Prime issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama in 2023

There are numerous unbelievable issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The city generally known as a gateway to the Atacama Desert, is the driest non-polar desert on the earth. San Pedro de Atacama is a small city in Northern Chile close to the border with Bolivia. The city is located in the midst of the desert at a excessive altitude, 3160 m above sea stage. 

The Atacama Desert is an unbelievable place that gives breathtaking surroundings, a weird panorama, a singular ecosystem, and superb alternatives for journey fanatics to discover a number of the desert’s hidden gems in a singular means. Atacama desert and Carretera Austral had been our two favourite locations in Chile. On this publish, we tried to divide issues to do within the Atacama desert in response to their kind and the way in which they are often achieved – with a tour (rental automobile) or independently. 

Prime 3 excursions in San Pedro de Atacama

The way to go to San Pedro de Atacama?

When planning a go to to the Atacama Desert it’s vital to determine what you need to see and to do there. A lot of the sights aren’t accessible by public transport and are too far to stroll or cycle there from the city. To get the perfect out of your go to to San Pedro de Atacama and not spend so much I’d recommend combining actions that you are able to do independently and arranged excursions. All close by pure sights will be reached by bike and even strolling from the city of San Pedro de Atacama. All lagoons, geysers, and volcanoes are too far to cycle you’ll need to hire a automobile or be part of a tour.

One other vital factor to bear in mind is the place you’re going after San Pedro de Atacama. Should you’re heading to Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia you don’t need to see comparable sights, however somewhat one thing totally different that you simply don’t see in Uyuni. Should you’re not going to Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama then attempt to diversify the actions. Attempt to go to volcanos, valleys, colourful lagoons, and geysers. Whichever factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama you select it is going to be undoubtedly considered one of the highlights of your South America journey identical to Iguazu Falls and Perito Moreno Glacier.

When is the perfect time to go to San Pedro de Atacama?

There are three distinguished seasons in San Pedro de Atacama; winter, summer season, and shoulder season. Could to September is winter when the times are good and nice however the nights are chilly. Night time temperatures typically go under 0°C. Summer season months, between December and March, are scorching and really dry. Day temperatures are round 30°C, and at evening it cools down to twenty°C. 

Most rainfalls happen between January and March and typically if it rains so much it may end up in some pure sights being closed. The tip of the wet season isn’t the perfect time to go to the Atacama. Within the shoulder season (April, October, and November) the times aren’t as scorching as in the summertime and the nights aren’t as chilly as within the winter. You may get some rain however not as a lot as through the wet interval.

We had been in San Pedro de Atacama in December, simply earlier than Christmas. December is the excessive season which implies the city will get busy and costs improve. Should you determine to go to Atacama on the finish of the yr it’s higher to e-book lodging, excursions, and transportation beforehand. 

Renting a automobile in Atacama

Should you’re a household or a gaggle of associates renting a automobile and visiting sights independently is likely to be cheaper than doing excursions. There may be not a lot site visitors on the roads that result in the primary sights. A lot of the roads besides the highways are gravel.

The place to remain in San Pedro de Atacama?

There are many lodging choices within the city from tenting and staying in a dormitory to luxurious motels and cabins. 

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Greatest issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama and not using a tour

Biking within the desert

It will get extremely popular on the market within the afternoon so the perfect time for biking is early morning and night. Don’t neglect to take sufficient water, placed on sunscreen and put on a cap or a hat. Renting a bicycle is probably the most funds approach to do sightseeing round San Pedro de Atacama this manner you will get to Moon Valley, Loss of life Valley, Satan’s Throat, and many others. More often than not you cycle on a dust street typically it will get a bit bumpy. 

There are a number of locations within the city the place you may hire a bicycle simply be sure you get a bicycle lock and a light-weight (in case you’ll determine to remain within the Valley for the sundown and can cycle again at midnight).

