Atacama Desert Tours: Compare & Book the Best Experiences in Chile

Compare bookable Atacama Desert tours from established local operators and the major booking platforms. Check prices, entrance fees, duration, altitude, group size and cancellation terms before you book — every figure below was read from the tour's booking-platform listing on 6 August 2026.

Compare All 26 Tours Check Availability

300+ Clear nights a year

2,407 m San Pedro base altitude

From $33 Per person

4.7★ Average tour rating

Quick answer

We currently compare 26 bookable tours from San Pedro de Atacama, and they divide into seven kinds of day: stargazing, Moon Valley, the El Tatio geysers, altiplano lagoons and salt flats, adventure, culture, and multi-day trips including the crossing to Uyuni. Prices start at $33 and the single biggest difference between two similar tours is usually the park entrance fee, not the headline price.

Key takeaways

Cheapest way into the desert: a $33 group stargazing session, 2.5 hours with telescopes and an astronomer.
The fee that changes the ranking: Valle de la Luna charges 10,800 CLP and some Moon Valley tours include it while others do not.
Highest you will go: 5,604 m on the Cerro Toco summit hike — give yourself two nights in San Pedro first.
The 4 AM one: El Tatio geysers at 4,300 m, where mornings run to −10 °C in every season.
Three days, four tours, every park fee paid: the Best of Atacama combo at $380.
We do not sell tours. Booking, payment and cancellation happen on GetYourGuide or Viator — see our editorial methodology.

Established Local Operators

Free Cancellation on Most Tours

Instant Booking Confirmation

English-Speaking Guides

≈1 mm Annual Rainfall the driest nonpolar desert on Earth

80+ Active Geysers at El Tatio, 4,320 m above sea level

66 ALMA Antennas the world's largest radio observatory

3 Flamingo Species feeding in the Salar de Atacama lagoons

Check Live Dates & Prices — Piedras Rojas Full-Day Tour

Real-time availability for the highest-rated high-volume tour we track: 4.7 from 757 reviews, ten hours to the altiplano lagoons at 4,200 m, with about 29,000 CLP of park fees and two meals already in the $85 fare. Pick a date to see last-checked prices; booking is handled by GetYourGuide.

Which Atacama Desert Tours Are Right for You?

Six kinds of day out of San Pedro de Atacama. Start with the one that matches how you like to travel, then compare the tours inside it — most visitors combine three or four over a stay.

Stargazing Tours

Best for: Night-sky lovers, couples, photographers

Telescopes and astronomer guides under one of the clearest skies on Earth. From $33. Compare stargazing tours.

See stargazing tours

Moon Valley Tours

Best for: First-time visitors, sunset chasers

The salt ridges of Valle de la Luna by van or by bike, fifteen minutes from town. From $63. Compare Moon Valley tours.

See Moon Valley tours

Geysers, Lagoons & Salt Flats

Best for: Landscape photographers, early risers

El Tatio at dawn, altiplano lagoons at 4,200 m, salt pools you float in. From $38. Compare lagoon tours.

See geyser and lagoon tours

Adventure Tours

Best for: Hikers, riders, anyone who wants to move

Volcano summits, buggies, bikes and a balloon. From $52. Compare adventure tours.

See adventure tours

Culture & Landscapes

Best for: Slow travelers, day one in San Pedro

Lickanantay hosts, llamas and petroglyphs — at valley level, so no acclimatisation needed. From $51. Compare day tours.

See culture tours

Multi-Day & Uyuni

Best for: Short trips, and overlanders

Four tours in three days with every park fee paid, or the crossing to the Salar de Uyuni. From $380. Compare multi-day tours.

See multi-day tours

Not Sure Where to Start?

Best for: Anyone planning from scratch

Three days covers the four headline sights. Our guides work through how many days you need, what it costs and which month to pick.

Read the planning guides

Compare Every Tour

Best for: Anyone weighing two options

All 26 tours in one table: price, duration, maximum altitude, entrance fees, pickup, cancellation, operator and rating — every value dated.

