best stargazing tour san pedro de atacama

A stargazer’s guide to the Atacama Desert: find the Milky Way with these top tips

Jan 8, 2022 • 6 min read

From finding the ideal conditions to touring world-class observatories, here's what you need to know about stargazing in Chile's Atacama Desert © Eric Hanson / Getty Images

The Atacama Desert unfurls across northern Chile in sizzling salt flats, bone-dry sierras, barren beaches and prickly patches of colorful cacti. Yet, one of its greatest features is only apparent after the sun plunges into the Pacific. That’s when earth’s most lunar-like landscape morphs into a dazzling dome of glittering stars – perfect for the ultimate stargazing trip.

Thanks to a unique combination of low humidity, high altitudes and near non-existent light pollution, the Atacama is home to half of the world’s ground-based astronomy projects. Yet, it’s not just the astronomers who get to geek out over the nightly star show. The Atacama has blossomed in recent years into a global hub for “astro-tourism.” Make the most of a star-studded trip to the world’s driest non-polar desert with the top tips in this beginner's guide.

Elqui Valley and San Pedro de Atacama are the stargazing hubs

For the best stargazing, you’ll want to steer clear of the Pacific coastline, which can be surprisingly cloudy in the mornings and evenings. Instead, base yourself in the interior valleys or up on the Altiplano (the high Andean tableland Chile shares with Bolivia and Peru ). The best infrastructure can be found in two key stargazing hubs: Elqui Valley in the Coquimbo Region and San Pedro de Atacama in the Antofagasta Region. The former is just south of the desert proper in a fertile valley known for its pisco and wine production. The latter is the Atacama's most famous oasis, surrounded by high-altitude parklands, sunbaked sand dunes and steaming volcanoes.

Both towns have a good mix of stargazing tours, lodgings, and observatories. The Elqui Valley is a better pick for those who want to pair their nighttime neck-craning with daytime drinking at solar-powered craft breweries , experimental high-altitude vineyards or one of a half-dozen pisco distilleries . Vicuña is the most logical base for stargazing here with the quickest access to nearby observatories. Pisco Elqui , further up in the valley, is filled with yoga studios, New Age retreat centers, and alternative therapies. San Pedro de Atacama lies in the middle of the desert and is one of Chile’s most popular resort towns. It has a greater array of restaurants and accommodations than the Elqui Valley and tends to draw a more international crowd. With large geyser fields, flamingo-filled lagoons and ancient ruins, it makes a good base for those who want to fill the daylight hours with epic outdoor adventures.

A first-timer’s guide to Chile’s Atacama Desert

There are several tourist-friendly observatories and astro-tours

Elqui Valley has the largest array of tourist-friendly observatories in the Atacama, most of which are located near Vicuña. Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca draws the biggest crowds with its two-hour English-language tours, which start with a sky lecture and segue into stargazing through a 12-inch telescope. Observatorio Cancana runs a similar program with two 14-inch telescopes, while Observatorio del Pangue offers the largest publicly-accessible telescope in the region at 25 inches of aperture, plus an enviable hilltop location within sight of where the professionals work at Observatorio Interamericano Cerro Tololo.

San Pedro de Atacama has less observatories than the Elqui Valley but more astro-tours, which take you to remote patches of the desert where you can learn how to identify dwarf galaxies, such as the Magellanic Clouds, from supernova remnants, such as the Crab Nebula. The leading agency here, SPACE , offers educational star tours at the largest park of public telescopes in South America (it also has the largest single publicly-available telescope at 45 inches). Guides teach you how to read a sky map and recognize the main stars visible in the Southern Hemisphere.

Learn about the night sky from an Indigenous perspective

If you spend one night getting a scientific appreciation for the night sky, it’s helpful to spend the next looking at the cosmos from an Indigenous perspective. Astro Elqui , in Vicuña, combines performances, chats and astronomical observations for a three-hour experience exploring the Andean cosmovision of the local Diaguita culture. Observatorio Etno-Astronomico Licanantay offers a similar “ethno-astronomical tour” near San Pedro that helps visitors understand the Andean night sky as it was viewed for centuries by the Indigenous Atacameño people. You’ll learn about how ancestral knowledge of the stars informed local agricultural practices, as well as peer into the Milky Way to discover messages hidden within its dark spots.

See professional astronomers at work

You won’t be able to probe the night sky at the Atacama’s professional observatories, but guided visits offer a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the life and work of the world’s top astronomers, who are searching for the answers to questions many of us haven’t even thought to ask. Observatorio Interamericano Cerro Tololo and La Silla , both near the Elqui Valley, are the most equipped to handle tourists. Both offer tours on weekends, which must be reserved well in advance.

The $1.4 billion Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), near San Pedro, is the largest and most expensive ground-based astronomical project in existence. While you can’t travel up to 5050m (16,570ft) to see its 66 radio telescopes – which move in unison along the Chajnantor Plateau – you can visit the ALMA Operations Support Facility down below on weekends with a prior reservation.

Stay at hotels and campsites that are ideal for stargazing

Camping is, naturally, one of the cheapest and easiest ways to foster a deep connection with the stars above. In the Elqui Valley, most campsites lie in the shade of willow trees along the rambling river below Pisco Elqui, with emerald green watering holes where you can escape the midday heat. Just remember that temperatures drop considerably in the evening, particularly in winter when it can dip below zero. The same is true of San Pedro de Atacama, which has more than a dozen campgrounds on the periphery of town. The best sites have tent shelters that’ll protect you from both the walloping winds and the midday heat.

