Nestled in the northern reaches of Chile lies the Atacama Desert, renowned as the driest desert on Earth.
Atacama, which sits between the Andes Mountain Range and the Chilean Coast, boasts the largest salt flat in the country. Here, you can explore geothermal fields; see a diverse wildlife including flamingos, vicuñas, vizcachas and Culpeo foxes in addition to birdlife, from the Andean gull to the condor; and enjoy stargazing amidst otherworldly landscapes of wind-sculpted canyons, salt lakes and active volcanoes.
Our Latin America Travel Specialist, Sarah Frankish, explored the desert of north Chile on her recent travels. Discover the best things to do in the Atacama Desert, when to visit and some of her expert tips.
Is Atacama Desert Worth Visiting?
In short, yes!
This remarkable region showcases awe-inspiring landscapes that stand in stark contrast to the lush scenery of Patagonia in southern Chile. There’s also an array of exciting excursions to enjoy. In the morning, you could watch the sunrise over the altiplano plateau at El Tatio Geysers. Then, in the evening, sip Pisco sours as you witness the sun setting over Moon Valley, painting the sky in a mesmerising palette of colours. Each day can be filled with unique experiences, all in one location.
For a truly immersive experience, I highly recommend a three or four-night stay in the charming oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Here, you can fully embrace the beauty of the desert's unique terrain and crystal-clear night skies. It’s also the perfect base for exploring the likes of the Moon Valley, Chaxa Lagoon and El Tatio Geysers.
Exploring San Pedro de Atacama
Magnificent canyons, geological wonders, stunning volcanic peaks – San Pedro de Atacama is a special place for exploration.
In the town itself, you may feel like you've just stepped back in time. The streets are unpaved and the buildings somewhat dated. But that's not why you stay in San Pedro. It's more of a base for you to head out and experience the desert. Whether you want to hike among indigenous ruins or go mountain biking towards the vast gorges, you can do so before returning to your accommodation of choice back in town.
Things to Do in the Atacama Desert beyond San Pedro
The desert covers 100,000 km², a veritable sandbox where the landscapes are the star of the show.
Seeing geyser fields shoot jets of water high up in the air or spending time exploring hidden blue lagoons, each activity is unique and something new for you to set your sights on. Moon Valley showcases some of the world's most spellbinding viewpoints while Salar de Atacama allows you to go birdwatching.
During your visit, you can enjoy an array of exciting excursions. But here are my personal favourites:
1. Moon Valley at Sunset
Witness the enchanting hues of rock formations and volcanoes as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in a mesmerising palette of colours.
Moon Valley, or 'Valle de la Luna', is as enchanting as it sounds. The otherworldly, mars-like terrain looks as though it were from another planet entirely. In the day, you can hike on a trail to Victoria Mine or explore Tres Marias. But as dusk begins to draw near, you can stop and look out towards the horizon, soaking in its fantastic views to end your experience. As far as sunsets go, it's one of the world's most spectacular.
Similar nearby attractions include Valle de la Muerte (or 'Death Valley'), where you can go sandboarding or biking throughout the dunes and red rock formations.
2. El Tatio Geysers
Don't miss a visit to the El Tatio Geysers, where you can marvel at the spectacle of 80 active geysers shooting jets of water high into the sky.
The geyser field is best experienced early in the morning, around 6:00am when the spouting waters reach heights of up to ten meters. The bubbling and hissing with the sun rising in the distance – everything about it makes for the perfect start to your day. Be sure to wrap up well though, since it can get very chilly high up in the mountains!
El Tatio Geysers altitude sits at around 4319 metres above sea level, meaning they're the highest of their kind on the entire planet.
3. Laguna Cejar
Take a dip in a serene saltwater lagoon surrounded by stunning desert vistas.
Laguna Cejar (or 'Cejar Lagoon') is rich with high concentrations of salt and minerals, allowing you to float delicately in a sea of turquoise. Drifting through the waters in the middle of the desert in northern Chile is an experience you'll never forget. You lay back, relax and gaze up towards the clear blue skies, the sun beaming down from them. If you're lucky, you may even see pink flamingos gliding effortlessly in the sky above.
