Prime issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama in 2023

There are a lot of unbelievable issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The city often called a gateway to the Atacama Desert, is the driest non-polar desert on this planet. San Pedro de Atacama is a small city in Northern Chile close to the border with Bolivia. The city is located in the midst of the desert at a excessive altitude, 3160 m above sea degree. 

The Atacama Desert is an unbelievable place that provides breathtaking surroundings, a weird panorama, a singular ecosystem, and wonderful alternatives for journey lovers to discover a few of the desert’s hidden gems in a singular method. Atacama desert and Carretera Austral had been our two favourite locations in Chile. On this publish, we tried to divide issues to do within the Atacama desert based on their kind and the best way they are often achieved – with a tour (rental automobile) or independently. 

Prime 3 excursions in San Pedro de Atacama

Find out how to go to San Pedro de Atacama?

When planning a go to to the Atacama Desert it’s necessary to resolve what you need to see and to do there. Many of the points of interest will not be accessible by public transport and are too far to stroll or cycle there from the city. To get the most effective out of your go to to San Pedro de Atacama and not spend quite a bit I’d recommend combining actions that you are able to do independently and arranged excursions. All close by pure points of interest might be reached by bike and even strolling from the city of San Pedro de Atacama. All lagoons, geysers, and volcanoes are too far to cycle you’ll need to lease a automobile or be part of a tour.

One other necessary factor to remember is the place you’re going after San Pedro de Atacama. In the event you’re heading to Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia you don’t need to see related points of interest, however relatively one thing totally different that you just don’t see in Uyuni. In the event you’re not going to Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama then attempt to diversify the actions. Attempt to go to volcanos, valleys, colourful lagoons, and geysers. Whichever factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama you select will probably be positively certainly one of the highlights of your South America journey identical to Iguazu Falls and Perito Moreno Glacier.

When is the most effective time to go to San Pedro de Atacama?

There are three distinguished seasons in San Pedro de Atacama; winter, summer time, and shoulder season. Might to September is winter when the times are good and nice however the nights are chilly. Night time temperatures generally go under 0°C. Summer season months, between December and March, are scorching and really dry. Day temperatures are round 30°C, and at evening it cools down to twenty°C. 

Most rainfalls happen between January and March and generally if it rains quite a bit it can lead to some pure points of interest being closed. The tip of the wet season just isn’t the most effective time to go to the Atacama. Within the shoulder season (April, October, and November) the times will not be as scorching as in the summertime and the nights will not be as chilly as within the winter. You would possibly get some rain however not as a lot as through the wet interval.

We had been in San Pedro de Atacama in December, simply earlier than Christmas. December is the excessive season which suggests the city will get busy and costs enhance. In the event you resolve to go to Atacama on the finish of the 12 months it’s higher to ebook lodging, excursions, and transportation beforehand. 

Renting a automobile in Atacama

In the event you’re a household or a gaggle of mates renting a automobile and visiting points of interest independently is likely to be cheaper than doing excursions. There may be not a lot visitors on the roads that result in the primary points of interest. Many of the roads besides the highways are gravel.

The place to remain in San Pedro de Atacama?

There are many lodging choices within the city from tenting and staying in a dormitory to luxurious inns and cabins. 

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Greatest issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama and not using a tour

Biking within the desert

It will get very popular on the market within the afternoon so the most effective time for biking is early morning and night. Don’t neglect to take sufficient water, placed on sunscreen and put on a cap or a hat. Renting a bicycle is essentially the most funds strategy to do sightseeing round San Pedro de Atacama this fashion you will get to Moon Valley, Loss of life Valley, Satan’s Throat, and so on. More often than not you cycle on a dust street generally it will get a bit bumpy. 

There are a number of locations within the city the place you possibly can lease a bicycle simply be sure to get a bicycle lock and a lightweight (in case you’ll resolve to remain within the Valley for the sundown and can cycle again in the dead of night).

