Atacama Desert Journey Information: Planning the Excellent Journey
Final Up to date on February 9, 2026 by Eve Dawes
San Pedro de Atacama: The Finest Issues to See & Do
Atacama Desert Chile journey guides will all point out star gazing and the park however there’s additionally just a few different issues to do you must try. It was our final cease in Chile and a suggestion from one in every of my nieces. San Pedro de Atacama is a small city set on an arid excessive plateau within the Andes mountains of North Japanese Chile. It’s actually distant, a visit again in time, genuine and the place you may guide essentially the most fantastic Atacama Desert stargazing tour. The Atacama Desert Chile dramatic surrounding desert-scape contains salt flats, volcanoes, geysers and scorching springs. The exact opposite of the Lake District we’d simply come from. Chile is such an extended, slim nation, with mountains on one facet and the ocean on the opposite which makes for a very numerous panorama. Whereas the vast majority of guests are backpackers, it’s potential to do a luxurious trip within the Atacama desert too. Right here’s a few of my prime tips about the place to remain and what to do.
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Is the Atacama Desert value visiting
Whether or not the Atacama Desert is value visiting or not will depend on so many elements. For those who’re backpacking most likely, in case you’re in search of a luxurious trip within the Atacama Desert most likely not. For those who’ve by no means been to the desert perhaps, in case you’re from Vegas or the desert most likely not.
I believe my expectations have been too excessive for the Atacama Desert and we’ve additionally been spoiled by Dubai, the Grand Canyon and residing in Vegas (Crimson Rock and the spectacular sunsets). I used to be anticipating lovely and colourful rock formations, a number of flamingoes, a peaceful breeze, few individuals and fundamental lodging.
In actuality there have been a number of individuals in all places. You’ll get significantly sandblasted even simply strolling down the street however on the prime of the sand dunes it’s full on microdermabrasion and slaps within the face. On the plus facet, the city was very distinctive and enjoyable to discover and the lodge and meals was a lot better than we have been anticipating.
I’m nonetheless glad we went to the Atacama Desert because it gave us a extra full expertise of genuine Chile and we’d all the time have been questioning what it was like if we’d skipped it. Nonetheless, we positively most well-liked the Lake District which was so lovely. There was a lot to see and do each there and in Colchagua Valley studying all about Chilean wines.
The one factor we might have accomplished in a different way with the Atacama Desert would have been to spend a day much less there. For nature-loving vacationers to South America or in case you haven’t ever been to a desert, I believe you’ll benefit from the San Pedro de Atacama space and exploring it’s lagoons, rock formations and seeing the flamingoes and starry skies.
The best way to get to Atacama Desert?
We got here from the Lake District (9:07 am LATAM flight Puerto Montt to Santiago, approx $54) which meant getting a connecting flight from Santiago (11:44am Santiago to Calama on LATAM approx $58) which took one other 1h 56 minutes.
We’d booked a rental automotive at Calama airport with Finances/Avis and from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama is about an hour drive. The traces have been lengthy and the service painfully gradual at Finances so go along with one other rental automotive firm if potential.
Lunch en route from Calama to San Pedro De Atacama
If you wish to seize lunch earlier than you drive, the choices are restricted particularly at the moment of day. We went to Braseros Del Castillo (which serves lunch till 16:45/4.45pm) which was clear and new however don’t order the ceviche!
We should always’ve recognized higher than to order uncooked fish within the desert to be honest. It’s down a mud street, don’t fear, your sat nav is true, until you’re utilizing Waze which was the worst map to try to use in Chile. Persist with Google or Apple maps as an alternative.
The place to remain in San Pedro De Atacama Desert?
We determined to remain at Lodge Altiplanico Atacama (from $204 per evening) in San Pedro de Atacama (Domingo Atienza 282, San Pedro de Atacama) because it regarded one of many nicer ones in San Pedro de Atacama. Many lodges could be very fundamental right here as its vastly widespread with backpackers.
Altiplanico Atacama is minimalistic trendy meets rustic desert design utilizing pure materials (see the video for a greater concept). There’s free gated personal parking, an out of doors swimming pool, and free WiFi. The wifi is weak in your lodge room however higher in public areas. Nonetheless, don’t count on to have the ability to stream.
