The Best San Pedro de Atacama Tours & Excursions

Find out about all the best San Pedro de Atacama tours and excursions.

What makes San Pedro one of Chile’s top tourist attractions? Its otherworldly landscapes, stunning views, fantastic accommodation, and excellent food help make it a must-visit destination.

What are the highlights of the Atacama desert around San Pedro?  The Tatio Geysers, Moon Valley, Altiplanic lakes, and the Rainbow Valley are just some highlights.  What’s more, this Dark Sky-registered area is perfect for seeing the stars as you’ve never seen them before. San Pedro is a magical place to visit, from its history to wildlife to landscapes.

What Activities Can I Enjoy in San Pedro de Atacama?

San Pedro offers a range of activities, and we recommend spending at least two full days there. Three days even better.

Some excursions are full-day trips, while others are scheduled for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest time of day. With so much on offer and some excursions limited to certain time slots, it’s important to plan ahead so you can fit in everything in the best possible way.

All full-day excursions include lunch; on shorter trips you will usually be served a generous snack. On any late afternoon tour, you get to enjoy sunset in the desert—a real treat.

Road travel can be arduous at times, as many roads are unpaved. Many of the tours use 4x4s and minibuses. Prepare for  a range of temperatures and some bumpy journeys.

San Pedro de Atacama also serves as the starting point for journeys into the Salar de Uyuni and Bolivian Altiplanic Deserts—but for more on this, take a look at our Salar de Uyuni blog and 3-day Salt Flats Tour.

What is there to Do in San Pedro de Atacama?

Altiplanic Lakes Full Day Excursion

This full-day excursion is a perfect way to explore the high plains of the Atacama Desert and some of its salt flats.

You will visit the Miscanti and Miñiques lakes and  set amid some majestic volcanoes that overlook them. This full day tour also includes a visit to the Chaxa Lagoon, where you see three different types of Andean flamingos (James, Andean, Chilean), feeding in the mineral rich lakes. The best time to visit is from September to March, but small numbers are present year-round. Vicuna and Andean foxes may also be seen.

The exact route of this excursion varies a little but will always include the above lagoons and altiplanic desert and salt flats landscapes. Most include the village of Toconao and its pretty adobe buildings. Some will include the Piedras Rojas site, where the high iron content in the rocks has resulted in an otherworldly, red-hued terrain that appears as if it belongs to another planet.

Beware of the high altitudes involved in some of the day trips out of San Pedro, particularly this one that takes you up to 4,500 m.  Allow some acclimatisation on other excursions before scheduling this trip.

Duration: 7 to 12 hours, depending on sites included, leaving at 07:00 – 08:00

Moon Valley Half Day Excursion

The Moon Valley is probably the most well known tour to take near to San Pedro. Many itineraries will already include this late afternoon excursion on your day of arrival as it is close to San Pedro and ideal for acclimatisation to the higher altitudes.

The Valley features huge sand dunes and incredible weathered rock formations. Viewpoints yield vistas over the desert landscapes and the mountains and volcanoes that surround San Pedro. Watching the sunset snack and drink in hand makes for an unforgettable experience, witnessing the changing colours of the desert as the sun goes down.

This one of the busier excursions, and it has become very regulated, meaning that groups of visitors often gather in the same spots. If you prefer to be a bit off the beaten track and to see a less busy site it would be worth considering the “Vallecito” excursion instead. Alternatively , you could opt for a private tour that can be run in the mornings when there are fewer people about.

Duration: 4 hours, usually leaving at 15:00 – 16:00.

Vallecito Half Day Excursion

Vallecito (Little Valley) lies close by and impresses with very similar landscapes as the Moon Valley. Its dunes may not be as high as the Moon Valley’s, but you will find ancient salt mines here, vast rocks of pure salt once carved for salt production. This area is often referred to as the Cordillera de Sal or Salt Mountains.

For the lovers of a quirky photo opportunity, there are the rusted remains of a bus, often called the Magic Bus, left behind by the miners many decades ago.