Another budget option for stargazing enthusiasts is Alfa Aldea in Vicuña, which has its own onsite telescope and star tours. Those with a more flexible budget should head to  Elqui Domos , where clear-top domes let you count stars from the comfort of your bed. Atacama Lodge near San Pedro is another mid-range option that caters exclusively to amateur astronomers. Though Elqui Valley is home to the impeccably designed Casa Molle , it’s San Pedro that holds the lion’s share of luxury lodges. The best for stargazers is the Nayara Alto Atacama , which has a 16-inch telescope on a hill above the hotel for nightly stargazing sessions.

The Atacama Desert is on our 2022 Best of Travel list. For more stories from some of the world’s most exciting destinations click here .

Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before  traveling during COVID-19 .

You might also like: The best road trips in Chile: From Patagonia to the Atacama Desert    The best things to do in Chile: volcanoes, surfing and pisco sours    Stargazing essentials to help you contemplate the cosmos   

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Astronomy tours

San Pedro’s high altitude, incredibly low humitidy, and non-existent light pollution, creating some of the clearest skies in the world. Any visitor can appreciate the night skies from their lodgings, but there are also a number of local observatories offering astronomy tours where visitors can observe the night sky using their telescopes

At a glance

Varies by tour operator

How to get there

Most tours provide transport from visitors' lodgings to the observatory

How much does it cost?

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Quebrada Guatin offers a trek of about 5.5 km (with a more challenging option of up to 19 km), where hikers can see centuries-old cactus that grow in the gorge.

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Visitors can take a dip in the crystal clear turquoise waters of these hidden lagoons, located in the desert between San Pedro and Calama. The water in the lagoons is high in minerals, especially salt, which means that you float!

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ATACAMA DESERT STARGAZING (San Pedro de Atacama) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations

The complete solution to observe the atacama sky.

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We can rent both visual and photographic telescopes to the knowledgeable amateur astronomer. Photographic telescopes are polar aligned and ready to use. We provide a checkin on the telescopes, telling you how they work, mainly for the photographic telescopes.

We offer a general star tours each clear night, apart from a possible small period around the full moon. We can also offer specialized star tours and other offers for travel agencies.

• Atacama Lodge

Atacama Lodge is located a few kilometers south of San Pedro de Atacama, in the chilean Andes, very close to the triple custom point between Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. It is the ideal place to enjoy the Atacama desert, far from the noise of San Pedro

Welcome to Space

SPACE  means "San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations". It started in September in 2003, and has kept progressing. Our main activity is our star tours, which have already received more than 100000 participants in the last ten years. We now offer a complete solution for people who just want an introduction to the night sky, to the professional institution who wants us to take care of their research telescope.

We can rent both visual telescopes and photographic equipment to the knowledgeable amateur astronomer.

We host many robotic telescopes.

We rent time on some of our telescopes

• Address: Réservations par internet seulement
• Email: info SPAMFILTER @spaceobs.com
• Phone: No telephone
• Cellphone: No telephone
• Website: www.spaceobs.com

Atacama Desert Stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama Chile

Ever since I first heard about the Atacama Desert and the things you could do in San Pedro de Atacama, I wanted to travel to Chile and experience it myself. One of the things to do, is the Atacama Desert stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama. This was very high on my bucket list and one of my reasons to travel to South America . It was my reason to travel to Chile in the first place. I even aligned my travel dates to make sure I wouldn’t be in Chile around a full moon and would miss the astronomy tour in the Atacama Desert.

In this post, I’ll explain what is so special about stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama and what you can expect and how to arrange this amazing experience yourself. Here we go!

I paid for everything in full myself. I was not paid or sponsored. All my opinions and experiences are my own.

Probe around the Globe does use affiliate links. If you decide to follow one of my links and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you.

Why go stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama?

But what is so special about the Atacama Desert Stargazing in San Pedro? With the Atacama Desert being one of the driest places in the world , the area around San Pedro de Atacama is an astronomers dream. Due to the altitude and the dryness of the area, there is hardly any air pollution and views are uninterrupted. What more could you wish for when you spend the night under the stars in Northern Chile?

There are several outfitters in the little village of San Pedro de Atacama. This town is tiny and caters solely to tourists. You can just walk into any agency with a telescope outside and ask for their rates and pick up times.

For my Astronomy Tour in San Pedro de Atacama, I paid 21.000 CLP at the time (2016), but the company I booked with no longer exists, so I cannot recommend them anymore.

But, to help you out, I did my homework and I found some excellent tour companies who do the same tour and will give you an amazing experience under the night’s sky of Chile. Before you book, check what is included and what the rates are. Book your Astronomy tour in San Pedro de Atacama here or here .

Read more: Off the beaten path in North-West Argentina

My Experience Stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama

So what does a Stargazing tour in San Pedro de Atacama consists of? I’ll tell you my experience. At the end, I’ll also give you a list of tips if you want to go stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama too.

Other outfitters might have a different itinerary for the evening, but they are all more or less the same.

