10 Day Trips from in San Pedro de Atacama That You Shouldn't Miss

July 27, 2021 Natalie Tallman

Looking for an unusual and beautiful landscape? Sandstone canyons, flamingo-dotted salt flats, steaming geysers, hot springs, volcanic peaks and alien-looking rock formations are on offer all around San Pedro de Atacama. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are the preferred means of exploration. Death Valley here is surprisingly great for picnics.
Restaurants in San Pedro de Atacama

1. Atacama Salt Flat and Altiplanic Lagoons Day Tour

Ignacio Carrera Pinto 451, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Planet Andina
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Discover the Atacama Salt Flat, the largest in Chile, home to one of the most important Flamingo Reservations, the Flamingos National Reserve. Make a soft walk along a path to the Chaxa Lagoon, in order to appreciate the rich fauna of the place.

Inclusions: Lunch, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only from october 2018), Insurance Passenger Transport, Entrance fee

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Relax50012669582

A short and easy walk from the parking lot reveals this stunning sight. Even prettier (because of the waterfall and river) than Japan's Mt. Fuji.

2. Piedras Rojas Tour

Jaes Adventure Chile
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Un tour emocionante donde conocerás maravillosos paisajes y lagunas. Podrás ver la diversidad de atacama.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch

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3. Small-Group Tour to Altiplanic lagoons, Atacama saltflat & Flamingo reserve

San Pedro de Atacama Tours by Say Hueque
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

San Pedro de Atacama, a laid back oasis town on the edge of the direst desert on the earth. Little adobe houses, cozy restaurant are the base to explore one of the Chile's most spectacular sceneries. With this semi-private tour, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the highlights in a more intimate way, sharing your day with other travelers but avoiding big groups.

Inclusions: Professional Bilingual Driver-Guide Assistance, Hotel Pick-up (Drop-off is at downtown area or near your hotel, to be confirmed)), Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, (included on Small-Group), (included on Semi-Private), Chaxa and Altiplanic Lagoons Entrance Fees (included on Semi-Private)

Reviewed By tarn151

The tour of Valle De Luna was excellent! We really enjoyed the different locations visited, and the guide did a really great job explaining the geologic and social history of the areas explored. The sunset on the dune was a truly memorable part of our vacation. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Only feedback would be to: 1) rotate English and Spanish, as the Spanish was always first and we had to wait each time for Spanish to finish. however, this is a small point, as I recognize we’re the 2nd language here, but we did have to wait at each location while the Spanish group got to go explore 2) Make it clear to bring drinks and snacks. We didn’t and were dying of hunger at the end of all the walking. Overall, definitely do the tour if you’re in Atacama and haven’t visited Valle de Luna yet!

4. Altiplanic Lagoons and Red Stones, Full Day

Caracoles 419, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Pachamama Spirit
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

We are the only agency in San Pedro that leaves at 5 in the morning, we go to one of the most sacred lagoons for the culture of San Pedro: Tuyajto. And the best, when leaving earlier we go alone.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Breakfast, Lunch

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Reviewed By Bernard B

Atacama Majestic/Pachamama Spirit are the best advisers and providers of tours in San Pedro. They are nice, smart, young and very professional. We went on six tours with them and it was perfect: good guides, knowledgeable and nice, good mini-buses, office staff (David speaks fluently English) very helpful. Thank you!

5. Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas Tour - Full Day Tour - Private Option

Capricornio Expediciones
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Driving for a couple of hours during some days in the area. A tour in the morning, another in the afternoon. Many days scaping from the city to get to another routine: traveling and seeing the desert, its valleys and lagoons. Stop. Breathe. Give yourself some time to know the place, but to do it for real. Rest your mind and your body in front of the altiplanic lagoons. Know Toconao and Socaire: the hospitality, its history and its people. Walk through the Inca Trail, the point where the Tropic of Capricorn crosses, see the reflection of the hills and the sun in the lagoons water, and say hi to the flamencos that inhabit the Atacama salt flat. A diverse but rewarding tour through the San Pedro de Atacama heights and places that will appeal your emotions and the will to stay there. We invite you to make this tour because the Chilean desert has a minute for you and will give you the opportunity to simply slow down.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Landing and facility fees, Gratuities

Reviewed By 849donaldl

The tour starts with your pickup around 5:00AM. You drive in the dark (we had some amazing star and planet gazing along the way) and arrive at the geysers before dawn ( so you can see the sunrise, which wasn’t that impressive). It was cold, 20 degrees F and with snow and ice on the ground. We had 40+ minutes to walk around the initial section ( dress WARM). Then we had outdoor breakfast by the van which our guide Mario cooked. By now the sun was up, the views were good. Breakfast was ok, the bread was hard and dry, hot water for cocoa, tea, coffee; other foods were ok, good. Then we drove to the hot springs where you could soak, swim for 20+ minutes. The water was cool, warm, but not hot, depending on where you were in the pool. There was another geyser area here to walk around and view. If this was your first geyser area to see, it was probably pretty good, if you have been to Yellowstone or New Zealand, it was ok. The drive back had some great views, animal sightings including flamingos and was actually the most impressive part of the day, for me. Our guide, Mario spoke decent English and made sure that we got good explanations, too. 3 IMPORTANT THINGS: dress very warm, in layers, be aware that you are at 14,000+ feet altitude, people do get sick because of that and bring a good pair of binoculars along if possible.

6. Tour Altiplanic Lagoons & Red Stones Safari style by Grade 10

Grado 10
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

In our exclusive safari-style bus, with reclining seats and an unparalleled panoramic view, we will take you to the most spectacular places in the Atacama Desert. In the Altiplanic Lagoons & Red Stones tour with us you can have the comfort of having a panoramic view, a buffet breakfast and security throughout the trip with our guide and certified driver.

Inclusions: Our guides prepare the best egg sandwiches with ham, tomato and onion in the desert. To complement, what better than a hot tea or coffee, milk, juice, fruit and cookies

Exclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Reviewed By isabellaaparicio

i booked the 4 tours grado10 offered after a friend recommended me. worth it! even though it’s a bit more expensive than the other companies, it’s much better. the bus/truck is very comfortable, with big reclining chairs (which is a must since some tours leave at 5am and you will want to sleep until you get to your destination), and also very nice during the tours (in some of them you can go on top of it). breakfast is the best as well. the tours are very well organized, leaving earlier than the other companies so you won’t get the places crowded. they also create whatsapp groups to facilitate communication and to send pictures afterwards. our guide George gave us a beautiful picture of the sky when going to the geysers and our guide Barbara was very professional and clear to understand. as a bonus, Luis was a very good chat when we were on the road. their tours were my favourite and i definitely recommend it!

7. Laguna Cejar Tour Safari style by Grade 10

Toconao 435, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Grado 10
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

In an exclusive safari-style bus, with reclining seats and an unparalleled panoramic view, we will take you to the most spectacular places in the Atacama Desert. Traveling routes with us you can become part of nature and also enjoy great comfort, security and an excellent service. On the Cejar Lagoon tour you will see incredible places from the heights of our overland bus. You can bathe in a salt lagoon where the bodies float, you will see the reflection of the mountains in the Tebenquinche lagoon and finally enjoy a cocktail watching the sunset in the middle of the desert with an exquisite cocktail prepared by our staff all this in our safari bus Recommendations: Bring a jacket, bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and 1 liter of mineral water per person. Note: Use of sunscreen and sandals is not permitted in the lagoon.

