MUST-DO San Pedro de Atacama Tours: Discover The Magic Of The Atacama Desert

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Planning to visit the Atacama Desert and not sure if you should take the tours or do it yourself?

In this blog, we have shared the must-do San Pedro de Atacama tours that will make your visit worth it, while sharing with you all the details that we learned on our trip.

You can also see HERE for a complete list of tours at a glance!

One Week In The Heart Of The Desert

The Atacama Desert is one of those places that surprises you at every turn. It wasn’t even on our radar until about 1.5 months before our trip, when we revised our plans and decided to stay longer in Chile.

We ended up spending a full week in San Pedro de Atacama, a small town nestled in the heart of the desert. While we were there, we also worked a few days, giving ourselves permission to move at our own pace. That’s what we love most about slow travel: it lets us really be in a place, not just pass through it.

One of the conscious choices we made was to not rent a car. Instead, we booked tours – and honestly, it ended up being one of the best decisions. Not only did it give us a chance to meet other travelers, but we also got to learn from local guides and see the landscape through their eyes.

Plus, with some roads in rough shape and no signal in certain areas, it felt good to leave the logistics to someone else. Here’s what we experienced on each tour – and why we’d do it the same way again.

Tours We Did In The Atacama Desert

1) Sunset At Valle De La Luna (Moon Valley)

• Altitude: ~2,500 meters / ~8,202 feet
• Tour Company: Rica Rica or Pukarumi Travels
• Tour Cost: 35,000 CLP (paid in cash)
• Entrance Fee: 10,800 CLP

The stunning Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet. With its Mars-like landscapes, salt-crusted valleys, towering dunes, and surreal rock formations, it’s no surprise that this spot is one of the most iconic places in the Atacama Desert!

Since it is close to the town of San Pedro, many travelers choose to bike or even walk to Moon Valley to add to the experience and to witness the beautiful sunset. 

We left town in the late afternoon, and within 15-20 minutes, we were already surrounded by otherworldly landscapes. The proximity makes this tour a great half-day option if you’re short on time but still want to soak in desert magic.

Our first stop was the famous Tres Marías – three naturally sculpted stone figures standing tall in the middle of the salt flat. Formed by centuries of erosion, these rocks are not just geologically fascinating but also a perfect photo op.

Next, we made our way to the Grand Dunes. This was a gentle uphill hike through the soft sand, offering panoramic views of the valley. The textures, shadows, and silence of the landscape made it feel like we were walking on the moon itself.

After a cocktail snack of pisco sours, fruit juices, cheese, crackers, dried fruits, and chips, we made our way to the sunset spot.

As the sun began to set, the valley slowly changed color – shades of orange, pink, and purple spread across the sky and the desert landscape. The light shifted over the dunes and rock formations, offering us the best sunset of our lives!

Keep in mind – Moon Valley closes at 8:00 PM, so most tours wrap up right after sunset.

2) Rainbow Valley (Valle Del Arcoíris)

• Altitude: ~3,500 meters / ~11,483 feet
• Tour Company: Pukarumi Travels
• Tour Cost: 35,000 CLP (Paid in cash)

The Rainbow Valley (Valle del Arcoíris) is one of the most visually stunning places near San Pedro de Atacama, known for its multi-colored rock formations created by thousands of years of volcanic and mineral activity. If you’re looking for a half-day tour that blends geology, history, and breathtaking landscapes, this is a must-do tour for you.

We were picked up from our hostel in San Pedro de Atacama at 7:30 AM. After about an hour’s drive through the scenic Atacama desert, we arrived at Yerbas Buenas – a culturally rich archaeological site.

Here, our guide explained the medicinal uses of native plants like Rica Rica and the significance of the ancient petroglyphs, some of which date back over 6,000 years! Looking at these rock carvings that offered a rare glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the early inhabitants of the region was very interesting.

After exploring Yerbas Buenas, we had a delicious breakfast spread of avocados, ham, eggs, cheese, fruits, cake, and more.

Our next stop was the Rainbow Valley, nestled within the Domeyko Mountain Range. There was a short hike that we did through the valley, surrounded by stunning layers of red, white, and green rock formations – each color formed by different mineral deposits over millions of years!

Before heading back, we visited a canyon that once held a waterfall over 11,000 years ago! It’s surreal to stand in a place that was once covered with glaciers and flowing water.

Throughout the journey, we caught glimpses of the Domeyko Range, the Salt Mountain Range, and parts of the majestic Andes.

We returned to San Pedro de Atacama around 1:00 PM, just in time to relax and enjoy the town.

