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. Positioned in northern Chile, connecting Bolivia and Argentina in South America, the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on this planet and plenty of vacationers make their approach 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.
Issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama
The Atacama Desert is the best and dryest non-polar desert on this planet. It’s recognized for its lunar panorama and pure magnificence. With a wide range of terrains together with salt flats, geysers, and lagoons, Salar de Atacama is without doubt one of the most placing locations we now have ever visited.
Excursions and journeys might 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 keen on journey, nature, and historical past, and there are various issues to do within the space. Listed here are some solutions for issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama.
The place 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 best non-polar desert plateau on this planet. (Antarctica is the driest place on earth if you’re 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 improbable base to see the whole lot 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 Nationwide 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 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 digital camera.
There are three fundamental lagoons in Sector Soncor with the Chaxa lagoon being the very 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 a minimum of an hour having fun with the strolling trails that weave by way of the lagoons.
2. Go to the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
The Valle de la Luna is a singular panorama that’s positioned simply 13 km (8 miles) outdoors of San Pedro de Atacama. It’s known as the Moon Valley due to its similarity to the floor of the moon nevertheless it actually appears extra just like the floor of Mars with its purple rocks and purple dunes.
Additionally positioned throughout the Los Flamencos Nationwide 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 weird rock formations. Actually, NASA examined its Mars Rover within the Atacama due to its related 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 world. You may as well go to the valley at sundown for some lovely views of the encompassing mountains. Mountain climbing Duna Mayor is a wonderful quick hike to unimaginable vistas. The hike is about 20 minutes out and takes you alongside a slim path overlooking excessive dunes and out-of-this-world rock formations.
Probably the most spectacular sight was the Moon Valley Amphitheatre. We had the clearest view of it strolling again alongside the excessive journey 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 look at 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 ignored the extraordinary views from Mirador Lickan Antai. It is a beautiful cease off the facet of the street if you’re biking, self-driving or have employed a information. You may hike out for higher views of the desert landscapes.
5. Las Tres Marias Valle de La Luna
In case you are searching for these photographs that seize the Salar de Atacama, a cease at Las Tres Marías 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: Every part You Have 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 photographs as you do in Bolivia, however that is the place the place you possibly can play with scale and scope just a little bit. The path is a brief 15-minute stroll.
6. Sundown from Mirador de Kari Piedra del Coyote
The most effective issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama is to look at the sundown from Mirador de Kari Piedra del Coyote. Positioned outdoors Valle de La Luna, that is the very best place for sundown as a result of it’s essential to be out of the valley by a sure time. Since you can’t 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’s a lovely view with the solar creating shadows and depth on the rocky valley flooring because the excessive mountains twinkle with shade surrounding the huge desert.
7. Go to the El Tatio geysers
The El Tatio geysers are a bunch of geothermal springs which might be the best geothermal space on this 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 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 make sure to layer up with gloves and a hat. The geysers are most energetic at daybreak when the water is at its hottest (and air at its coldest), and so they produce steam and scorching 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! Learn extra concerning the Yellowstone Geysers at The Important Information to Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone
8. Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques
Have you ever ever questioned what it was wish to stroll at excessive altitudes however don’t wish to hike for days to get there? Properly, 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.
Normally, you would want to trek for days to get to this elevation. The nonetheless deep blue waters are placing and it’s stunning to be standing at 4000 meters with the 2 excessive volcanoes towering overhead. It was arduous to imagine that the Volcano proper earlier than our eyes was increased than Mount Kilimanjaro. The 2 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 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.
10. Go stargazing
San Pedro de Atacama is positioned in an space with little or no gentle air pollution or precipitation, which makes it an excellent place for stargazing and excursions might 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 you can 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 wonderful visibility of the celebrities, planets, and the Milky Manner. Due to the low humidity, excessive altitude, and low gentle air pollution, it’s a scorching spot for astronomers to review the skies, and plenty of corporations from all over the world have scientists learning its darkish skies. San Pedro de Atacama is common for Astro-tourism and you can’t miss doing this tour. I actually didn’t assume I’d be impressed, however I liked listening to the tales of our information as he identified constellations earlier than having us look into the large telescopes at Saturn, Mars, and Pluto.
We appeared by way 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 photographs and the corporate we went with was type sufficient to produce photographs of our expertise. This is without doubt one of the hottest excursions within the Atacama Desert.
