atacama desert day tours

Atacama Desert Tours - Chile

10 most amazing atacama desert tours for 2024-2025.

• Atacama Desert

Awasi Atacama Desert

Chile north to south, atacama archaeological tour, astronomical tour, rainbow valley & yerbas buenas, puritama hotsprings, sandboarding at mars valley, explora atacama, chile astronomy adventure, top atacama desert hotels & lodges, awasi atacama, tierra atacama, hotel altiplanico, hotel kimal, atacama desert traveler stories, chile: patagonia and atacama, jenny explores chile's atacama desert and torres del paine, chile travel guide.

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Favorite Chile All Trips

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Atacama Desert Trips by Departure Date

• 2024 Atacama Desert trips (12)
• 2025 Atacama Desert trips (11)
• 2026 Atacama Desert trips (9)
• April 2024 (11)
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Atacama Desert Trips by Activity

• Atacama Desert wildlife viewing (3)
• Atacama Desert village visits (3)

Why Travel With Adventure Life

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• Tierra Atacama
• Tierra Chiloé
• Tierra Patagonia

One of the best perks of being a guest at Tierra Hotels? Our excursions! These curated experiences give our guests a chance to get to know Chile on a whole new level. Please note that excursions are not available for public booking – you must be a guest to reserve a spot.

Adventures in the Atacama Desert are plentiful, and at Tierra Atacama you will find a wonderful variety of excursions. When you arrive at Tierra Atacama our expert guides will personally walk you through our portfolio of excursions.  The guides will get to know your interests and physical activity level, helping to create a bespoke journey for you to explore the Atacama Desert your way.*

* All of our excursions are subject to weather conditions, availability depending on local regulations regarding the entrance policies established by the indigenous communities in charge of the protected areas.

Experience Mountains, Music & Mars on the Vallecito Walking Tour in Chile’s Atacama Desert

On this walk we will go to the salt mountain range located to the west of the San Pedro Oasis. Once there, we will make three stops.

Tatio Geysers at Sunrise

Feast your eyes on the Tatio Geysers, one of the world’s most impressive geothermal sites and certainly an icon of the Atacama Desert.

Hiking Excursion through the Purilactis Valley

Crystalline rivers, impossibly dramatic rock formations and some of the oldest petroglyphs anywhere in the region are just some of the enticing encounters which await on the Purilaktis Trek.

Scenic Piedras Rojas Lagoon Tours

On this tour we will visit 3 beautiful lagoons. We will head south and arrive first at the Miscanti Lagoon, located 1 hour and 30 minutes from the hotel and 4,100 meters above sea level.

The Salar de Atacama

Uncover the bewildering sights of the Salar de Atacama on this captivating excursion to Chaxa Lagoon, where vivid colors and resident Flamingos abound.

Atacama Petroglyphs in Chile’s Rainbow Valley

Unearth ancient petroglyphs and admire a kaleidoscope of color at Rainbow Valley on this excursion; a geological and archaeological treat.

Bike Tour of Cejar Lagoon & Atacama Salt Flats

Depart the hotel heading south by bike towards the edge of the Atacama Salt Flat. On arrival at the Cejar lagoon, the view of the thick salt crust which has formed around the water hole is amazing. Following a swim and a rest, we return to the hotel by vehicle.

Hike the Cerro Toco Volcano Climb

Located just 6km from the border between Chile and Bolivia, Cerro Toco is as awe-inspiring to look at from the ground, as the expansive panoramas are to be enjoyed from its summit.

Guatin Gatchi Valley

Expect a confection of distinctive desert plantlife and trickling rivers, on this tour to the Valle de Guatin.

Hike through Devil’s Canyon in Chile: Quebrada del Diablo

Discover the beguiling land formations of the Quebrada del Diablo and enjoy a dose of local heritage, here in the Cordillera de la Sal.

THE 10 BEST San Pedro de Atacama Multi-Day Tours

Multi-day tours in san pedro de atacama.

• Multi-day Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Walking Tours
• Night Tours
• Photography Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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14. Atacama All inclusive 3 Days / 3 Nights / 3 Tours + Lodging

15. Private 3 Days and 3 Tours + Airport Transfers

16. Atacama desert program 4 days - 3 nights

17. Uyuni Salt Flats 3 Days/2 Night from San Pedro de Atacama

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19. Full Atacama - SORBAC (group tours)

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27. 5 Fantastic in Atacama Desert in 3 Days

28. 7-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama, Salta, Cafayate & the Calchaqui Valley

29. Uyuni Salt Flats-Full Day, from San Pedro de Atacama by Bus

30. 6-Days Discovering 2 of the World's Largest Salt Flats, Atacama & Uyuni

What travelers are saying.