To Note: Since the Rainbow Valley is at a slightly higher altitude, you might feel some signs of it like shortness of breath or headache. We usually walk slow on the tour so it is manageable. But remember to keep hydrating yourself!

3) Laguna Baltinache

• Altitude: ~2400 meters / ~8000 feet
• Tour Company: Pukarumi Travels
• Tour Cost: 40,000 CLP
• Entrance fee: 10,000 CLP

The Baltinache Lagoons was a hidden gem in the middle of the desert.

The moment we stepped off the van, we changed into our swimsuits and were provided with bath towel to protect our skin from the sun and salt. It was a 10-min walk on salt flats to reach the lagoon.

The water was such a vibrant turquoise in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains! And the high salt content made it so easy to float. We had strictly 20 minutes to float and enjoy the peace. The experience was so amazing! This is the place where you can swim even if you don’t know swimming!

The guide snapped a few photos while we were all just hanging out in the water, making memories in this paradise. After our swim, we covered up in our towels again and headed back to the van. We were hosed down with water to wash off the salt.

On the way back, we passed a few other lagoons, but it was clear they were drying up. Our guide mentioned that the area had been bought by mining companies for lithium and salt extraction, which hit me hard. The thought that these beautiful places could disappear in the coming years was a sobering reminder of how fragile nature really is.

If you’re in San Pedro de Atacama, I highly recommend taking the time to visit Baltinache Lagoon. It’s a rare and special experience, and a reminder to appreciate these beautiful places before they change forever.

4) Astronomical Tour (Star Gazing)

• Tour Company: Pukarumi Travels
• Tour Cost: 25,000 CLP

MAGICAL. Mind-blowing. Honestly, I thought I knew what a dark sky looked like… until I did this tour. This was next-level.

We left San Pedro around 9:30 PM and drove about 20–25 minutes out into the desert, to a designated dark sky reserve – far enough from town to escape all artificial light. San Pedro de Atacama happens to be one of the best stargazing spots on the planet thanks to its high altitude, dry climate, and clear skies nearly year-round. It’s no wonder some of the world’s biggest observatories are built in this region!

When we arrived, a softly lit path guided us to the main viewing area where we settled in. The moment we let our eyes adjust– bam – the sky came alive. It sparkled. I’m talking thousands upon thousands of stars, and not just dots- some twinkled, some glowed, and we also saw many shooting stars!

Our guide began pointing out constellations and bright stars using a laser pointer, making it feel like a show just for us. We saw Mars shining orange with the naked eye, and even spotted the Andromeda Galaxy – a fuzzy patch of light that’s 2.5 million light-years away! We could literally see another galaxy without any equipment. Wild.

After that, we were split into two groups: one got to do a photoshoot under the stars, and the other looked through the telescope. Through it, we saw some of the biggest and brightest stars up close, along with Jupiter and two of its moons.

The photo session was super fun – they took creative shots with the Milky Way as our backdrop. We got our photos the next day.

To top it all off, they served us hot drinks and snacks, which hit the spot because the desert air was getting pretty chilly. I wrapped my hands around a cup of hot chocolate while staring up at a sky full of stars – trying to capture the moment. 

And just when we thought it couldn’t get better, the moon began to rise as we were leaving. It was the first moonrise I’ve ever seen, and it felt like the perfect curtain call. As the sky began to brighten, we headed back to San Pedro just after midnight. We didn’t want to leave and we wished we could camp under the stars!

Highly, highly recommend doing this tour. You will not get a clearer night sky anywhere else – this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. Do make sure though, the dates you are traveling on do not have a full moon.

5) Piedras Rojas, Chaxa Lagoon, And The Altiplanic Lagoons

• Altitude: ~2300 meters / ~7545 feet to ~4300 meters / ~14107 feet
• Tour Company: Pukarumi Travels
• Tour Cost: 60,000 CLP
• Entrance Fee: 29,000 CLP (covers all three locations)

We almost skipped this tour. With the Uyuni trip already in the pipeline, we thought: Aren’t these just more high-altitude lagoons and flamingos? But trust me – no two landscapes in the Atacama look or feel the same. And we are so glad we didn’t miss this one.

The day started early, with a 6:30 AM pickup from our hostel. First stop: Chaxa Lagoon, tucked inside the Los Flamencos National Reserve. The place is a haven for flamingos, and seeing them up close for the first time felt surreal! They looked almost too graceful to be real.

At the entrance, we got to see the tiny shrimps – Artemia salina – that gives the flamingos their iconic color. Our guide even told us how the flamingoes stir the mud with their feet in a funny little dance move to bring their food up to the surface. Also, fun flamingo fact: they sleep on one leg because it’s energy-efficient. Nature is wild like that!

