Six Panoramas in San Pedro de Atacama 🌵

San Pedro de Atacama has endless tourist attractions, an oasis in the middle of the Chilean Desert, where landscapes converge with lagoons, mountains, volcanoes and geysers in height, all in the same place, with a lush sky due to the scarce formation of clouds in the area. This small town in the middle of the desert has become one of the largest tourist destinations on this side of the world, it is a place that has everything to conquer your heart.

This is one of those destinations that you need several days to fully visit. There are so many options available to explore that putting together your itinerary can be a big headache. Ojos Viajeros recommends that you have at least 4 to 6 days, too. thinking about your altitude acclimatization process. Below we leave you the best options to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Atacama Desert and make your stay an unforgettable experience.

VALLEY OF THE MOON

Attraction located in the middle of the Atacama Desert, which resembles the surface of the Moon, hence its name, Valley of the Moon. It is part of the Flamenco National Reserve and the famous Salt Mountain Range. According to geological studies, this formation in the past was at the bottom of a lake or an inland sea, which is why the salt that is seen along the Mountain range. It is totally recommended to go in the afternoons, in order to have one of the most iconic postcards of the place during the sunset. It is important to respect the indicated paths and take care of the cleanliness of the place.

RED STONES

At 4,200 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains are the famous red stones, next to a turquoise saline lagoon with mountainous and volcanic bottoms, generating a landscape with a lot of contrast of colors. The red stones are a volcanic conglomerate formed by the oxidation of the iron present in the place. This place is located 160 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. Also on the Piedras Rojas tour, the Altiplanic, Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons are usually visited, due to their proximity. There is no cost to enter the place, we recommend that you wear appropriate clothing, as it is very windy at that altitude, in addition to bringing the famous sweets or coca leaves, to avoid suffering from altitude sickness.

TATIO GEYSERS

At 4,200 meters above sea level in the Andean mountains of Northern Chile are the Tatio Geysers, a field with about 80 Geysers, imposing itself as the largest in the southern hemisphere, representing 8% of the planet. This type of geological formations are of volcanic origin, expelling water in the form of steam through a cone, reaching temperatures of 86 degrees Celsius (boiling point at that height above sea level) with heights of 76 centimeters. It is highly recommended to respect the restricted spaces to take photos and you should also dress warmly, since temperatures close to 0 degrees Celsius can occur. Generally, the agencies that offer these tours pass through the town of Machuca, we recommend trying the goat cheese empanadas.

LAGUNA CEJAR

The Cejar Lagoon is located in the middle of the Atacama Desert, notable for its crystal-clear waters. It contains a large amount of salt, which allows you to float easily. This is located within the Salar de Atacama, 20 kilometers from the town of San Pedro de Atacama. In this landscape the colors of the turquoise water, the white of the salt, the blue of the sky and the pink of the flamingos that visit the Salar in search of food are mixed. It is recommended to wear sandals to protect your feet, since salt crystals can cause wounds.

HIDDEN LAGOONS OF BALTINACHE

Without a doubt this is one of the biggest secrets of San Pedro de Atacama, one hour from the town you will discover the 7 Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache, all of a deep turquoise color that contrasts with the color of the salt flat. Its formation dates back to the Salar de Atacama, which was a large lake, which over time and the desert climate, dried up, giving way to smaller lagoons. Upon entering you must pay an amount in CONAF, inside you can find showers and bathrooms, we recommend you wear sandals, since these salt formations can damage your feet.

ASTRONOMICAL TOUR - ASTROFOTO

The Atacama Desert is the best point on the planet for astronomical observation, given its height and the lack of cloud cover in the sky, there are many observatory and radio telescope projects by the large scientific organizations on the planet. In addition to its great scientific attraction, it is an iconic place for astrophotography and the observation of celestial bodies with the naked eye at a tourist level. The level of visibility is such that you will be left with your mouth open, given that the town of San Pedro de Atacama It is the only point of light pollution that can disturb your experience. Tourist agencies offer observation services with telescopes and photography in some of the great attractions of the area, miles from the light, allowing you to have a splendid sky and see it like you have never seen it before. We recommend you take this alternative anyway, it really is a unique experience.

Tips: It is very important to go for a couple of days, between 4 to 6 days, to have an acclimatization process, so start with tours at a lower altitude, and in the following days enjoy attractions at a higher altitude, close to 4,000 meters above sea level. or more extreme experiences such as the Lascar Volcano or the Licancabur Volcano. It is advisable to book your tours and expeditions in advance.

Tell us about your experience touring the Atacama Desert. What other place for you is a must-see in the area?

Find these and other expeditions in our Adventure section.