Tours in San Pedro de Atacama

REFERENCE PROGRAM 

EARLY MORNING TOUR: GEYSERS DEL TATIO

Departure: around 05:00 AM
Approximate duration: 7 hours
Itinerary: El Tatio geothermal field, Geyser Blanco, Vado de Putana viewpoint, Machuca village and wetlands
Included: Private transport, specialized guide, entrance fee and breakfast

Located at over 4,300 meters above sea level, the Geysers del Tatio are one of the most remarkable geothermal areas near San Pedro de Atacama. The tour starts very early in the morning, allowing you to reach the geothermal field at the best time of day, when the low temperatures make the steam activity more visible. The Geysers del Tatio are most active at dawn. At the site, you will explore this high-altitude landscape with your guide and observe the steam columns, bubbling pools and geothermal formations that appear among the first light of the day. The area is home to more than 80 active geysers, creating a unique contrast between the volcanic terrain and the surrounding Andes.

After visiting the geothermal field, a warm breakfast is served in the high-altitude surroundings (the puna). On the way back to San Pedro de Atacama, the route includes stops at the Vado de Putana viewpoint, a high-altitude wetland where Andean birds may be observed, and the traditional village of Machuca, known for its adobe houses, small historic church and local altiplanic atmosphere. Local snacks such as llama anticuchos may be available for purchase in Machuca.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama around 12:00 PM, with drop-off at your hotel.

IMPORTANT:

This excursion takes place at high altitude. Good hydration is recommended, as well as avoiding alcohol and heavy meals the day before the tour.

For travelers arriving from lower-altitude areas, we recommend allowing some time to acclimatize before taking this tour. This may not be necessary if you are arriving from other high-altitude destinations, for example after a trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia.

If your departing flight is on the same day as the tour, it must be scheduled after 5:00 p.m. to allow enough time for your morning excursion.

REFERENCE PROGRAM

DAY TOUR: MISCANTI & MIÑIQUES LAGOONS, CHAXA LAGOON, AND PIEDRAS ROJAS

Departure: between 06:00 and 07:00 AM
Approximate duration: 10 hours
Itinerary: Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire, Piedras Rojas, Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, Tropic of Capricorn
Included: Private transport, specialized guide, entrance fees, breakfast and lunch

This full-day excursion takes you through some of the most scenic high-altitude landscapes of the Chilean Altiplano, combining salt flat scenery, lagoons, volcanoes and striking red rock formations.

The tour begins with a visit to Chaxa Lagoon, located in the Soncor sector of Los Flamencos National Reserve, within the Atacama Salt Flat. This area is an important habitat for flamingos, especially during the spring and summer months, and offers beautiful views of the salt flat landscape. Depending on the season and conditions, other wildlife such as ducks, vicuñas, foxes and rheas may also be observed in the broader reserve area.

After breakfast, the route continues towards the Andes to visit Piedras Rojas, an impressive area of reddish rock formations set against the high-altitude scenery of the Altiplano.

The tour also includes the stunning Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, framed by the surrounding Andean volcanoes, including the Miñiques Volcano, which reaches 5,910 meters / 19,390 feet. These lagoons are located within Los Flamencos National Reserve and their formation is linked to the volcanic activity of the area: a lava flow from Miñiques separated the two bodies of water. Their vivid blue waters contrast beautifully with the surrounding mountains and high-altitude desert landscape.

Lunch is included in the village of Socaire. On the way back to San Pedro de Atacama, the tour includes a stop at the Tropic of Capricorn, a symbolic geographic landmark marking the southern limit of the tropics.

During the journey, we reach an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters / 13,780 feet above sea level.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon, with drop-off at your hotel.

IMPORTANT:

This excursion takes place at high altitude. Good hydration is recommended, as well as avoiding alcohol and heavy meals the day before the tour.

For travelers arriving from lower-altitude areas, we recommend allowing some time to acclimatize before taking this tour. This may not be necessary if you are arriving from other high-altitude destinations, for example after a trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia.

The order of the stops may vary depending on weather conditions, park regulations and availability.

REFERENCE PROGRAM

HALF-DAY TOUR: VALLE DE LA LUNA

Departure: between 08:00 and 08:30 AM or between 15:30 and 16:00 PM
Approximate duration: 4 hours
Itinerary: Duna Mayor, Mina Victoria, Tres Marías and Ckari viewpoint
Included: Private transport, specialized guide, entrance fee and cocktail

Located within the Cordillera de la Sal, Valle de la Luna is one of the most iconic landscapes near San Pedro de Atacama. Its dry valleys, salt formations, sand dunes and sculpted rocks create the moonlike scenery that gives the valley its name.

The tour begins with a walk of approximately 25 minutes along the impressive Duna Mayor. From its higher points, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape and the unusual formations shaped by wind, salt and time.

The route also includes two interesting photographic stops: Tres Marías, a group of rock formations naturally shaped by erosion, and Mina Victoria, a reminder of the area’s mining past.

The tour continues to the Ckari viewpoint, one of the best-known viewpoints in Valle de la Luna. On afternoon departures, this stop is timed to enjoy the changing colors of the desert landscape as the sun sets behind the mountains. A cocktail is included during the excursion.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama with drop-off at your hotel.

IMPORTANT:

For afternoon departures, the return is usually around 7:00 PM, depending on the season and exact departure time.