• Multi-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama with Pickup
• 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama
• 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama
• 4-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama
• 4-Days Trip to Discover San Pedro de Atacama
• ATACAMA MAGIC
• Atacama Tours
• Altiplano Expediciones
• Atacama Trips
• HORIZONTE ATACAMA
• Mayu Sky & Travel
• Stars Travel
• Agencia de Turismo Alabalti-atacama
• Cruz Andina Travel

Rescheduling and cancellation flexibility in all our tours and programs

Restrictions

• Moon Valley:
• Not allowed for pregnant women.
• Minimum age required of 6 years old.
• Astrophotography Tour:
• Minimum age required of 2 years old.
• Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache:
• Minimum age required of 3 years old.
• El Tatio Geysers:
• Minimum age required of 8 years old.

Cancellation policy

• You will be able to reschedule without any cost or cancel with full refund until 48 hours before the beginning of the program. After that period, it will not be possible to make changes or cancellations.
• Which is the availability for the Perfect Plan?

We have availability for any date from Monday to Sunday. You just need to book it 48 hours in advance.

• Is it possible to change the tours order?

Yes. You can customize the itinerary your way. However, the suggested order is better for aclimatation to altitude, leaving the higher places for the end of the tour.

• Is it possible to book the itinerary without the shuttles, adding another excursions or changing dates?

Yes. First, you have to add the perfect plan to the shopping cart, and then in the cart you will be able to change, delete and/or add the services you want, automatically updating the total price you have to pay.

• Is there any restriction for the places reached by the shuttle service?

The shuttle service is nor carried out from/to accommodations located outside the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama, accommodations located at ayllus close to San Pedro de Atacama (Quitor, Yaye, Checar, Sequitor, Solor and Coyo) nor accommodations in the town of Toconao.

• Which times are available times of the shuttle?

The shuttle is available for flies landing between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm , and for flights taking off between 8:00 am and 11:59 pm .

• What happens with the activities of this plan in case of rain?

The possibility of having rain in San Pedro de Atacama is between January and March, which probably will produce changes in the itineraries of the tours or even cancel the activities, if needed. In both cases, we will notify you the previous days to give you some alternatives.

• It is possible to book the Perfect Plan with accommodation?

In our website you will be able to book only transportation and excursions. If you want to add accommodation, you can quote and book online here .

• The tours are made in a group of how many people?

The size of the group depends on the tour and the date, but the average people in each one is between 5 and 18 people.

• The tours are made in what type of vehicle?

The vehicle depends on the size of the group. It can be a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (or similar) or a Volare (or similar).

• What does the breakfast include?

The breakfast includes tea, coffee, milk, bread, hot chocolate, juices and fruits.

• How likely is suffer "puna" or altitude sickness during the tours?

Some tours of the plan reach more than 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) of altitude, so it is possible to suffer from altitude sickness. You can read our tips to avoid it in our article El mal de altura: Causas, Síntomas y Consejo .

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Tours in San Pedro de Atacama

TOUR SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (3 days / 2 nights)

Arrival at the airport of Calama , transfer to San pedro de Atacama , acommodation in your hotel .

Afternoon : Moon Valley.

Departure from the hotel at 16:00 hrs to enjoy a panoramic view over the Cordillera of the Andes , the Great Salt Lake of the Atacama , the Oasis of San Pedro and the Salt Cordillera . From here you visit the Death Valley (also called Mars Valley), exploring its labyrinths and canyons on an easy hike of about 35 minutes. After a stop at the Salt Caves, where you can appreciate the structures of salt, gypsum and clay, you continue to the Moon Valley . Here you will visit the Amphitheater, the Three Marias and finish the day with an impressive view over the Andes . You return to San Pedro around 20:00 hrs. approximately. 