You may as well go to the ALMA Observatory, which is positioned about 50 kilometers outdoors of San Pedro de Atacama. The observatory is residence to the biggest array of radio telescopes on this planet, and
11. Stand on the Tropic of Capricorn
There’s something 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. Go to the Village of Tocanao
In addition to San Pedro de Atacama, there are a number of villages within the Atacama Desert. If you wish to do some buying, the village of Tocanao is an effective cease. We purchased some jewellery and luggage for only a few {dollars}. Positioned 38 km from San Pedro de Atacama, most excursions will cease right here for a minimum of half-hour to an hour to help the local people. Probably 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 sensible choice for lunch. Our information known as forward to order conventional stew. The primary 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 street.
14. Discover the Salar de Tara
The Salar de Tara is a big salt flat positioned throughout the Los Flamencos Nationwide Reserve of the Atacama Desert subsequent to subsequent to Piers Rojas (The Purple Rocks). It’s the third largest salt flat on this planet, and it’s residence 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 dust roads that lead by way of the world. You may as well go to the salt flats on a tour, which can take you to among the finest spots for images and sightseeing. Learn extra at: Salar de Tara an Extraordinary Journey within the Atacama Desert
15. Salar de Talar
One other salt flat within the Atacama is the Salar de Talar. Positioned at 3900 meters, Salar de Talar is 46 sq. km you can view on the best way to Laguna Miscanti. We didn’t go to the salt flat, however we did cease on the facet of the street a number of occasions for views of the valleys under. 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 (Demise 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. Prior to now these animals (and people) who dared to cross perished within the unforgiving circumstances. No crops, animals and even bugs can survive in Demise Valley.
Also called Mars Valley, it is a nice cease for backpackers or these seeking to discover on their very own. Positioned 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
All through the Atacama Desert, the rainbow colours of the panorama are one of the vital spectacular websites. However there may be really a spot particularly known as Rainbow Valley. Valle del Arcoiris is about 90 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama which might be booked on a day tour. It showcases the layers of colours reminiscent to Rainbow Mountain in Peru. Whereas there you possibly can see the ten,000-year-old petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas.
17. San Pedro de Atacama
Properly, this whole 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 excellent spot for eating. You may ebook any day journey you need from city and it has a cool laid-back vibe that makes it good 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 – Whereas 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.
- Procuring – It is a improbable city for buying. The artist’s group of Pueblo de Artesanos is an effective place to choose up Andean souvenirs from ponchos to blankets.
The best way to Get to San Pedro de Atacama
By air: The closest 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 Airways, 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 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 might be bought on-line or on the terminal.
By automobile: In case you choose to journey by automobile, 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 suggested to take a 4×4 automobile as a result of tough terrain of the Atacama Desert. You may as well hire a automobile in Santiago or Calama, and there are a number of automobile rental corporations that function within the area. Try automobile rental costs right here.
By tour: In case you choose 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 attainable.
Regardless of the way you select to get to San Pedro de Atacama, it is very important plan your journey prematurely and to be ready for the distinctive circumstances of the Atacama Desert. The city has a dry, arid local weather so refill 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’s quite a lot of sand.
The place to Keep 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. Listed here are some solutions for the place to remain in San Pedro de Atacama:
- Lodges: San Pedro de Atacama has a wide range of resorts to select from, starting from price range to luxurious. We stayed at Lodge Diego Del Almagro which has probably the greatest places in San Pedro de Atacama. The resort rooms are fundamental, however you possibly can’t be the situation. Positioned proper within the heart of the town, it was inside strolling distance to the whole lot. In case you are driving, it has free parking for friends and a swimming pool.
- Another common choices embody Lodge de Larache, Lodge Atacama, and Lodge Casa de Don Tomas. These resorts supply a spread 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 points of interest.
- Hostels: In case you are touring on a price range, there are a number of hostels in San Pedro de Atacama that supply inexpensive 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, akin to kitchens and dwelling rooms, the place you possibly can socialize with different vacationers.
- Tenting: In case you choose a extra outside expertise, there are a number of campsites in and round San Pedro de Atacama.
- Widespread choices embody Tenting San Pedro de Atacama, Tenting La Duna, and Tenting El Molle. These campsites supply fundamental amenities, akin to bathrooms and showers, and they’re a very good possibility for vacationers who wish to be near nature.
- Renting a trip residence: In case you are touring with a bunch or need more room and privateness, you possibly can contemplate renting a trip residence in San Pedro de Atacama. There are a number of choices obtainable, starting from flats to homes, and you will discover trip leases on Vrbo. Renting a trip residence could be a good possibility if you wish to have your individual kitchen and dwelling house, and it may also be extra economical if you’re touring with a bunch.
Regardless of the place you select to remain in San Pedro de Atacama, it is very important ebook your lodging prematurely, 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’ve got a spot to remain. It is usually 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 principle vacationer points of interest.
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. While you go to Chile, be sure that it’s added to your itinerary. It’s a visit that can create reminiscences to final a lifetime.