Open the comparison table

Atacama Desert Stargazing Tours

About 330 clear nights a year and no light pollution worth the name — the reason the professional observatories are here. Group sessions start at $33; private outings cap the group at four. Compare all stargazing tours.

Atacama Stargazing Experience

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7(718 reviews)· 2.5 hours

Small-group stargazing with astronomer guides, powerful telescopes and Milky Way views from a dark-sky site outside San Pedro de Atacama.

Category: Stargazing Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Llama Stargazing
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“My stargazing tour was terrific, very well organised and professionally conducted. Alberto has a deep knowledge of astronomy and his two telescopes let us see details of Venus, the Milky Way and constellations.” — Sharon

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Etno-Astronomical Stargazing Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7(751 reviews)· 2.5 hours

Andean cosmovision meets modern astronomy — learn how the Lickanantay people read the southern sky, then observe planets and nebulae through telescopes.

Category: Stargazing Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Astronomic tour, Observatory Licanatay
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“The tour was awesome! On time, great transportation and our tour guide, Salvador, was amazing and super friendly!” — Maria

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Pro-Guided Stargazing & Astrophotography

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(6 reviews)· 3 hours

A working astrophotographer guides the session — you leave with professional portraits of yourself under the Milky Way.

Category: Stargazing Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Andestellar SpA
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“We had an amazing experience on the Pro Guided Stargazing and Astrophotography tour.” — Olof

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Private Stargazing Tour to a Secret Spot

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9(23 reviews)· 3 hours

A private session at a secluded dark-sky location with telescope observation, astrophotography and hot drinks — the premium Atacama stargazing experience.

Category: Stargazing Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Atacama Dark Sky
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“I really had a great time! Vicente is a really great tour guide, very friendly and tho there were some problems with the booking system, he was very flexible!” — Anna

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Moon Valley Tours

Valle de la Luna sits fifteen minutes from San Pedro. The vans differ in how long they give you in the valley and whether the 10,800 CLP park ticket is in the price; the bikes trade commentary for stopping where you like. Compare Moon Valley tours.

Valle de la Luna Sunset Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7(924 reviews)· 4.5 hours

The classic Atacama afternoon: salt caves, the Great Dune and an unforgettable sunset over Moon Valley’s lunar landscape.

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“A lovely wander through the lunar landscape of the Atacama Desert and a sunset platter and drinks. A perfect end to the day.” — Sharon

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Valle de la Luna Guided Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5(407 reviews)· 4 hours

Moon Valley with expert geological commentary — amphitheatre, Tres Marias and the salt mountain range, timed for golden hour.

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Feel Atacama
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“An excellent tour to Moon Valley, our guide was Lukas, who provided thorough explanation regarding of the place, very dedicated to his job, eager to show around the…” — LIM

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Moon Valley Sunset Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(2 reviews)· 5 hours

A relaxed small-group loop through Valle de la Luna’s viewpoints, ending with sunset and a drink overlooking the Cordillera de la Sal.

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Inspires Viagens
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“We caught the last light from the dune ridge and the whole valley turned gold and pink. Our guide timed every stop perfectly.” — Claire

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Moon Valley E-Bike Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(11 reviews)· 3.5 hours

32 km of desert single-track through the Salt Mountain Range on a 350W e-bike — terrain minibus tours never reach.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: On Safari Atacama
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Juan was amazing - he told me all about the history of the area, the feology, and we saw some incredible views & took some great pics.” — Claudia

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Valle de la Luna Bike Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(1 reviews)· 4 hours

A guided four-hour ride into Valle de la Luna with a support driver, all equipment and the Moon Valley reserve ticket included. Maximum ten riders.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Anclatourchile
Booked via: Viator

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by Viator. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Geysers, Lagoons & Salt Flats

Dawn at the El Tatio geyser field at 4,300 m, the altiplano lagoons at 4,200 m, and the salt pools near the valley floor you can float in. Entrance fees swing this group by more than $20 a head. Compare geyser tours · compare lagoon tours.

