Atacama Desert Tour Packages 

Atacama Desert Tour Overview

Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Andes Mountains, the vast Atacama Desert offers unparalleled scenery and adventure. It is also known as the driest place on Earth with its Martian landscape.

While Atacama might appear as a lifeless desert with not a single drop of water to be found anywhere, it's far from that. The desert has more to offer than its salt flats and hot geysers. 

Take a multi-day trip to the Atacama and discover lush vineyards, expansive river valleys, ancient mummies, and the tallest volcano. Dig deeper and you’ll find many cultural sites depicting the region’s history.

Despite its extremely dry climate with minimal rainfall, you can encounter rich wildlife from flamingos and penguins to llamas and vicuñas.

Book an Atacama Desert tour package and uncover the mysteries of this fascinating destination.

Atacama Desert Location

Atacama Desert is located in Northern Chile. This vast arid region spans about 1,000 miles(1,600 km) along South America’s Pacific coast. The boundaries of Atacama aren’t specifically defined, but it is believed to cover about 41,000 sq miles(105,000 sq km) between the Loa River and the lower slopes of the Andes Mountains. 

The closest city is Calama, located about one and a half hours from San Pedro de Atacama — a key town within the desert. Calama is popularly known as the “Gateway to Atacama.”

Currencies Accepted in Atacama Desert

The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP). U.S. Dollars, Euros, and other major international currencies can be exchanged at authorized money changers and banks in bigger cities like Calama and San Pedro de Atacama.

How to Get to Chile’s Atacama Desert?

Step 1: Fly to Santiago

Your Atacama Desert trip begins from Santiago, Chile’s capital and international gateway. Fly to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Santiago International Airport) and Nuevo Pudahuel Airport in Pudahuel, the two major airports in Santiago.

Step 2: From Santiago to Calama

From Santiago, you can take a local flight to El Loa Airport in Calama in about two hours. This is the quickest option.

Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santiago to Calama. Though cheaper,  the journey takes about 27 hours covering over 932 miles(1,500 km). 

Step 3: From Calama to San Pedro

From Calama, you can take a bus or shuttle to San Pedro de Atacama, the main town in the Atacama Desert. The journey takes about 1.5-2 hours.

Alternatively, you can rent a car from Calama if you want to explore nearby attractions along the way.

Top Attractions in the Atacama Desert

San Pedro de Atacama

Start your Atacama Desert itinerary with a visit to San Pedro de Atacama. This charming town boasts a perfect blend of natural wonders and adventure opportunities. Here, you can see stunning sandstone canyons, rock formations, volcanic peaks and numerous hot springs. San Pedro is also popular for activities like stargazing, hiking, biking, and more.

Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon)

About 3.7 miles (6 km) from San Petro de Atacama is a valley resembling the surface of the moon with rugged rock formations. Visit Valle de la Luna, during sunset to see the valley in brilliant hues of orange and pink.

Valle de Marte (Mars Valley)

Another breathtaking landscape near San Pedro is Valle de Marte. Also known as Death Valley, it comprises red rock formations and vast desert plains, resembling the surface of Mars. Its dramatic sand dunes are perfect for photography and sandboarding.

El Tatio Geysers

Located at an altitude of over 14,108 feet (4,300 m), El Tatlo is one of the highest and biggest geothermal fields in the world. Home to about 80 active geysers, the are also has  several hot springs and sinter deposits. Walk across the field and see the steam rising from the ground amid the stunning Andean mountains.

Salar de Atacama

The largest salt flat in Chile and despite its high salinity levels, Salar de Atacama. boasts a rich biodiversity. At the center lies Laguna Chaxa, a beautiful lagoon known for plenty of bird-watching opportunities. There are also several small lakes and a huge colony of flamingos, adding a unique experience to your Atacama trip.

Altiplano Lagoons

No Atacama Desert tour is complete without exploring the stunning Altiplano Lagoons—Miscanti and Miñiques. Located at a high altitude of over 13,120 feet (4,000 meters), these blue lagoons are known for their stunning views and wildlife encounters. 

Puritama Hot Springs

Want to relax and rejuvenate after a tiring day on the Atacama trip? Soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the Puritama Hot Springs—a series of natural thermal pools strategically connected by walkways. 

Rainbow Valley

A vivid palette of reds, greens, greys and more paint the Rainbow Valley of Atacama that are a result of over 250 minerals in the valley that blend beautifully against the rocky terrain. 

Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs

On your trip to the Atacama Desert, you can find several ancient rock carvings of llamas, whales, and other creatures. These petroglyphs speak to  the history and tribal life of the Atacameno people who lived here thousands of years ago

Adventure Activities in Atacama Desert Tour

Hiking

Atacama Desert offers thrilling hiking opportunities. Walk across the barren terrain of Moon Valley or hike along the challenging landscape of Guatin Canyon, also known as Cactus Valley. A trek is a great way to see the dramatic scenery of Atacama that smoothly shifts from a vast desert to rocky gorges. 