We beloved biking by the desert and stopping on the best way to take pictures and benefit from the surroundings. Bike rental corporations in San Pedro de Atacama cost  CLP 5000/US$5 for half a day. 

You are able to do an e-bike tour by the desert as nicely.

Mountaineering

Mountaineering within the desert sounds loopy, doesn’t it?! It is likely to be apparent however you’ll have to hold loads of water with you since you’ll get actually thirsty. The most secure and best place to hike is within the Moon Vallely. You possibly can go as much as rock formations and sand dunes to get spectacular views of the valley and the Atacama Desert.

As for the mountaineering route we went by the Loss of life Valley. We mixed mountaineering and tenting. We walked for about 3 hours, then discovered a spot to pitch a tent. The subsequent morning on the best way again we walked by the Satan’s Throat and received a bit misplaced within the maze. Basically, the mountaineering expertise was nice, there have been only a few folks we noticed principally locals from small villages that unfold out within the desert. I might strongly advocate utilizing navigation for mountaineering within the Atacama Desert and sticking to the primary routes. You don’t need to get misplaced there.

Atacama mountaineering excursions

In the event you’re planning a visit to Chile and luxuriate in mountaineering our posts on the most effective hikes in Patagonia and mountaineering in Torres del Paine is likely to be fascinating for you.

Tenting within the desert 

In the event you resolve to expertise tenting within the driest place on Earth ensure that to take sufficient water that can final you for the best way to and again. We walked round within the desert for fairly some time earlier than we discovered an appropriate place for pitching our tent. The bottom may be very rocky and it’s tough to discover a flat sandy spot. For a snug sleep, you’ll want a extremely good tenting mat.

The evening within the desert was wonderful, we introduced a tenting cooking set, made dinner, and had been sitting exterior consuming and searching on the wonderful sky. Keep in mind that it will get fairly chilly at evening within the desert so carry a sleeping bag and hotter garments with you. On a distinct event (mountaineering the Fish River Canyon in Namibia) we received very chilly at evening within the desert sleeping exterior in our skinny sleeping baggage.

The subsequent morning was fantastic. We awoke early simply earlier than dawn, made espresso, packed our stuff, and began heading again earlier than it received too scorching. On the best way, we visited the Satan’s Throat Gorge. We arrived within the city earlier than noon.

Discover Moon Valley

Visiting Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) is without doubt one of the prime free issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The valley is positioned about 7km from the city. You possibly can mainly stroll there however I’d recommend biking (as we did). The realm of Moon Valley is sort of large and to get an opportunity to see it you’ll want some sort of transport. In the event you’re actually on a decent funds and don’t plan to make use of any tour corporations the Moon Valley is unquestionably a must-visit place for you. 

The weird panorama of Moon Valley provides you a sense of being on one other planet. If in case you have time I’d recommend exploring the realm and visiting Tres Marias (Three Marys), a gaggle of three rocks that appears like three ladies standing subsequent to one another.

It’s finest to go to the valley within the morning or within the night due to the warmth. Moon Valley is an ideal place to observe the sundown. The sundown from Piedra del Coyote is beautiful however put together to see many individuals within the valley this time of the day. It’s an incredible spectacle when the setting solar colours the desert into totally different shades of purple. If you wish to go to the valley with out crowds, the morning is a greater time. The doorway price is CLP 10 000/US$12 per particular person. 

Moon Valley tours

Go to Loss of life Valley

Loss of life Valley (Valle de la Muerte) is also referred to as Mars Valley (Valle de Marte). It has an much more weird panorama than Moon Valley. It has even much less sand and extra clay formations which have been formed by the wind and the water for 1000’s of years. The panorama reminds a labyrinth it’s good to stroll round and discover the realm. We visited the place within the morning and there have been only a few folks, plus it was good and funky. The doorway is simply 3 km from San Pedro de Atacama you possibly can mainly stroll there from the city. The doorway price is CLP 5000/US$6.  