El Tatio Geysers & Wetlands Sunrise Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5(161 reviews)· 7 hours

A 4 AM start to watch 80+ geysers erupt through freezing dawn air at 4,320 m, then flamingo-filled wetlands and the village of Machuca on the…

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Feel Atacama
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“fantastic day, great seeing the sunrise over the geyser!” — Michael

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Piedras Rojas & Altiplanic Lagoons Full-Day

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7(757 reviews)· 10 hours

The tour Atacama veterans call their favorite: Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons at 4,200 m, the red rocks of Salar de Talar and flamingos at Laguna Chaxa.

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Ruta Chile
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“We got to see different natural areas of the Atacama, and the team prepared a delicious breakfast and lunch. The guide gave very interesting explanations about the places we visited.” — Sofiia

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Piedras Rojas Day & Night + Stargazing Combo

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(3 reviews)· 3 - 13 hours

A 13-hour marathon: Piedras Rojas and the altiplanic lagoons by day, telescopes under the world’s clearest sky by night.

Category: Stargazing Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Owner Experience 🟣
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“It was an amazing experience with an amazing tour guide. Andrea was very knowledgeable and personable. We enjoyed all the sites! Highly recommend!” — Anibal

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Baltinache Lagoons Magic Bus Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(3 reviews)· 4 hours

Seven hidden salt lagoons in the Cordillera de la Sal aboard a retro “magic bus” — float in Dead Sea-level salinity far from the crowds.

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Owner Experience 🟣
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Excellent day and trip all day. Alex was excellent, very knowledgeable, great secret spots, awesome food and even better taste in music!!” — Ricardo

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Cejar Lagoon Float & Salar Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.6(49 reviews)· 4 hours

Float effortlessly in a 28%-salinity sinkhole lake in the Salar de Atacama, then Ojos del Salar and sunset at Tebenquiche lagoon.

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Whipala Expedition
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Amazing tour! The lagoon was lovely to swim in and amazing to float! The snack was very filling and so amazing we didn't need to buy dinner afterwards.” — Suzannah

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons & Chaxa Full-Day Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9(566 reviews)· 10 hours

Ten hours across the altiplano to Piedras Rojas, the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons and the flamingos of Laguna Chaxa, with both entrance tickets and two meals…

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Puka Rumi Travel Agency
Booked via: Viator

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by Viator. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Ruta de los Salares Full-Day Salt Flats Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9(124 reviews)· 7 hours

Seven hours along the salt-flat route east of San Pedro — Salar de Pujsa, Quisquiro and Aguas Calientes, the Pacana Monks and a Licancabur viewpoint —…

Category: Landscape & Nature Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Puka Rumi Travel Agency
Booked via: Viator

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by Viator. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Atacama Desert Adventure Tours

Volcano summits above 5,500 m with certified mountain guides, a buggy you drive yourself, a sunrise balloon flight, and the highest-rated tour in this catalog — a bike ride through a slot gorge. Compare adventure tours.

Cerro Toco Summit Hike

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(2 reviews)· 7 hours

A guided high-altitude ascent to the 5,604 m summit of Cerro Toco — Everest Base Camp height with a fraction of the effort.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Quima Expediciones
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“A great experience! Jorge explained everything the evening before and kept our spirits up the whole climb. Reaching the summit is a huge moment.” — Julien

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Láscar Volcano Guided Climb

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 3.9(3 reviews)· 12 hours

Climb to the crater rim of one of Chile’s most active volcanoes at 5,592 m — a full-day expedition with mountain guides.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Quima Expediciones
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“It was amazing! This tour has very little reviews, but I still decided to take a try. And… guys, 10/10. Jorge is the BEST tour guide I had in San Pedro de Atacama!” — Mikhail

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Guided Desert Buggy Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9(103 reviews)· 3 hours