The lodge is clear, quiet and protected, with gates and cameras. We didn’t need to be proper by the primary road to keep away from any late evening occasion noise. Bah humbug, I’m like a granny that wants her sleep and excursions usually begin early earlier than it will get too scorching. The lodge’s nicely located and it’s solely a 10-15 minute stroll to the primary road.
The breakfast is fundamental and options regional merchandise together with oat cookies/biscuits my Mum appreciated a lot so obtained the recipe from the chef.
Additionally they serve Mate de Coca tea, each the tea baggage and free leaves (which you’ll be able to chew)! Now, right here’s an fascinating tea!
Don’t attempt bringing this tea dwelling, it may not work out so nicely at customs for you. Nonetheless, if in case you have any digestive points or altitude illness (San Pedro de Atacama is at 7,900 ft) it’s speculated to be a remedy.
The best way to Get Again to Calama Airport from San Pedro De Atacama
You’ll need to depart about an hour to get again to Calama Airport which is 62 miles from the lodge. The airport’s actually small so it doesn’t take lengthy to clear customs, it simply takes some time to return the automotive in case you used Finances/Avis.
If Lodge Altiplanico Atacama is absolutely booked, these are the opposite lodges we’d narrowed it all the way down to. Costs could differ relying on while you go.
- Lodge Pascual Andino, San Pedro de Atacama $210 per evening. The closest to the primary road.
- Lodge La Casa de Don Tomas, San Pedro de Atacama $188
- Lodge Discover Atacama All-Inclusive $1568. The one 5* lodge in San Pedro de Atacama. This presents a lot extra than simply all-inclusive meals! The value features a alternative of over 40 unique expedition choices on horseback, bicycle or foot. Additionally they have an in-house steady with specifically educated horses, in-house observatory for stargazing, spa space, 4 swimming swimming pools, 4 open-air scorching tubs, saunas and transports even included.
What are the very best issues to see and do within the Atacama Desert Chile? Atacama Desert stargazing tour and highlights
After going to the Atacama Desert, there have been positively some issues we felt we might’ve skipped and others we’re glad we did. 2 days and nights is a lot, we didn’t want the third day however in case you wished to do sand boarding or extra excursions you could possibly nonetheless do all the pieces in 3 days.
Try to guide excursions while you arrive with one of many many tour operators on the primary road in San Pedro de Atacama or through your concierge. We had points attempting to contact and make sure with the tour corporations we’d booked with because the numbers and addresses they’d listed have been all incorrect! They did each present up however each have been operating late and you are able to do with out the stress of questioning whether or not or not they’re going to indicate.
These are the Atacama Desert excursions we did however I wouldn’t advocate the Valley of the Moon tour we did because it took too lengthy to do little or no. The stargazing tour was worthwhile and also you discovered and noticed lots within the 2 hours.
Prime issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama
These are my suggestions for the highest issues to do in Atacama:
- Go to Atacama Desert nationwide park
- On the park see 3 Marys / Tres Marias
- Hike to the highest of the sand dunes
- Watch sundown
- Go stargazing (not throughout a full moon)
- Go to the flamingoes at Laguna Chaxa
- Discover San Pedro De Atacama Essential Avenue
- El Tatio Geysers
- Go sandboarding
- Get a therapeutic massage
Extra on every of those under.
Prime issues to see and do within the Atacama Desert
These are a few of the prime rated issues to do within the Atacama Desert:
1. Atacama Desert Chile day tour: Valley of the Moon/Valle De La Luna, Atacama
We have been underwhelmed with the desert panorama and weren’t anticipating the crowds. Nevada/Arizona’s desert and nationwide parks are extra colourful and numerous and Dubai has higher sand dunes which you can go on, however it was nonetheless fascinating to do. You might simply tour the park by yourselves in a SUV in case you’re not a tour particular person. We didn’t study rather more by doing the Viator tour.
Our Valle de La Luna Tour description was slightly complicated because it says 4-12 hours! It ended up being about 6 hours with a gaggle of 13 of us. The quantity and handle is inaccurate on the itemizing. So I’d advocate reserving one thing while you get there somewhat than reserving upfront. Because it ended up being aggravating worrying they weren’t going to choose us up and never having the ability to contact them.
The tour began on the Nationwide Reserve “Los Flamencos” sector of Valle De La Luna/Moon Valley and stopped within the central crater for a photograph opp, Tres Marias rock formations, after which the choice to climb the Dune Maggiore.