The weather in San Pedro de Atacama

Although the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on earth, the weather in San Pedro de Atacama might disturb your stargazing plans. I booked my ticket to go stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama in the late afternoon (in May). At that moment, it was windy and cloudy . The guys in the office said it might clear up.

I only booked a 2 nights stay in San Pedro , so it had to happen either this night or the next. We agreed I would check in the office at 8 pm to see if the tour was a go or no go .

At 7 pm I left the restaurant where I had dinner and the skies completely cleared. The first stars appeared at the sky. I changed clothes and managed to put on every single piece of clothing I had packed for my trip. I felt like a little sumo wrestler woman , but I was certain not to let the cold ruin my night!

Explanation about the Southern Sky

I walked into town and together with the others; we got in a van and were dropped off at the site for the Stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama. By now, it was already pitch dark and I turned on my little headlamp that I brought with me for this occasion. We settled in a cleared area, in front of a screen on some benches. Our guide for the night introduced himself and he explained in English and Spanish how the Southern Hemisphere is different from the Northern skies and the rotation influences the rise of stars and planets.

To be completely honest, this explanation lasted for a good hour and I didn’t understand that much of it. The guide spoke mostly in Spanish and only summarized shortly in English. Even without this language barrier, I’m not sure if I would have understood much more because things got quite technical and astronomical .

As I use Instagram a lot for my travel planning, I’d like to show you an image by Yuri Beletsky , a nightscape photographer. This image was taken around the same time as my visit to Northern Chile. The colors and the lights are not from light pollution but from airglow in the sky.

View this post on Instagram Crazy night sky ! Milky Way and bright airglow over the Magellan telescopes – what a view from Atacama desert in Chile. The bright orange “cloudy” structure on the sky is actually not light pollution (!), this is atmospheric airglow (red emission). It was surprisingly bright indeed. If you want learn a bit more about airglow, here is a fantastic recent description by Les Cowley: http://www.atoptics.co.uk/fza67.htm #Chile #airglow #special_shots #hot_shotz #atacama #nightsky #night #nighttime #stars #astrophotography #apod #stargazing #longexpoelite #universetoday #travel #earthpix #awesome_earthpix #discoverearth #awesomeearth #thebest_capture #wonderful_places #travel_captures #instagood #instacool #amazing_longexpo #longexpoelite #SpaceAttraction #nightphotography #nightscaper A post shared by Yuri Beletsky (@yuribeletsky) on May 23, 2016 at 5:42am PDT

Telescopes for Stargazing

After the introduction, we finally got to the point of the actual stargazing! There were 2 telescopes pointed at the sky and we each got our turn looking through them. First, we looked at the sky without a telescope and could see many stars with the naked eye.

This was already a real treat, as the sky was pitch black and everywhere around us, little bright lights kept popping up. The longer you look the more stars you could see!

The two telescopes were different in magnification and we got to see Orion first. From the second telescope, we even got closer. I really loved this way of viewing, because first, you see its position in the sky and then much closer.

Open Clusters of Stars

We learned about open clusters of stars . These are stars that belong together because they are the same intensity and age as the other stars in the cluster. Astronomers find them very interesting because they can study the cluster and learn about the universe and its age. Through the telescope, the viewer was filled with little bright dots.

When I got to the second telescope, I was able to see the color of the stars better and we zoomed in on 1 particular star, which had that perfect star shape . You know: that shape you draw as a child in kindergarten.

Globular Clusters of Stars

At the stargazing tour progressed, the guide was talking more and more in Spanish. I was tip-toeing around as my feet had frozen, regardless of all the layers of clothes I had on. I was waiting for my turn. When the guide re-adjusted the telescope for me, I asked him, what I would see. He said: closed cluster .

To be honest, I had never heard of the terms open and closed clusters before. Google learned me later; the terms are actually open and globular cluster . I pinched one eye shut and peeked through the lens of the telescope with the other.

At that moment, I was amazed. I let out a big sigh of adoration and couldn’t stop staring through the telescope. What I saw was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw in real life. Of course, I recognized the shape from pictures, but seeing a miniature version through the telescope was just absolutely breathtaking.

At the other end of the lens, I could see the cylindrical arms of a cluster of stars. Warping themselves among a central point. The colors were amazing and the little bright lights of the stars were imprinted on my retina.

When I moved to the 2 nd telescope, I was able to zoom in even closer. I felt so privileged to see such beauty. At that moment, I forgot about the time or the cold. I was in my happy place. From that moment on, I took my time glaring through the telescope and made sure each time I took a peek, to ask first what I would be seeing.

The Planets

As the tour ended, I even opted to take the last shuttle bus back into town, and was able to see Jupiter and Saturn ! They were really tiny and a bit vague, but I saw the rings of Saturn for sure!

We were able to take photographs of the moon and we saw the different colors of Jupiter . We could easily spot the 4 satellite moons of Jupiter and more cluster of stars. This night of stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama was just magical.

Back home, I learned there are other Atacama Desert Stargazing tours in San Pedro de Atacama. Some offer explanations in other languages or only English. Others have indoor facilities which I would recommend over sitting outside for an hour. All tours offer a hot drink and some snacks in the middle of the tour. Most stargazing tours in San Pedro de Atacama last 2-3,5 hours . Because I took the last shuttle bus to town, my tour lasted for a full 4,5 hours. The tour dropped me off at my hostel so I didn’t have to walk back home in the middle of the night.

