The 10 Best Archaeology Tours in Antofagasta Region, Chile

May 17, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

The Antofagasta Region (Spanish: Región de Antofagasta, pronounced [antofaˈɣasta]) is one of Chile's fifteen first-order administrative divisions. It comprises three provinces, Antofagasta, El Loa and Tocopilla. It is bordered to the north by Tarapacá and by Atacama to the south and is the second-largest region of Chile. To the east it borders Bolivia and Argentina. The capital of the region is the port city of Antofagasta, another important city being Calama. The main economic activity is copper mining in the giant porphyry copper systems located inland.
Restaurants in Antofagasta Region

1. Red stones

Tour Connection SPA
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

We will begin the excursion with a visit to the pre-Hispanic town of Socaire, characterized by its cultivation terraces. Then we will go to the high plateau, where we will first visit the Miscanti Lagoon and Miñiques Lagoon, habitat of aquatic birds and mammals, such as culpeo foxes and vicuñas. We will continue to the Salar de Talar (also known as Salar de Aguas Calientes) and the Piedras Rojas viewpoint, from where we can see this extension of reddish volcanic stones that will surprise you with their shape and the exceptional natural environment where they are located. The excursion continues in the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile and the third largest salt flat in the world. There we will walk along the paths of Laguna Chaxa, nesting place and habitat for the three species of flamingos that inhabit Chile: Andean flamenco, Chilean flamenco and James flamenco. Finally, we will visit the town of Toconao, its Church of San Lucas and its characteristic fruit orchards.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle

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2. 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!

3. Private tours in San Pedro de Atacama, enjoy the people you love

Pachamama Spirit
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

We believe in the energy of places and people, we want people to have an encounter with themselves that they learn from local guides and that they enjoy a place of great magic in Chile, that they can learn and deal only with feeling nature, Learn from the history of the place and keep a good memory.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch

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Reviewed By shiyuj

Pablo is so nice n he even helped me out when he was about to close to store. He was really patient in helping me make a prefect schedule. Besides, everyone working in their company are pretty chill. Love the vibes. Thanks.

4. San Pedro de Atacama: 4-Days Magic Desert Adventure

Ruta Chile - Whole Saler Tour Operator
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4.3 based on 8 reviews

A complete program that includes transfer from Calama to Hotel in San Pedro, Valley of the Moon Tour,  Red Stone tour with Salar de Atacama and Toconao, Geiser del Tatio Tour, and a Lagoon Cejar visit and Transfer back to the Airport

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (only from centrally located hotels in San pedro de Atacama to Geyser del Tatio, Piedras Rojas and transfer out), Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Entrace Valle de la luna park clp $ 4.000 per person, Entraces Lagunas Altiplanicas and Salar de Atacama clp$ 5.500 per person., Entraces Laguna Cejar : clp$ 17.000 per person, Entrace Geyser del Tatio park: clp$ 10.000 per person

Reviewed By L8738FOsofiac

We took this tour last year. The guide doesn’t speak English at all, and keep repeating the same information over and over. They also don’t let you move and ask you to be next to them all the time. Amazing place but awful guide

5. Tatio Geysers and Machuca

Ignacio Carrera Pinto 451, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Turistour
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3.7 based on 22 reviews

On this exciting tour, we will visit the impressive Tatio Geysers, at 4000 meters above sea level on the Andean plateau.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Professional guide, Pick up and drop off at the hotel with departure from the main hotels in San Pedro de Atacama. If your hotel is not within the internal list, we will look for a place close to your accommodation as a meeting point between you and our company.

Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Tickets to the park

Reviewed By Maris Z

I experienced a storm and rain in the driest desert in the world. Sights are amazing. You really like to think you're on a moon.

6. Valle de la luna

Caracoles 317, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Etiner
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We will leave from San Pedro towards the Valley of the Moon at 4:00 pm, we will make our first stop in the salt caverns, which are formed by the erosion of water on salt. Later we will make a trekking through the interior of the valley, visiting different places like; The three Marias, the amphitheater and the great sand dune to finally wait for the sunset at the Kari Viewpoint, after sunset we will return to the municipal parking lot located one block from the Plaza de Armas

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Local Guide

Exclusions: Pickup at the hotel, Entry ticket to Valle de la Luna (CLP $ 3,000 per person).

Reviewed By jnr2135

Super rough start. Ended pretty good though. We were asked to move our tour due to since we originally booked on Christmas. Which I thought made sense. But when we got to San Pedro we found out every other company was still on for Christmas Day. The city is based of tourism and there is a tour company every block. I would suggest booking everything there. So we changed our tour to be the day after Christmas. The van was supposed to pick us up at 7ish. But they never came. We saw a lot of busses come by but none stopped. Called the number provided and took a while to get hold of someone. I was on a WhatsApp chat with several before the trip. Thought it would go smooth since they were very engaging. It turns out the driver canceled the trip with out telling this agency. I am assuming since there were not enough people booked. When I finally got in contact with someone they were helpful but we had already lost a lot of time. They sent a taxi to pick us up and another couple who also booked this tour via trip advisor. The taxi took us to the first stop to connect with a different tour. We lost most of the time at the first Laguna which seemed to be the best stop since you could really walk around and see the flamingos. The other tour company was great. If I were to do the trip to San Pedro again I would just book everything there. It would be way easier.

7. Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) excursion

Sernatur, Toconao con Padre Gustavo Le Paige - Toconao, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Full Tour
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Do you imagine how would it be to walk on a place that was once an ocean? The region of the Valley of the Moon, is, according to the geologists, an old oceanic floor. The result is an unforgetable landscape. This amazing place seems from another world. Heavy winds, salt carverns and rock formations with unusual morphology complete this scenery. And all that, only 17kms away from San Pedro. It´s a place you cannot miss.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Reviewed By TchayraS

My aunt and I went on a tour to Viña Del Mar & Valparaíso with Daniel and the driver Alejandro. They are friendly, funny and extremely patient. Not only do they do their jobs well done, but they are always giving pertinent tips on the cheapest market, where to eat and the better deals. Daniel not only takes us roaming through the two cities but also makes remarks about the smallest details, as well as historic and geographical context. He’s the full package, he even takes great pictures of all the tourists in group (in our case nicknamed the “mafia simpática” ????????????)! Congratulations on a job done with excellence, we can tell how much you do it with passion. I recommend the tour with these guys, it’s a great time guaranteed and p.s. they make extra stops to take advantage of the great landscape so we can take great pictures). I was simply enchanted!

8. San Pedro de Atacama: Half day archaelogical Tour to Quitor and Tulor

Ruta Chile - Whole Saler Tour Operator

Come to visit Pukara de Quitor Runs dating back to the 12th century, those important defensive fortress of the Atacama culture located 3 kilometers from the town.

Inclusions: Local guide, pick up and drop off in hotel

Exclusions: Tickets: 6,000 Chilean pesos, Food and Drink, Optional Gratuities for driver and guide

Reviewed By L8738FOsofiac

We took this tour last year. The guide doesn’t speak English at all, and keep repeating the same information over and over. They also don’t let you move and ask you to be next to them all the time. Amazing place but awful guide

9. Private tour Uyuni Salt Flats from La Paz to Atacama Chile by Flight

Joker Expedition, Bolivia.

Welcome to Bolivia Meet the wonderful Uyuni Salt Flats in a private service with flights included, from La Paz, in a 3 Days 2 Nights tour, VIP service ending in San Pedro de Atacama Chile. Marvel at the immense desert plain of salt and its picturesque landscapes with overnight in Salt Hotel  of 5 stars. Enjoy the lagoons of colors and deserts, Andean landscapes with native flora and fauna, meet the Desert  Tayka Hotels. Enjoy the geysers, hot springs and red  lagoon  in your private tour with professional guide and comfortable mobility fully equipped.

Inclusions: Hotel Pick up and drop-off, 2 nights accommodation (Private Hotels), Transport by private vehicle 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser, Professional English Guide, Oxygen Bottle, Transfer to Chile, Flight ticket La Paz - Uyuni, Food and drinks (3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 2 Dinner)

Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Reviewed By Michaelk11759

Singed up for a 3 day private tour from (Salar de) Uyuni, through the dessert and dropping me in Chile, San Pedro de Atacama. Jose in the office was great, answering my endless questions and the tour with Maribel and Ariel was perfect. I had the experience of a life time and saw the most beautiful landscapes I had ever seen. Everything was perfectly organised incl hotels, food etc. I had the best time ever!!

10. Small-Group Tour to Rainbow Valley

San Pedro de Atacama Tours by Say Hueque

With this tour, starting on San Pedro de Atacama, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the highlights in a more intimate way, sharing your day with other travellers but avoiding big groups: Venture into The Rainbow Valley: Find yourself astonished as you take in the views of the variety of shades on the surrounding hills: earth, red, brown, green, white and yellow colours, which combined with the white salts and the blue sky, make up a unique place. Add historical and cultural value to the experience by visiting the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs: A point of great historical importance based on rock art, and where the Atacamenian people left an important vestige of their culture. This Chilean wonder is not to be missed!

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

Exclusions: Gratuities, Snacks, Entrance Fees (Included in the "Semi-private" tour option)

Reviewed By sbgLosAngeles

Awesome, 4-person tour with a fabulous guide! You start early in the morning (6:00-6:30 am) and drive to the flamingo reserve. We were the first to enter the park and enjoyed a nice walk prior to breakfast. Breakfast was very nice, including hot eggs. After another hike, we headed to a small village (Socaire) where we interacted with a woman knitting gloves and purchased incredible volcanic rocks. We had a nice stroll through Tocanic village where we made our way around the water and lush fruit trees. I'm not sure our hike was supposed to be part of the tour but it was a great spot! I highly recommend this tour. Make sure they don't try to put you on another tour if the # of sign-ups is low. You are paying for a small group and it was part of why the tour was great (in addition to the guide).

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