We cherished biking via the desert and stopping on the way in which to take images and benefit from the surroundings. Bike rental firms in San Pedro de Atacama cost  CLP 5000/US$5 for half a day. 

You are able to do an e-bike tour via the desert as nicely.

Climbing

Climbing within the desert sounds loopy, doesn’t it?! It is likely to be apparent however you’ll have to hold loads of water with you since you’ll get actually thirsty. The most secure and best place to hike is within the Moon Vallely. You may go as much as rock formations and sand dunes to get spectacular views of the valley and the Atacama Desert.

As for the mountaineering route we went via the Loss of life Valley. We mixed mountaineering and tenting. We walked for about 3 hours, then discovered a spot to pitch a tent. The subsequent morning on the way in which again we walked via the Satan’s Throat and bought a bit misplaced within the maze. Usually, the mountaineering expertise was nice, there have been only a few folks we noticed principally locals from small villages that unfold out within the desert. I might strongly suggest utilizing navigation for mountaineering within the Atacama Desert and sticking to the primary routes. You don’t need to get misplaced there.

Atacama mountaineering excursions

Should you’re planning a visit to Chile and luxuriate in mountaineering our posts on the perfect hikes in Patagonia and mountaineering in Torres del Paine is likely to be fascinating for you.

Tenting within the desert 

Should you determine to expertise tenting within the driest place on Earth ensure to take sufficient water that may final you for the way in which to and again. We walked round within the desert for fairly some time earlier than we discovered an appropriate place for pitching our tent. The bottom could be very rocky and it’s troublesome to discover a flat sandy spot. For a cushty sleep, you’ll want a very good tenting mat.

The evening within the desert was superb, we introduced a tenting cooking set, made dinner, and had been sitting exterior consuming and looking out on the superb sky. Do not forget that it will get fairly chilly at evening within the desert so convey a sleeping bag and hotter garments with you. On a special event (mountaineering the Fish River Canyon in Namibia) we bought very chilly at evening within the desert sleeping exterior in our skinny sleeping luggage.

The subsequent morning was great. We awakened early simply earlier than dawn, made espresso, packed our stuff, and began heading again earlier than it bought too scorching. On the way in which, we visited the Satan’s Throat Gorge. We arrived within the city earlier than noon.

Discover Moon Valley

Visiting Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) is without doubt one of the high free issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The valley is situated about 7km from the city. You may principally stroll there however I’d recommend biking (as we did). The world of Moon Valley is sort of massive and to get an opportunity to see it you’ll want some sort of transport. Should you’re actually on a good funds and don’t plan to make use of any tour firms the Moon Valley is unquestionably a must-visit place for you. 

The weird panorama of Moon Valley provides you a sense of being on one other planet. In case you have time I’d recommend exploring the world and visiting Tres Marias (Three Marys), a gaggle of three rocks that appears like three girls standing subsequent to one another.

It’s greatest to go to the valley within the morning or within the night due to the warmth. Moon Valley is an ideal place to look at the sundown. The sundown from Piedra del Coyote is beautiful however put together to see many individuals within the valley this time of the day. It’s a tremendous spectacle when the setting solar colours the desert into totally different shades of crimson. If you wish to go to the valley with out crowds, the morning is a greater time. The doorway charge is CLP 10 000/US$12 per particular person. 

Moon Valley tours

Go to Loss of life Valley

Loss of life Valley (Valle de la Muerte) is also referred to as Mars Valley (Valle de Marte). It has an much more weird panorama than Moon Valley. It has even much less sand and extra clay formations which have been formed by the wind and the water for 1000’s of years. The panorama reminds a labyrinth it’s good to stroll round and discover the world. We visited the place within the morning and there have been only a few folks, plus it was good and funky. The doorway is barely 3 km from San Pedro de Atacama you may principally stroll there from the city. The doorway charge is CLP 5000/US$6.  