Departure from your hotel between 07:00 and 07:30 am. You leave San Pedro de Atacama to go south and border the Salt Lake of the Atacama to visit Tambillo, the village of   Toconao with its colonial church and the old fruit gardens. From there you move on to the Great Salt Lake Atacama , the third biggest in the world and the one with the highest Lithium production on earth. Also, you visit the Lagoon Chaxa , part of the Flamingo National Reserve . The excursion continues to the Highland lagoons Miscanti and Meñiques , located over 3.500m over sea level and surrounded by the mountains of the Andes. It is one of the few places where you can find the Horned Tagua, among many other species of birds and mammals like the Andean Fox and the Vicuña. You will travel along the international route leading to Argentina to visit the Salt Lake Talar  and Piedras Rojas. After a picnic lunch you return to San Pedro where you arrive around 18:00 hrs.

Departure at 04:30 am northwards. You cross the hills and mountains of the Cordillera of the Andes to get to the Tatio Geysers after about 1,5 hours. They are located 89km from San Pedro at an altitude of 4.230m over sea level. The geothermic field consists of more than 80 active geysers of different magnitudes and should be visited very early in the morning when the water shoots with high intensity. The high difference between water temperature and atmospheric temperature at sunrise causes a fascinating condensation of the steam. In summer, the atmospheric temperature reaches about - 6ºC and in Winter it can reach -20 ºC. You will have time to visit different geysers and steam columns and you can to take a bath in the natural thermal pool. After breakfast with an exciting view over the geysers we return to San Pedro passing the village of Machuca . Arrival approximately at 12:00 hrs in San Pedro .

At the scheduled time, we realize the transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to the airport of Calama .

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3 Days in the Atacama Desert: The Perfect Atacama Itinerary

How should you spend 3 days in the Atacama Desert? Plan a mindblowing trip with this Atacama Desert itinerary – discovering the best of this high-altitude desert along the way.

The Atacama Desert sprawls over a vast 40,441 mi², a stretch of surprisingly varied landscapes that transition from the otherworldly peaks of the Cordillera de Sal to the petrified lava tracks and purple-red volcanoes of the High Altiplano. 

In other words, the driest desert in the world is surprisingly picturesque. If you think of a desert and think of endless stretches of sand dunes with the occasional cactus, think again. The Atacama is serving bright blue lakes, flamingos, stunning night skies, crusted salt flats and a whole lot of stunning places in between. 

I love the Atacama Desert (I’ve just come back from my second trip there and WOW), but I also know how tricky it is to fit everything into a short amount of time. Not to fear, friends, I’m going to help you conjure up the perfect  San Pedro de Atacama 3-day tour – and share everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.

Handy Tips for Planning Your Atacama Desert Itinerary 

Top Tours for Your Atacama Desert Itinerary 

• San Pedro de Atacama: Etno-Astronomical Tour 
• Half Day Cycling Adventure from San Pedro de Atacama
• The Ultimate 3-Day Tour of the Atacama

What to Pack for Your Atacama Desert Itinerary

• You will be doing a lot of walking, so have a good pair of hiking boots , a scarf  or buff for the dusty landscape, and a water bottle (or two) tucked away in your daypack .
• Tech gadgets come in handy on any trip, but I like to bring a portable charger and travel adapter to keep my phone charged throughout the day. A GPS or compass is also a must when exploring the open desert.  
• Warm clothes for sunrises and stargazing are a must, but you’ll also want a wide-brimmed hat, loose, lightweight clothing, and sunglasses for the baking hot days. 

Where to Stay for Your Atacama Desert 

Nayara alto atacama.

Stay just outside San Pedro de Atacama at Nayara Alto Atacama , my top pick for the best hotel in the area. I stayed here for part of my most recent trip and loved it. 

You can select a few boarding options, including bed and breakfast, an all-inclusive with group tours, or all-inclusive with private tours. They’re renowned for their guided stargazing experiences and observatory on-site, so I highly suggest reserving a spot in advance. 

Hotel Desertica

Walk in from the dusty, crowded streets of San Pedro de Atacama into the peace and quiet of Hotel Desertica , where the sun-drenched terrace and sleek pool welcome you with open arms from the scorching desert sun. 

This was another favourite from my recent Atacama trip. Natural local materials, hardwoods, and splashes of colour create an authentic Atacama look that so many hotels strive for, but few really pull off.

Quick Info for Your 3 Days in the Atacama Desert 

• Time Zone: Chile Standard or Summer Time (UTC – 4, UTC -3)
• Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
• Plugs: Types C and L
• Nearest Airport: Calama (El Loa Airport (CJC))
• 5 Must-See Spots: Laguna Chaxa, Stargazing at Nayara Alto Atacama, Piedras Rojas, Miscanti & Miniques, El Tatio Geysers
• Top Tip: When stargazing, use a red flashlight to minimise light pollution and keep your eyes accustomed to the dark.

