Day Trips in North Chile

At 3,500 meters above sea  is the Rainbow Valley. The Rainbow Valley is used in the basin of the Rio Grande, about 90 kms from San Pedro de Atacama. The access road must be joined on the route to Calama. The valley, like the rest of the attractions of San Pedro de Ataca and its surroundings, is well above 3000 meters above sea level. The Rainbow Valley is located near Sanitiago de Rio Grande or Rio Grande and very close to the Petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas, which like other attractions in the area is managed by the Atacameña Community of the place.

Tour visiting the ghost town of Humberstone (UNESCO), Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve, Cerro Pintados geoglyphs, Salar Grande and a Sea lions colony. Local products picnic lunch included.

Visit the home of Chile's famous Pisco Sour on this full-day, small-group tour of the Elqui Valley from La Serena, including hotel pickup. Uncover the cosmic secrets of the Cochiguaz Valley; tour a Pisco production plant; and indulge in an expert-led Pisco tasting. After tucking into a traditional lunch (included) at a local restaurant, spend time exploring Vicuña, the hometown of Nobel Prize winning poet Gabriela Mistral.

Experience the unearthly splendor of the Chilean desert landscape on a 4-hour afternoon and evening tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Float in the unique Cejar Lagoon, famed for its exorbitant salt concentration; admire the proximate lagoons of Ohos del Salar, renowned for their distinct appearance of eyes; and watch a spectacular sunset over the desert while sipping sweet pisco sours.

See the impressive natural spectacle of steam combined with volcanic magma of the Tatio Geysers that is waiting for you to be surprised by its visual performance. Make a visit to Machuca, a small herder's settlement in the North of the country.Live the sunrise in one of the most beautiful geothermal fields in the world.Contemplate the beautiful colors born between the contrast of the intensely blue sky and the pure steam of the geysers.

Experience one of South America's most startling natural wonders, the vast Atacama Salt Flat, on this 4-hour tour from San Pedro de Atacama, including hotel pick-up. Snap photos of the third largest salt plain in the world, which stretches over 1,200 square miles (3,000 sq km), then spot rare Andean flamingoes at the Los Flamencos National Reserve and visit the beautiful Quebrada de Jerez valley. You'll also have chance to browse the handicrafts market and shop for souvenirs in Toconao village.

A unique experience traveling to the border with Argentina passing by the "Paso Jama", which is 4,830 m above sea level located in the Andes Mountains and heading towards the Salar de Tara. On the way we will stop at "Mirador del bofedal de Quepiaco", where this "photographic safari" begins.

The Cejar Lagoon is located within the Salar de Atacama, 20 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. It is recognized by the strong Calipso color of water and is surrounded by salts of various forms.Due to its high concentration of salt, a result of the subterranean aquifers of the melted ice of the mountains, the Cejar Lagoon is a mixture of mystery and fun. As much as we want to dive we are "thrown" the surface, not allowing us to sink.By the end of this tour we are also able to see the amazing sunset in the desert.

In the middle of the Atacama Salt Flats, we will visit the Cejar Lagoon, with its incredibly salty waters. It is set in a beautifully turquoise colored landscape with views of imposing volcanoes.

Discover one of Chile's most unique natural landscapes on this 10-hour tour from San Pedro de Atacama, including hotel-up. Marvel over the stark white plains of the Atacama Salt Flats, see the shimmering Miscanti lagoon and spot pink flamingos bathing in the Chaxa lagoon. Finally, get a taste of life in the Atacama Desert as you visit the traditional villages of Socaire and Toconao.

Keep your camera to hand as you journey through the startling landscapes of the Rainbow Valley on this 4-hour morning excursion from San Pedro de Atacama. Learn about the unique geology and mineral-rich rocks of the Domeyko Mountains that give the valley its name, as you weave your way though the multi-colored rock formations. Next, take a peek at the pre-Columbian ruins of Hierbas Buenas, famed for its ancient petroglyphs, then visit the handicrafts village of Rio Grande.

Simplify transportation logistics between San Pedro de Atacama and the Puritama Hot Springs by booking this guided tour to the popular natural attraction. Hotel pickup and drop-off ensure peace of mind as you travel between destinations, letting you relax and fully enjoy the hot springs experience.

See multiple attractions around the Atacama Desert on this full-day guided tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy a hassle-free pickup from your hotel and start your day with breakfast (included) in the Miscanti and Miñiques highland lagoons. Continue your day exploring Salar de Talar, the village of Socaire, and Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt lake where you can see flamingos. Your final stop is town of Toconao before you get dropped off back at your hotel.

Escape the tourist trail on this full-day tour from Arica, and explore the wild landscapes and archaeological wonders of Chile's far north. Discover the sweeping valleys and volcanic peaks of the Lauca National Park; spot rare birds around Chungará Lake and visit the historic villages of Parinacota and Putre. After lunch (included), journey back through the Lluta Valley stopping to admire the mysterious geoglyphs and view the towering candelabrum cacti in Los Cardones Ravine.

Marvel over one of Chile's natural wonders and take a peek at a traditional desert town on this 7-hour tour from San Pedro de Atacama, including hotel pick-up. Make an early start and head straight to the El Tatio Geyser, then stand in awe before the hissing geysers, bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles as the sun comes up. After tucking into breakfast (included), journey to the sleepy village of Machuca to admire the mud-brick houses and browse the handicrafts stalls.

Get a glimpse of life in 19th-century Chile as you explore the ghost towns of Humberstone and Santa Laura on this full-day tour from Iquique. Discover the fascinating history of the long-deserted Saltpeter works, now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, then pay a visit to La Tirana, which hosts the famous Fiesta de la Tirana each summer. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), relax in the Pica hot springs, then marvel over the dramatic Pintados Geoglyphs as you journey back through the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve.

The Valley of the Moon in the Atacama Desert is a popular excursion from San Pedro de Atacama, but you can avoid the crowds on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people. Leaving in the afternoon, you will arrive in time to experience the sunset, which casts a warm glow over the valley and makes for excellent photo opportunities.

Discover the natural splendor of the Atacama Salt Flats on a full-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, visit the luminescent salt flats of Soncor; observe fabulous flocks of brightly colored flamingos in Los Flamenco National Park; and explore the luscious lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques. Feast upon a traditional Chilean lunch in the charming village of Socaire, and browse the bespoke boutiques of Tocanao for special souvenirs and artisan treasures.

Discover the unearthly geysers of the world's driest desert on an early morning tour to El Tatio geyser field from San Pedro de Atacama. Gaze in wonder at over 80 spouting shoots of steam as you watch an enchanting sunrise in the desert. Enjoy a traditional breakfast before soothing your bones in the warm waters of natural hot spring. Conclude with a cultural exploration of the provincial village of Machuca on this engaging excursion.