Stroll via Satan’s Throat and The Tunnel

Each locations are situated about 500 m from one another and seven km from San Pedro de Atacama. Satan’s Throat is a small canyon or a passage between the rocks. In some locations, it’s very slim in some a bit wider. Strolling there’s like strolling via a maze with reddish rugged partitions. 

One of the simplest ways of attending to Satan’s Throat is by bike. It’s potential to succeed in each locations by strolling nevertheless it’s fairly far to stroll each methods. You may attempt to get a experience however there aren’t many automobiles on the street and most of them are tour teams. We visited each as part of our mountaineering/tenting journey within the Atacama however biking could be undoubtedly higher. The doorway charge is CLP 3000/US$3,5.

After the Satan’s Throat, you may cycle/stroll 500 m to get to The Tunnel (El Túnel). It’s a man-made tunnel within the mountain constructed initially of the twentieth century. You may cycle via it.

Go to Pukará de Quitor

Pukará de Quitor is an archaeological website of the Pre-Colombian interval situated 3 km from San Pedro de Atacama. Right here you may see the stays of an historic fortress constructed by native tribes within the twelfth century. We extremely suggest strolling to the point of view, a 700-meter steep ascent to the highest from the place you get a number of the greatest views of Loss of life Valley. The ruins are fairly spectacular, particularly the massive heads carved out of rocks.

Visiting Pukará de Quitor is a not-to-miss factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama should you’re keen on archeology and the historical past of the area. The doorway charge is CLP 5000/US$6. You may stroll there and again from San Pedro de Atacama or go by bicycle which is quicker and provides you an opportunity to go to extra sights situated close by. 

In case you are on a motorbike you may go to Tulor, one other archaeological website close to San Pedro de Atacama. Tulor is situated 9 km south of the city following on a gravel street. Tulor is an historic village that consists of greater than 20 constructions from homes and storage services to boreholes. You even can see human stays. The origins of the settlement date again 2500 years. Entrance charge CLP 5000/US$6 per particular person.

You may go to each villages with a tour – Archaeological Expertise in Atacama Tulor and Quitor

Stroll across the city

San Pedro de Atacama is a small city however there are some fascinating issues to see there. A number of the highlights of the city embrace the primary Plaza, the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, the meteorite museum, the archeological museum Gustavo Le Paige, and lots of curiosity outlets on the primary street. There are numerous good espresso outlets and eating places within the city the place you may relaxation in between. 

You may be part of a walkling tour in San Pedro de Atacama to study extra in regards to the city and its historical past.

Issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama with a tour 

Go to colourful desert lagoons

Visiting the well-known desert lagoons is without doubt one of the most important issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. They’re the primary cause vacationers come to the Atacama Desert. Should you don’t have a lot time or your funds isn’t excessive sufficient to do many excursions I’d recommend selecting a tour to the lagoons. Some full-day excursions mix a go to to the lagoons with volcanoes, and geysers.

There are numerous spectacular lagoons within the Atacama Desert of various colours, some have flamingos, some are good for swimming, and a few are surrounded by geysers and volcanoes. Which of them to decide on is as much as you however I’d suggest visiting Cejar Lagoon, a blue salty lake the place you may float like within the Lifeless Sea. In its place, you may go to the much less touristy Laguna Baltinache. Each lakes are beautiful. Laguna Cejar is barely 18 km away from San Pedro de Atacama which explains its reputation. Laguna Baltinache is 57 km away, it’s smaller and attracts fewer folks. 

Prompt excursions

If you wish to see many flamingos I’d suggest going to Chaxa Lagoon. In the summertime you may see lots of o birds there. The lake is situated in Los Flamencos Nationwide Reserve, in the midst of the Salar de Atacama. 

