6 Amazing Tours in Atacama in 4 Days

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1RAINBOW VALLEY AND VALLEY OF THE MOON⌄

   We will first visit Yerbas Buenas, a sector of great historical importance, as it has one of the most important groups of petroglyphs in the region. This was where caravans of indigenous people crossed from northeastern Argentina and the Bolivian highlands, reaching the Pacific Ocean. We will come across very varied rock carvings and drawings such as llamas, camelids, birds, monkeys and dogs. Then, you will visit the place known as Rainbow Valley. We will stop to stretch our legs, and visit this place in a 1 hour round trip and 1 hour round trip, whose name is due to the varied colors of the rocks, product of the different minerals they contain. After a short tour with explanations from our guide and time to take pictures, we will move to the sector of the Salt River, where a small valley is formed where we can walk to appreciate the landscape. After this, we will return to San Pedro de Atacama.

   Valley of the Moon. The names already give a clear hint of the landscape, where the rock formations shaped by erosion reign, salt blankets, the Dune Major and views that will make you feel like another planet. We will cross the valley, visiting its famous rock formations: the Three Marys, the Canyon and the Amphitheater. To finish the tour, we will enjoy the sunset from the viewpoint of Licarantay, where you can see how the desert changes color, with large volcanoes on the horizon, offering a spectacle that will leave you speechless.

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast in Valley of the Rainbow · Dinner: snacks and drinks in Valle d la Luna

2. 2HIDDEN LAGOONS TOUR OF BALTIMACHE AND LAGUNA CEJAR TOUR, OJOS DEL SALAR AND TEBENQUINCHE⌄

   The hidden lagoons of Baltinache, where we can use the bathrooms before continuing the tour. We will follow the path that will take us through the seven lagoons that make up this wonderful landscape, of which only the last can be used for bathing. Due to the amount of salt they contain, you will experience the floating effect similar to that of the Dead Sea. After having known this attraction in the middle of the Atacama Desert, we will start our return, passing through the entrance facilities to use the bathrooms. On the way back, we will see the sunset in the desert before reaching the center of San Pedro de Atacama.

   We will first visit the famous Laguna Cejar and Laguna Piedra, surrounded by green and yellow grass that highlights the color of the water, taking in a unique landscape of turquoise waters and volcanoes. In the latter we can enjoy a bath with which we will experience the floating effect, similar to that of the Dead Sea. Also there are dressing rooms and showers so you can change clothes and get salt out of your body. Then we will go to the Eyes of the Salt Flat, two deep wells of fresh water in the middle of the desert. Then we will visit the Tebinquinche Lagoon, where we will walk along its path to appreciate the magnificent views, where the sky merges with the desert and the whiteness of the salt.

   Meals: Breakfast · Dinner: Snack and Drinks in Laguna Cejar

3. 3TOUR RED STONES AND ALTIPLANICA LAGOONS⌄

   The tour starts with a pick-up from your hotel to visit the famous Tropic of Capricorn and its amazing surrounding views. Next stop is at Red Rocks, an iconic and typical desert landscape with a unique red color on the rocks, shaped by curious geological phenomena. A perfect opportunity to take great photos. To get there, also known as Salar de Aguas Calientes, we will have to get into our vehicle at an altitude of 3,800 meters and walk for 1 hour and 15 minutes to see the reddish rocks, as well as some lagoons and salt flats in the surrounding area.

   The tour starts with a pick-up from your hotel to visit the famous Tropic of Capricorn and its amazing surrounding views. Next stop is at Red Rocks, an iconic and typical desert landscape with a unique red color on the rocks, shaped by curious geological phenomena. A perfect opportunity to take great photos. To get there, also known as Salar de Aguas Calientes, we will have to get into our vehicle at an altitude of 3,800 meters and walk for 1 hour and 15 minutes to see the reddish rocks, as well as some lagoons and salt flats in the surrounding area.

   We will also stop at the Chaxa lagoon, a place where you can see flamingos. Afterwards, we will continue to the area of the Altilanic lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, where our guide will give us information about the flora and fauna of the place. Continuing, we will pass through the city of Socaire, where we will stop to take pictures. Then we will return to San Pedro de Atacama to finish our tour at the point of disembarkation of the Plaza Turistur.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch

4. 4TOUR GEYSER DEL TATIO⌄

   Discover the third largest geothermal field in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere, in the Atacama Desert. At 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level, Tatio geysers are a natural wonder that will leave you breathless, in more ways than one. Leave early in the morning, before dawn, after picking you up from your hotel. Arrive early to the geysers for a chance to observe the contrast between dawn and steam caused by heat from magma-affected waters. After dawn, enjoy a full breakfast with bread, cheese, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee, chocolate, milk and jam. Once you've eaten, spend a little more time exploring the 80 geysers around the national park. From there, go through the Putana Valley. See endemic flora and fauna and stop at a lagoon to see flamingos before returning to your hotel.