REFERENCE PROGRAM

HALF-DAY TOUR: PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS

Departure: 09:00 AM or 02:00 PM
Approximate duration: 4 hours
Included: Private transport, entrance fee to the hot springs and bathrobe

Located about 25 minutes north of San Pedro de Atacama, the Puritama Hot Springs are a peaceful oasis set within a canyon surrounded by native vegetation. The site features eight natural thermal pools, with warm waters of approximately 33°C, creating a relaxing contrast with the surrounding desert landscape.

During the visit, you can enjoy the hot springs at your own pace, moving along the wooden walkways between the different pools, taking in the scenery and relaxing in the warm mineral-rich waters. These waters contain elements such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and boron, and are often appreciated for their relaxing qualities.

This half-day experience is ideal for travelers looking for a calm and restorative activity in San Pedro de Atacama, either in the morning or in the afternoon.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama with drop-off at your hotel.

Night Tour: Astronomical Experience

For travelers combining San Pedro de Atacama with the Uyuni Salt Flats, these night experiences can be complementary. The Uyuni Salt Flats stargazing tour offer a more scenic setting for observing and photographing the stars with the naked eye, especially during the rainy season when the sky may reflect on the surface of the salar. The stargazing experience is also worthwhile during the dry season, thanks to the vast white open landscape and minimal light pollution. In San Pedro de Atacama, the astronomical tour has a more interpretive focus, with telescope viewing and astronomy explanation.

Departure: between 19:10 and 23:40, depending on the season, time slot and weather forecast
Approximate duration: 2 to 3 hours
Included: Private transport, expert astronomy guide, astronomy talk, telescope observation, cocktail and astrophotography

The Atacama Desert is known for its clear skies, dry climate and low light pollution, making it an excellent place for astronomical observation. This night experience offers a guided introduction to the southern sky with the support of expert astronomy guides.

The tour is organized around three stations: an astronomy talk, a cocktail and a photography session under the starry sky. During the observation part of the experience, your guide will help you identify constellations and observe celestial objects through telescopes, such as planets, stars, nebulae or galaxies, depending on the season and sky conditions.

Astrophotographs are included, making this a special way to take home a memory of the Atacama night sky.

This tour can be arranged as a private or semi-private experience. In the semi-private option, the experience is exclusive for your group throughout the tour; however, another group may be using one of the other stations at the same site at the same time.

IMPORTANT:

The exact departure time varies depending on the season, as the schedule is adjusted according to sunset time.

San Pedro de Atacama generally offers very favorable conditions for astronomical observation, with a low probability of cloudy skies, especially from March/April onwards. However, the tour always depends on the weather forecast of the day.

During brighter moon phases, the activity may operate as an astro-lunar tour. The structure and stations remain the same, but some of the celestial objects observed through the telescopes may vary. For example, the moon may be observed in greater detail, while some deep-sky objects may appear less defined due to moonlight.

If you have only one additional day in San Pedro de Atacama, we usually recommend choosing one of the following options:

Puritama Hot Springs + Moon Valley
A balanced option combining a relaxing visit to the Puritama Hot Springs with the moonlike desert landscapes of Moon Valley. When possible, we recommend visiting Puritama in the morning and Moon Valley in the afternoon, to enjoy the late-day light and sunset atmosphere. This is also a good first-day option for travelers arriving from lower-altitude areas.

Geysers del Tatio
A classic early morning excursion to one of the most remarkable geothermal areas near San Pedro de Atacama. This tour starts very early and takes place at high altitude, so it is especially suitable for travelers who are already acclimatized. We recommend keeping it as a stand-alone activity for the day.

Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons & Chaxa Lagoon
A beautiful full-day excursion with lagoons, flamingos, volcanoes and high-altitude landscapes. This option is especially recommended for travelers who are already acclimatized and would like to continue exploring altiplanic scenery on the Chilean side.

With two days in San Pedro de Atacama, we recommend combining one lighter day with one classic high-altitude excursion, depending on your arrival route and acclimatization.

Option A – Balanced program
Day 1: Puritama Hot Springs + Moon Valley
Day 2: Geysers del Tatio

This is a good option for travelers who want to combine desert scenery, hot springs and one of the classic early morning excursions near San Pedro de Atacama. It is especially suitable if you are already acclimatized or if Geysers del Tatio is scheduled after a lighter first day.

Option B – Landscapes and Altiplano
Day 1: Puritama Hot Springs + Moon Valley
Day 2: Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons & Chaxa Lagoon

This option combines desert landscapes, hot springs and a full day through the Chilean Altiplano, with lagoons, volcanoes, flamingo habitats and red rock formations. It is a good choice for travelers who are comfortable with high-altitude excursions.

With three days in San Pedro de Atacama, you can include the main classic excursions at a comfortable pace.

Suggested program:
Day 1: Puritama Hot Springs + Moon Valley
Day 2: Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons & Chaxa Lagoon
Day 3: Geysers del Tatio

This program combines the main highlights of San Pedro de Atacama: desert landscapes, natural hot springs, high-altitude lagoons, red rock formations and the geothermal scenery of El Tatio. It works especially well for travelers who are already acclimatized or who can schedule the higher-altitude excursions after a lighter first day.

The order of the excursions can be adjusted according to your arrival and departure times, availability, weather conditions and personal preferences. We generally recommend keeping Geysers del Tatio as a stand-alone activity, as the tour starts very early, takes place at high altitude and can be tiring when combined with other excursions.