Drive your own off-road buggy through dunes and canyons of the Cordillera de la Sal with a guide leading the convoy.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: On Safari Atacama
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Exciting, informative and entertaining. We learnt a lot as well as having fun.” — Justin

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.6(81 reviews)· 3.5 hours

Lift off at dawn and watch the sun rise over the driest desert on Earth, with Licancabur volcano on the horizon.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Atacama Balloons Ltda
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Incredible experience with Joao! Highly reccomended to see the guant desert from above at sunrise” — Laura

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Canyon Pools & Hot Springs Trek

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.2(5 reviews)· 6 hours

Trek through a hidden canyon to natural pools and the Puri Libre hot springs — swimming included, crowds not.

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“The canyon kept opening into pool after pool, and the hot springs at the end were exactly what our legs needed. We never saw another group all day.” — Marta

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Devil's Throat Bike Tour, San Pedro de Atacama

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(105 reviews)· 4 hours

Four hours riding from the centre of San Pedro through the Catarpe valley to the Devil's Throat gorge, at whatever pace the group sets. Bike and…

Category: Adventure Tours
Pickup: Meeting point
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Bike Tour Atacama
Booked via: Viator

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by Viator. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Culture & Landscapes

Two mornings at valley level with no altitude to adjust to: llamas, clay and food with a Lickanantay family, and the mineral-striped hills and petroglyphs north of town. Compare San Pedro day tours.

Lickanantay Ancestral Tour with Llamas

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 5.0(1 reviews)· 3 hours

Walk with llamas through Turi and Kunza territory as Lickanantay hosts share ancestral herding culture and desert life.

Category: Culture & Heritage Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Owner Experience 🟣
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Walking with the llamas while our host explained how his family reads the desert was the most human moment of our whole trip.” — Daniel

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Rainbow Valley & Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Tour

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.8(120 reviews)· 6 hours

A 6-hour morning run to the mineral-striped hills of Rainbow Valley and the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs, with breakfast in the desert. Two entrance fees are paid…

Category: Stargazing Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Puka Rumi Travel Agency
Booked via: Viator

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by Viator. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Multi-Day Tours & Uyuni Crossings

Three days based in San Pedro with all 66,600 CLP of park fees paid, or three days across the Bolivian altiplano to the Salar de Uyuni and back. Compare multi-day tours.

Best of Atacama: 4 Tours in 3 Days

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.7(338 reviews)· 3 days

The greatest-hits combo: Moon Valley, El Tatio geysers, altiplanic lagoons and stargazing packed into three days.

Category: Multi-Day Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Very well organised tour with pickups with lovely breakfast/lunch. Very informative and nice tour guides. Would highly recommend this tour company.” — Anne

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour & Back

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.9(83 reviews)· 3 days

Cross the Bolivian border for the Salar de Uyuni, colored lagoons and flamingo highlands — returning to San Pedro on day three.

Category: Multi-Day Tours
Pickup: Hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation 24h
Operator: Koa Travel
Booked via: GetYourGuide

“Freddy is a great professional and a great person! He explains in details all atractions on the way and also some local culture interesting details, which are important…” — Romero José Silva

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Booking, payment and cancellation are handled by GetYourGuide. Price checked 2026-08-06.

Every Atacama Desert Tour Compared

All 26 tours we track, side by side. The cheapest tour is rarely the cheapest day once park fees are counted, which is why the fee column is here.

