From the Andes Mountains to excessive desert lagoons, these are the very best issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The Atacama Desert was our favourite place to go to in Chile. Located in northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on the planet and lots of vacationers make their option to the city of San Pedro de Atacama to get pleasure from all the superb excursions on this extraordinary vacation spot. We visited the Atacama Desert with Exodus Travels and found all of the highlights with the assistance of our trusty information, Alex.
Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama
The Atacama Desert is the best and dryest non-polar desert on the planet. It is thought for its lunar panorama and pure magnificence. With a wide range of terrains together with salt flats, geysers, and lagoons, Salar de Atacama is likely one of the most putting locations we’ve ever visited.
Tours and journeys will be booked to the desert from San Pedro de Atacama, and whereas visiting this area of Chile, additionally, you will have the prospect to immerse in its tradition as it’s a middle for indigenous communities. The city is a well-liked vacation spot for backpackers and intrepid vacationers who’re desirous about journey, nature, and historical past, and there are a lot of issues to do within the space. Here are some solutions for issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama.
Where is San Pedro de Atacama
The Atacama Desert is situated within the northern half of Chile between the Pacific Ocean, to the west, and the Andes Mountains, to the east. This 1,000-mile strip of desert, is the best non-polar desert plateau on the planet. (Antarctica is the driest place on earth in case you are questioning) and San Pedro de Atacama is a small city situated within the coronary heart of it close to the Bolivian Border. San Pedro de Atacama is the place everybody makes a base to do desert excursions and this cool city is a vacation spot in its personal proper. With eating places, lodges, tour corporations, and retailers, it makes for a improbable base to see every thing in Salar de Atacama.
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1. Laguna Chaxa
Seeing the flamingoes of Chaxa Lagoon was the primary cease on our tour and it was a very good one! As a part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chaxa Lagoon is the very best place to see flamingoes. Three species of flamingoes frequent the salt swimming pools to feed on brine shrimp. The setting is what makes this cease so extraordinary.
Rocky paths weave by means of salt lagoons surrounded by layers of colours resulting in the Andes Mountains. Flamingoes fly from one pool to a different after which slowly saunter within the nonetheless waters with their reflections dazzling within the backdrop of the encompassing volcanoes. From the white salt deposits to the pink hues of the desert, it is a place you’ll wish to pull out your digital camera.
There are three important lagoons in Sector Soncor with the Chaxa lagoon being the very best place to identify Andean and Chilean Flamingoes. The lagoons are situated at a excessive elevation of 2300 meters (over 7500 toes)
Chaxa Lagoon is 2 hours from San Pedro de Atacama and also you’ll spend at the very least an hour having fun with the strolling trails that weave by means of the lagoons.Â
2. Visit the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
The Valle de la Luna is a novel panorama that’s situated simply 13 km (8 miles) outdoors of San Pedro de Atacama. It known as the Moon Valley due to its similarity to the floor of the moon however it actually seems to be extra just like the floor of Mars. Also situated throughout the Los Flamencos National Reserve, this is likely one of the high locations to go to within the Atacama to view the Mars Valley. With its rocky terrain and weird rock formations. In reality, NASA examined its Mars Rover within the Atacama due to its comparable panorama and local weather.
3. Hike Duna Mayor
The valley is a good place to go climbing, and there are a number of trails that lead by means of the realm. You may also go to the valley at sundown for some lovely views of the encompassing mountains. Hiking Duna Mayor is a superb brief hike to unimaginable vistas. The hike is about 20 minutes out and takes you alongside a slender path overlooking excessive dunes and out-of-this-world rock formations.
The most spectacular sight was the Moon Valley Amphitheatre. We had the clearest view of it strolling again alongside the excessive experience on the Duna Mayor hike. It reminded us a lot of Wilpena Pound in South Australia.