Inclusions: A magical cocktail at sunset, with pisco sour, juice, peanuts, olives, french fries and cookies with cream cheese, soy and sesame., It includes pisco sour and juice to enjoy the sunset

Exclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Price of tour does not include entrance ticket to Cejar & Tebenquiche Lagoon CLP 15,000 + CLP 2,000

Reviewed By isabellaaparicio

i booked the 4 tours grado10 offered after a friend recommended me. worth it! even though it’s a bit more expensive than the other companies, it’s much better. the bus/truck is very comfortable, with big reclining chairs (which is a must since some tours leave at 5am and you will want to sleep until you get to your destination), and also very nice during the tours (in some of them you can go on top of it). breakfast is the best as well. the tours are very well organized, leaving earlier than the other companies so you won’t get the places crowded. they also create whatsapp groups to facilitate communication and to send pictures afterwards. our guide George gave us a beautiful picture of the sky when going to the geysers and our guide Barbara was very professional and clear to understand. as a bonus, Luis was a very good chat when we were on the road. their tours were my favourite and i definitely recommend it!

8. Laguna Cejar

Caracoles 130, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Chile Conectado 123 Andes
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

The Cejar Lagoon is located within the Salar de Atacama, 20 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. It is recognized by the strong Calipso color of water and is surrounded by salts of various forms. Due to its high concentration of salt, a result of the subterranean aquifers of the melted ice of the mountains, the Cejar Lagoon is a mixture of mystery and fun. As much as we want to dive we are "thrown" the surface, not allowing us to sink. By the end of this tour we are also able to see the amazing sunset in the desert.

Inclusions: Food tasting, Local guide, Hotel pickup, Hotel drop-off, Snacks

Exclusions: Towels, National Park fees

Reviewed By michalakigalexandra

We loved everything minute of this tour! Our guide was amazing - we followed the itinerary and we had time to explore and photograph all the places we stopped. Our guide provided all the background information and answered any questions we had, including information on animals, plants and local communities. Breakfast and lunch were also very tasteful. Highly recommended!

9. Ascent Cerro Toco

Nortrek Atacama
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4.7 based on 12 reviews

The ascent of Cerro Toco is a very good experience both for mountain initiates and to acclimatize to make height ascents. From the top you can see in the foreground the Licancabur volcano, the Salar de Uyuni and a privileged view of the San Pedro de Atacama valley.

Inclusions: Mountain equipment, boots, gloves, canes, helmet ..., Trekking food, Breakfast before the ascent, Round trip transportation, Oxygen support, Satelital phone, Mountain guide

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Reviewed By PobreLou

Our guide Esteban was great and very helpful BUT this tour is for a serious, experienced trekker. It involves a difficult climb over rocky, slippery surfaces and is DANGEROUS. There is one or two parts that if you slip you are f**k'd. The other negative is that the descent is in the dark with miner's lamps on your head and you must continue to look down at the ground in front of your feet rather than enjoy the view of the sky. At the end we had a wonderful table set up with meats and cheeses and wine with good friendships. I would recommend this tour for only experienced and fit persons. The advertisement for this tour should have stated that because I cancelled an easier star gazing experience to do this one. My bad.

10. Valle del Arcoíris

Chile Conectado 123 Andes
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

At 3,500 meters above sea  is the Rainbow Valley. The Rainbow Valley is used in the basin of the Rio Grande, about 90 kms from San Pedro de Atacama. The access road must be joined on the route to Calama. The valley, like the rest of the attractions of San Pedro de Ataca and its surroundings, is well above 3000 meters above sea level. The Rainbow Valley is located near Sanitiago de Rio Grande or Rio Grande and very close to the Petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas, which like other attractions in the area is managed by the Atacameña Community of the place.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Breakfast, Local guide, Hotel drop-off, Hotel pickup

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By michalakigalexandra

We loved everything minute of this tour! Our guide was amazing - we followed the itinerary and we had time to explore and photograph all the places we stopped. Our guide provided all the background information and answered any questions we had, including information on animals, plants and local communities. Breakfast and lunch were also very tasteful. Highly recommended!

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