Prompt excursions

Visiting the well-known Lagunas Altiplanicas is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The Miscanti Lake and Laguna Miñiques are a number of the most scenic lakes in Atacama. The lakes look particularly spectacular within the winter surrounded by snow. Each lakes are situated subsequent to one another, and 110 km south of San Pedro de Atacama. To get to the lakes you drive the identical street that goes to Laguna Chaxa and the Salar de Atacama. On a day journey, you may go to all these sights. On the way in which to the Lagunas Altiplanicas, there’s a small salt lake – Lejia Lake. 

Prompt excursions

As for the lake with probably the most spectacular turquoise shade, I believe Laguna Verde (Inexperienced Lake) is the winner right here. It seems inexperienced at sure occasions of the day however even with out it, the surroundings across the lake is breathtaking; surrounded by volcanoes and mountains this lake seems beautiful on a pleasant sunny day. 

Admire spectacular volcanoes

Chile is legendary for its a number of volcanoes and the Atacama space isn’t an exclusion. Visiting a volcano is a not-to-miss factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. There you may see some sleeping giants like Licancabur and Láscar Volcanos. 

Lincancabur might be probably the most iconic volcano within the desert. It’s virtually 6000 m excessive (5916m). Lincancabur Volcano is situated 60 km east of San Pedro de Atacama it may be seen from the city. Lincancabur has an ideal cone form, good for taking images, particularly in winter when its peak is roofed in snow. For individuals who like journey, I’d suggest mountaineering to the crater of the volcano. We didn’t know in regards to the climb after we had been in San Pedro de Atacama in any other case would have undoubtedly achieved it. It isn’t typically you may in a comparatively simple means get to 6000 m above sea stage.

Láscar is one other huge volcano close to San Pedro de Atacama, about 70 km south. It’s slightly bit smaller than Lincancabur Volcano, 5592 m, however far more energetic. Actually, Lascar is probably the most energetic volcano within the area. Although it’s an energetic volcano it’s potential to climb it as nicely which is in a means much more thrilling as you climb as much as the crater of the energetic volcano. These two peaks are on our bucket listing of issues to do, subsequent time we’re in San Pedro de Atacama we’ll undoubtedly do it. There are a number of tour operators on the primary avenue in San Pedro that supply the climb.  

Get pleasure from geysers & scorching springs

The Antofagasta area in Chile (the place San Pedro de Atacama is) has one of many highest concentrations of geysers on the earth after Yellowstone within the US and the Geysers Valley in Kamchatka, Russia. El Tatio geyser discipline consists of greater than 60 geysers, situated at 4320 m elevation. It’s the best geyser discipline on the earth. For us seeing El Tatio was a must-do exercise in San Pedro de Atacama although we did see a few geysers in Uyuni as nicely they weren’t that massive and spectacular. 

Scorching springs within the valley surrounding El Tatio are one more reason to go to the volcano. You may soak in scorching water having fun with the beautiful surroundings round you. It’s higher to return there within the morning when it’s chilly exterior. Throughout the day it’s too scorching to take a seat in scorching springs at 35°C exterior until you come there in winter. 

Should you like extra of a tranquil and stress-free scorching spring expertise, Termas de Puritama is the proper place. It’s a system of swimming pools situated in a picturesque canyon. There are eight swimming pools in complete. Water temperature within the swimming pools varies between 28°C and 30°C. There are bathrooms and altering rooms. With the intention to make the expertise stress-free and pleasing, the variety of folks allowed within the swimming pools on the identical time is restricted. Entrance from CLP 9000/US$13. 

Prompt excursions

Discover valleys & salt flats

To be trustworthy we fully skipped this half as a result of we simply got here from a 3-day tour in Uyuni and it felt like we’d seen sufficient salt flats, deserts, and weird rock formations. It doesn’t imply that these within the Atacama Desert look identical to those in Uyuni. If we had extra time and the next funds we want to go and go to all of them however we had to decide on and determined to see one thing totally different that we hadn’t seen earlier than. 

