San Pedro de Atacama Tours: 10 Best Desert Excursions

The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on the planet. A fluke combination of factors caused these conditions. To the east, the Andes Mountains block moisture from the Amazon Basin, while the coastal mountains west of the region stop moisture from the Pacific. Offshore, the Humboldt Current cools the air, lowers evaporation, and prevents rain clouds from forming. The result is an extraordinarily dry landscape of salt flats, bare rock and sand, where some areas receive less than 1 mm of rain annually. San Pedro de Atacama tours are the best way to explore the extraordinary landscapes of the desert.

Why San Pedro de Atacama?

When you first arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, you could easily believe you’d arrived on the set of a Spaghetti Western. Single storey adobe buildings front unpaved roads, and a whitewashed church looks out onto a square which looks like Clint Eastwood might appear at any minute.

This fabulous oasis town in northern Chile is the perfect base from which to take San Pedro de Atacama tours. Within a short distance of San Pedro, you have towering volcanoes, vast salt flats, turquoise lagoons, steaming geysers, hot springs and the clearest night skies on Earth.

San Pedro is built on tourism and you can visit most of the major attractions by joining organised excursions. This makes the town a good choice for travellers who don’t want to drive on remote desert and mountain roads.

As impressive as the scenery around San Pedro is, it’s not the easiest place to visit. Many of the most spectacular San Pedro de Atacama tours sit at over 13,000 feet above sea level, and San Pedro itself lies at nearly 8,000 feet. This brings the possibility of altitude sickness into play and visitors should plan their acclimatisation carefully. The desert conditions combine with altitude to produce extreme temperature ranges. Early morning temperatures at the geysers of El Tatio can plummet to -20 degrees centigrade, while afternoon temperatures can reach 35 degrees. Acclimatisation, water, sun protection and suitable clothing are therefore essential.

Despite this, the Atacama is a bucketlist destination for many travellers, and, properly planned is a great place to visit. Here are the tours and excursions worth considering when planning a trip to San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro de Atacama Tours

Valle de la Luna Tour

The Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, is probably the classic introduction to the Atacama Desert.

The tour is also a good starter for visitors who’ve just arrived in San Pedro. The valley is close to town, there are usually only a few short walks, and the altitude is around the same as San Pedro. This is one of the more accessible San Pedro de Atacama tours, although the ground can be uneven and there is very little shade.

The landscape is spectacular, having been shaped by wind and time into a world of dunes, salt formations, cliffs, ridges, and eroded rock. The colours and textures can make the landscape seem almost extraterrestrial. Indeed, it has doubled for Mars in a BBC documentary, the Mandalorian team filmed here, and space agencies regularly test equipment in this area.

The most popular way to visit is on an afternoon tour timed to reach the viewpoints before sunset. One caveat, a recent earthquake damaged the usual viewpoint, and at the time of writing, (Sep ’26), the guides hadn’t settled on a new one.

Allow: Half a day

Best time: Late afternoon and sunset

Good for: Landscapes, photography and first-time visitors

Pro Tip: Do not underestimate the sun. Even on a relatively short excursion, take water, sunglasses, a hat, and high-factor sunscreen.

El Tatio Geysers Tour

For many visitors, the El Tatio Geysers are the highlight of their stay.

This enormous geothermal field lies at over 14,000 feet above sea level and is one of the world’s major geyser fields. The spectacle is most impressive around sunrise. At this time of day, hot water clashes with freezing air to produce towering clouds of steam. Tours arrive around dawn, leaving San Pedro as early as 4am depending on the season.

There is a catch: it is seriously cold.

Temperatures can reach as low as -20°C in the early morning. Layers, gloves, and a warm hat are therefore essential.

The journey itself is also part of the experience. As you climb into the high Andes, the desert scenery changes considerably. Wildlife such as vicuñas can sometimes be seen around the wetlands and grasses near the geothermal field.

The challenge of this San Pedro de Atacama tour is not the walk to the geysers. Instead, it’s the combination of an extremely early start, cold weather, and high altitude. A good night’s sleep beforehand and gradual acclimatisation to altitude is essential.

Allow: About half a day

Best time: Sunrise

Good for: Geology, wildlife, and dramatic scenery

Atacama Salt Flats and Laguna Chaxa Tour

The Salar de Atacama provides a completely different experience from the rocky landscapes of Moon Valley.

This immense salt flat is home to shallow lagoons and important habitats for birds, including flamingos. The area forms part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, which protects more than 73,000 hectares of high-Andean ecosystems. The reserve is home to three species of flamingo, including two, James’ Flamingo and Andean flamingo, which can only be seen in this environment.

One of the best-known places to visit is Laguna Chaxa, where flamingos can often be seen feeding in the shallow water.

This is an especially good San Pedro de Atacama trip for wildlife lovers. The sparse landscape makes it easy to spot animals like vicunas. Similarly, here you are watching birds against a spectacular backdrop of salt, mountains and desert.