Are you keen to book your own San Pedro Stargazing tour? Check for prices and availability here .

Practical Tips for Stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama

Of course, this blog post wouldn’t be complete without a little list of practical tips to know before stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama. If you’ve read my story, you probably noticed them already, but here is the summary:

• Check when there is a full moon . Atacama Desert Stargazing tours in San Pedro do not take place around the full moon period. Here is a useful link to check dates.
• Dress warmly . Wear a hat & gloves. Thermal underwear will help a lot. Temperatures drop around freezing and you’re outside for most of the time.
• Check what time is the pickup . Tours run in summer and winter, but at different times. At the end of wintertime, the schedule might change an hour or two.
• Bring your camera (like my Canon G9x ) or smartphone . You do get the opportunity to make pictures of the moon through the telescope and some night shots. I was too busy staring through the telescope, so I didn’t take any and now regret it.
• Ask questions if you do not understand things. The guides are more than happy to explain again. They wish to educate you and spread their wisdom.
• Take your time when it’s your turn to look through the telescope. Have the guide re-adjust the telescope if needed.

Book your San Pedro de Atacama Stargazing Tour in advance here .

Other things to do in San Pedro de Atacama

I loved San Pedro de Atacama. Unfortunately, the village is quite expensive and I had too little time. But here are some other tours in San Pedro de Atacama that are worth your time:

• Half-day tour of Valle de la Luna , imagine you’re walking around on Mars
• Early rise to see the El Tatio Geysers erupt at sunrise
• Visit Piedras Rojas and find the blue Laguna
• Travel overland to Bolivia on a Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

Helpful tips and tools for your Chile trip

• Read all my content on Chile here
• Get a guidebook for more travel tips on Chile. Buy your copy here
• Book your hotels in Chile via Booking.com or Hotels.com
• Find your direct flights to Santiago here
• Book your tours and activities direct with GetYourGuide or Viator
• Travel in style with these cool travel-themed designs (I made them myself!)
• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel to Chile. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Have you ever been stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama? Or anywhere else? What did you think of it? Let me know your experiences with this type of night out!

Author: Naomi

25 comments.

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I totally understand you not taking photos Naomi. Some sights are so stunning that you’d rather just stare 🙂

This is so informative and will be handy (especially the full moon dates link) when we actually do start planning a trip to Chile.

I SO want to now!

Thank you 🙂

Hope you’ll be able to go and align your stay with a normal moon Surpiya! At least you have the link so you can check.

Wow I really want to go here and see this so badly now! I did a minor in a space-related field and I actually did a project on globular clusters!! Even though I”m so fascinated by space, I’ve never had stargazing conditions as good as this. I have seen the Milky Way though! You post convinced me to put this place on my travel list! Thanks, Naomi!

San Pedro de Atacama is THE place to do it, so if you have the change Cynthia: do it! I was amazed by the clusters. Never seen such beauty

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Watch the Skies: Stargazing and Astronomy in the Atacama Desert

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When poet Pablo Neruda wrote about the bright stars and night sky of his beloved Chile, he used simple but strong phrases, evoking color and movement. With a few words - “... the night sky is full of stars, and the stars, blue, shiver in the distance..."  - he captured a sense of peaceful vastness, coupled with both fascination and helplessness at the grandness of the night sky.

We can’t know for sure what night sky he was looking at when he wrote these stanzas for his famous One Hundred  Love Sonnets  - maybe an ebony sky sprinkled with silver stars twinkling over the ocean at his Isla Negra home, maybe a night sky clouded with haze amid the bustling of cosmopolitan Santiago - but reading his words today, they bring to mind the impossibly clear, forever brilliant starry skies over the Atacama Desert.

Sprawled over the altiplano of northern Chile, the Atacama Desert's 600 miles are home to an otherworldly mix of the bizarre and the beautiful. Featuring out-of-this-world vistas like Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) , and Valle de Marte (Mars Valley) , it is one of Chile’s top travel destinations, both for its diverse landscapes and cultural allure. Visitors can be awed by the steaming geysers of the Tatio Geyser field , observe wild flamingos at the shimmering Chaxa Lagoon , play with optical illusions on endless, crunchy salt flats, hike through jagged valleys of rock and sand, and immerse themselves in the history and culture of this ancient region. The Martian-esque landscapes have even served as shooting locations for outer space sequences in films such as Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets .

Recently, over the last ten years, the Atacama has seen a boom in “ astro-tourism ,” drawing avid stargazers, astronomy enthusiasts, and astro-photographers from around the world who seek out unpolluted skies for the best views of distant galaxies, clusters of shining stars, and the nebulous Milky Way. And the Atacama is now one of their top destinations.

Why is the Atacama one of the best places on Earth for stargazing? The desert has a lucky combination of unique atmospheric conditions to thank for that.

Firstly, the Atacama Desert is located in the nosebleed section of Chile - as in, it's at  high altitude . San Pedro, the central tourism hub where most hotels and tourist companies are located and the closest town to top attractions like the Tatio Geysers and Valle de La Luna, sits at roughly 2,407 meters above sea level , high enough for some people to experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness. This high altitude brings the stars just that much closer to Earth, making them clearer and easier to observe. Secondly, it’s the driest non-polar desert on Earth , receiving less than 0.6 inches of rain a year. The lack of moisture also contributes to a lack of cloud cover. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the Atacama’s small human population and isolation results in a blissful lack of radio interference and almost no light pollution .