It’s extremely windy, to the purpose the fellows have been complaining the sand harm, however the views from the highest are lovely. You possibly can’t stroll on the highest of the dune however that’s what retains it wanting so untouched and pristine. The salt caves have been closed, so we went straight to the Ckari Mirador to see the spectacular desert sundown. Together with a whole bunch of different vacationers who’d additionally come on excursions thus far!
TIP: Put on sunscreen and sneakers. Don’t put on a skirt/costume and maintain onto your hat!
2. Sundown within the Atacama Desert Chile
Except you get actually unfortunate with the climate, most evenings you’ll be capable of see the Earth’s driest non-polar desert erupt into 1 of its most colourful expanses. The most effective place to look at sundown in Atacama is at Ckari Mirador/Mirador de Kari – Piedra del Coyote. Get right here earlier than 7:30pm because the park closes at the moment so it’s good to enter earlier than then and to beat the crowds that come right here to look at sundown. Wrap up heat because the temperature plummets at evening at it’s actually windy up on the mountain prime.
3. Salar de Atacama/Salt Plains: Atacama Desert
You don’t have to take a tour to see the salt plains in Atacama, however that’s an possibility or you may even take a tour from San Pedro de Atacama Desert to the Salt flats in Bolivia that are greater than Chiles. We drove to Salar de Atacama on the way in which to Laguna Chaxa. We have been all upset within the salt flats, they’re not as salty/white as we’d anticipated and there’s actually not a lot to see despite the fact that there’s 3000 sq meters of them. Fortunately we hadn’t made a journey particularly to see them however noticed them however en path to the flamingoes at Lake Chaxa/Laguna Chaxa.
4. Visiting the Flamingoes at Laguna Chaxa
The nationwide reserve of flamingoes is NOT the place you go to see Flamingoes, it’s only a title. To see the flamingoes you may both take a tour or drive to Laguna Chaxa. You’ll need to both go early within the morning or at sundown when the flamingoes are nearer to the shore. The tour buses have been right here by 9am and other people are inclined to trigger the flamingoes transfer farther from shore. So in order for you a better glimpse get there earlier than 9 am.
It’s a few 45 minute drive to Laguna Chaxa from San Pedro de Atacama. January is meant to be the very best time to see the resident Andean flamingos take flight throughout sundown. You most likely gained’t want or need to spend greater than 45 minutes to see all 3 varieties of flamingoes right here and stroll across the brief path. I’d advocate both doing this to start out or finish your day and see the Valley of the Moon/Valle De La Luna on the identical day.
PS: it all the time smells right here as a result of sulphur gases which can be constantly emitted from the Lascar volcano however you don’t discover it after some time.
5. San Pedro De Atacama Essential Avenue
This can be a cute little hippy city that appears just like the land time forgot. The streets are sandy and unpaved and pink washed stone buildings entrance the primary road. Behind these partitions, they confide in quite a lot of eating places and cafes from the genuine to the extra trendy to some which can be really fairly elegant, tour operators, and retailers.
Discovering good espresso isn’t the simplest in Atacama however we discovered nice espresso and lunch at Roots which has a extra trendy vibe than most of San Pedro. The most effective dinner we had was at La Casona which had reside music, conventional meals and superbly introduced salads. Both go early or make a reservation as this spot’s actually widespread and for good motive.
Like many areas of Chile, the world has quite a lot of poverty so costume tremendous informal. Go away your heels and wedges at dwelling and be ready to get very sandy and wind swept.
6. Atacama Desert stargazing tour San Pedro De Atacama
There’s 2 trains of thought as to when the very best time to do a Atacama Desert stargazing tour. For those who go when it’s a brand new moon and the skies the darkest you’re going to have the ability to get the very best view of the celebs. Nonetheless, if you wish to see the moon and the celebs via the telescope, going halfway via the moon cycle like we did is a good time to go stargazing. That is the Atacama Desert stargazing tour we booked through Viator:
Astronomical tour with information and choose up – San Pedro de Atacama by Astrotour
This tour picked us up from the lodge (about half-hour late, so don’t stress, they may present up) and drove us about 10 minutes outdoors of city to their location. At completely different occasions of the yr you’ll be capable of see various things: planets, open and closed clusters, galaxies and stars through their high-end, computerized and handbook telescopes and their laser pointer.