4. Mirador Lickan-Antai
There are a number of miradors to observe the sundown in Valle de La Luna and we made certain to pop into all of them for the very best views. With Exodus Travels we had been spoiled and loved a glass of wine with cheese as we missed the extraordinary views from Mirador Lickan Antai. This is a beautiful cease off the facet of the street in case you are biking, self-driving or have employed a information. You can hike out for higher views of the desert landscapes.
5. Las Tres Marias Valle de La Luna
If you might be in search of these images that seize the Salar de Atacama, a cease at Las Tres MarÃas is the place you’ll view the well-known rock formations of the Atacama Desert. The salt flat of the Atacama Desert is way completely different from the Bolivian Salt Flats. See what the salt flats in Bolivia are all about at A Bolivia Salt Flats Tour in Uyuni: Everything You Need to Know
Since it’s such a dry desert (some locations solely see rain each 100 years!) you don’t get the glass-like views and trick-of-the-eye images as you do in Bolivia, however that is the place the place you possibly can play with scale and scope a bit of bit. The path is a brief 15-minute stroll.
6. Sunset from Mirador de Kari Piedra del Coyote
One of the very best issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama is to observe the sundown from Mirador de Kari Piedra del Coyote. Located outdoors Valle de La Luna, that is the very best place for sundown as a result of it’s essential be out of the valley by a sure time. Since you can not keep within the Valle de la Luna after sundown, this mirador has the majority of vacationers watching the solar go down within the Atacama Desert.
It is a fantastic view with the solar creating shadows and depth on the rocky valley ground because the excessive mountains twinkle with coloration surrounding the huge desert.
7. Visit the El Tatio geysers
The El Tatio geysers are a gaggle of geothermal springs which are the best geothermal space on the planet. A go to to the geysers occurs at daybreak, and whereas it’s an early and chilly tour, that is one place within the Atacama Desert that you just don’t wish to miss.
The El Tatio Geysers are a couple of two-hour drive from San Pedro de Atacama. We had been picked up properly earlier than dawn and hopped within the van for a nap earlier than getting out within the brisk air. It was -13 levels Celcius on the geysers so make sure to layer up with gloves and a hat. The geysers are most lively at daybreak when the water is at its hottest (and air at its coldest), and so they produce steam and sizzling water that may attain temperatures of as much as 100°C.
It takes about 90 minutes to stroll across the geysers alongside the designated stone paths and whereas not fairly as spectacular on the Geysers of Yellowstone, these are the third largest geothermal areas on earth so they have to not be missed!
8. Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques
Have you ever puzzled what it was wish to stroll at excessive altitudes however don’t wish to hike for days to get there? Well, a go to to the high-altitude lakes (The Lagunas Altiplanicas) of Miscanti and Miñiques will do the trick. We drove on to an elevation of over 4000 meters (13,000 toes) to stroll from the picturesque lakes of Miscanti and Miniques.
Usually, you would want to trek for days to get to this elevation. The nonetheless deep blue waters are putting and it’s surprising to be standing at 4000 meters with the 2 excessive volcanoes towering overhead. It was onerous to consider that the Volcano proper earlier than our eyes was greater than Mount Kilimanjaro. The two volcanoes that body the lagoons are (5,622 meters (18,445 ft)) and Cerro Miñiques (5,910 meters (19,390 ft))
9. Spy on Vicuñas
The lagoons are related by a path of rocks and also you’ll be capable of see wild vicunas roaming the panorama. These animals are associated to the llama and el paca households and at the moment are protected. These vicunas are inconceivable to cultivate so to get their in-demand wool, they spherical them as much as shave them solely as soon as each three years.Â
10. Go stargazing
San Pedro de Atacama is situated in an space with little or no mild air pollution or precipitation, which makes it a really perfect place for stargazing and excursions will be booked for round $50 to see the night time skies throughout San Pedro de Atacama. There are a number of corporations that supply stargazing excursions within the space that you could ebook in San Pedro de Atacama. Our tour was an add on with Exodus Travels.