All these elements combine to make the Atacama heaven on Earth for watchers of the skies.

Observatories of the Atacama Desert

Some of the most technically advanced and scientifically renowned observatories in the world are located in the Atacama Desert, taking advantage of the altitude, aridity, and almost non-existent light pollution to scan deep space and investigate the mysteries of the universe.

Sitting perched on top of a hill, the Paranal Observatory is arguably the most famous of the lot, and holds tours for the public to see the facilities. Home to the Very Large Telescope , the Paranal has been instrumental in such groundbreaking observations as tracking the movements of planets around a black hole, and taking the first ever picture of an exoplanet.

But the uncontested giant of Atacama’s observatories is ALMA . Meaning “soul” in Spanish, the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) is the largest and most ambitious land observatory ever built , a $1.5 billion, multinational project drawing astronomers and scientists from all over the world to use its immense 66 antennae telescope, which is more powerful than the Hubble telescope . Public tours are extremely popular, and generally need to be booked a month or so in advance. But don’t expect to get too close to ALMA’s legendary telescope. Located at 5,000 meters above sea level, the risk of altitude sickness and the delicateness of the equipment make the site off-limits. But the thrill of seeing one of the most powerful telescopes ever built is best enjoyed from a distance, where the scale of the project can be truly appreciated.

But it’s not just the sky that’s of interest to science. NASA has also used the sandy, rocky terrain to test Mars rovers being prepped for space travel.

Where and How To Watch the Skies

In addition to observatories offering day tours, most hotels and tourism companies in San Pedro de Atacama offer year-round stargazing tours and excursions led by local astronomy experts with top notch equipment or access to smaller, tourism-oriented observatories.

One of the best ways to marvel at and learn about the Atacama’s night skies is over an outdoor dinner with a local astronomy expert , who offers an accompanying lecture during dinner and points out planets, constellations, and other celestial objects.

Atacama Stargazing Tips

• Before planning a trip to the Atacama for stargazing, be sure to check this year’s lunar calendar , in case there are any astronomical events you’d like to observe, like meteor showers or eclipses.
• Don't go stargazing during a full moon!  At peak fullness, the brightness of a full moon over a desert landscape is a hauntingly beautiful image, but washes out the night sky.
• Invest in a star chart or stargazing apps to find constellations and planets. If you’re attending a tour, the guide will be able to point these out for you, but it’s also fun to try and puzzle out the night sky on your own!

Want to spend a night under the Atacama’s starry skies and learn about the wonders of the night sky? Click here to learn more about our Atacama tours .

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Atacama Must #2: Atacama Food Stops Not to Miss

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Updated October 4th, 2022

Dear Traveler,

We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile. Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:

• You only have to present the vaccination certificate issued in your country when boarding to Chile. Those who do not have their vaccinations must present a negative result in a PCR test dated less than 48 hours from departure to enter Chile. Those who are under 18 years of age do not have any requirements to enter Chile
• A negative PCR upon arrival is not compulsory any more but diagnostic tests will be carried out randomly at the entry point to Chile. Confirmed cases shall be isolated according to the general health regulations.
• Medical insurance covering any expenses caused by COVID-19 is not compulsory any more
• The use of a face mask is voluntary

In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!

The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia

The Best Atacama Desert Tours: 15 Stunning Adventures Await

15 brilliant Atacama Desert tours for unforgettable adventures. Explore Chile’s stunning destination. 

Let me cut to the chase. Chile ’s Atacama Desert is incomparably beautiful. 

Imagine walking along the tranquil salt lakes as the jagged landscape of purple-hued mountains creates an ethereal atmosphere. Add the 300 nights a year of perfect stargazing conditions and you’re in for a real treat. 

How does wandering through the geothermal hot pockets at El Tatio’s Geysers sound? Or maybe a jaw-dropping sunset over Valle de la Luna ? Whatever the case, these Atacama tours will make your eclectic getaway a touch more memorable.

Ready or not, Atacama awaits! 

Best Tours of the Atacama Desert

Recommended tours.

Uyuni Salt Flats & San Pedro de Atacama 3-Day Tour

How does a Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert tour all in one go sound? This is a 3-day tour that ticks all the boxes, from exploring Salar de Uyuni to the emerald green Laguna Verde .

The first half of the journey is a Bolivian whirlwind as you explore Colchani and Salar de Uyuni, ending off at Ajenchi Town. Soak up Bolivia’s industrial past at the Train Cemetery and admire a sunset producing a myriad of colours reflecting off the pure-white salt flats of Uyuni.

How about popping over to the flamingo-filled waters of Cañapa Laguna? Perhaps you want to see the unique tree-like rock formations in the Siloli Desert? Whatever the case, you’ll discover over 20 of Bolivia and the Atacama Desert’s top attractions in three days.

You should note that the tour excludes Isla Incahuasi and the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve entry fees.

Piedra Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons & Solar Full-Day Tour

This Atacama Desert day tour is brimming with flora, fauna, and picturesque lakes. Start your journey with a delectable breakfast as you overlook the sulphur-lined Miscanti lagoon. Volcanoes surround Laguna Miscanti y Miñiques, creating a colossal atmosphere.