Getting Around 

Getting around is easiest with guided tours from San Pedro de Atacama or hiring a car. You can also hire a caravan from Wicked South America to camp in the Atacama Desert. 

Atacama Desert Itinerary 

Atacama desert itinerary day one.

Trying to fit everything into 3 days in the Atacama Desert? I’ll help you map out the perfect Atacama Desert itinerary for your trip. 

Top Tip: Work your way up in altitude on each day so you can acclimate to the higher elevations. Save the Tatio Geysers for last.

See the Flamingos at Laguna Chaxa 

Laguna Chaxa is one of the Atacama’s most beautiful spots – a stunning expanse of salty waters framed by volcanos on one side, the red hues of the salt range on the other. 

It’s also home to one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Atacama too. Contrary to popular belief, flamingos aren’t born pink – they actually turn that colour due to their algae-heavy diet. Because Laguna Chaxa is full of their favourite food, you’ll find Chilean, Andean, and James flamingos (the smallest and pinkest) on this popular day trip on your 3-day Atacama Desert tour.

Take a Swim at Laguna Cejar

You can’t dive in at most of the salt lagunas in the Atacama but pack your swimsuit for Laguna Cejar. Swimming in this mineral and salt rich lake you’ll feel featherlight when floating in this oasis in the Atacama Desert. If you’ve ever wanted to swim in the Dead Sea, this is about as close as it gets. Save this stop for the drive back from Laguna Chaxa, when temperatures warm up a bit in the early afternoon or take a guided tour.

Sunset at Valle de Luna or Ckamur

A sunset in Valle de la Luna is one of the top things to do in San Pedro de Atacama. That said, the sharp rock formations of lesser-known Ckamur (in the Valle de la Muerte) also light up spectacular shades of orange, pink, and purple at dusk – most importantly – minus the crowds. 

If you do decide to visit Valle de la Luna, I think sunrises are a much better idea as the park is a lot quieter –  and you should have enough time to fit it in before driving down to Laguna Chaxa.

Dinner at Karavan Restobar

Karavan Restobar is a laid-back eatery in San Pedro de Atacama that specialises in healthy cuisine and freshly made cocktails in a scaled-back setting with a few nods to the nearby desert sprinkled throughout the minimalist decor. 

There’s also lots of variety on the food front, with some great vegan and vegetarian choices available, too. 

The cocktails are excellent, they have some nice local beers, and the sandwiches are big enough to satisfy your craving for a heavy meal after a hike in the desert. 

Take a Stargazing Tour 

End the first night of your 3 day Atacama itinerary by grabbing a spot on a guided tour . An expert astronomer will walk you through how to see stars, constellations, and old galaxies using the hotel’s powerful telescope. 

Numerous stargazing tours are available, providing access to telescopes and guided tours of the famously clear, dark skies by experts. If you’re staying at Nayara Alto Atacama, they hold free tours from their in-house observatory twice a night – they’re spectacular. 

Top Tip: Winter months (April to September) offer the clearest skies and the opportunity to see the Southern Cross (Crux) constellation in the Milky Way.

Atacama Desert Itinerary Day 2

Now that you’ve started acclimating to the desert altitude, you can make your way up to the High Altiplano. Today is going to be your longest day on the road, so I suggest bringing plenty of water and some snacks to get you through the long drive.

Learn About Human Life in the Atacama at Socaire Village 

Stop by the small village of Socaire on your drive down to Miscanti & Miñiques Lagoons. Socaire is a small village of only 600 people, known for agriculture like quinoa and brilliant purple potatoes – in fact, you can see agricultural terraces outside the village that date all the way back to the Incan times.

Spend a couple of hours here if you can, and marvel at the 600-year-old Socaire Church, made from volcanic rocks and dried Cardon cactus.

Eat at Cocineria San Santiago for local Chilean cuisine prepared from fresh ingredients, some of which are sourced on the property. 

Visit The Miscanti & Miñiques Lagoons

If you want to see two of the most scenic Altiplanic Lakes, drive up to the High Altiplano or take this guided tour that also stops in Socaire and Chaxa Lagoon.

Surrounded by the Miscanti and Minaqui volcanoes, the two lakes are a photographer’s dream. 

