuni | An extra day for rest or for Bolivia |
Three nights cover the essential sights, and four give you time to rest or add hot springs and stargazing.
The Atacama can be visited all year, with sunshine almost every day. What changes is the temperature and, in summer, the weather in the high Andes:
| Season | Weather | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| September to November | Warm days, cold nights, clear skies | One of the best times: flowers after the winter, few closures |
| December to March: summer | Hot days in San Pedro; storms over the high Andes in January and February | The “altiplanic winter” can close the roads to El Tatio and the high lagoons for a few days |
| April and May | Mild days, clear skies | Excellent for the whole region |
| June to August: winter | Sunny days and freezing nights, far below zero at El Tatio at dawn | Snow can occasionally close the high passes and the crossing to Bolivia |
Dry air, high altitude and very little light pollution give the Atacama some of the clearest night skies on Earth, which is why major observatories such as ALMA are built here. From San Pedro, stargazing tours with telescopes run on most nights; the best are those close to the new moon, when the Milky Way is brightest.
| Hotel | Style |
|---|---|
| Awasi Atacama | A small all-inclusive lodge of adobe and stone, with a private guide and vehicle for each room |
| Noi Casa Atacama | Boutique hotel with suites, a pool and a spa, a short walk from the village |
| Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama | Comfortable hotel with a spa and a pool, close to the centre |
| Casa Don Tomás | A simple, well-located hotel in traditional style |
The Atacama is the natural link between Bolivia and Chile: the three-day route from the Uyuni Salt Flats ends in San Pedro, as on our Peru, Bolivia & Chile Expedition (21 days). Our Chile Highlights (13 days) combines the desert with Santiago, the Lake District and Torres del Paine, and you can add the moai of Easter Island or the trails of Patagonia. Read our San Pedro de Atacama travel guide.
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Every Atacama Desert itinerary can be adapted to your dates and pace. Plan a tailor-made trip →
Complete the details below. A dedicated Senior Travel Curator will analyse your preferences for expert advice, boutique service, excellent value and will contact you:
Everything you need to know before traveling to Atacama Desert.
All year. April, May and September to November are ideal; in January and February storms in the high Andes can close El Tatio and the high lagoons for a few days, and winter nights from June to August are freezing.
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