Next up, the lake of Piedro Rojas Salars offers an unimaginable cacophony of colours due to the variety of minerals within the water. It can freeze over in winter, which makes a cool contrast.

Visit Piedro Rojas in winter, as the lake’s lower water levels make the colours even more vivid.

And if that’s not enough, you’ll also pop past Chile’s largest salt lake, Salar de Atacama. If flamingo spotting is on your bucket list, you can definitely tick it off here, as Laguna Chaxa is home to three unique species.

San Pedro de Atacama Etno-Astronomical Tour

No Atacama experience is complete without a night gazing into the starry sky above . So, get the most out of the Atacanemo sky on this astronomical tour .

Start off by getting a deeper scientific understanding of the universe. Get ready to understand the cosmos and how to differentiate a planet from a star. And don’t worry, you’re not just blindly looking up. There are telescopes to help guide you.

Visit between April and September for the best stargazing conditions.

Science isn’t the only perspective you’ll learn more about, and your tour guide will also explain the ancient inhabitants’ ways of seeing the stars. 

Valle de la Luna Sunset Tour

There’s only one thing that beats seeing Valle de la Luna, and that’s seeing this magical landscape at sunset. 

This Moon Valley tour allows you to explore a land where the wind carves the Martian-like landscape into ethereal formations. 

Watch the Grand Dunes ripple in the wind and gaze at Las Tres Maria’s as the sun casts them in a golden glow. I’d usually recommend visiting Valle de la Luna at sunrise (to avoid the sunset crowds). But this is a private tour and your guide will take you to a secret spot that not many people know.

Atacama Desert Tour: 3-Day Special Activity Combo

Pack four of Atacama’s top tourist attractions into a 3-day experience like no other. Each tour departs from San Pedro de Atacama daily, so accommodation isn’t included, but transportation is.

From a geyser that erupts every six minutes to the biggest fumaroles in the Northern Geyser field, El Tatio is a bubbling world of sulphur awaiting discovery. 

Then there’s the expansive fields of white salt flats in the High Altiplano. Some top ones you’ll visit include Salar de Pujsa, with its wildlife-filled wetland and the peaceful lakeside of Salar de Quisquiro.

And the opportunities don’t end there, as you’ll visit the salt mountain range of Vallecito and the hidden lagoons of Baltinache . What more could you ask for?

The Perfect Three-Day Atacama Itinerary

Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache Tour

You’ve probably seen those epic videos of someone walking into the turquoise waters of a small lagoon as the sky offers a tapestry of colour. Do you wonder where on earth you can find these picturesque lagoons? 

Wander no more because this Baltinache tour will take you to seven remote lagoons every Instagram model tries to photograph. Although the tour excludes entry to the lagoons ($11.85 cash), it does include transportation and a guide who’ll make the experience truly unique.

Besides, who doesn’t want the chance to float in like a cork in a crystal-clear lagoon with white sand surrounding you? 

Guided Buggy Tour Through the Atacama Desert

If you’re an adrenaline seeker looking to take on the Atacama’s rugged terrain, then this buggy tour is the one. Be it sand, mountains, or rivers. Nothing will stop your 4×4 vehicle in this seemingly never-ending landscape.

Want to pair a little adventure with some cultural significance? Your buggy tour will stop at two archaeological sites — you can try, but your GPS won’t find these hidden destinations. 

All-in-all, you’ll traverse 31 miles of towering sand dunes, steep mountain roads (if you can call them roads), and trickling riverbeds. 

San Pedro de Atacama Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

Start your day early with unprecedented views of the Atacama Desert from above on this sunrise hot air balloon ride . 

Watching the reddish glow of the sun begin to peak from behind the Licancabur Volcano is a sight few get to enjoy. And it’s a hundred times better when you’re 1,000 feet in the sky.

Your chariot of the sky (humour me) rises between the Andean Mountains and Domeyco Cordillera. As the sun kisses the ground below with rays of light, you’ll see it all, from Death Valley and Salt Mountain Range to the Atacama Lagoon and Moon Valley.

And just before you think the start of the day couldn’t get any better, it does. After landing, you’ll feast on a fresh medley of local cuisine. It’s sure to be the best breakfast you’ll have in Chile.

Geysers del Tatio Half-Day Tour From San Pedro de Atacama

Get ready to see the natural fireworks that Rodolfo poignantly calls the El Tatio Geysers at sunrise. This half-day tour offers you a short but sweet opportunity to admire the glistening minerals in the bubbling and steaming waters of El Tatio’s fumaroles. 

The tour starts with a sunrise hike around the northern geyser fields. The bouts of steam and twinkling minerals throughout the walk are sure to knock you out of your early-morning drowsiness. After a generous breakfast, the second hike of the day takes you to the traditional village of Machuca.

This old Andean village still builds its homes (of which there are only 20) using traditional techniques. In other words, you’ll also learn about the communities that still live within this harsh landscape of El Tatio.

Chile’s Atacama Desert Tour With Canyoning & Trekking

Are you looking to build up a sweat and test your limits? Then, one of the best Atacama tours for you has to be this canyoning experience .

Get ready to descend a towering cliff face with a raging waterfall alongside you. I know it sounds pretty dangerous, but trust me, it’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping. You’ll get to do four rappels throughout the day. And don’t worry. A qualified guide will help you every step of the way.