Stroll by Satan’s Throat and The Tunnel

Each locations are positioned about 500 m from one another and seven km from San Pedro de Atacama. Satan’s Throat is a small canyon or a passage between the rocks. In some locations, it’s very slim in some a bit wider. Strolling there may be like strolling by a maze with reddish rugged partitions. 

The easiest way of attending to Satan’s Throat is by bike. It’s doable to achieve each locations by strolling but it surely’s fairly far to stroll each methods. You possibly can attempt to get a trip however there will not be many automobiles on the street and most of them are tour teams. We visited each as part of our mountaineering/tenting journey within the Atacama however biking could be positively higher. The doorway price is CLP 3000/US$3,5.

After the Satan’s Throat, you possibly can cycle/stroll 500 m to get to The Tunnel (El Túnel). It’s a man-made tunnel within the mountain constructed at the start of the twentieth century. You possibly can cycle by it.

Go to Pukará de Quitor

Pukará de Quitor is an archaeological web site of the Pre-Colombian interval positioned 3 km from San Pedro de Atacama. Right here you possibly can see the stays of an historical fortress constructed by native tribes within the twelfth century. We extremely advocate strolling to the point of view, a 700-meter steep ascent to the highest from the place you get a few of the finest views of Loss of life Valley. The ruins are fairly spectacular, particularly the large heads carved out of rocks.

Visiting Pukará de Quitor is a not-to-miss factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama in the event you’re fascinated by archeology and the historical past of the area. The doorway price is CLP 5000/US$6. You possibly can stroll there and again from San Pedro de Atacama or go by bicycle which is quicker and provides you an opportunity to go to extra sights positioned close by. 

If you’re on a motorcycle you possibly can go to Tulor, one other archaeological web site close to San Pedro de Atacama. Tulor is positioned 9 km south of the city following on a gravel street. Tulor is an historical village that consists of greater than 20 constructions from homes and storage amenities to boreholes. You even can see human stays. The origins of the settlement date again 2500 years. Entrance price CLP 5000/US$6 per particular person.

You possibly can go to each villages with a tour – Archaeological Expertise in Atacama Tulor and Quitor

Stroll across the city

San Pedro de Atacama is a small city however there are some fascinating issues to see there. Among the highlights of the city embody the primary Plaza, the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, the meteorite museum, the archeological museum Gustavo Le Paige, and plenty of curiosity outlets on the primary street. There are a lot of good espresso outlets and eating places within the city the place you possibly can relaxation in between. 

You possibly can be part of a walkling tour in San Pedro de Atacama to study extra concerning the city and its historical past.

Issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama with a tour 

Go to colourful desert lagoons

Visiting the well-known desert lagoons is without doubt one of the important issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. They’re the primary purpose vacationers come to the Atacama Desert. In the event you don’t have a lot time or your funds just isn’t excessive sufficient to do many excursions I’d recommend selecting a tour to the lagoons. Some full-day excursions mix a go to to the lagoons with volcanoes, and geysers.

There are a lot of spectacular lagoons within the Atacama Desert of various colours, some have flamingos, some are good for swimming, and a few are surrounded by geysers and volcanoes. Which of them to decide on is as much as you however I’d advocate visiting Cejar Lagoon, a blue salty lake the place you possibly can float like within the Useless Sea. In its place, you possibly can go to the much less touristy Laguna Baltinache. Each lakes are beautiful. Laguna Cejar is simply 18 km away from San Pedro de Atacama which explains its recognition. Laguna Baltinache is 57 km away, it’s smaller and attracts fewer folks. 

Advised excursions

If you wish to see many flamingos I’d advocate going to Chaxa Lagoon. In the summertime you possibly can see a whole bunch o birds there. The lake is positioned in Los Flamencos Nationwide Reserve, in the midst of the Salar de Atacama. 