Many organised tours combine Laguna Chaxa with other attractions in the southern Atacama, such as the village of Toconao and the high-altitude lagoons.

Allow: Half or full day, depending on the itinerary

Best for: Wildlife, photography and landscapes

Tip: Bring binoculars if you have them. Flamingos can be some distance from the viewing areas.

Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons Tour

The Altiplanic Lagoons are among the most beautiful sights in northern Chile.

The twin lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques sit at over 13,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by volcanoes, high desert and snow-capped peaks. A combination of water clarity and the thin air at this altitude makes the lagoons intensely blue against the brown, arid landscape. The area is also important for birdwatching, with species including flamingos and the distinctive horned coot which is endemic to this environment.

A tour to the lagoons is normally a long excursion from San Pedro. The scenery changes dramatically as you climb from the desert floor into the high-altitude Altiplano.

The altitude is the prime consideration. Again, acclimatisation and hydration are key, along with taking care not to exert yourself at this elevation.

This is therefore a tour where you should resist the temptation to rush around trying to see everything. The landscapes are best appreciated slowly.

Allow: Full day

Altitude: More than 13,000 feet

Best for: Mountains, photography, birds, and spectacular scenery

Piedras Rojas Tour

Piedras Rojas, or Red Stones, is another high-altitude landscape that looks almost unreal.

The area gets its name from the distinctive appearance of the rocks, caused by iron oxidation. The reddish formations contrast with the white salt flats and blue waters of the surrounding landscape. This combination makes Piedras Rojas one of the most photogenic settings in the Atacama.

Piedras Rojas is usually included on longer excursions taking in several attractions in the southern Altiplano. A typical route may combine it with the Altiplanic Lagoons and other desert landscapes.

As with Miscanti and Miñiques, this is a high-altitude excursion, with the site over 13,000 feet above sea level. As with the other tours at this height, recommendations include acclimatisation, plenty of drinking water, layered clothing and sunscreen.

The attraction is not about a single landmark. It is about the sheer scale and colour of the landscape.

Allow: Full day

Best for: Photographers, scenery, and geology

Puritama Hot Springs Tour

After a few days of desert exploration, a trip to the Puritama Hot Springs can be a welcome change of pace.

The springs are situated in an Andean canyon northeast of San Pedro. Warm thermal water flows through a series of natural pools, surrounded by vegetation and red rock. Geothermal activity keeps the water heated to around 33°C, and the site has eight pools linked by wooden walkways.

Unlike some of the more demanding excursions, this is primarily about relaxation.

It is also worth considering the hot springs after a busy sightseeing schedule. Sitting in warm water surrounded by the desert landscape is a memorable experience in its own right.

Advance booking is important because access is limited. The road is partly unpaved, and the final approach descends into the canyon.

Allow: Half a day

Best for: Relaxation and a quieter excursion

Pro Tip: Take a towel, swimsuit, water, and sun protection, and check the rules regarding food and personal belongings before setting off.

Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache

The Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache, or Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache, are among the more unusual San Pedro de Atacama tours.

Here, brilliant blue and turquoise pools lie within a landscape of salt crusts and mountains. The arid surroundings magnify the incredible blues and turquoises of the water.

Many tours include time at the lagoons to enjoy the scenery and, depending on current access rules, experience the buoyancy of the highly saline water.

Because conditions and regulations at natural attractions can change, check what your particular tour includes before booking. Often, bathing is limited to one lagoon and to 15-20 minutes per person. Although the lagoons are closed to bathers from September to November for maintenance and natural regeneration work.

This is another excursion where a hat, water, and sunscreen are essential. The landscape offers almost no natural shade.

Allow: Half a day

Best for: Photography, and unusual desert landscapes

Pro Tip: Check current rules around bathing in the lagoons

San Pedro Stargazing Tour

The Atacama is not just spectacular during the day.

It is also one of the world’s great destinations for stargazing, thanks to its extremely dry climate, high altitude and exceptionally low levels of light pollution. About 60% of the world’s large telescopes are located here.

A typical stargazing tour takes you outside San Pedro to a darker location. Guides then identify constellations and explain what you are seeing. Some tours concentrate on astronomy, while others combine astronomy with aspects of Andean cosmology.

This is one of the easiest excursions physically because you spend much of the evening standing or sitting rather than walking long distances. Most tours include a photograph of you with a dramatic starscape behind you.

There is one important consideration: the moon. A bright full moon can reduce the visibility of many stars and galaxies, so check the lunar phase when deciding when to book.

Allow: About 2–3 hours

Best for: Astronomy and a memorable evening experience

Pro Tip: Avoid nights with a full moon

Cultural Tours to Toconao and Machuca

Not all San Pedro de Atacama tours are about spectacular natural scenery. The region also has a fascinating cultural history stretching back long before the Spanish arrived.

Day trips often include small Andean communities such as Toconao and Machuca, where you can see traditional architecture, local crafts, and aspects of life in the high desert.