You’ll take turns climbing up to the top of the canyon and rappelling back down. So, in your off time, you can rest on the sandy banks or dip in the refreshing — albeit cold — river.

Atacama Red Rocks & Altiplano Lagoons Day Trip

Book this Altiplano day trip to visit the Tropic of Capricorn and venture into the red-laden landscape of the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat. You’ll enjoy an hour-and-a-half walk past the iconic Piedras Roja. 

During the trip, you might spot the rainbow of colourful minerals cascading down Volcano Capur. But a guarantee is a visit to the most iconic lakes in the area, including Chaxa, Miscanti, and Miñiques. 

On the way back from the Piedra Rojas, you’ll stop by Socaire village. Here, you can snap some photos of the 700-year-old and the sun setting over the Incan terrace fields of the village.

Atacama Desert Astrophotography Tour

Atacama Desert stargazing is always on the agenda, especially when you consider it’s a region at the forefront of astronomical research. With locations like ALMA and Paranal, taking an Atacama Desert observatory tour only makes sense.

This astrophotography tour is relatively new on the block, but it’s the perfect way to admire the night sky and snap some memorabilia simultaneously. From visiting the ACT Observatory to sipping refreshing aperitivo, it’s a memory that will last a lifetime. 

And you’ll take two professional photos home. Could you ask for much more?

Atacama Fat Biking Tour

While everyone is heading to the usual tourist attractions, how about a guided bike ride through the Atacaman landscape? You won’t see the bubbling geysers at El Tatio or the calming lakes of the higher Atacama Basin, but at least you’ll be able to experience the land at your own speed.

The tour departs by car from Iquique in the afternoon and arrives in the middle of the desert just before sunset. This provides the perfect weather for the meandering journey through the region’s dunes. 

The tour doesn’t include food, which isn’t ideal, but as far as ways to explore the Atacama go, it’s one of the best.

Multi-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama

If you want to enjoy all the best things in the Atacama Desert without a worry in the world, then this multi-day tour is for you. The adventure spreads across four days for your convenience.

You can entice your inner explorer with guided tours to Valle de la Luna, Rainbow Valley, Atacama Salt Flat, Piedras Rojas, the Altiplanic lagoons, and El Tatio Geysers. And to put the cherry on top, you’ll also embark on an astronomic tour at Ayllu de Cucuter. 

You’ll also enjoy all your meals from the tour agency, including all the park entrance fees.

Salar de Uyuni & Altiplano Cordillera Traveller Tour

If you cross the border to Bolivia and want a truly exceptional experience, I highly recommend booking this Cordillera Traveller tour . My first day on the tour was a bit of a mix-up, as the booking office made a mistake, but my guide, Walter, was excellent.

The tour focuses on the Altiplano region, which happens to be the widest point of the Andean Mountains. One of the highlights of the tour has to be the visits to the pre-Columbian cities like Chirp.

These cities encapsulate just how powerful and significant the Incan Empire was. There are even Incan ruins at Licancabur Volcano, which you might visit if you choose it as a part of your tour package.

Practical Tips for Exploring the Atacama Desert Tours 

• Valle de la Luna gets extremely busy. If you’re looking for a free-to-enter, quieter destination, consider Ckamur Valley.
• If you want an all-inclusive resort that includes tours of the Atacama Desert, consider booking a stay at Nayara Alto Atacama . 
• Not all the tours depart from San Pedro de Atacama or include hotel pick-up. Make sure you read the tour description fully before booking.

Read All Guides To San Pedro de Atacama & The Atacama Dese rt

Tours of the Atacama Desert: Read Next

• San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide
• Top Things to do in the Atacama Desert
• Explore the Atacama with this Three Day Itinerary

I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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A guide to dreamy stargazing adventures in L.A. and beyond

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I’ll never forget my first stargazing experience in Southern California. It was during a spring camping trip to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, not long after nearby Borrego Springs was designated the state’s first dark sky community in 2009. There were no telescopes or binoculars to enhance the view; yet the night sky was like nothing I had seen before — an endless array of shimmering stars against a black-velvet backdrop. It was hard to believe we were only about 150 miles from L.A.

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Since then, I have discovered there is no shortage of excellent stargazing spots in Southern California. (And even the rare opportunity to see the aurora borealis or a solar eclipse !) But the variety of options, locations and organized events can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the area or the hobby.

This roundup focuses on what to expect in the celestial skies over the next few months and how to plan accordingly to maximize your chance of spotting some spectacular sights. Whether it’s a public star party at Griffith Observatory or a private astronomer-led tour in Joshua Tree, there is a proverbial universe of activities to meet your desires (and, hopefully, your schedule).

An off-season for planets

In general, this summer won’t be very impressive for planet viewing, says Tim Thompson, a science advisor at Mt. Wilson Observatory. (Though take note, on June 3 around dawn Jupiter, Mars and Saturn will be visible in the eastern sky.)

Instead, the main attraction will be the Milky Way. Thompson says the starry band is typically the most prominent object in the northern hemisphere summer sky and best viewed in remote locations like the Southern California desert between July and September.

The fuller the moon, the less visible the stars. In Joshua Tree, the best moonless nights for observing the Milky Way are the first eight days of June, July and August. The national park has designated stargazing areas , or you can line up private tours with experienced guides.