Sandboarding

Sandboarding on the massive dunes of Atacama is an adventure! Mars Valley near San Pedro and the Dunes of Iquique are the most popular destinations for this adventure activity. 

Mountain Biking

One of the best ways to explore some of the Atacama Desert mountains in the shortest time is by taking a guided mountain trip from San Pedro to Moon Valley and Kari Canyon to Mars Valley. Along the route, you’ll come across several geothermal geysers, hot springs, blue lagoons, salt caves, and stunning rock formations.

Floating in Saltwater

Laguna Cejas, located in Salar de Atacama, can proudly compete with Asia’s Dead Sea for its floatability.  Its high salt density won’t let you sink and the lagoon offers views of clear skies and the Atacama Desert mountains.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

A hot air balloon safari in Atacama gives you a unique bird’s eye view of the Andean peaks and the sand dunes of Atacama, which are especially stunning early in the morning.

Stargazing

If you have a passion for stargazing, Atacama Desert offers plenty of opportunities. Home to over two-thirds of the world’s observatories, with ALMA Observatory being the most popular, it features 66 radio telescopes and unparalleled celestial shows.

Best Time to Visit Atacama Desert

Dry Season: The best time to visit the Atacama Desert is from May to September. This is the time of the year when the weather is pleasant and the skies are the clearest. However, you can expect a significant crowd as this is the peak time when tourists flock to the region.

Shoulder Season: If you want to enjoy the best of the Atacama tour, visit the desert between April and May and September and October. This is the time when tourists are lesser in number and accommodations are easily available. 

Wet Season: Avoid visiting the Atacama Desert during the rainy season from January to March. You will be likely to encounter flash floods and the slippery roads make Atacama Desert difficult to reach with some regions being inaccessible.

Essential Tips for the Atacama Desert Tour

Pack Right: Here’s the recommended packing list for your Atacama trip:

• Layered clothes 

• Hiking boots

• Windbreaker

• Sun protection including sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses

• Camera and binoculars

• Light snacks

• Credit cards and cash

• Basic first-aid including medication for altitude sickness

Stay Hydrated: Carry a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated in the arid climate of Atacama.

Book in Advance: If you plan to make your Atacama trip during the peak season, make sure to book your tour well in advance as accommodations fill up quickly.

Practice Acclimatization at Higher Altitudes: Many of the Atacama Desert's top attractions are at high altitudes. To prevent altitude sickness, give yourself time to acclimate s at a lower altitude before venturing to higher elevations. 

Limited Connectivity: You might face network issues in Atacama, so it's better to download the maps and travel guides beforehand. 

Cost of Atacama Desert Tour Packages

The cost to visit the Atacama Desert in Chile depends on several factors, including: Tour duration

• Your group size 

• Time of the year

• Accommodation type

On average, the best Atacama tours for 6-10 days cost between $2900 and $4000 per person. With AdventureTripr, you can choose from a number of all-inclusive Atacama tour packages at affordable rates. The tour packages include accommodation, transfers, and expert guides.

Atacama Desert Tour Accommodation

The type of accommodation available usually depends on the Atacama desert tour package you choose. 

Luxury Resorts: All-inclusive resorts with top-class amenities, private activities, modern cuisine and more.

Homestays: Affordable accommodation run by local families, offering opportunities to connect with locals.

Budget Hotels: Affordable stay with comfortable and basic amenities.

Glamping: Offer camping-like adventure amid nature, with hotel-like amenities  Elqui Domos in Pisco Elqui is one such accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1. How many days should I spend in the Atacama Desert?

Answer 1. You can explore the Atacama Desert in four to six days but if you want to include other places like Santiago or Patagonia to your Atacama trip itinerary, plan for 10 to 12 days to uncover the natural wonders of the region.

Question 2. Which language is spoken in Atacama?

Answer 2. Just like the rest of Chile, the primary language spoken in the Atacama Desert is Spanish. You can even hear some indigenous communities speaking  Quechua. 

Question 3. Do I need a visa to visit the Atacama Desert in Chile?

Answer 3. U.S. citizens visiting the country as tourists do not need a visa. On arrival, a Tourist Card will be issued for a stay of up to 90 days. You must surrender this card upon departure.

Question 4. Are there guided tours for non-Spanish speakers? Answer 4. Yes. AdventureTripr offers the best Atacama Desert tours guided by local guides who are fluent in English. So, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about a language barrier.

Question 5. What can I buy in the Atacama desert?

Answer 5. On your Atacama desert tour, pick up souvenirs like minerals, gemstones, alpaca wool products, regional handicrafts, textiles and jewelry.