San Pedro de Atacama Top Tours and Attractions
7 Amazing Tours to Do in San Pedro de Atacama for Adventure Seekers
There are seven "must do" tours in San Pedro de Atacama, this small oasis town in northern Chile, set amid the dramatic landscapes of the Atacama Desert – the driest desert in the world. This remote village has become a mecca for international tourists and adventure seekers, offering a mix of surreal natural wonders and adrenaline-fueled activities against a backdrop of rich indigenous culture. There is no shortage of unforgettable things and tours to do in San Pedro de Atacama: by day you can explore otherworldly valleys, geysers, salt flats teeming with flamingos, and high-altitude lagoons; by night you can marvel at some of the clearest starry skies on the planet.
In the list below, we highlight seven major attractions and natural wonders in and around San Pedro de Atacama – from the famous Valle de la Luna to the geothermal Geysers del Tatio – along with the exciting activities each offers and how you can experience them (with many adventure tours available through ChileMontaña.com).
1. Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) – Surreal Sunset Hikes and Photography
Valle de la Luna’s lunar-like terrain at sunset offers an otherworldly backdrop for hiking and photography. Located just 15 km west of San Pedro de Atacama, Valle de la Luna earns its name from its eerily lunar landscape of sculpted rock formations, vast dunes, and salt-crusted earth. This protected valley in the Los Flamencos National Reserve is one of the must-see attractions of the Atacama Desert, especially in the late afternoon when the setting sun paints the surrounding Cordillera de la Sal mountains in hues of pink and gold. Plan to set aside at least 3–4 hours to walk through narrow canyons and climb sand dunes to reach breathtaking viewpoints – the panoramic vistas are a photographer’s dream.
Adventure seekers will find plenty to do in Valle de la Luna. You can hike marked trails to surreal geological formations like the Tres Marías and Coyote Rock, or even mountain bike from town to the valley for an extra challenge. The vast dunes and rugged terrain are perfect for exploration and sunset photography. For an added adrenaline rush, head to the neighboring Valle de Marte (Mars Valley) – also known as Death Valley – where you can try sandboarding down 100-meter-high dunes or go off-road biking on sandy trails. Guided excursions to Moon Valley (often combined with Death Valley) can be booked through ChileMontaña, allowing you to catch the desert’s dramatic sunset with expert guides and then return under a canopy of stars.
2. El Tatio Geysers – Sunrise at the High-Altitude Geyser Field
Pre-dawn at El Tatio Geysers, where steaming fumaroles create a breathtaking sunrise spectacle. Watching the sunrise at El Tatio Geysers is one of the most iconic things to do in San Pedro de Atacama. Located about 90 km north of town at a staggering 4,200 meters elevation, El Tatio is among the highest geyser fields in the world. On this tour you’ll depart San Pedro de Atacama before dawn (around 4 AM) for a bumpy 4x4 ride into the Andes, arriving as the first light of day reveals dozens of fumaroles jetting columns of steam up to 10 meters high. The geysers are most active between 6 and 7 AM, erupting in the frigid morning air for a truly otherworldly scene. As you walk along designated paths, you’ll witness bubbling pools and steaming craters surrounded by towering volcanoes – a photographer’s delight as the rising sun illuminates the plumes.
Beyond the geothermal spectacle, this trip offers cultural and wildlife highlights. Keep an eye out for animals such as vicuñas, vizcachas (Andean rodents), and even ostrich-like ñandúes (rheas) grazing in the puna grasslands once the sun is up. Due to the high altitude and remote location, visiting El Tatio is safest and easiest with a guided tour – many travelers book a pre-dawn excursion through ChileMontaña (or other operators) to handle the driving and provide breakfast on-site. Guides will also share geology facts and ensure everyone’s safety in the thin air. On the return journey, it’s common to stop at a small Altoandino village (such as Machuca) to taste local llama kebabs, or to swing by nearby hot springs to warm up. In fact, you can pair a Tatio tour with an optional visit to the Puritama Hot Springs on the way back for a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
3. Lagunas Altiplánicas (Miscanti and Miñiques) – Altiplanic Lakes and Wildlife
The Lagunas Altiplánicas – the high Andean lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques – are another unmissable wonder near San Pedro. About 100 km south of town, these two striking blue lakes sit over 4,000 meters above sea level, nestled beneath the cone-shaped volcanoes that share their names. The scenic drive to reach them winds past volcano vistas and through the village of Socaire, eventually arriving at a breathtaking landscape: brilliant sapphire lagoons edged by white salt and golden grasses, with snow-capped peaks reflected in the still waters.
Visiting the Altiplanic Lagoons is typically done on a guided day trip (often combined with other sights like Piedras Rojas or the Atacama Salt Flat). Once there, you can walk along designated paths to viewpoints and truly appreciate the thin, crisp air of the altiplano. These lakes are wildlife havens – you might spot grazing vicuñas or see Andean avocets and other water birds feeding at the shoreline. If you’re lucky, you may even glimpse a rare red-gartered coot or a lone Chilean flamingo among the birds that visit the lagoons. Since this area is protected, activities are low-impact: landscape photography, wildlife viewing, and simply soaking in the silence of the high Andes are the highlights here. Don’t forget warm layers and sunscreen – even on sunny days, the high-altitude UV is intense and temperatures can be chilly.
4. Salar de Atacama – Flamingos on Chile’s Largest Salt Flat
Flamingos feeding in a shallow lagoon of the vast Salar de Atacama. Covering about 3,000 km², the Salar de Atacama is an immense salt flat stretching south from San Pedro – it’s the largest salt flat in Chile. The salar’s surface is a crust of jagged white salt polygons, under which lies a subterranean lake rich in minerals (holding around 40% of the world’s lithium reserves). The landscape here is stark and otherworldly: by day, heat shimmers over endless expanses of salt, and by dusk the cooling air makes the salt crust contract with an audible crackle as colors dance across the desert sky.
Despite its harsh appearance, Salar de Atacama teems with life in certain areas. Within the salar is the Los Flamencos National Reserve, which protects shallow lagoons that serve as oases for wildlife. The most famous is Laguna Chaxa, a “watery eye” in the salt flat where pools of brine attract tiny shrimp and algae – food for the leggy flamingos that gather here year-round. At Chaxa you can observe three different species of flamingos (Chilean, Andean, and James) from up-close viewpoints as they wade and feed in the mirror-like ponds. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers, especially at sunset when the sky and lagoon reflect hues of orange and pink. Most tours to the Atacama Salt Flat also stop in the historic village of Toconao (known for its white volcanic stone architecture) or include other nearby lagoons like Tebinquiche for a sunset view. Whether you go with a guide or drive yourself, be sure to bring sun protection and water – the desert sun is intense out on the blinding salt flats.
5. Laguna Cejar – Floating in a Salt Lagoon
If floating effortlessly in mineral-rich turquoise water sounds appealing, head to Laguna Cejar. Located about 19 km from San Pedro de Atacama, this small lagoon has such a high salt concentration that you can float with ease – much like in the Dead Sea. Surrounded by crusty white salt deposits and an amphitheater of volcanoes on the horizon, Laguna Cejar offers a refreshing way to cool off from the desert heat (though the water can be quite chilly!). You’ll bob atop the surface weightlessly thanks to the dissolved salts, an almost magical feeling. Just remember to rinse off afterward at the on-site facilities, as you’ll be covered in salt crystals when you dry.
Most travelers visit Laguna Cejar on a half-day tour (often timed for mid-afternoon) that also stops at two nearby sinkholes called the Ojos del Salar and at the picturesque Laguna Tebinquiche for sunset. It’s an ideal outing to mix relaxation with scenery: you can float in Cejar’s surreal waters, then later watch the sky turn fiery orange over Tebinquiche’s reflective pool, usually with a pisco sour in hand. For a less-crowded alternative, consider the remote Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache, a cluster of seven emerald pools tucked away on a back road west of town – they offer a similar float experience in a more wild setting. Whether you choose Cejar or Baltinache, visiting a salt lagoon is a unique Atacama Desert experience. ChileMontaña and other local outfitters can arrange safe transport (and include entrance fees and towels), so all you have to do is relax and enjoy floating in these dazzling lakes.
6. Puritama Hot Springs – Rejuvenating Thermal Baths in Nature
After a few days of high desert adventures, nothing beats a soothing soak in the Puritama Hot Springs. Tucked into a red-rock canyon about 28 km north of San Pedro, Termas de Puritama features a series of eight natural geothermal pools connected by small waterfalls along a warm creek. Lush vegetation like pampas grass grows around the stream, making this spot feel like a hidden oasis amid the arid hills. The mineral-rich waters hover around ~33°C (91°F) – just the right temperature to ease sore muscles from hiking and altitude excursions.
Puritama is well-maintained to ensure a comfortable experience: wooden boardwalks connect the pools, and there are changing rooms, bathrooms, and seating areas for visitors. Typically, tours visit the hot springs late in the morning or midday – for example, many El Tatio geyser excursions will stop here on the return to let travelers warm up and unwind after the chilly dawn start. You can also visit on your own (by car or transfer), but note that visitor numbers are controlled and advance booking is recommended in high season to secure your spot. Once you arrive, you can hop between pools of varying depths and temperatures, or sit under small waterfalls for a natural massage. It’s a blissful way to recharge in the middle of the desert. ChileMontaña offers tours that combine a morning of adventure (such as a hike or the Tatio geysers) with an afternoon at Puritama – a perfect blend of thrill and relaxation for your San Pedro de Atacama itinerary.
7. Valle de Marte (Death Valley) – Sandboarding and Dune Adventures
For a dose of pure adrenaline, spend an afternoon in Valle de Marte, often called Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) by locals. Just a few kilometers from San Pedro’s center, this valley forms part of the same Cordillera de la Sal range as Moon Valley but has its own unique, otherworldly appeal. Towering sand dunes and jagged orange rock formations define the landscape here, resembling the surface of Mars – hence its name. The main draw for adventurers is the chance to go sandboarding on the massive dunes. Imagine strapping on a board and surfing down steep sandy slopes over 100 meters high – it’s an exhilarating experience for beginners and veteran boarders alike. Several tour operators (including ChileMontaña) offer sandboarding excursions complete with boards, safety gear, instruction, and transport to the best dune runs.
Even if sandboarding isn’t your thing, Valle de Marte offers plenty of excitement. Many visitors enjoy hiking along the canyon ridges to admire the alien landscape from above, or tackling the terrain on a mountain bike – the valley’s trails are a popular playground for off-road cycling. In the late afternoon, join a guided trip to watch the sunset from Death Valley and you’ll see the dunes and distant volcanoes glow red under the fading light. With its close proximity to town (only about 2–3 km away), Mars Valley is an easy add-on to your San Pedro de Atacama adventures – yet it provides some of the biggest thrills. Just don’t forget to bring water, wear sunscreen, and be ready to get a bit sandy!
Conclusion: San Pedro de Atacama truly has something for everyone – from alien desert landscapes and geothermal wonders to serene altiplanic lakes and cultural encounters under endless skies. These 7 amazing tours to do in San Pedro de Atacama are just the beginning; the region’s magic lies in its blend of natural beauty and thrilling experiences. Whether you’re trekking through Moon Valley, marveling at geysers at sunrise, or floating in a salt lagoon, you’ll be creating memories to last a lifetime. Now is the perfect time to turn your adventure dreams into reality – plan your ultimate Atacama experience with ChileMontaña.com and get ready for an unforgettable journey into Chile’s desert frontier!