Other notable lagoons for you to explore include Laguna Chaxa (or 'Chaxa Lagoon') and Piedras Roja.
4. Devil's Throat Bike Ride
Embark on an adventurous bike ride to Devil's Throat, weaving through picturesque gorges and past trickling rivers to reach this captivating natural wonder.
My journey started at San Pedro de Atacama, where I biked to the entrance of Catarpe Valley. From here, follow the river until you make a right at an intersection, which then leads into the narrow, jagged canyon. Devil's Throat is a mix of twists and turns, so take it slow while you snake around the jutting rocks. When you reach the other side, secure your bike and continue by foot, hiking on a trail further up the path.
The reward for your efforts is a panoramic viewpoint of the entire region. Take in the surrounding desert scenery before returning to your bike and heading back to town.
5. Stargazing after Dusk
Look up towards Chile's inky black sky, a sea full of constellations, planets and all kinds of twinkling stars which light up at night thanks to the scarce light pollution.
Atacama Desert Stargazing is the perfect way to end a day trip in the desert. Observe the universe through the naked eye and learn how to recognise important celestial bodies before getting a closer look through a high-powered telescope. These stunning views are made extra special as you're surrounded by lunar-like landscapes such as Salar de Atacama, really making you feel as if you're on a different planet altogether!
You can even enjoy stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama with your knowledgeable and bilingual guide, who'll point out various formations for you to spot.
Suggested Reading: The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in Africa and South America
What Wildlife Can You Find in the Atacama Desert?
Wildlife living in the Atacama Desert include flamingos, foxes, camelids and cougars in addition to a diverse range of birdlife. Some wildlife species you may see are vicuñas, vizcachas and Culpeo foxes while bird species vary from the Andean gull to the condor. Perhaps the most sought-after are flamingos. Flamingos in the Atacama Desert split off into three variations – Andean, Chilean and James's – who mainly reside in areas like Laguna Chaxa ('Chaxa Lagoon'), often seen submerging their heads to stir up crustaceans to eat.
Conservation efforts are also in place throughout the region. For example, Los Flamencos National Reserve has recently seen a decline in the flamingo population, from 100-150 two years ago to just 15-20 spotted this year. A team of scientists are now fixing satellite transmitters to flamingos to track how they interact with their environment, in the hopes they can plan where new conservation sites could be made.
Best Time to Visit Atacama Desert
No matter what time of year you visit, the Atacama Desert provides an excellent way to explore Chile, discovering its diverse wildlife and otherworldly landscapes in the process.
Dry season, from May to September, is peak for the region. Its mild weather and clear skies attract more crowds to places like San Pedro and nearby attractions including El Tatio Geysers.
Shoulder season, between April and October, similarly sees pleasant temperatures and excellent stargazing conditions, just without the crowds.
Wet season, from January to March, is also a beautiful time to visit as it rarely rains, meaning you can plan your activities regardless.
How to Get to and Around the Atacama Desert
The best way to get to the Atacama Desert from Santiago is by plane, with a flight of around two hours from the Chilean capital. On arrival into Northern Chile, you are collected from the airport in Calama and driven around 90 minutes to the town of San Pedro de Atacama. The Chilean Altiplano is then best explored with expert local guides and drivers to navigate the occasionally challenging terrain, while excursions and transfers can be organised on a private or shared basis. For some activities, it’s also possible to hire bikes, with trails around places like the ‘Devil’s Throat’ navigable on two wheels rather than four!
Where to Stay in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro is more of a base for you to branch out towards nearby attractions in the Atacama Desert. There are plenty of accommodation options for you to consider, though, based on your specific needs.
Here are some which I've highlighted to give you a taste of what's on offer.
1. Nayara Alto Atacama
Nayara Alto Atacama is located on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama, just a short walk from the 12th century Pukara de Quitor fortress. Built in the style of a traditional adobe settlement, its architecture, gardens and interior design all recreate that of an ancient Altiplanic village.
At the hotel, there's a large Corral where you can see resident llamas spend the day grazing on their grass. Not only that, but the hotel also has its own stargazing deck with specialist guides on site. At almost any time of year, you enjoy stunning views of the night sky, getting lost in its glowing embrace.