Famous for the contrasting colours (even though Miscanti flows into Minques), the bright blue Lake Miscanti and the dark, mysterious waters of Miñiques make for mesmerising photos. 

Top Tip: Keep your eyes open for wildlife, it’s common to see the gorgeous vicuña – an adorable (and tiny) member of the camel family that calls this area home. 

Hike The Piedras Rojas

Sitting on the road that eventually leads you to Argentina, the Piedras Rojas and Salar de Talar are some of my favourite places in the Atacama. 

The high altitude salt and mineral-laden Salar de Talar showcases surreal shades of blue and turquoise, leading to a veritable kaleidoscope of colours on the purple-hued Volcano Capur. 

Hike to the lake’s edge via the Piedras Rojas, a series of undulating red rocks that lead from the car park to the water’s edge. 

The hike takes about an hour because you have to move slowly (the elevation here is over 4,000m) – no matter, the ever-changing scenery will keep you occupied along the way. 

See the Ancient Village of Toconao (and Some of Chile’s Highest Vineyards)

It’s a long 2-hour drive back to San Pedro, so I recommend stopping by Toconao towards the end and visiting this ancient village (the oldest in the area). 

You’ll find some of the highest vineyards in Chile in this small town famous for its masonry, architecture, and the highest vineyard in chile. Grab a glass of wine or two at Bodega Ayllu – you can tour the vineyards or winery if you book ahead .

Atacama Desert Itinerary Day 3

Now that you’re as acclimated as you’ll get to the elevation, it’s time to take the drive north to the fabled El Tatio Geysers, 4,321 metres above sea level.

El Tatio Geysers

Rise and shine, you’ll need to set your alarm early for the best possible experience on your Atacama Desert trip at El Tatio Geysers (The Crying Grandfather geysers). 

Most guided tours head out just around sunrise, and they’re great. But do yourself a favour and drive out yourself an hour or two beforehand.

Once you pay the £6 ($8) fee, you can see the stars fade and the sky change to a deep purple before gradually transforming to the warmth of the dawn colours as the active geysers blast steam high into the sunrise sky.

Top Tip: Dress warmly in the winter (it was -15 Celcius on my trip), and heed any warnings about where and where not to go as there have been fatalities in the past.

Puritama Hot Springs

Mornings are chilly at El Tatio, so why not take a break for a picnic lunch at the beautiful Puritama Hot Springs. You’ll find eight geothermal pools at the base of the Sairecabur Volcano.

The setting is surprisingly lush, filled with green grasses and red rocks butted up against the clear, mineral-rich waters of this gorgeous canyon.

You can take a guided tour , or pay the entrance fee at the gate, which is currently 35,000 CLP (£28). 

Guatín Canyon Hike

If you still have some energy left to round off your Atacama Desert 3-day itinerary, try the Guatín Canyon Hike. 

Starting at the small hamlet of Guatín, you’ll enjoy a mellow and scenic hike with towering Candelabra cacti – which can stretch 7 metres high. 

Nestled along the Puritama and Purifica rivers, you’ll see the two merge into the Vilama River as you walk along this long but rewarding hike. 

Top Tip: The full trek is quite long, and you’ll need to arrange for someone to pick you up at the end. Or just walk until you’re satisfied and turn back – I did the latter. 

Dinner at La Casona

Save the best for last on your Atacama itinerary, and eat at the delicious (and equally busy) La Carsona. 

You can try classic Chilean dishes like the tried and true Pastel de Choclo. Ceviche and Chorrillana are delicious here, too. It’s a casual spot but fills up fast, so go as early as possible. 

Atacama Desert Itinerary – Map 

3 Days in the Atacama Desert: Read Next

• Things to do in the Atacama Desert
• Fancy Hiking a Volcano? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Cerro Toco Hike
• These are the places you should visit in Chile
• Explore Chile with this 10-day itinerary

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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Atacama Desert, An unforgettable 4 days journey

• Partially Guided

• Introduction
• Day 1 Calama Airport, Arrival - Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama
• Day 2 Half Day Moon Valley & Cejar Lagoons + Ojos del Salar + Tebinquiche lagoon
• Day 3 Tatio Geysers Full Day excursion
• Day 4 Departure to Calama Airport

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Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Your peace of mind options, cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Reviews About This Operator

