San Pedro de Atacama: which tours, and in what order

The question in San Pedro is less which tour than in what order. Three of ours are half days in the desert around town. Two climb above 4,000 metres, to the geysers of El Tatio and the high lagoons, and those are better after a night or two in San Pedro. Here is what each of our five involves.

First day: the Valle de la Luna, in the afternoon. After a night or two in San Pedro: the altiplanic lagoons and Piedras Rojas, the longest and highest day here.

The five, side by side

Trip	Length	Leaves	Price
Valle de la Luna Private Tour from San Pedro de Atacama	4h	07:00	from €310
Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar and Tebinquiche Private Tour from San Pedro de Atacama	5h	07:00	from €300
El Tatio Geysers Private Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama	7h	07:00	from €370
Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas Private Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama	11h	07:00	from €550
Rainbow Valley and Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Private Tour from San Pedro de Atacama	6h	07:00	from €250

Prices are starting prices and depend on the size of your group.

How to choose

You have just arrived

The Valle de la Luna. Four hours of short walks: the Duna Mayor viewpoint, the Tres Marías and the Kari viewpoint over the Cordillera de la Sal. The valley opens at 09:00, so the 13:00 start suits it, and you can stay for the sunset if you ask. There is almost no shade.

You want to float

Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar and Tebinquiche. Five hours on the salt flat: a swim in water so salty you float without trying, the two round pools of Ojos del Salar, and the white crust around Tebinquiche. Cejar tickets are for a set date and time: buy them first and we fit the day to them. Bring swimwear.

You want the geysers

El Tatio. Seven hours from 07:00, up to the geyser field at 4,320 metres, then down past the wetland at Putana and the adobe village of Machuca. With our pick-up you arrive after dawn, when the steam columns are smaller but the field is calmer and warmer. For a dawn visit, message us before booking.

You want the high lagoons and the flamingos

The altiplanic lagoons and Piedras Rojas. Eleven hours, the longest and highest day here: the flamingos at Laguna Chaxa, the blue Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons above 4,000 metres, the red rocks of Piedras Rojas, and the villages of Socaire and Toconao. Do it after a night or two in San Pedro, not on arrival.

You have seen the Valle de la Luna

The Rainbow Valley and Yerbas Buenas. Six hours north of town: the carvings of llamas, birds and people at Yerbas Buenas, and the green, red and white hills of the Valle del Arcoíris. Quieter than the valleys closer to town, with more time on the road and fewer people at the stops.

Four things worth knowing before you book

Buy the tickets ahead, or bring cash

The price covers the private vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Every entrance is extra. Valle de la Luna, Laguna Cejar and the lagoons sell theirs online: buy them in advance. El Tatio is paid at the gate, and Tebinquiche, Yerbas Buenas and the Rainbow Valley on site in cash, in Chilean pesos.

Respect the altitude

El Tatio is at 4,320 metres and the lagoons are above 4,000. Spend a day or two in San Pedro first, walk slowly and drink water. Bring warm layers for the heights, and a hat, sun cream and water for the desert.

Private costs less than you think for a group

A coach seat is cheap for one person and stops being cheap at four. Our prices are by group size, not per seat: up to four of you share one car at one price, and the price only steps up when you need a van. And you are not waiting for forty strangers at every stop.

You can change your mind

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, refunded in full. If the date stops working, message us and we will do our best to move you to another day.