5 Fantastic Tours in the Atacama Desert in 3 Days
Potosí Department, Bolivia
Explore the Atacama Desert with these 5 tours, a 3-day experience that lets you discover the vastness of the Atacama Desert and its unique landscapes that combine lagoons and salt flats.
Overview
This 3-day guided tour from San Pedro de Atacama suits travelers seeking cultural, natural, and geological experiences in small groups of up to 15.
Highlights
- Groups limited to 15 people
- Comprehensive daily tours covering key local sites
- Optimized itineraries to maximize your time
- Main tours around San Pedro de Atacama
Itinerary
Day 1: Rainbow Valley and Moon Valley Tours
Start between 8:00 and 8:30 AM traveling west of San Pedro de Atacama to the Cordillera de Domeyko. Visit Yerbas Buenas to view significant petroglyphs that reveal indigenous caravan history. Continue through Matancilla, an area rich in flora and fauna, to Rainbow Valley, noted for its colorful hills and surrounding white salts. Finish at the viewpoint overlooking Rainbow Canyon and desert landscapes, exploring the area's cultural and geographical history.
Afternoon pickup between 3:00 and 3:30 PM for Moon Valley. Explore rock formations shaped by erosion such as Las Tres Marias, the Canyon, and the Amphitheater. End the day watching the sunset from Licarantay viewpoint, observing desert color changes and volcano panoramas.
Day 2: Cejar Lagoon, Ojos del Salar, and Tebinquinche
Visit lagoons within the Atacama Salt Flat, Chile’s largest salt flat. Begin with Ojos del Salar, two freshwater pools for swimming. Then explore Laguna Tebinquinche on foot, appreciating the expansive landscape where sky and salt flats blend.
Continue to Cejar Lagoon and Piedra Lagoon, surrounded by green and yellow vegetation highlighting vivid turquoise waters framed by volcanoes. Swim in Piedra Lagoon to experience a buoyant effect similar to the Dead Sea. The day concludes with an appetizer and sunset views over the lagoons.
Day 3: El Tatio Geyser Tour
Depart hotels between 5:00 and 5:30 AM, ascending the Andes for 1.5 hours to reach the geothermal field at 4,200 meters altitude. Observe approximately 80 active geysers. Enjoy a breakfast at the site before touring the geothermal area surrounded by steam columns.
Includes
- Rainbow Valley Tour: Breakfast
- Moon Valley Tour: Cocktail and snack
- Cejar Lagoon Tour: Snack
- El Tatio Geyser Tour: Breakfast
Excludes
- Rainbow Valley Tour entrance fee: 10,000 Chilean Pesos per person
- Moon Valley Tour entrance fee: 10,900 Chilean Pesos per person
- Cejar Lagoon Tour entrance fee: 21,000 Chilean Pesos per person
- El Tatio Geyser Tour entrance fee: 15,000 Chilean Pesos per person
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Booking Tips
Book in advance to secure a spot in small groups. Bring sunscreen, layered clothing for temperature changes, swimwear, and water. The best time to visit is during the dry season for clear skies and optimal conditions.
