Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama
You'll land at Calama airport and get driven to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. This small town sits right in the world's driest desert, and it's got traditional adobe buildings and local restaurants that'll serve as your base for exploring the surrounding desert landscape.
Landmarks/POIs San Pedro de Atacama - Day 2
Rainbow Valley and Moon Valley
Start with the Rainbow Valley tour, where hills show off multiple colored layers created by different minerals and old tectonic activity. From there you'll check out the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs, ancient rock art from the Atacameno people. In the afternoon, head to Moon Valley to see the geological formations, including salt and clay figures locals call 'The Three Marys,' plus salt caves. Stick around for the sunset before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rainbow Valley tour with driver-guide
- Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs visit
- Moon Valley tour with bilingual driver-guide
Optional Activities
- Rainbow Valley entrance fee (not included)
- Yerbas Buenas entrance fee (not included)
Landmarks/POIs Rainbow Valley Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Moon Valley Licancabur Volcano - Day 3
El Tatio Geysers and Machuca
Get up very early to head to El Tatio, the third-largest geyser field in the world sitting at 4,320 meters elevation. Steam shoots up to 10 meters high when temperatures hit 85°C/185°F. After that, soak in a natural thermal pool, then visit Machuca, a small Atacameno village above 4,000 meters where people raise livestock and make cheese. Stop at Salt Lake to spot flamingos, ducks, and seagulls, and watch for vicuñas, llamas, and rheas on the drive back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- El Tatio Geysers visit with bilingual driver-guide
- Natural thermal water pool bathing
- Machuca village visit
- Salt Lake observation
Optional Activities
- El Tatio Geysers entrance fee (not included)
Landmarks/POIs El Tatio Geysers Machuca Salt Lake - Day 4
Atacama Desert to Uyuni Salt Flats Departure
This 3-day adventure kicks off when you leave San Pedro de Atacama and clear Chilean customs at Hito Cajon border. You'll switch to a 4x4 jeep and enter Bolivia. Check out the White Lagoon and Green Lagoon at Licancabur Volcano's base, then drive through Salvador Dali Desert to Polques Hot Spring. Soak in the Morning Sun Geysers at 5,000 meters before lunch. Later, head to the Red Lagoon where thousands of flamingos hang out, and you'll sleep at Community Mallku Villa Mar hostal at 3,500 meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on the road), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- White Lagoon visit
- Green Lagoon visit
- Salvador Dali Desert drive-through
- Polques Hot Spring thermal water bathing
- Morning Sun Geysers visit at 5,000 meters
- Red Lagoon visit with flamingo observation
Optional Activities
- National Reserve entrance fee (not included, must be paid in cash in national currency)
Landmarks/POIs Hito Cajon White Lagoon Green Lagoon Licancabur Volcano Salvador Dali Desert Polques Hot Spring Morning Sun Geysers Red Lagoon - Day 5
Valley of the Rocks and Salar de Uyuni
Set out early to see cave paintings and the Valley of the Rocks, where formations look like a lost city, World Cup, camel, and other shapes. Visit the Black Lagoon to see Andean geese and highland plants, or explore Catal Lagoon and Canyon instead. After lunch, go to Agua Dulce Waterfall viewpoint and pass through valleys where communities raise llamas and alpacas. You'll finish the day at Villa Candelaria, a salt hotel, for dinner and overnight in a double or triple room.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cave paintings visit
- Valley of the Rocks exploration
- Black Lagoon visit with wildlife observation
- Catal Lagoon (Laguna Misteriosa) visit
- Agua Dulce Waterfall viewpoint visit
- Highland communities visit
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Rocks Black Lagoon Catal Lagoon Agua Dulce Waterfall - Day 6
Uyuni Salt Flats and Tour Conclusion
Depart at 5:00 AM for Incahuasi Island in the middle of Uyuni Salt Flat to catch the sunrise. Stop at Playa Blanca Hotel, which is completely built from salt blocks, then head to Ojos del Salar and Montones de Sal. Visit the Community of Colchani to see how locals extract salt the traditional way. After lunch, swing by Train Cemetery for photos before driving to Uyuni city, getting there around 3:00 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Incahuasi Island sunrise visit
- Playa Blanca Salt Hotel visit
- Ojos del Salar visit
- Montones de Sal (Salt Mounds) visit
- Colchani community salt extraction demonstration
Optional Activities
- Train Cemetery photography stop
Landmarks/POIs Incahuasi Island Playa Blanca Hotel Ojos del Salar Montones de Sal Colchani Train Cemetery