The clear, dry air of the Atacama Desert permits for glorious visibility of the celebs, planets, and the Milky Way. Because of the low humidity, excessive altitude, and low mild air pollution, it’s a sizzling spot for astronomers to review the skies, and lots of corporations from around the globe have scientists learning its darkish skies. San Pedro de Atacama is common for Astro-tourism and you can not miss doing this tour. I actually didn’t assume I’d be impressed, however I beloved listening to the tales of our information as he identified constellations earlier than having us look into the huge telescopes at Saturn, Mars, and Pluto.Â
We regarded by means of these large telescopes at stars and planets till the wee hours of the morning. Our information was so gung ho that lengthy after different excursions left, we stayed wanting into the night time till 2 am!
No cell telephones or cameras are allowed, however Dave went off on his personal to take some night time images and the corporate we went with was sort sufficient to provide images of our expertise. This is likely one of the hottest excursions within the Atacama Desert.Â
You may also go to the ALMA Observatory, which is situated about 50 kilometers outdoors of San Pedro de Atacama. The observatory is dwelling to the most important array of radio telescopes on the planet, and
11. Stand on the Tropic of Capricorn
There is one thing particular about crossing one of many 5 main circles of the earth. For instance, when taking a cruise, every passenger will get a certificates that they crossed the equator. When visiting the Atacama Desert, we had the prospect to face on the Tropic of Capricorn. The Tropic of Capricorn is about 60 km from San Pedro de Atacama. It’s a small and brief cease, however very cool to face on the place that’s the most southerly latitude the place the solar can seem instantly overhead at excessive midday. Cool eh?
12. Visit the Village of Tocanao
Besides San Pedro de Atacama, there are a number of villages within the Atacama Desert. If you wish to do some purchasing, the village of Tocanao is an effective cease. We purchased some jewellery and luggage for just some {dollars}. Located 38 km from San Pedro de Atacama, most excursions will cease right here for at the very least half-hour to an hour to assist the area people. The most notable constructing within the village is the bell tower which was inbuilt 1750.
13. Church of Socaire
Socaire is one other cease within the Atacama Desert that could be a good selection for lunch. Our information referred to as forward to order conventional stew. The important attraction on this city is the Church of Socaire. This rustic church with a thatched roof is situated in a picturesque setting simply off the facet of the street.
14. Explore the Salar de Tara
The Salar de Tara is a big salt flat situated throughout the Los Flamencos National Reserve of the Atacama Desert subsequent to subsequent to Piers Rojas (the Red Rocks). It is the third largest salt flat on the planet, and it’s dwelling to a wide range of plant and animal life. The Salar de Tara is a good place to go for a drive, as there are a number of grime roads that lead by means of the realm. You may also go to the salt flats on a tour, which is able to take you to among the finest spots for pictures and sightseeing. Read extra at: Salar de Tara an Extraordinary Trip within the Atacama Desert
Rainbow Valley – Valle del Arcoiris
Throughout the
Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley or Mars Valley
15. San Pedro de Atacama
Well, this whole article is concerning the excursions from San Pedro de Atacama, so let’s cease and speak about this sprawling desert city situated in northern Chile. San Pedro de Atacama has that typical backpacker vibe with loads of eating places and retailers. There are a number of lodges on the town and it’s a excellent spot for eating. You can ebook any day journey you want from city and it has a cool laid-back vibe that makes it excellent for chilling out for a number of days.
There are a number of issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama with out leaving city.
- Meteorite Museum – While strolling round San Pedro de Atacama, make a cease on the Meteorite Museum which helps you to truly contact stones from out of this world,
- R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum – t is devoted to the archaeology and historical past of the Atacama Desert. The museum has a group of artifacts and displays that showcase the indigenous cultures of the area, together with the Atacamenian, Inca, and Mapuche cultures.
- Shopping – This is a improbable city for purchasing. The artist’s group of Pueblo de Artesanos is an effective place to choose up Andean souvenirs from ponchos to blankets.
