The driest desert on earth
San Pedro de Atacama
Salt flats, geysers at sunrise, lagoons the colour of swimming pools and the clearest night sky we have ever stood under. Four days is enough to feel like you left the planet.
- Best time
- All year — October and November are warm and dry
- Recommended days
- 3–4 days (4 nights is the sweet spot)
- Getting there
- 2h flight from Santiago to Calama, then a 1h20 transfer to San Pedro
Where to fly
Fly Santiago (SCL) → Calama, El Loa airport (CJC) with LATAM, SKY or JetSMART — about 2 hours, from €90 return if booked early. From the airport take the shared Transvip shuttle (about €20 per person) or a hotel transfer for the 100 km drive to San Pedro.
What not to miss
Valle de la Luna
Sand dunes, salt caves and a red-rock amphitheatre 15 minutes from the village. Go for sunset — it is the classic first evening.
Geysers del Tatio
At 4.300 m, the highest geyser field in the world. You leave at 4am in the dark and arrive as the steam catches the first light. Freezing and completely worth it.
Lagunas Altiplánicas & Piedras Rojas
Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, red volcanic rock over turquoise water and lunch in the tiny village of Socaire. A full day at altitude.
Salar de Atacama & Laguna Cejar
Flamingos at Chaxa at sunset, and salt water so dense at Cejar and Ojos del Salar that you float without trying.
Day by day
This is only a suggestion. The agencies there usually offer packages with flexibility in how the activities are organised, so the days can easily be swapped around to fit your flights and how you feel.
Day 1
Arrive & Valle de la Luna
Land in Calama, transfer to San Pedro, acclimatise slowly (you are at 2.400 m). End the day watching the sun set over Valle de la Luna.
Day 2
Lagunas Altiplánicas
Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, Piedras Rojas, the Atacama salt flat with flamingos, and lunch in the village of Socaire.
Day 3
Geysers del Tatio & stargazing
A 4am start for the geysers at 4.300 m — cold, steaming and unforgettable. Nap in the afternoon, then a stargazing tour at night.
Day 4
Lagoons & fly out
Float in Laguna Cejar or Ojos del Salar in the morning, then transfer back to Calama.
Where to stay
- There are so many lovely places to stay here — have a browse on Booking.com and Airbnb and pick whatever feels right for you. These buttons will take you straight there.
Don't forget
- · Take altitude seriously: drink water, skip alcohol the first night
- · Book the Tatio geysers and stargazing tours in advance
- · Bring a real jacket — nights drop below zero
Who we booked with
Andes Travel Atacama
The agency we travelled with in San Pedro. We recommend them for the classic tours: Tatio geysers, altiplanic lagoons, sandboarding and astronomy.
Visit website