• Tour Operator Signature Tours 4.9
• Stephen · 14th April 2024 As perfect as a trip could be! Fantastic accommodations, amazing scenery, extremely knowledgeable guide, exquisite... Show more
• Roger · 26th February 2024 Excellent tour, everything was handled professionally and to our extreme satisfaction. We were greeted at the airport... Show more
• Anita · 16th February 2024 The organization was excellent and Marilda from Signature extremely helpful. The Atacama portion was with a fabulous... Show more

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• -10% Wednesday 1 May, 2024 Saturday 4 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Thursday 2 May, 2024 Sunday 5 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 3 May, 2024 Monday 6 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 4 May, 2024 Tuesday 7 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 5 May, 2024 Wednesday 8 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Monday 6 May, 2024 Thursday 9 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Tuesday 7 May, 2024 Friday 10 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Wednesday 8 May, 2024 Saturday 11 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Thursday 9 May, 2024 Sunday 12 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 10 May, 2024 Monday 13 May, 2024 English, Spanish Multiple Room Types €1,083 €975 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

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Good to Know

• Currency $ Chilean Peso Chile

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, L.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Chile. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Chile. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Chile. Ideally 2 months before travel.
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The otherworldly desert that’s brilliant for stargazing

Lunar desert, supersize observatories, and charming hotels – chile is the top place for both scientists and amateur enthusiasts.

T he millions of people who gathered to see the recent solar eclipse across North America show just how fascinated we are with the night sky. Lockdowns during the pandemic prompted a huge rise in the purchase of telescopes, but in our increasingly electrified world, light pollution makes stargazing difficult. Yes, we have dark sky reserves here in the UK, but if you really want to see the night sky in all its glory you need to go to the Atacama desert in Chile, where there has been a significant increase in the number of visits from amateur stargazers in the past decade. Tour operators report that while you once had individuals turning up with telescopes, rising demand means that there are now numerous organised tours for enthusiasts such as me.

My interest in the night skies began during the first lockdown, when the slower pace of life meant I had time to pull out the telescope that my husband had been given years earlier. We live in London, where it’s difficult to see anything above of interest, but one clear night on the Somerset Levels with the telescope pointed at Jupiter was enough to inspire me to join the growing band of astro tourists heading for Chile.

Atacama is a sparsely populated and largely rainless plateau that runs in a continuous 650-mile strip east from the Pacific along the Andes mountain range. It’s up to three miles above sea level, is home to several leading space observatories and most powerful telescopes and draws in novice and professional astronomers alike.

It’s possible to visit some of the observatories by applying for permission via their websites — you need to give a reason, such as being a scientist or a writer. I went to a European Southern Observatory facility not far from the borders of Bolivia and Argentina. Atacama Large Millimeter Array (Alma) is one of the most ambitious astronomical projects, designed to decipher the origins of the universe by picking up light waves from some of the earliest and most distant galaxies. It is at an altitude of 5,000m (16,400ft), so before heading up we had our blood pressure and oxygen levels checked and were handed backpacks containing oxygen tanks. Two older tourists, including an astronomer from the Netherlands, were refused entry after failing their medical checks.

Alma is not a conventional telescope. It’s made up of 66 super-sensitive antennas housed in huge satellite dishes that link to a supercomputer, making up one giant telescope. There in the daylight we didn’t see any stars or planets, but the arid lunar landscape, parabolic dishes and computer screens made me feel as though I had stumbled onto a Star Wars set.

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Another way to see Alma is by walking up the 5,600m Cerro Toco volcano opposite. It’s a popular hike, but you’d need to acclimatise first and take a guide, typically organised by hotels in the area.

Atacama is not a desert in the classic sense as there are no sand dunes. Rather, it’s a high plateau punctuated by volcanoes, geysers and salt lakes that shimmer under an unrelenting sun. Nasa uses it to test prototype rovers and instruments for missions to Mars because the soil resembles that of the red planet.

The best way to experience the night skies is by going on a stargazing tour (though, to avoid crowds, don’t book your holiday during a full moon). I went with Thalia Moder, who used to work at Alma’s educational outreach department before setting up the travel company Turi Kunza, which specialises in indigenous culture and small-group tours, last year (from £38pp; turikunza.cl).

Thalia met my husband and me at our hotel and drove us for about 15 minutes into the middle of the desert, where there is no light pollution. She unpacked a 16in Dobsonian telescope, a couple of fold-up chairs and explained how since the beginning of time human beings have used the night skies to find their way and track the changing seasons. “You could say astronomy is the oldest science,” she said, detailing how the ancient Greeks and Romans were the first to map the night skies. “Here in Chile, the indigenous peoples had their own constellations, made up of the dark spaces in the Milky Way rather than the stars.”

