The Rainbow Valley and the rock carvings of Yerbas Buenas lie well out of San Pedro de Atacama, beyond the valleys most visitors see on their first day. This guide is for you if you have done the Valle de la Luna and want a quieter half day. It covers how far you go, what you are looking at in the rock, how to pay at each stop, and when the road is at its least reliable.
What you are going to see
The Valle del Arcoíris is in the Cordillera de Domeyko, in the area of Río Grande, roughly 80 to 90 kilometres from San Pedro by road. Its hills are streaked red, green and white by minerals in the clay. Travel writers explain the colours by iron-rich clays for the reds, copper oxide for the greens and calcium carbonate for the whites, with wind and rain shaping the slopes over millions of years.
Yerbas Buenas is a field of petroglyphs on the way, on the west side of the Río Salado. The figures were made by wearing away the surface of the rock, not by painting, which makes them hard to date. Some may be thousands of years old, and up to four different styles have been picked out, which suggests the place was a crossing on a route over the Andes. Llamas or guanacos are the most common figures. Look for foxes, a puma, flamingos and human figures too, among them a seated figure known as Los Chamanes.
Walk slowly along the path and look at every face of rock. Without a guide it is easy to pass a carving without noticing it. Do not touch the engravings.
How the six hours fit together
Most of this half day is road. You leave San Pedro on Route 23 and turn off onto a smaller road, the B-207, towards the Río Salado. The last part is unpaved. You reach Yerbas Buenas about an hour and a quarter after pick-up and spend around an hour on the short path among the carvings. The Rainbow Valley is next, with close to two hours for the walk into the gorge and the viewpoints. The road back across the desert brings you to your hotel, or the centre of town, about six hours after you set off.
The car is yours, so you can stay longer at either stop. If there is time, you can add another; tell your driver in the morning. The small village of Río Grande, known for its weaving and pottery, lies further along this road.
When to go
We collect you at 07:00 or 13:00. The morning start has you back in town by early afternoon; the later start suits a slow morning in San Pedro. Either way, there is little shade at either stop.
In the year, the summer months of January and February are the time to watch. The altiplanic winter brings rain and storms to the region, and rain on the high ground can close some of the access roads to the valley. If you are travelling then, check the state of the roads before the day.
In your stay, this works best as a second or third day, once you have seen the Valle de la Luna. The two make a good contrast: salt and sand close to town, then coloured clay further out.
On your own or with a driver
You can drive yourself in a hire car. There are no services in the area: fill the tank before you leave San Pedro and carry your own water. The unpaved stretch needs care, and there is nothing to buy at the sites.
Group tours to the valley often run to seven hours or more and leave in the morning. A private car lets you go straight to these two, set your own pace on the paths and come back in six hours. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
What to bring
- Chilean pesos in cash. Both entrances are paid on site, and cards are not accepted.
- Plenty of water and a snack. Food and drinks are not included.
- A hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
- Shoes with a good grip for the uneven ground.
- A warm layer for an early start.
Who it suits
It suits people who like walking slowly and looking closely, and anyone who has had enough of crowds at the sites near town. The walks are short, at both stops, on uneven ground, so most people manage them.
Think twice if long stretches in a car tire you; the time on the road is a large share of the six hours. If you only have time for one desert trip, the Valle de la Luna tour is shorter and closer.
Questions people ask
Is there much walking?
Short walks at both stops, on uneven ground.
What if there are more than 16 of us?
Two vehicles travel together, on one booking. Message us and we will price it.
Can we cancel?
Yes, up to 24 hours before pick-up, with a full refund. See our cancellation page.
Booking the half day
Pick a day after your first afternoon in the Valle de la Luna, get your cash ready, then book. Our guide to day trips from San Pedro de Atacama shows how it fits with the other four. Times and what is included are on the Rainbow Valley and Yerbas Buenas private tour page, where you choose the size of your group and book.