There was a moment when we were just standing quietly near the lagoon, no cameras, no talking – just watching the flamingoes in the distance, savoring every moment.

After Chaxa, we made a quick stop in Socaire, a little village at 3,500m. It gave us time to stretch, snack, and most importantly – acclimatize. This village has been inhabited since pre-Columbian times and still follows traditional agricultural practices using ancient terraced farming techniques.

From Socaire, we climbed higher to reach the stunning Altiplanic Lagoons – Miscanti and Miñiques. Surrounded by snow-dusted volcanoes, these lagoons are absolutely breathtaking (literally, thanks to the altitude). Miscanti is the larger one where we did a 45-minute walk along the shoreline, while Miñiques is more of a picture-perfect viewpoint.

The final stop: Piedras Rojas – and wow, it IS red! These volcanic red rocks contrast beautifully with the turquoise water around them. It’s extremely windy out there (my hat almost became a souvenir for the desert), so hold onto your stuff – we even saw a poor soul’s 10,000 CLP notes flying around.

There’s a short hike to get to the actual red rocks, where you can wander around, and take photos. On the way back, our guide pointed out the Licancabur Volcano, which dominates the skyline between Chile and Bolivia. Ancient Atacameño people believed this volcano was sacred.

Pro tip: If you’re self-driving, buy your tickets online in advance and check in at Socaire town. There’s no way to purchase tickets at the site itself. If you’re going with a tour, you can pay at the agency.

6) El Tatio Geysers

• Altitude: 4,800 meters / 15,748 feet
• Tour Company: Denomades
• Tour Cost: 35,000 CLP

This was another tour we debated skipping. After all, we were going to see geysers in Uyuni – how different could they be? But here’s the thing: if you’re only in it to see some hot bubbling water, sure, maybe they seem similar. But if you’re even slightly curious about geology, or if you’re the kind of person who loves being blown away by landscapes that feel not-of-this-world – then El Tatio is a must.

El Tatio isn’t just any geyser field. It’s the highest geyser field in the world, sitting at a jaw-dropping 4,800 meters above sea level. It’s home to around 80 active geysers, and let me tell you – it’s a beautiful sight, especially before sunrise.

Yes, you read that right. You have to wake up painfully early – most tours leave around 4:30 AM – but it’s all worth it. Pre-dawn is when the geysers are the most active, and the -5°C temperatures create thick, dramatic columns of steam rising from the earth. The entire landscape looks like it’s breathing. You’ll walk around feeling like you’re on another planet, or in some prehistoric scene before life as we know it began.

And in a way… you kind of are.

See those streaks of red, green, and yellow near the geysers? It’s not iron or minerals like we assumed – it’s bacteria. But not just any bacteria. These are thermophilic microorganisms – the kind that thrive in extreme conditions, and some of the earliest forms of life on Earth. El Tatio is one of just five places on the planet where you can see these lifeforms in their natural habitat. So basically, you’re looking at the origins of life – your origins – in living color. Mind blown!

Our tour started before sunrise, and we explored one section of the geyser field while it was still dark and cold. As the sun came up, we headed to the main field where steam plumes rose like smoke signals across the valley. It’s hard to describe just how magical it felt – raw, silent, powerful.

But here’s a heads-up: the altitude is no joke. Combine high elevation with cold air and an empty stomach (they serve breakfast after the tour), and it’s easy to feel lightheaded or low on energy. We definitely recommend bringing a snack and staying super hydrated. Electrolyte powder or coca tea can help too.

You need layers. It’s really cold at that hour. We wore jackets, gloves, beanies – the whole deal – and we were still shivering. But it made the warm cup of hot chocolate at breakfast that much more satisfying.

El Tatio isn’t just another tick on the tour list – it’s a chance to witness Earth at its rawest, weirdest, and most awe-inspiring. Don’t skip it!

TIP: If you buy the tours in person from the tour agency office, bargain for get the best deals! And bargain a lot.

FAQs To Visit San Pedro de Atacama

How To Reach San Pedro de Atacama?

San Pedro de Atacama is a small desert town located about 1.5 hours from Calama, which is home to the closest airport (El Loa Airport – CJC). Most travelers fly into Calama and then make their way to SPA by either:

• Renting a car: This gives you flexibility to explore the region on your own. Car rentals tend to be cheaper and offer more options in Calama than in SPA itself. We recommend renting your cars from Rentalcars or DiscoverCars for best offers.
• Taking a shuttle: Two major companies – TransVip and Transfer Pampa – offer direct airport shuttles to San Pedro. The ride takes about 90 minutes and costs around 15,000 CLP (~$17 USD). You can book a spot online in advance or at their counters at the airport when you arrive.