2. Explora Atacama
Explora Atacama can be found near the town centre of San Pedro de Atacama. With it being set on 17-hectare grounds comprised of 20 indigenous parcels, the owners are committed to preserving its timeworn paths and buildings. Inside, the interiors use locally sourced furnishings with artisanal touches.
During your stay, explore the universe with the lodge's private observatory, its dome housing a potent and advanced optics telescope – the Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced RD. Not only that, but there are resident guides on hand to allow you to go beyond the surface and deeper into untouched nature.
3. Tierra Atacama
Tierra Atacama is close by San Pedro de Atacama. Rooms are furnished in a minimalist style and constructed from locally sourced materials. It was one of South America's first lodges to produce solar powered electricity and reuses grey water for irrigation, reviving the once arable land into fertile gardens.
From San Pedro, you can embark on a variety of included excursions in the Atacama Desert. Explore the lunar-like scenery of Vallecito, including selenite-adorned landscapes and colossal salt dunes. You may also want to visit El Tatio Geysers or head to Cejar Lagoon and float on its crystal-clear waters.
There are more accommodation options in the Atacama Desert. By speaking with me or one of our other Latin America Travel Specialists, we can help choose the right place for you to stay on your holiday.
How Many Days Should You Stay in the Atacama Desert For?
A three or four-night stay in the Atacama Desert is perfect for exploring its spectacular sights.
This amount of time is enough for you to pack your days full of exciting excursions, the main ones being Moon Valley, El Tatio Geysers, Cejar Lagoon and Devil's Throat. The high altitude of the area may make you feel slightly more tired than usual, so it's best to take your time and spread out the experiences over the length of your visit. From there, you can head south and cover more of Chile's Andean scenery.
Atacama Desert Tours and Travel Options
Covering Chile's main highlights, our suggested itinerary – Atacama Desert, Lakes & Torres del Paine tour – immerses you in lunar-like landscapes, a stunning national park, Bohemian neighbourhood and charming Germanic town. From watching the sunrise over the horizon at El Tatio Geysers to searching for large herds of guanaco in Torres del Paine, every day is tailored to you, so you can experience the very best the country has to offer.
Alternatively, Stargazing in the Atacama Desert takes you to some of South America's most breathtaking and mesmerising desert scenery. When dusk arrives, the inky black night skies open up for stargazing, a magical experience among towering volcanoes and serene lagoons. Following your Atacama Desert stargazing tour, you'll continue to Bolivia for more stargazing in Sud Lipez.
Speak with our Latin America Travel Specialists to start planning your San Pedro de Atacama tour.
Tips to Enhance your Atacama Desert Adventure
The Atacama Desert is a vast, open land which is best experienced when you plan the activities, time of visit and some of the finer details of your tailor-made journey.
Here are some of my top tips to enhance your adventure:
1. Plan your trip during a new moon phase
Plan your trip during a new moon phase to fully appreciate the spectacular night skies and observe the stars from a local observatory.
During new moon, there's no bright moon in the skies washing out the light from the fainter stars. You get a much clearer view of the Milky Way, its constellations appearing to the naked eye and nebulas shining bright light years away.
2. Know which clothes to pack
Be prepared for fluctuating temperatures by packing layers of clothing. Mornings and nights can be chilly, while daytime temperatures can soar.
Fleeces, t-shirts, swimming gear, long pants and long-sleeved shirts are all appropriate for travel in the Atacama Desert. While at the top of a mountain, the high altitude brings with it colder conditions. Whereas at one of the lagoons or biking through the gorges, you'll need something light and airy for more comfort.
3. Visit in summer to see the elusive James's flamingo
For a chance to spot the elusive James's flamingo, visit the Atacama Desert during its summer months, between December and February.
You can see flocks of the bird at lagoons such as Laguna Chaxa and Laguna Cejar, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains providing stunning views. Their unique adaptations allow them to thrive side by side with other species of flamingo in the driest, non-polar desert on the planet.
Immerse Yourself in the Atacama Desert's Unparalleled Beauty
Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty and wonder of the Atacama Desert, where every moment promises a new and unforgettable adventure. By speaking with our Travel Specialists, we can help plan your entire trip to the north Chile desert, from curated experiences to authentic lodges.