Advised excursions

Visiting the well-known Lagunas Altiplanicas is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The Miscanti Lake and Laguna Miñiques are a few of the most scenic lakes in Atacama. The lakes look particularly spectacular within the winter surrounded by snow. Each lakes are positioned subsequent to one another, and 110 km south of San Pedro de Atacama. To get to the lakes you drive the identical street that goes to Laguna Chaxa and the Salar de Atacama. On a day journey, you possibly can go to all these points of interest. On the best way to the Lagunas Altiplanicas, there’s a small salt lake – Lejia Lake. 

Advised excursions

As for the lake with essentially the most spectacular turquoise coloration, I believe Laguna Verde (Inexperienced Lake) is the winner right here. It seems to be inexperienced at sure occasions of the day however even with out it, the surroundings across the lake is breathtaking; surrounded by volcanoes and mountains this lake seems to be beautiful on a pleasant sunny day. 

Admire spectacular volcanoes

Chile is legendary for its a number of volcanoes and the Atacama space just isn’t an exclusion. Visiting a volcano is a not-to-miss factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. There you possibly can see some sleeping giants like Licancabur and Láscar Volcanos. 

Lincancabur might be essentially the most iconic volcano within the desert. It’s virtually 6000 m excessive (5916m). Lincancabur Volcano is positioned 60 km east of San Pedro de Atacama it may be seen from the city. Lincancabur has an ideal cone form, excellent for taking pictures, particularly in winter when its peak is roofed in snow. For individuals who like journey, I’d advocate mountaineering to the crater of the volcano. We didn’t know concerning the climb once we had been in San Pedro de Atacama in any other case would have positively achieved it. It’s not usually you possibly can in a comparatively simple method get to 6000 m above sea degree.

Láscar is one other huge volcano close to San Pedro de Atacama, about 70 km south. It’s just a little bit smaller than Lincancabur Volcano, 5592 m, however rather more lively. In reality, Lascar is essentially the most lively volcano within the area. Although it’s an lively volcano it’s doable to climb it as nicely which is in a method much more thrilling as you climb as much as the crater of the lively volcano. These two peaks are on our bucket checklist of issues to do, subsequent time we’re in San Pedro de Atacama we’ll positively do it. There are a number of tour operators on the primary road in San Pedro that supply the climb.  

Take pleasure in geysers & scorching springs

The Antofagasta area in Chile (the place San Pedro de Atacama is) has one of many highest concentrations of geysers on this planet after Yellowstone within the US and the Geysers Valley in Kamchatka, Russia. El Tatio geyser discipline consists of greater than 60 geysers, positioned at 4320 m elevation. It’s the very best geyser discipline on this planet. For us seeing El Tatio was a must-do exercise in San Pedro de Atacama although we did see a few geysers in Uyuni as nicely they weren’t that large and spectacular. 

Sizzling springs within the valley surrounding El Tatio are another excuse to go to the volcano. You possibly can soak in scorching water having fun with the beautiful surroundings round you. It’s higher to come back there within the morning when it’s chilly exterior. Through the day it’s too scorching to take a seat in scorching springs at 35°C exterior until you come there in winter. 

In the event you like extra of a tranquil and enjoyable scorching spring expertise, Termas de Puritama is the right place. It’s a system of swimming pools positioned in a picturesque canyon. There are eight swimming pools in complete. Water temperature within the swimming pools varies between 28°C and 30°C. There are bathrooms and altering rooms. So as to make the expertise enjoyable and satisfying, the variety of folks allowed within the swimming pools on the similar time is restricted. Entrance from CLP 9000/US$13. 

Advised excursions

Discover valleys & salt flats

To be sincere we utterly skipped this half as a result of we simply got here from a 3-day tour in Uyuni and it felt like we’d seen sufficient salt flats, deserts, and weird rock formations. It doesn’t imply that these within the Atacama Desert look identical to those in Uyuni. If we had extra time and the next funds we wish to go and go to all of them however we had to decide on and determined to see one thing totally different that we hadn’t seen earlier than. 