Pedras Rojas and Salar de Tara are probably the most visited sights on this class. As you may guess from the title, the valley is roofed with enormous reddish boulders, the colour is the results of the oxidation of iron. The crimson rocks distinction with the blueish shade of the white shade of the close by salt flat and lake. It’s an amazing spot for images lovers. Piedras Rojas Valley is situated about 150 km away from San Pedro de Atacama.  

As for Salar de Tara should you’ve been to Uyuni in Bolivia or Salina Grandes in Argentina you may skip this one. It’s much less touristy than the opposite two however in my view much less spectacular. Right here and there you may see white salt patches nevertheless it’s not like the entire space is roofed in salt. In case you have by no means seen a salt flat then it’s value visiting. 

Prompt excursions

One other fascinating valley is the Rainbow Valley. As you may guess from the title its rock formation are totally different colours. Not precisely the rainbow colours however fairly spectacular for a desert. Rocks and the bottom there are coloured in reddish, brownish, greenish, and whitish colours. The valley is situated 90 km from San Pedro de Atacama, it’s a brief 3-hour tour.  

Prompt excursions

See big cacti

If you wish to see the well-known Cardones (gigantic cactuses) that develop within the north of Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia head to the Cactus Valley. A number of the cacti you may see there are 5-7m excessive, which implies they’re very previous. They develop a few centimeters per yr, and a few of them are over 300 years previous. Locals use cacti as a constructing materials and make some components of their homes (home windows, doorways) utilizing it as a substitute of wooden or plastic.  

Should you’re coming from Uyuni you’ve already seen 1000’s of those cactus and possibly took lots of of images as nicely. It’s potential to do an hour hike (4km) via the valley to benefit from the surroundings.  

Prompt excursions

Go on a scorching air balloon experience

 It may not be probably the most funds factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama nevertheless it’s a really particular exercise. It’s all the time an unbelievable expertise to look at a pure marvel like a desert or a lake from the air. The weird panorama of the Atacama Desert is a good place for it. The sort of panorama all the time seems superb from the air. In case you have by no means achieved a hot-air balloon experience Atacama is an ideal place for a first-timer. 

The excursions depart from San Pedro de Atacama very early within the morning, 5am-5.30am with a purpose to make it for the dawn. Simply think about the waste desert of the Atacama with the solar rising over the horizon.

Should you like scorching air balloon rides over weird landscapes add Cappadocia to your bucket listing driving on a balloon over the beautiful Goreme Nationwide Park is considered one of the highlights of Turkey.  

Atacama scorching air balloon excursions

Climb Cerro Toco 

Should you like bodily challenges and luxuriate in concurring mountains then climbing Cerro Toco is a not-to-miss factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. Cerro Toco is an actual big, a 5600-meter mountain dominates the world close to the border with Bolivia. On account of its simple accessibility, it’s probably the most climbed mountain within the Andes Mountains. Not like many 5000 m peaks the place you begin the climb from 2000 m or 3000 m and steadily stroll up for a few days, on Cerro Toco you will get by automobile to 5000 m and stroll the remaining 600 m to the highest in a few hours. 

Essential to do not forget that going that top requires good acclimatization, ensure to remain for a few days in San Pedro de Atacama earlier than trying to summit. It takes half a day to get to Cerro Toco from San Pedro de Atacama, climb to the highest and get again to the city. Worth round 100US$ per particular person together with information, transportation, breakfast and lunch, and oxygen (for emergency). 

Hike Zapaleri Volcano 

Zapaleri Vilcano is one other big of the Atacama Desert. It’s 50 m larger than Cerro Toco. Its peak stands at 5650 m above sea stage.  The situation of Zapaleri Volcano could be very symbolic. It marks the triple border level between Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. The climb begins at about 5000 m until there you will get by automobile however you’ll want a 4×4 automobile, so should you hire a automobile be sure you hire the best one as a result of the street could be very rocky and bumpy. It’s really useful to do the climb with a information. It requires correct acclimatization as nicely. 