Tour	From	Duration	Book	Max altitude	Entrance fees	Pickup	Cancellation	Operator	Traveler rating
Atacama Stargazing Experience	$33	2.5 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None — no park fee on this tour	Meeting point in San Pedro; trans…	Free cancellation 24h	Llama Stargazing	4.7/5 (718)
Etno-Astronomical Stargazing Tour	$35	2.5 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None	Hotel pickup included	Free cancellation 24h	Astronomic tour, Observatory Licanatay	4.7/5 (751)
Pro-Guided Stargazing & Astrophotography	$45	3 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None	Hotel pickup included	Free cancellation 24h	Andestellar SpA	5/5 (6)
Private Stargazing Tour to a Secret Spot	$190	3 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None	Hotel pickup included	Free cancellation 24h	Atacama Dark Sky	4.9/5 (23)
Valle de la Luna Sunset Tour	$75	4.5 hours	Details	Not confirmed	10,800 CLP per person — included in the price, boug…	Meeting point in San Pedro; hotel…	Free cancellation 24h	PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY	4.7/5 (924)
Valle de la Luna Guided Tour	$63	4 hours	Details	Not confirmed	Valle de la Luna ticket included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Free cancellation 24h	Feel Atacama	4.5/5 (407)
Moon Valley Sunset Tour	$63	5 hours	Details	Not confirmed	10,800 CLP per person — included, purchased online	Round-trip transport from the mee…	Free cancellation 24h	Inspires Viagens	5/5 (2)
Moon Valley E-Bike Tour	$120	3.5 hours	Details	Not confirmed	Moon Valley entry tickets included	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Free cancellation 24h	On Safari Atacama	5/5 (11)
Valle de la Luna Bike Tour	$179	4 hours	Details	Not confirmed	Included — the Moon Valley reserve ticket is in the…	Pickup offered from San Pedro de…	Free cancellation 24h	Anclatourchile	5/5 (1)
El Tatio Geysers & Wetlands Sunrise Tour	$81	7 hours	Details	4,300 m at the geyser field and t…	Contradictory on the listing: "Ticket" appears unde…	Hotel pickup included	Free cancellation 24h	Feel Atacama	4.5/5 (161)
Piedras Rojas & Altiplanic Lagoons Full-Day	$85	10 hours	Details	4,200 m at the Miscanti and Miñiq…	About 29,000 CLP per person — included in the price	Hotel pickup in San Pedro; drop-o…	Free cancellation 24h	Ruta Chile	4.7/5 (757)
Piedras Rojas Day & Night + Stargazing Combo	$45	3 - 13 hours	Details	About 4,200 m at the Miscanti and…	Included — Piedras Rojas, altiplano lagoons and Lag…	Hotel pickup in San Pedro; exact…	Free cancellation 24h	Owner Experience 🟣	5/5 (3)
Baltinache Lagoons Magic Bus Tour	$69	4 hours	Details	Not confirmed	Park admission included	Round-trip transport; exact picku…	Free cancellation 24h	Owner Experience 🟣	5/5 (3)
Cejar Lagoon Float & Salar Tour	$38	4 hours	Details	Not confirmed	20,000 CLP per person NOT included — the operator r…	Meet at Tocopilla 418A, central S…	Free cancellation 24h	Whipala Expedition	4.6/5 (49)
Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons & Chaxa Full-Day Tour	$112	10 hours	Details	About 4,200 m at the altiplano la…	Included — Piedras Rojas 15,000 CLP and Laguna Chax…	Pickup offered from San Pedro de…	Free cancellation 24h	Puka Rumi Travel Agency	4.9/5 (566)
Ruta de los Salares Full-Day Salt Flats Tour	$71	7 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None — every stop on this route is free to enter	Pickup offered; otherwise meet at…	Free cancellation 24h	Puka Rumi Travel Agency	4.9/5 (124)
Cerro Toco Summit Hike	$120	7 hours	Details	5,604 m at the summit of Cerro To…	Park admission included where it applies	Hotel pickup included	Free cancellation 24h	Quima Expediciones	5/5 (2)
Láscar Volcano Guided Climb	$172	12 hours	Details	5,592 m crater rim; the summit ab…	Entrance fees included	Hotel pickup and drop-off in San…	Free cancellation 24h	Quima Expediciones	3.9/5 (3)
Guided Desert Buggy Tour	$145	3 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Free cancellation 24h	On Safari Atacama	4.9/5 (103)
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride	$350	3.5 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None	Hotel pickup and drop-off included	Free cancellation 24h	Atacama Balloons Ltda	4.6/5 (81)
Canyon Pools & Hot Springs Trek	$52	6 hours	Details	3,000 m	Not confirmed on the listing	Hotel pickup in the urban area of…	Free cancellation 24h	PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY	4.2/5 (5)
Devil's Throat Bike Tour, San Pedro de Atacama	$90	4 hours	Details	Not confirmed	NOT included — the Catarpe Valley ticket is paid se…	No pickup — meet at the Cruz Verd…	Free cancellation 24h	Bike Tour Atacama	5/5 (105)
Lickanantay Ancestral Tour with Llamas	$79	3 hours	Details	Not confirmed	None	Round-trip transfer from your acc…	Free cancellation 24h	Owner Experience 🟣	5/5 (1)
Rainbow Valley & Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Tour	$51	6 hours	Details	Not confirmed	NOT included — Rainbow Valley 5,000 CLP and Yerbas…	Pickup offered; if your hotel is…	Free cancellation 24h	Puka Rumi Travel Agency	4.8/5 (120)
Best of Atacama: 4 Tours in 3 Days	$380	3 days	Details	4,320 m at El Tatio; 4,200 m at t…	All four park fees are included in the price: Valle…	Pickup from your San Pedro accomm…	Free cancellation 24h	PUKARUMI TRAVEL AGENCY	4.7/5 (338)
Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour & Back	$880	3 days	Details	Crosses the Bolivian altiplano ab…	National park and Isla Incahuasi fees of USD 25 per…	The guide meets you at your hotel…	Free cancellation 24h	Koa Travel	4.9/5 (83)