Pedras Rojas and Salar de Tara are essentially the most visited points of interest on this class. As you possibly can guess from the title, the valley is roofed with enormous reddish boulders, the colour is the results of the oxidation of iron. The purple rocks distinction with the blueish coloration of the white coloration of the close by salt flat and lake. It’s an ideal spot for images lovers. Piedras Rojas Valley is positioned about 150 km away from San Pedro de Atacama.  

As for Salar de Tara in the event you’ve been to Uyuni in Bolivia or Salina Grandes in Argentina you possibly can skip this one. It’s much less touristy than the opposite two however in my view much less spectacular. Right here and there you possibly can see white salt patches but it surely’s not like the entire space is roofed in salt. If in case you have by no means seen a salt flat then it’s value visiting. 

Advised excursions

One other fascinating valley is the Rainbow Valley. As you possibly can guess from the title its rock formation are totally different colours. Not precisely the rainbow colours however fairly spectacular for a desert. Rocks and the bottom there are coloured in reddish, brownish, greenish, and whitish colours. The valley is positioned 90 km from San Pedro de Atacama, it’s a brief 3-hour tour.  

Advised excursions

See big cacti

If you wish to see the well-known Cardones (gigantic cactuses) that develop within the north of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia head to the Cactus Valley. Among the cacti you possibly can see there are 5-7m excessive, which suggests they’re very previous. They develop a few centimeters per 12 months, and a few of them are over 300 years previous. Locals use cacti as a constructing materials and make some components of their homes (home windows, doorways) utilizing it as a substitute of wooden or plastic.  

In the event you’re coming from Uyuni you’ve already seen 1000’s of those cactus and doubtless took a whole bunch of pictures as nicely. It’s doable to do an hour hike (4km) by the valley to benefit from the surroundings.  

Advised excursions

Go on a scorching air balloon trip

 It may not be essentially the most funds factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama but it surely’s a really particular exercise. It’s at all times an unbelievable expertise to watch a pure surprise like a desert or a lake from the air. The weird panorama of the Atacama Desert is a superb place for it. One of these panorama at all times seems to be wonderful from the air. If in case you have by no means achieved a hot-air balloon trip Atacama is an ideal place for a first-timer. 

The excursions depart from San Pedro de Atacama very early within the morning, 5am-5.30am with a purpose to make it for the dawn. Simply think about the waste desert of the Atacama with the solar rising over the horizon.

In the event you like scorching air balloon rides over weird landscapes add Cappadocia to your bucket checklist driving on a balloon over the beautiful Goreme Nationwide Park is certainly one of the highlights of Turkey.  

Atacama scorching air balloon excursions

Climb Cerro Toco 

In the event you like bodily challenges and luxuriate in concurring mountains then climbing Cerro Toco is a not-to-miss factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. Cerro Toco is an actual big, a 5600-meter mountain dominates the realm close to the border with Bolivia. Resulting from its simple accessibility, it’s essentially the most climbed mountain within the Andes Mountains. Not like many 5000 m peaks the place you begin the climb from 2000 m or 3000 m and steadily stroll up for a few days, on Cerro Toco you will get by automobile to 5000 m and stroll the remaining 600 m to the highest in a few hours. 

Necessary to do not forget that going that prime requires good acclimatization, ensure that to remain for a few days in San Pedro de Atacama earlier than trying to summit. It takes half a day to get to Cerro Toco from San Pedro de Atacama, climb to the highest and get again to the city. Value round 100US$ per particular person together with information, transportation, breakfast and lunch, and oxygen (for emergency). 

Hike Zapaleri Volcano 

Zapaleri Vilcano is one other big of the Atacama Desert. It’s 50 m greater than Cerro Toco. Its peak stands at 5650 m above sea degree.  The placement of Zapaleri Volcano may be very symbolic. It marks the triple border level between Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. The climb begins at about 5000 m until there you will get by automobile however you’ll want a 4×4 automobile, so in the event you lease a automobile be sure to lease the correct one as a result of the street may be very rocky and bumpy. It’s beneficial to do the climb with a information. It requires correct acclimatization as nicely. 