There was solely 5 of us in our group which meant a number of time to ask questions and look via the telescope. The spotlight for me was seeing the moon via the telescope and having the ability to take a photograph of it with my iPhone.
TIP: Wrap up heat on your Atacama Desert stargazing tour, despite the fact that we went of their Summer season, it will get chilly and windy at evening.
7. El Tatio Geysers
We didn’t go right here because it meant a very early begin (after late stargazing) and was a full day tour however it’s value wanting into in case you’re right here for a few days. My niece mentioned it was well worth the drive out to. You possibly can learn extra about it on Tripadvisor.
8. Sandboarding in San Pedro de Atacama
This regarded actually enjoyable however I’m an excessive amount of of a hen and we ran out of time because the final day was a write-off as I used to be sick in mattress. I wasn’t hungover, I picked up a chilly someplace alongside the way in which. I’d advocate discovering a tour via a tour operator on the Caracoles (important road) somewhat than on-line.
Ideas for spending a day within the desert
Coming from Vegas we’re professionals spending time within the desert:
- Bear in mind to put on and take SPF.
- Take water round with you (choose up from an area grocery retailer).
- Pack a Hydroflask or one thing to maintain water chilly.
- Take a hat (quite a lot of the time it’s too windy to put on however will provide you with some solar safety when it’s not. Plus it hides wind swept hair and a sandblasted face).
- Excursions don’t embody entrance charges to the nationwide parks (between 3-15 USD).
The place to eat in San Pedro De Atacama
We ate a few nights on the lodge (Altiplanico Atacama) for comfort earlier than night excursions and as soon as on the town on the primary road. Discovering good espresso isn’t the simplest in Atacama however we discovered nice espresso and lunch at Roots which has a extra trendy vibe than most of San Pedro.
Dinner at La Casona was an surprising gem of a discover with reside piano music, conventional meals and superbly introduced salads. Both go early or make a reservation as this spot’s actually widespread and for good motive.
What to put on within the Atacama Desert?
We visited the Atacama Desert Chile in early January (Summer season) however it was nonetheless chilly within the wind and at evening so you may’t beat layers and a windbreaker. At evening I wore a tank prime, full zip sweatshirt, windbreaker, Barbour jacket and scarf!
It’s windy just about all the time so go for shorts as an alternative of skirts or attire. We just about lived in sneakers because it was too dusty for flip flops and too informal for heels, and so forth. Pack a bag to out your soiled sneakers in so you may pack them with out protecting all the pieces else in sand.
What number of days do you want within the Atacama Desert?
We spent 3 days there however 2 is de facto sufficient to do all the pieces. Itinerary concepts:
- Day 1: you could possibly go to see the flamingoes at Laguna Chaxa after which drive to discover Valle de la Luna. Then guide a stargazing tour for the night.
- Day 2: go to the geysers and discover San Pedro De Atacama (it’s a small city of a few streets so it doesn’t take a lot time to discover).
The best way to discover Atacama
Do you want a rent automotive? If there’s solely 2 of you, the lodge you’re staying at presents an airport switch, you’re strolling distance from the primary road and planning on doing excursions then most likely not. If there’s greater than 2 of you, your lodge doesn’t supply airport transfers otherwise you desire to have the ability to go and discover by yourself in addition to doing excursions hiring a automobiles most likely a superb possibility.
Do you want money in Atacama?
Sure. You should utilize your bank card in most locations however Chilean peso Is helpful for tipping, the grocery retailer, small purchases, snacks, espresso, and so forth. Trade your cash earlier than you go for the very best charges.
The place else moreover Atacama ought to I go to in Chile?
We beloved the Lake District and exploring Patagonia: seeing the penguins on Chiloe Island, going to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls. In addition to visiting the completely different wineries in Colchagua Valley. In all places we went the individuals have been so pleasant and the meals was so contemporary.
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How we did our analysis for visiting Atacama Chile
We do most of our analysis on the place to remain and what to do through Tripadvisor, reserving.com and lodges.com. In addition to asking family and friends who’ve already been. The Atacama Desert stargazing tour was a suggestion from my niece who nonetheless says it’s one of many clearest skies she’s seen at evening. My Mum additionally had a Chile Journey Information guide I’d waded via when again in England over the Summer season.