How to Get to San Pedro de Atacama
By air: The nearest airport to San Pedro de Atacama is the El Loa Airport, which is situated within the metropolis of Calama. The airport is served by a number of main airways, together with LATAM and Sky Airline, and there are flights to and from Santiago in addition to different cities within the area. From the airport, you possibly can take a taxi or a bus to San Pedro de Atacama, which is a couple of 45-minute drive from the airport.
By bus: There are a number of bus corporations that function common service to San Pedro de Atacama from main cities in Chile. The bus journey from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama takes about 23 hours, and there are a number of completely different courses of service out there, together with semi-cama (semi-bed), cama (mattress), and VIP. The buses depart from the Terminal Alameda in Santiago, and tickets will be bought on-line or on the terminal.
By automotive: If you favor to journey by automotive, you possibly can drive to San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago or different cities within the area. The drive from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama takes about 22 hours, and it is strongly recommended to take a 4×4 automobile because of the tough terrain of the Atacama Desert. You may also lease a automotive in Santiago or Calama, and there are a number of automotive rental corporations that function within the area. Check out automotive rental costs right here.
By tour: If you favor to journey with a guided tour, there are a number of corporations that supply excursions to San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago and different cities in Chile. The excursions normally embody transportation, lodging, and actions, and they’re a very good possibility for vacationers who wish to see as a lot of the area as potential.
No matter the way you select to get to San Pedro de Atacama, it is very important plan your journey upfront and to be ready for the distinctive situations of the Atacama Desert. The city has a dry, arid local weather, and it is very important carry loads of water and solar safety with you once you go to.
Where to Stay in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is the primary hub to discover the Atacama Desert of Chile. There are a number of choices for lodging. Here are some solutions for the place to remain in San Pedro de Atacama:
- Hotels: San Pedro de Atacama has a wide range of lodges to select from, starting from finances to luxurious. We stayed at Hotel Diego Del Almagro which has among the best places in San Pedro de Atacama. The lodge rooms are primary, however you possibly can’t be the situation. Located proper within the middle of the town, it was inside strolling distance to every thing. If you might be driving, it has free parking for friends and a swimming pool.Â
- Some different common choices embody Hotel de Larache, Hotel Atacama, and Hotel Casa de Don Tomas. These lodges supply a spread of facilities, together with swimming pools, eating places, and spas, and they’re situated within the middle of the city, close to the primary sq. and the primary vacationer points of interest.
- Hostels: If you might be touring on a finances, there are a number of hostels in San Pedro de Atacama that supply reasonably priced lodging. Some common choices embody Hostal La Casona, Hostal Atacama, and Hostal El Descanso del Viajero. These hostels supply shared dorms and personal rooms, and so they normally have frequent areas, resembling kitchens and residing rooms, the place you possibly can socialize with different vacationers.
- Camping: If you favor a extra outside expertise, there are a number of campsites in and round San Pedro de Atacama. Some common choices embody Camping San Pedro de Atacama, Camping La Duna, and Camping El Molle. These campsites supply primary services, resembling bathrooms and showers, and they’re a very good possibility for vacationers who wish to be near nature.
- Renting a trip dwelling: If you might be touring with a gaggle or need more room and privateness, you possibly can think about renting a trip dwelling in San Pedro de Atacama. There are a number of choices out there, starting from flats to homes, and yow will discover trip leases on web sites resembling Airbnb or Vrbo. Renting a trip dwelling generally is a good possibility if you wish to have your individual kitchen and residing house, and it can be extra economical in case you are touring with a gaggle.
No matter the place you select to remain in San Pedro de Atacama, it is very important ebook your lodging upfront, particularly throughout the excessive season, which runs from November to March. The city can get very busy throughout this time, and it’s best to ebook your lodging as early as potential to make sure that you will have a spot to remain. It can be a good suggestion to analysis the situation of your lodging, as some locations could also be farther from the middle of the city or the primary vacationer points of interest.