Things to do in Antofagasta Region, Chile: The Best Day Trips from

July 12, 2021 Venice Greaves

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. 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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2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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!

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. San Pedro de Atacama: Half day Altiplanics Lagoons and Salar de Atacama

Ruta Chile - Whole Saler Tour Operator
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2.5 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy a day trip to the Atacama Salt Flats. Visit Toconao and the Altiplanic Lagoons to admire the incredible landscapes and enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle. Your tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transportation by car or minibus

Exclusions: Tickets, Gratuities, Lunch, Food and drinks

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

8. San Pedro de Atacama: Full day Altiplanic lagoons, include lunch.

Ruta Chile - Whole Saler Tour Operator
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1.0 based on 1 reviews

In this complete excursion, you will see the Salar de Talar, Miñique and Miscanti Lagoon, the Village of Socaire, Laguna Chaxa and the famous Salar de Atacama!

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Lunch, Breakfast

Exclusions: Gratuities, Entrace to Altiplanic lagoons $3.000 (clp) p.p , Entrace to Atacama Salar $ 2.500 (clp) p,p.-

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. Excursion to Atacama Salt Flat, Toconao and Jerez

RipioTurismo Atacama

On this tour you will visit the impressive Atacama Salt Flats, Jerez Valley, Chaxa Lagoon and Toconao, a town built from volcanic rock. On this tour we visit the Atacama Salt Flats, where the Los Flamencos Natural Reserve is located, a surprisingly large and arid landscape stretching 100 km from north to south. You can also marvel at the amazing Chaxa Lagoon, a spectacularly beautiful setting, which is split into various clear water lagoons, inhabited by both Andean and James flamingos. We then head to Toconao, a traditionally colonial-style village, famous for the bell tower of the San Lucas church, which has been declared as a National Monument. Agriculture and crafts are the principal source of income for its inhabitants who offer proudly crafted gifts made from volcanic rock.

Inclusions: Hotel pick-up

Exclusions: Gratuities

10. Excursion to Rainbow Valley in Atacama Desert

RipioTurismo Atacama

A trip through the Domeyko hills, with its prehistoric rock art and overwhelming desert tones. We travel west of San Pedro de Atacama, to the Domeyko hills, a spectacular hill formation that runs parallel to the Andes. We will first visit Yerbas Buenas, an area of great historical importance due to its prehistoric rock art, which is one of the most important groups of petroglyphs in the region. The tour will take us back in time to when the indigenous people lived there, adding to the historical and cultural experience of the tour. We will then cross over to Matancilla, with its rich flora and fauna, to see the Rainbow Valley, named after the various colors of the surrounding hills. Its red, green, white, yellow, brown and earth colored tones combine with the blue sky and the white salt flats to create a truly unique setting. Next, we visit the viewpoint to take in the in the Cañon del Arcoiris (Arcoiris Canyon) and enjoy a bite to eat.

Inclusions: Experienced guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

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