Entrance fees are the line that changes the ranking. Each figure is what the operator states on its own listing; park prices are set by CONAF and the local communities, not by us, and they move. Every value was read on 2026-08-06 — confirm at checkout.

How This Catalog Works

What we do, and what we do not

We list, check and compare tours. We do not sell them, take payment, employ guides, own vehicles or set cancellation terms. Every booking happens on GetYourGuide or Viator, and those platforms handle payment, changes and customer service.

If you book through one of our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Where the numbers come from

Prices, ratings, review counts, durations, inclusions and cancellation terms are read from each tour's booking-platform listing and dated on the tour page. Park fees come from the operator's own wording — and where an operator contradicts itself, we print both versions rather than pick the friendlier one. Anything we cannot confirm is marked "Not confirmed" instead of being filled in.

What we cannot verify

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Why Astronomers Chose the Atacama Desert

The Milky Way arching over telescope silhouettes during an Atacama Desert stargazing tour near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

300+ Clear Nights a Year High altitude, cold ocean air and almost no humidity keep the sky transparent nearly year-round

5,058 m ALMA Plateau The world's largest radio observatory sits on the Chajnantor plateau above San Pedro

≈1 mm Rain Per Year Parts of the Atacama went centuries without recorded rainfall, which is why the air stays so clear

2,000+ Stars Visible On a moonless night you see the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way core with the naked eye

$33 Stargazing From World-class dark sky access costs less here than almost anywhere else on Earth

70% Of World Astronomy By the 2030s roughly 70% of global telescope capacity will operate from Chilean soil

How to Plan Your Atacama Desert Trip

Getting to San Pedro de Atacama

Fly into Calama (El Loa airport, CJC), a two-hour flight from Santiago served by LATAM, SKY and JetSMART. From Calama it is a 100 km transfer across open desert to San Pedro de Atacama, about 75 minutes by shared shuttle ($15 to $20 per person) or private transfer. There is no useful public transport for tour logistics once you arrive, but none is needed: every tour on this page picks you up in the village.

Driving from Santiago is technically possible but it is a 1,600 km haul. Nearly everyone flies. Book the Calama flight and the shuttle, and the rest of the trip organizes itself around your hotel pickup times.

How Many Days Do You Need in the Atacama Desert?

Three full days is the practical minimum: it covers Moon Valley, El Tatio, one altiplano day and a stargazing night. Four to five days lets you add a summit hike, the salt lagoons and a rest block at lower altitude. With six or more you can bolt on the three-day Uyuni crossing without giving anything up.