These tours are interesting because it’s easy for the landscape to dominate the visitor experience. Learning how communities have adapted to such an extreme environment adds a human dimension to the trip.

The wider Atacama region is also associated with the Lickanantay people. Their history and relationship with the desert are an important part of the area’s cultural identity.

Look for tours that use local guides or genuinely include cultural interpretation rather than simply stopping for photographs.

Allow: Half or full day

Best for: History, culture, and local traditions

Atacama Desert Adventure Tours

For more active travellers, there is a wide range of adventure excursions around San Pedro. These can include desert hiking, cycling, sandboarding and other outdoor activities.

Cycling around the desert is popular because it allows visitors to experience the landscape at a slower pace than from a minibus. However, be careful when choosing a tour. As I’ve highlighted throughout this post, heat and altitude combine to make this an extreme environment. Make sure you select activities appropriate for your fitness level.

For many visitors, a guided hike through one of the desert valleys offers a better balance between activity and sightseeing. You still get the dramatic landscapes without needing Pogačar levels of fitness.

Always check the altitude and walking conditions before booking. A tour described as an “easy walk” may still involve uneven surfaces, steep sections, or strong sun. Reading tour reviews can be a good way of identifying how tough a tour actually is.

Allow: Half or full day

Best for: Desert landscaped

Pro Tip: Be conservative estimating your fitness levels in the Atacama

How Many San Pedro de Atacama Tours Do You Need?

You could spend a week taking excursions from San Pedro, but most visitors can see the main highlights in four or five days.

A sensible itinerary could look like this:

This does not mean five exhausting days in a row. In fact, it makes sense to build in some flexibility, particularly because several excursions involve significant altitude.

Due to the time constraints in my 14 day Chile Itinerary post, I allow 3 full days for San Pedro de Atacama tours which is enough to see the highlights, but 5 days is probably the sweet spot.

How to Choose San Pedro de Atacama Tours

There are plenty of tour operators in San Pedro. Every other business on Calle Caracoles, the town’s main street, seems to be a tour operator. However, excursions can vary considerably in group size, vehicle quality, and itinerary.

For a long day in the Altiplano, a smaller group can provide a more comfortable experience and make it easier to stop for photographs. Private tours provide still more flexibility, particularly if you have mobility considerations or want to spend longer at certain sites.

Pay close attention to what is included. Check whether entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, hotel transfers and drinks are included in the price.

For high-altitude tours, ask about the itinerary and how long you will spend above 4,000 metres. This is much more useful information than simply looking at the tour’s total duration.

It is also worth checking the size of the vehicle. Spending several hours on rough roads is considerably more comfortable when you have enough space.

Dealing With Altitude in San Pedro de Atacama

Altitude is probably the most important issue to consider when choosing your San Pedro de Atacama tours.

San Pedro itself is already around 8,000 feet above sea level, while El Tatio and the Altiplanic Lagoons are significantly higher.

A sensible strategy is to spend your first day or two exploring lower-altitude attractions such as Valle de la Luna before attempting the highest excursions.

Drink plenty of water, avoid excessive alcohol while acclimatising, take things slowly and tell your guide if you start feeling unwell.

Do not assume that good fitness makes you immune to altitude problems. Altitude affects people differently. I rarely suffer at altitude, but when I arrived at Calamar airport, I immediately felt dizzy and needed to sit down. I had a quiet afternoon, and I was fine after that.

What Should You Take on San Pedro de Atacama Tours?

A small daypack is all you really need.

Take plenty of drinking water, high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. For early-morning excursions, bring several warm layers because temperatures can be extremely low before sunrise. Comfortable footwear with a good grip is useful on rocky and uneven ground.

Lip balm and moisturiser are also worth packing because the desert air is exceptionally dry.

For photography, bring spare batteries or a portable power bank. There are long periods on some excursions without access to shops or charging facilities.

How to Get to San Pedro de Atacama

The airport serving the region is located at Calamar, about 90 minutes away from San Pedro. Car hire is available here, or for those who don’t want to drive, there are many shuttle operators who’ll help you bridge the gap. I used this company who were excellent

Bus services will get you from Santiago to San Pedro, but it’s a 24 hour trip and most go via Argentina.

Are San Pedro de Atacama Tours Worth It?

For most visitors, absolutely! The tours are the easiest way to see the extraordinary variety of landscapes surrounding San Pedro.

One day you can be standing beside steaming geysers at 13,000 feet, the next you might be watching flamingos on a salt lagoon or soaking in a 33°C thermal pool. In the evening, you can then look up at a sky almost completely free from light pollution.

The secret to enjoying San Pedro de Atacama tours is not trying to fit everything into the shortest possible stay. Give yourself time to acclimatise, allow for slower mornings after early starts and choose excursions that match your interests and physical ability.

San Pedro de Atacama is one of those destinations where the journey between attractions is as memorable as the attractions themselves. Vast volcanoes, empty desert, salt flats and impossibly blue lagoons create a landscape that feels unlike anywhere else in South America.

And after sunset, the experience continues above you.

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