From the Andes Mountains to excessive desert lagoons, these are one of the 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, connecting Bolivia and Argentina in South America, the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on the earth and lots of vacationers make their solution to the city of San Pedro de Atacama to take pleasure in the entire 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 very best and dryest non-polar desert on the earth. It is understood for its lunar panorama and pure magnificence. With quite a lot of terrains together with salt flats, geysers, and lagoons, Salar de Atacama is without doubt one of the most hanging locations we now have 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 possibility to immerse in its tradition as it’s a heart for indigenous communities. The city is a well-liked vacation spot for backpackers and intrepid vacationers who’re excited by journey, nature, and historical past, and there are lots 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 positioned 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 very best non-polar desert plateau on the earth. (Antarctica is the driest place on earth in case you are questioning) and San Pedro de Atacama is a small city positioned 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, resorts, tour corporations, and outlets, it makes for a implausible base to see all the pieces 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 one! As a part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chaxa Lagoon is one of the 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 way 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 digicam.
There are three fundamental lagoons in Sector Soncor with the Chaxa lagoon being one of the best place to identify Andean and Chilean Flamingoes. The lagoons are positioned 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 no less than an hour having fun with the strolling trails that weave by way of the lagoons.Â
2. Visit the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
The Valle de la Luna is a singular panorama that’s positioned simply 13 km (8 miles) exterior of San Pedro de Atacama. It is named the Moon Valley due to its similarity to the floor of the moon however it actually appears extra just like the floor of Mars with its purple rocks and purple dunes.
Also positioned throughout the Los Flamencos National Reserve, this is without doubt one of the prime locations to go to within the Atacama to view the Mars Valley. With its rocky terrain and strange 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 mountaineering, and there are a number of trails that lead by way 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 quick 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 positive to pop into all of them for one of the best views. With Exodus Travels we had been spoiled and loved a glass of wine with cheese as we neglected the extraordinary views from Mirador Lickan Antai. This is a stunning cease off the facet of the highway 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’re searching for 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 totally 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’ll be able to 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 one of the best issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama is to observe the sundown from Mirador de Kari Piedra del Coyote. Located exterior Valle de La Luna, that is one of the best place for sundown as a result of that you must 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 flooring because the excessive mountains twinkle with colour surrounding the huge desert.
7. Visit the El Tatio geysers
The El Tatio geysers are a gaggle of geothermal springs which can be the very best geothermal space on the earth. 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 few 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 remember 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 questioned 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 hanging and it’s surprising to be standing at 4000 meters with the 2 excessive volcanoes towering overhead. It was arduous to consider that the Volcano proper earlier than our eyes was increased 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 linked by a path of rocks and also you’ll have the ability to see wild vicunas roaming the panorama. These animals are associated to the llama and el paca households and are actually protected. These vicunas are unattainable 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 positioned 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 provide stargazing excursions within the space which 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 all over the world have scientists learning its darkish skies. San Pedro de Atacama is fashionable for Astro-tourism and you can not miss doing this tour. I actually didn’t suppose 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 seemed by way of these huge 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 form sufficient to provide images of our expertise. This is without doubt one of the hottest excursions within the Atacama Desert.Â
You may also go to the ALMA Observatory, which is positioned about 50 kilometers exterior of San Pedro de Atacama. The observatory is residence to the biggest array of radio telescopes on the earth, 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 possibility 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 quick cease, however very cool to face on the place that’s the most southerly latitude the place the solar can seem immediately 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 only a few {dollars}. Located 38 km from San Pedro de Atacama, most excursions will cease right here for no less than half-hour to an hour to assist the area people. The most notable constructing within the village is the bell tower which was in-built 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 fundamental attraction on this city is the Church of Socaire. This rustic church with a thatched roof is positioned in a picturesque setting simply off the facet of the highway.
14. Explore the Salar de Tara
The Salar de Tara is a big salt flat positioned 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 earth, and it’s residence to quite a lot of plant and animal life. The Salar de Tara is a good place to go for a drive, as there are a number of filth roads that lead by way of the realm. You may also go to the salt flats on a tour, which can take you to a number of the finest spots for pictures and sightseeing. Read extra at: Salar de Tara an Extraordinary Trip within the Atacama Desert
15. Salar de Talar
Another salt flat within the Atacama is the Salar de Talar. Located at 3900 meters, Salar de Talar is 46 sq. km which you could view on the way in which to Laguna Miscanti. We didn’t go to the salt flat, however we did cease on the facet of the highway a number of occasions for views of the valleys beneath. The beauty of taking an organized tour is that our native information at all times knew the place to cease to see the highest sights of the Atacama Desert.
16. Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley or Mars Valley)
Valle de la Muerte is called so as a result of it is without doubt one of the harshest places on the planet. In the previous these animals (and people) who dared to cross perished within the unforgiving circumstances. No vegetation, animals and even bugs can survive in Death Valley.
Also often known as Mars Valley, it is a nice cease for backpackers or these trying to discover on their very own. Located simply 2 km from San Pedro de Atacama it is a good cease to see the rocky panorama with desert dunes and unusual formations giving a style of that Mars terrain that we talked about earlier.
16. Rainbow Valley – Valle del Arcoiris
Throughout the Atacama Desert, the rainbow colours of the panorama are one of the vital spectacular websites. But there may be really a spot particularly referred to as Rainbow Valley. Valle del Arcoiris is about 90 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama which will be booked on a day tour. It showcases the layers of colours reminiscent to Rainbow Mountain in Peru. While there you’ll be able to see the ten,000-year-old petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas.Â
17. San Pedro de Atacama
Well, this complete article is concerning the excursions from San Pedro de Atacama, so let’s cease and discuss this sprawling desert city positioned in northern Chile. San Pedro de Atacama has that typical backpacker vibe with loads of eating places and outlets. There are a number of resorts on the town and it’s a great 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 really 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 reveals that showcase the indigenous cultures of the area, together with the Atacamenian, Inca, and Mapuche cultures.
- Shopping – This is a implausible city for purchasing. The artist’s group of Pueblo de Artesanos is an effective place to select 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 positioned within the metropolis of Calama. The airport is served by a number of main airways, together with LATAM and Sky Airlines, and there are flights to and from Santiago in addition to different cities within the area. From the airport, you’ll be able to take a taxi or a bus to San Pedro de Atacama, which is a few 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 totally different lessons of service obtainable, together with semi-cama (semi-bed), cama (mattress), and VIP. The buses depart from Terminal Alameda in Santiago, and tickets will be bought on-line or on the terminal.
By automobile: If you favor to journey by automobile, you’ll be able to 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’s endorsed to take a 4×4 automobile as a result of tough terrain of the Atacama Desert. You may also hire a automobile in Santiago or Calama, and there are a number of automobile rental corporations that function within the area. Check out automobile rental costs right here.
By tour: If you favor to journey with a guided tour, there are a number of corporations that provide excursions to San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago and different cities in Chile. The excursions normally embody transportation, lodging, and actions, and they’re possibility for vacationers who wish to see as a lot of the area as attainable.
No matter the way you select to get to San Pedro de Atacama, you will need to plan your journey upfront and to be ready for the distinctive circumstances of the Atacama Desert. The city has a dry, arid local weather so fill up on water and ensure to decorate in light-weight clothes that can shield you from the solar and warmth. Oh, and be ready to be coated in sand. There is loads of sand.
Where to Stay in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is the principle 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 quite a lot of resorts to select from, starting from finances to luxurious. We stayed at Hotel Diego Del Almagro which has probably the greatest places in San Pedro de Atacama. The resort rooms are primary, however you’ll be able to’t be the placement. Located proper within the heart of town, it was inside strolling distance to all the pieces. If you’re driving, it has free parking for visitors and a swimming pool.Â
- Some different fashionable choices embody Hotel de Larache, Hotel Atacama, and Hotel Casa de Don Tomas. These resorts supply a variety of facilities, together with swimming pools, eating places, and spas, and they’re positioned within the heart of the city, close to the principle sq. and the principle vacationer sights.
- Hostels: If you’re touring on a finances, there are a number of hostels in San Pedro de Atacama that provide reasonably priced lodging.
- Some fashionable 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 widespread areas, reminiscent of kitchens and dwelling rooms, the place you’ll be able to 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.
- Popular choices embody Camping San Pedro de Atacama, Camping La Duna, and Camping El Molle. These campsites supply primary services, reminiscent of bogs and showers, and they’re possibility for vacationers who wish to be near nature.
- Renting a trip residence: If you’re touring with a gaggle or need more room and privateness, you’ll be able to think about renting a trip residence in San Pedro de Atacama. There are a number of choices obtainable, starting from residences to homes, and you will discover trip leases on Vrbo. Renting a trip residence is usually a good possibility if you wish to have your individual kitchen and dwelling house, and it will also be extra economical in case you are touring with a gaggle.
No matter the place you select to remain in San Pedro de Atacama, you will need to ebook your lodging upfront, particularly in the course of 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 attainable to make sure that you could have a spot to remain. It can also be a good suggestion to analysis the placement of your lodging, as some locations could also be farther from the middle of the city or the principle vacationer sights.
From its unimaginable salt flat to rolling desert dunes, San Pedro de Atacama is without doubt one of the finest locations to go to in South America. When you go to Chile, be certain it’s added to your itinerary. It’s a visit that can create recollections to final a lifetime.