The desert is also an ideal place to view the perseids , the reliably spectacular meteor shower that sends bright trails of light streaking across the sky every summer. Last August’s perseid show drew record crowds to Joshua Tree. This summer, the perseids are expected to peak on Aug. 11 and 12, but they won’t be as luminous as last year’s shower since the moon will be about 50% full.

Local stargazing options

Neither the Milky Way nor the perseids will be visible in the city of Los Angeles, but there are still plenty of opportunities here to witness the wonders of the night sky.

Griffith Observatory hosts star parties once a month (there’s one this Saturday from 2 to 9:45 p.m.). Its Zeiss refracting telescope is open for public viewing, along with about 30 high-powered telescopes operated by local astronomy groups on the west lawn. It’s a chance to see a variety of views of the night sky, each one slightly different, notes Spencer SooHoo of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society (LAAS). “People are thrilled when they see the moon for the first time through a telescope,” he says. On any given evening (except Monday) up to three observatory staff members set up and run telescopes on the observatory lawn between 7 and 9:30 p.m.

A lesser-known local spot is Garvey Ranch Observatory in Monterey Park. Run by LAAS, it’s open for stargazing every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 10 p.m. There’s even a broadcast feed for those who can’t climb the narrow steps to the observatory’s 8-inch refractor telescope. Admittedly, there’s some light pollution, but it’s a great place to chat with experts and get help setting up your own telescope.

Up on Mt. Wilson, the observatory’s summer roster includes public ticket nights , which allow a limited number of visitors access to its historic 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes. Tickets, which range from $110 to $230, sell out fast. But more nights will be added throughout the summer.

Still want more info on stargazing? The Griffith Observatory’s website is a terrific resource, with monthly sky reports and links to dozens of active local astronomy clubs and planetariums. And don’t forget to check the weather. Dense clouds and the marine layer (also known as June gloom ) will dim your prospects for a starry night.

3 things to do

1. Ride a bike or take a stroll near the Port of Los Angeles CicLAvia is holding a mini-version of its popular car-free events Sunday and shutting down a 2.75-mile stretch of the neighborhood of Wilmington between its Waterfront Park and Banning Park. Expect a pedestrian-focused experience featuring street games, music, art activities and free tours of the historic Banning Museum. It all takes place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, visit ciclavia.org .

2. Clean up the San Gabriel River in Whittier Last year, Heal the Bay volunteers removed more than 22,000 pounds of trash from the L.A. watershed. The environmental group is taking its mission inland on Saturday with a trash cleanup event from 10 a.m. to noon at the San Gabriel River near Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Anyone is welcome to help pick up plastic and other harmful items before they get washed downstream to the San Pedro Bay. Supplies will be provided and environmental educators will be on hand to explain water’s journey from the Sierras to the Santa Monica Bay. You can register at healthebay.org .

3. Take a wilderness walk in Redondo Beach Just a few blocks from the ocean, Hopkins Wilderness Park is a peaceful 11-acre natural area with four ecological habitats, including a pond, forest and meadows. On Monday, representatives from the South Bay Parkland Conservancy will lead a free hourlong walk through the park aimed at promoting the health benefits of connecting with nature and the community. Also sponsored by the Beach Cities Health District, the walk begins at 10:15 a.m. and you can register at bchd.org .

The must-read

Blue and humpback whales typically arrive in Southern California in May from their breeding grounds in Mexico and hang out until December. Here’s a timely article by Times reporter Hayley Smith about the profound effect that noise pollution caused by cargo ships can have on whales and other creatures that pass through the Santa Barbara Channel . A study found that the once-quiet environment of the channel is about 30 times louder than it once was, and that can reduce an animal’s ability to detect and interpret sounds used to mate, feed and migrate. Sean Hastings of the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary said the findings drive home the need for slower ship speeds and other efforts to mitigate ocean noise and protect wildlife.

Happy adventuring,

The L.A. Times just published its 101 best West Coast experiences , a guide to essential things to do in Baja, California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. A few of travel writer Christopher Reynolds’ favorite adventures: communing with whales in Baja, paddling rapids on the South Fork of the American River, hiking beneath the falls in Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley and walking above a misty forest on Vancouver’s Capilano Suspension Bridge. Check out the whole list here . Or if you’d prefer a print copy, you can now pre-order the “West Coast 101” zine, which is the perfect size to pack in your travel bag.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild . And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here .

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We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

Laura Randall is a Los Angeles-based writer and author of several Southern California hiking guides. She has written about hiking and travel for a variety of newspapers and magazines and is the author of “60 Hikes 60 Miles: Los Angeles” and the Wilderness Press guide to the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California. When she’s not hiking, she can usually be found reading L.A. noir novels at the beach or being walked by a headstrong golden retriever named Boris.

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Tierra Atacama

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" Do have a good look at the excursions before you go. The Volcano walk is worth the acclimatisation "

" Maybe best not to book this with holidays in Brazil. The first nights it was really busy with guest out of Brazil. The groups where to big "

" Located in San Pedro de Atacama, nevertheless, the village itself is a pretty remote destination. 1,5 hours from Calama airport. "

" Be aware of the altitude so arrive earlier and give yourself time to adapt before hiking. Cocoa tea is very helpful "

" The pool is lovely but more so is a stroll into San Pedro, the pueblo. "

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TIERRA ATACAMA: 2024 Prices & Reviews (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor