Atacama Desert Travel

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Home to bewitching landscapes like simmering geyser fields, lunar valleys, crystalline salt flats, and snow-covered volcanoes, northern Chile’s Atacama Desert is one of the country’s most dramatic and captivating regions.

And though it’s just a short flight from Santiago, visiting the Atacama, at times, can feel more akin to Mars or the Moon than planet Earth. (It’s so extraterrestrial that NASA used it as a testing site for Mars Rovers.) Once the sun sets, the inky black night sky is illuminated by celestial bodies, offering some of the world’s best stargazing. Combined with experiential destination resorts, adventurous outdoor pursuits, and curious wildlife, the Atacama Desert is a sublime destination for the wild at heart.

Andean flamingos feed in the shallow pink salt flats of Laguna Chaxa in Chile's Atacama Desert.

Why visit the Atacama Desert?

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    Enter a world of kaleidoscopic reds, whites, yellows, and greens in the multi-colored Valle de Arcoiris or Rainbow Valley. Varying concentrations of minerals, clay, and salt have transformed this rocky valley near San Pedro into something out of a sci-fi film. Enjoy hiking trails, scenic lookouts, and the opportunity to view ancient petroglyphs at the nearby Yerbas Buenas archaeological site.

    • What to expect on an Atacama Desert trip

    Every trip with Extraordinary Journeys is tailor-made, crafted in direct collaboration with one of our destination specialists.

    Memorable accommodations

    From high-end and design-forward resorts to cozy, stylish hotels modeled after traditional Atacama architecture, the region’s unique lodgings are as unforgettable as the beguiling landscapes that envelop them. Expect gourmet meals, all-inclusive expert guiding, outdoorsy excursions, wilderness picnics, and well-equipped spas offering a host of wellness treatments.

    Extraordinary experiences

    Spend your days on bespoke, luxury Atacama Desert tours, excursions, and activities, arranged through your resort or with an expert in our network of guides. From night sky photography to horseback riding, we love to arrange experiences that speak to your special interests. Some outings may be in small groups; others might be privately guided, but all will be assuredly personalized.

    Expert local guides

    Welcoming, English-speaking expert guides will help interpret all things Atacama while imparting a local perspective.  

    The best time to visit the Atacama Desert

    With its dry climate, plentiful sunshine, and warm weather, the Atacama Desert is a year-round destination. Apart from some low chances of precipitation in January and February, you’ll likely experience clear, comfortable weather at any time of the year.

    Because of the altitude, nighttime can be chilly—even during summer—so packing both cold and warm-climate clothing is recommended. Dressing in layers is also smart; mornings can be cool, temperatures rise during the day, and then dip after sunset. As a high-altitude desert, sun safety is also paramount. Use sun protection like high-SPF sunscreen, quality sunglasses, and hats throughout the year, but especially during the summer.

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    March - December

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    January - December

    Highlights of an Atacama Desert trip

    • Enjoy a sunrise amid the otherworldly landscapes of the Moon Valley

    • Stargaze beneath some of the world’s clearest night skies

    • Stand among the early-morning mist of the El Tatio Geysers

    • Hike the Rainbow Valley’s color-banded terrain

    • Soak in the soothing geothermal waters of Puritama hot springs

    • Admire the high-altitude, mirror-like Chaxa, Miscanti, and Miñiques lagoonsView flamingos and dramatic rock formations at the Tara Salt Flats desert oasis

    Ridges glow in late light above the Valley of the Moon, where dry red slopes fold toward distant mountains.

    Atacama Desert travel FAQs

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    Other areas to explore

    A visit to the Atacama Desert puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of Chile.  

    Santiago’s towers glow at dusk beneath a rising moon, with the Andes peaks tinted pink behind them softly.

    Santiago

    This relaxed capital welcomes a gentle start to a Chilean sojourn

    A hiker crosses open grassland with a backpack, jagged Torres del Paine peaks rising beyond the steppe, in Patagonia..

    Torres del Paine

    Surrender to awe in southern Patagonia's most iconic national park

    A weathered moai statue stands in grassy fields, with the Tongariki platform and distant coast behind it.

    Easter Island

    Few places on the planet exude as much magnetism as this tiny dot of land afloat in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Known to the locals as Rapu Nui, Easter Island is one of the most isolated places on Earth, which only adds to its allure.

    Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?

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    Destination experts

    Specialists with firsthand knowledge and deep local insight

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    Custom journeys

    Every trip designed uniquely for you

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    Top guides

    Engaging, adaptable guides who bring each place to life

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    Seamless preparation

    Personalized pre-trip calls and curated documentation

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    Dedicated concierge team

    A personal contact managing every detail on the ground

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    From touchdown to takeoff

    Complete care, every step of the way

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