Tracing a line in the sky with her green laser she pointed out the shape of a llama. “In spring when Llama touches the horizon, we know the rains are going to come.” She then adjusted the telescope so I could see Jupiter, with five of its moons lined up like a string of shimmering pearls. But the money shot was Saturn, luminous and resplendent with its rings.

The oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama is the centre of the stargazing industry in Chile. It’s a small, dusty, place with red adobe buildings and a tiny white church dating from the 1600s; I half-expected to see Clint Eastwood ride through on a horse with a telescope strapped to his back. Instead of saloon bars, the high street is packed with travel companies offering astronomy tours and daytime visits to some of the more spectacular aspects of the lunar-like landscape of Atacama, including the Tatio geysers, on a volcanic geothermal field, and salt lakes populated by pink flamingos.

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We stayed in Tierra Atacama, a five-star hotel on the outskirts of town. It’s now closed for refurbishment until next March, but if you’re planning a trip before then San Pedro has plenty of alternatives. The Terrantai Lodge is a charming boutique hotel in the centre, opposite the church. It’s built from adobe bricks, weathered wood and stone, with outdoor corridors of smooth rounded pebbles that are atmospherically lit at night. There’s also a plunge pool in which to cool off at the end of a long, hot day (B&B doubles from £240; terrantai.com).

We took a full-day tour to the Miscanti and Miniques lagoons, which are 4,000m above sea level, turquoise blue, lined with salt and dotted with the occasional flamingo. I can also recommend Rainbow Valley, about 55 miles from San Pedro. There you will see vast rock formations in red, green, blue and purple, caused by a combination of salts, minerals and volcanic activity over millions of years. The scenery is spectacular on excursions from the town, but be prepared to spend several hours in a minibus on bumpy, dusty roads.

Altitude sickness strikes people in different ways. I was fine, but my other half got a bad headache on the first day. Don’t make the mistake of going to Atacama straight from a long transatlantic flight or going up too high until you are acclimatised. We bookended our trip with visits to Santiago, the capital, and the colourful port city of Valparaiso.

Santiago was more attractive, leafier and walkable than I was expecting. We stayed at the Singular, a boutique hotel in the bohemian neighbourhood of Lastarria, which was buzzing with cafés, restaurants and street markets (B&B doubles from £250; thesingular.com). On a free walking tour of the city centre we took in street art, the Plaza De Armas, the Presidential Palace and the covered food market (tours4tips.com). We stopped for a glass of local wine at the nearby Chipe Libre, a terrifically hip bar with a tapas-style menu (chipe-libre.cl).

We saw some of the winelands at the end of our trip, on the 90-minute drive between Valparaiso and Santiago airport. Valparaiso is a port city that was settled in the mid-1800s by British and German merchants who built grand sea-view mansions on its many steep hills. These days it’s a bit scruffy and home to university students, musicians, poets and artists, who have decorated the streets with colourful murals.

Felipe Voigt took me on a walking tour and explained how the Brits arrived here when Valparaiso was a stop-off point for ships travelling from the Atlantic to the Pacific. There’s a funicular named after Queen Victoria and an Anglican church that does Sunday lunchtime concerts (from £50pp; aptouring.com). We stayed at Casa Higueras, a 19th-century merchant’s villa with multiple terraces and an infinity pool hanging off the hill (B&B doubles from £155; casahigueras.cl). We loved the city’s music venues, quirky bars and cafés, with their excellent food and wine — such as Café Entre Cerros (mains from £8; fb.com/cafeentrecerrosvalp) and the modern Fauna restaurant, which has a bay-view terrace (mains from £14; faunahotel.cl).

Chile feels more European than many other South American countries, and that goes for the prices too — it’s not cheap, the tourism market aimed at older, wealthier visitors rather than backpackers. But the quality of the food and the accommodation is excellent and nothing compares to the landscapes, from the national parks of Patagonia in the south to the lush central winelands and the high desert in the north — which is, of course, out of this world. Kirsty Lang was a guest of Journey Latin America, which has eight nights’ room only from £4,773pp, including transfers, excursions and some extra meals (or from £5,523pp when Tierra Atacama reopens; journeylatinamerica.com ). Fly to Santiago

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