The views are fantastic and, in many ways, very similar to the Moon Valley, both of the gorges and desert valleys and the nearby cordillera and its volcanic peaks. Fewer tourists add to the charm, and lighter regulations allow tour groups to avoid each other a little.

Duration: 4 hours, usually leaving at 15:00 – 16:00.

Guatin Valley  Half Day Excursion

On this half day walk you hike along, a usually dry, riverbed amid forest of the Cardón Grande cactus. These impressive plants can grow to 10 metres, flower in the summer with delicate white blooms, and live for hundreds of years. There are two parts to the Valley, and one features more cacti than the other, so which one you choose depends on what you’d like to get out of your hike. You can hike along the riverbed and take warm dips in the water flowing from the nearby Puritama Hot Springs

The rocks here yield treasures of many different minerals.  After the walk, relax in the nearby Puritama Hot Springs.  There are good facilities (an entrance fee applies).

Duration: 4 hours, morning and afternoon departures.

Laguna Cejar Half Day Excursion

The Cejar Lagoon lies very close to San Pedro and is ideal if you are looking for more local excursion involving less driving. Here, you can experience floating effortlessly in the hypersaline waters against the stunning backdrop of the surrounding salt flats.

Tours include a stop at two further lagoons, Ojos del Salar (small but incredibly deep freshwater holes) and Laguna Tebenquiche. The latter is a beautifully set lake, with a mirror-like surface reflecting the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. You might spot flamingos and it’s a perfect spot for that sunset drink and snack.

Duration: 4 hours, departs 14:00 – 15:00

Geysers del Tatio Half-Day Excursion

The Tatio Geyser is one of the highlights of the Atacama, but it is also one of its most intense excursions. Leaving generally at around 3 a.m., to arrive at the geyser by sunrise (where its fumes are best seen against the cold air), you have to drive along bumpy, windy roads for two hours.

Once there, you are rewarded with views of the largest geyser field in the Southern Hemisphere, its fumaroles and bubbling water. This is a busy spot, and private tours allow you to leave a little later to trade the sunrise for a quieter visit later in the day.

Breakfast will be served here. On your return journey, you will stop at the small picturesque hamlet of Machuca and a highland lake—another chance to spot flamingos.

Dress warm as temperatures can drop well below zero before the sun rises.

Beware of the altitude (4,200m) and allow plenty of acclimatisation on other excursions before scheduling this trip. We can help with this.

Duration: 6 hours, usually departing at 03:00.

Rainbow Valley Half Day Excursion

The Rainbow Valley (Valle Arcoiris) lies 60km from San Pedro, about 1:30hrs by car.

Here you will discover a vibrant palette of colours in the hills, created by millions of years of mineral deposits and volcanic activity. There is time for a walk in these unique surroundings.

En route, you will stop at the Yerbas Buenas archaeological site. Here, you can marvel at ancient civilisations’ petroglyphs, skillfully etched onto stone, illustrating animals and scenes from daily life.

Duration: 6 hours. Departs in the morning.

Baltinache Lagoons

The Baltinache Lakes are located around 60km south of San Pedro. Seven beautiful saltwater lagoons are located in stunning surroundings, with desert and volcanoes as backdrops. The salt content of the clear, turquoise water is higher than the Dead Sea, and you can test if you can float by swimming in one or two of the lagoons. The remaining lagoons are for viewing only to conserve the natural beauty.

The salt crusts formed on the lagoons make a beautiful contrast to the reddish desert around, and in the twilight hours, it’s a photographer’s dream—best enjoyed with a sunset snack.

Duration: 5 hours. Departs in the afternoon.

Stargazing

On new moon nights a star gazing tour is a magical experience. From an observation point away from San Pedro, observe the night sky with high-quality telescopes. Your guide will be able to explain the galaxies, constellations and planets you see. A snack will be served.

Duration: 2 hours. Departs in the evening.

Alternative Excursions

There are many alternative options available for those who want to stray further off the beaten track, or have more time to spend in and around San Pedro de Atacama.