Where To Stay In San Pedro de Atacama?

There are many hostels to choose from. Since it is a small town, it is pretty much walkable. Here are some budget options that you can choose from:

Anka Hostel: A great budget friendly option with good internet and buffet breakfast! Beds in a dorm style room start at $31 USD per night.

Mamatierra Hostel: Another great budget friendly option with internet and buffet breakfast. Great location and a rustic vibe to enjoy the experience. It also has a kitchen to prepare meals. Beds in a dorm style room start at $26 USD per night.

Hotel Kimal: A little fancier option for those who would like a little splurging. This hotel offers airport transfer, free breakfast, pool, spa and much more! The proces for a cabin room start at $177 USD per night.

What Is The Best Time To Visit San Pedro de Atacama?

The Atacama is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on what you’re looking for.

• March to May (Fall) and September to November (Spring) are ideal – fewer crowds, pleasant temperature, and clear skies.
• June to August (Winter) is colder, especially at night (it can drop below freezing!), but it’s also the clearest time for stargazing.
• December to February (Summer) is warmer but can bring occasional rain due to the Bolivian Winter (a summer rainy season that affects the highlands).

No matter when you go, bring layers – it can be super hot during the day and freezing cold in the early mornings and nights.

How Many Days Should I Keep To Visit San Pedro de Atacama?

Ideally, 4 to 5 full days is perfect! That gives you enough time to:

• Acclimatize (trust me, the altitude is real)
• Explore the main highlights: Valle de la Luna, high-altitude lagoons, geysers, and do the astronomical tour
• Squeeze in a chill day or a half-day activity like a salt flat or hot springs visit

If you have more time, even better – you can explore off-the-beaten-path places or just enjoy the peaceful desert vibes.

Can I Go To Uyuni From San Pedro de Atacama?

Yes! You can absolutely do the Uyuni Salt Flats tour starting from SPA. Most people do a 3-day tour that crosses the border into Bolivia and ends in the centre of Uyuni.
Important to know:

• You’ll cross the border early in the morning on Day 1
• Some tours can be rough – long drives, basic accommodation, and high altitude – so be mentally prepared
• You can also do it round-trip if you want to return to SPA

If you are going from SPA to Uyuni, you get a chance to slowly acclimatize too.

What Should I Pack For San Pedro de Atacama?

Layers, layers, layers! The desert is unpredictable. Here’s a basic list:

• Warm jacket (especially for early morning tours like El Tatio or the lagoons)
• Gloves/Beanie – You will need that for early morning tours like El Tatio
• Comfortable hiking shoes as you will be doing small hikes with the tours
• Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle – hydration is key at altitude
• Swimsuit and towel if you’re visiting hot springs
• Snacks for longer tours (like geysers or Piedras Rojas)
• Headlamp or flashlight for nighttime activities or power outages
• Cash – Lots of cash! Tours are cheaper if you pay in cash. There are 3-4 ATMs available in the town if you need to withdraw cash.

Are There Any Washrooms During The Tour?

Well, this question was important for me because if I hydrate then I have to pee often too. If this is important for you too, then don’t worry you will find the washrooms.

Most major stops had washrooms. Keep toilet paper or tissues as you might not find them everywhere. The tour guides stopped at least 2 times for washroom breaks so we never had a problem (considering I have a sensitive bladder!)
Also, be okay to make a “nature stop” or “Inca style”(aka pee behind a rock 😅).
So yes, there are washrooms – but it’s always good to be prepared!

Final Thoughts

San Pedro de Atacama completely surprised us. It ended up being one of the most breathtaking parts of our trip. From spotting wild flamingoes for the first time to watching geysers shoot steam into the freezing morning air to lying under a sky so full of stars it didn’t look real – every single day had a wow moment.

This trip also reminded us why we choose to travel slowly. Staying longer gave us room to settle into the rhythm of the desert, to be present with the landscape, and to not rush from one bucket-list item to the next. We took days off between tours to rest, work a bit, and just explore San Pedro at our own pace. That space to pause made the experiences sink in even deeper.

We’re also really glad we chose to do guided tours for most of the sites. The guides added so much context and history we wouldn’t have known on our own – and they made the logistics, altitude management, and access to remote places way easier. Honestly, it was worth every peso.

If you’re on the fence about visiting – go. And if you can, take your time. Let the desert unfold slowly. You won’t regret it.

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