Sandboarding 

Sandboarding is a well-liked factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. If in case you have by no means tried it do it within the Atacama Desert, there are some fairly spectacular dunes to slip down. Many of the sandboarding excursions happen in Loss of life Valley there are a number of appropriate dunes of various sizes and steepnesses. 

Taking place standing just isn’t as simple because it seems to be and it’s not precisely like snowboarding, you mainly go down straight. The best method goes down an even bigger dune laying on the board in your abdomen or sitting on the board. Simply be ready, will probably be fairly a quick and thrilling descent. We’ve achieved sandboarding elsewhere in South America and in the Namib desert.

Ensure that to carry water and sunscreen. I’d recommend as nicely carrying a protracted sleeve shirt and lengthy pants in case you fall and for additional solar safety. Some corporations provide evening sandboarding excursions. Now we have by no means achieved one like that but it surely have to be fairly thrilling and quiet.

In the event you favor browsing over sandboarding Chile has an ideal spot for that as nicely, the small city of Pichilemu, which is usually known as the surf capital of Chile.

Sandboarding excursions

Stargazing within the desert

The Atacama Desert is without doubt one of the finest locations on this planet for stargazing. For us it was one other spotlight of Atacama or truly any desert, the sky there may be simply completely beautiful with no mild air pollution. I by no means noticed so many stars and constellations in my life (not, truly I did in the Namib Desert). You possibly can clearly see the Milky Approach. In reality, the Atacama Desert is without doubt one of the finest spots within the southern hemisphere to see it. Think about how a lot you possibly can see on the market with a telescope. The stargazing tour may be very fascinating and academic. It’s necessary to do not forget that near the total Moon you received’t be capable of see many stars because the Moon is simply too vibrant. 

ALMA Observatory is located within the Atacama Desert as a result of it’s among the best locations for astronomic observations. 

Stargazing excursions

Uncover Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs

Visiting a few of the native villages, cities, and archaeological websites is one other standard factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. Lots of them might be visited as part of a tour and are normally mixed with visits to some pure points of interest like lagoons and geysers. 

Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs are probably the most fascinating archeological websites within the Atacama Desert. Yerbas Buenas is positioned 50 km from San Pedro de Atacama, lower than one hour drive. There are a whole bunch of petroglyphs within the space. The petroglyphs date 10 000 years again and had been created by the Atacamaño individuals who inhabited the area at the moment. 

To get extra out of the go to I’d recommend going there with a information who will present some fascinating info concerning the petroglyphs and the historical past of the area. The petroglyphs are normally visited as part of a tour of the Rainbow Valley. Entrance price CLP 3000/US$4 per particular person. 

Advised excursions

Go to Chacabuco village 

One of many deserted nitrate cities within the area, and doubtless the best-preserved one. The city was based in 1924 through the nitrate increase in Chile however after the invention of the artificial analog on the finish of the thirtieth, all of the mines had been shut down. Not like the opposite mine cities, Chacabuco’s historical past continued within the second half of the twentieth century when it was used as a focus camp for political prisoners of the Pinochet regime. 

We love visiting deserted ghost cities within the desert like this one or Kolmanskop in Namibia. Chacabuco is an fascinating place the one drawback is the situation, it’s fairly removed from San Pedro, about 200km however like different websites that may be visited as part of a tour.

Go to Machuca Village

Machuca village is simply 44 km away from San Pedro de Atacama. This small village with solely 20 homes represents a conventional native village of the area. All homes look the identical; one-story stone buildings are similar to the homes you keep in your tour in Uyuni. Machuca is normally visited on the best way to Tatio Geyser. It’s a comparatively new vacationer vacation spot however in the previous few years, locals opened a number of inns and eating places. In the event you lease a automobile in San Pedro de Atacama it is likely to be a great place to remain in a single day to expertise the native tradition. 

The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.