We can arrange cultural experiences such as Llama trekking—a community tour set up by a wonderful local lady seeking an alternative source of income out of necessity due to the decrease in llama herding—or visiting a local Atacameñan community to understand how life and society work in these remote parts.

Wine lovers could choose to visit Chile’s highest vineyard for a unique experience of a cooperative of artisan wine producers near the village of Toconao.

While the above tours are possible in groups, private tours can take you further afield. There is an excursion to Monjes de Pacana (impressive natural stone pillars) or to the “rustic Jacuzzi”—natural pools, reached by trekking the Vilama River canyon, an interesting and beautiful destination itself, with its unique rock formations.

Active adventure travellers looking for more extended or multi-day active trekking options can look at our Atacama Desert Trek or ask us about climbing one of the many 5,000m plus peaks in the Atacama, such as Cerro Toco Volcano (5,604m – trailhead at 4,200m).

Practical Information About San Pedro de Atacama

How Do I Get To San Pedro de Atacama?

San Pedro is best reached overland, by shared bus or taxi,  from Calama, the nearest airport, which is two hours from this small desert town. There are regular flights from Santiago to Calama. Depending on your budget, you can arrive by bus, shared or private transfer from the airport.

Some will arrive overland from Bolivia, having crossed the Uyuni Salt Flats and Altiplano (3, 4 or 5 day 4wheel drive jeep tours can begin and end in San Pedro) or from Argentina, with a scenic bus ride over the Andes from Salta.

What’s San Pedro de Atacama Like to Visit?

San Pedro is a small, friendly, safe and busy little town. It’s long been a magnet for travellers but has managed to maintain a relaxed atmosphere.

You will be sure to feel safe here. Enjoy perusing plenty of restaurants and cafes, as well as shops and a local market perfect for buying those important holiday souvenirs.

Where’s the Best Place to Stay In San Pedro de Atacama?

San Pedro has a wide range of hotels of different standards. Try not to stay too far out, as there are no real taxi or Uber services available. Some hotels hire bicycles, which is an excellent way to get around.

We like the midrange Hotel Don Tomas, its slightly more upmarket sister hotel El Refugio and the lovely Hotel Noi Atacama. All have a pool, lovely common areas, a bar and a restaurant and are a mere 5 -10 minutes from the town’s centre. But these are just some of the options available.

Those seeking more luxury and quiet can venture out of town and choose an all-inclusive stay at the upmarket Tierra Atacama, the Alto Atacama or Hotel Cumbres, amongst others.

Here, you will find be offered activities each day from an extensive menu. All your excursions are included, as are excellent meals. The top end all inclusive hotels offer top quality  pools and spa facilities, and they provide a regular shuttle service into town. The skies are clearer the further out you go, so be sure to take a nightcap under starry skies.

 When’s the Best Time to Visit San Pedro de Atacama?

San Pedro can be visited year-round.

December to February/ early March are the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months, and these months are considered high season in San Pedro, too. The town will be busy with tourists, and it is generally the hottest time of year. It’s a great time for flamingos, which will be present in large numbers.

March to end May is autumn and a lovely time to visit, with pleasant temperatures. The town winds down a little, but excursions still run normally, although you will see fewer tourists.

June to August are the winter months—this is the coldest time of year, and you may even see snowfall in July. Daytime temperatures can fall to around 20 degrees. Still, it’s the nights that are freezing, making excursions to the famous Tatio Geyser at dawn rather uncomfortable  – so come prepared.

For those interested in astronomy, it’s the best time to visit, as cooler temperatures make for even clearer skies. Wrap up warm!

September to November is spring. These shoulder months are well worth choosing for your visit. The flamingos are starting to arrive, and temperatures are getting warmer again, especially at night. Fewer tourists are to be expected, too, which is a big plus of this time of year.

The Best San Pedro de Atacama Tours & Excursions

As always, we are here to help you put together your perfect travel itinerary, so contact us for advice on your San Pedro de Atacama stay.