Sandboarding 

Sandboarding is a well-liked factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. In case you have by no means tried it do it within the Atacama Desert, there are some fairly spectacular dunes to slip down. A lot of the sandboarding excursions happen in Loss of life Valley there are a number of appropriate dunes of various sizes and steepnesses. 

Taking place standing isn’t as simple because it seems and it’s not precisely like snowboarding, you principally go down straight. The best means goes down an even bigger dune laying on the board in your abdomen or sitting on the board. Simply be ready, it is going to be fairly a quick and thrilling descent. We’ve achieved sandboarding in other places in South America and in the Namib desert.

Be sure that to convey water and sunscreen. I’d recommend as nicely sporting a protracted sleeve shirt and lengthy pants in case you fall and for further solar safety. Some firms supply evening sandboarding excursions. We have now by no means achieved one like that nevertheless it should be fairly thrilling and quiet.

Should you favor browsing over sandboarding Chile has an amazing spot for that as nicely, the small city of Pichilemu, which is usually referred to as the surf capital of Chile.

Sandboarding excursions

Stargazing within the desert

The Atacama Desert is without doubt one of the greatest locations on the earth for stargazing. For us it was one other spotlight of Atacama or truly any desert, the sky there’s simply completely beautiful with no mild air pollution. I by no means noticed so many stars and constellations in my life (not, truly I did in the Namib Desert). You may clearly see the Milky Approach. Actually, the Atacama Desert is without doubt one of the greatest spots within the southern hemisphere to see it. Think about how a lot you may see on the market with a telescope. The stargazing tour could be very fascinating and academic. It’s vital to do not forget that near the complete Moon you received’t have the ability to see many stars because the Moon is simply too vivid. 

ALMA Observatory is located within the Atacama Desert as a result of it’s probably the greatest locations for astronomic observations. 

Stargazing excursions

Uncover Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs

Visiting a number of the native villages, cities, and archaeological websites is one other fashionable factor to do in San Pedro de Atacama. A lot of them will be visited as part of a tour and are often mixed with visits to some pure sights like lagoons and geysers. 

Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs are probably the most fascinating archeological websites within the Atacama Desert. Yerbas Buenas is situated 50 km from San Pedro de Atacama, lower than one hour drive. There are lots of of petroglyphs within the space. The petroglyphs date 10 000 years again and had been created by the Atacamaño individuals who inhabited the area at the moment. 

To get extra out of the go to I’d recommend going there with a information who will present some fascinating information in regards to the petroglyphs and the historical past of the area. The petroglyphs are often visited as part of a tour of the Rainbow Valley. Entrance charge CLP 3000/US$4 per particular person. 

Prompt excursions

Go to Chacabuco village 

One of many deserted nitrate cities within the area, and possibly the best-preserved one. The city was based in 1924 through the nitrate increase in Chile however after the invention of the artificial analog on the finish of the thirtieth, all of the mines had been shut down. Not like the opposite mine cities, Chacabuco’s historical past continued within the second half of the twentieth century when it was used as a focus camp for political prisoners of the Pinochet regime. 

We love visiting deserted ghost cities within the desert like this one or Kolmanskop in Namibia. Chacabuco is an fascinating place the one drawback is the placement, it’s fairly removed from San Pedro, about 200km however like different websites that may be visited as part of a tour.

Go to Machuca Village

Machuca village is simply 44 km away from San Pedro de Atacama. This small village with solely 20 homes represents a conventional native village of the area. All homes look the identical; one-story stone buildings are similar to the homes you keep in your tour in Uyuni. Machuca is often visited on the way in which to Tatio Geyser. It’s a comparatively new vacationer vacation spot however in the previous couple of years, locals opened a number of motels and eating places. Should you hire a automobile in San Pedro de Atacama it is likely to be a superb place to remain in a single day to expertise the native tradition. 

The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack somewhat than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.