Days	What Fits	Verdict
1 to 2	Moon Valley sunset + stargazing, or one altiplano day	A teaser. Doable from Calama, but rushed
3	The classic four: Moon Valley, El Tatio, Piedras Rojas, stargazing	The practical minimum most travelers book
4 to 5	All of the above plus Cejar or Baltinache and a buggy or bike day	The sweet spot for pace and altitude
6+	Everything, plus the 3-day Uyuni salt flats crossing	The full northern Chile experience

Best Time to Visit the Atacama Desert

The Atacama works year-round, which is rare for a bucket-list destination. Days sit between 18°C and 27°C in every season; nights swing hard, dropping below freezing in winter. The two dates that actually matter are the moon phase and the Altiplanic Winter. Book stargazing within five or six days of a new moon, because a full moon washes out the Milky Way. And in January and February, occasional afternoon storms over the high Andes can cloud evenings or close altiplano roads for a day.

March to May and September to November combine stable weather, thinner crowds and lower hotel prices. June to August brings the coldest nights (pack for -5°C at El Tatio) but also the crispest winter skies. Full month-by-month detail is in our guide to the best month to visit the Atacama Desert.

A tour van parked on the high altiplano road with volcanoes on the horizon, on an Atacama Desert tour climbing from San Pedro toward El Tatio

Altitude in the Atacama: the One Thing That Can Ruin Your Trip

San Pedro sits at 2,407 m, which most people handle fine. The tours are what climb: El Tatio is at 4,320 m, the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons at about 4,120 m, and Cerro Toco tops out at 5,604 m. Going too high on day one is the classic mistake behind headaches, nausea and abandoned sunrise tours.

The fix is sequencing. Spend your first day low: Moon Valley (about 2,550 m) and stargazing are perfect. Put El Tatio and the altiplano lagoons on day two or three, and any summit attempt last. Drink far more water than feels necessary, go easy on alcohol the first two nights, and treat coca or chachacoma tea as the locals do: a genuine help, not a souvenir ritual. Tour guides carry oxygen on the high routes and turn the van around if someone needs it.

A daypack with sunscreen, water bottle, warm layers and a camera laid out before an Atacama Desert tour in San Pedro de Atacama

What to Pack for Atacama Desert Tours

Pack for three climates in one day. A 4 AM El Tatio departure starts below freezing and ends in T-shirt sunshine by 10 AM. The desert sun at altitude burns fast through thin air, and UV here is among the strongest on the planet.

Layers: thermal base, fleece, windproof shell. Dawn at El Tatio can hit -10°C in winter
Sun kit: SPF 50+, lip balm with SPF, sunglasses rated UV400, wide-brim hat
2 liters of water per person per tour day, minimum
Swimsuit and a towel for Cejar, Baltinache and the Puritama hot springs
Closed shoes with grip: salt crust and volcanic scree shred sandals
Cash in Chilean pesos for entrance fees, since most park gates take cash only
Headlamp or phone light for pre-dawn pickups and stargazing sites
Power bank: cold nights drain phone batteries fast at altitude

Travelers eating breakfast beside a tour van at a scenic altiplano stop at golden hour on an Atacama Desert tour in Chile

What a Typical Atacama Tour Day Looks Like

Most San Pedro de Atacama tours follow the same rhythm: hotel pickup in San Pedro (often between 4 and 8 AM depending on the tour), a scenic drive with a guide narrating geology and history, two to four stops with guided walks, and a meal or snack somewhere spectacular. Breakfast beside the geysers and lunch overlooking a lagoon are standard, not premium extras.

Group sizes run 8 to 16 on most shared tours. Vans are modern, guides are bilingual Spanish-English, and entrance fees are almost always paid separately in cash at the gate, so carry pesos. You are usually back in the village with hours to spare before dinner, which is exactly when the stargazing pickups start. That is how three tours a day quietly becomes normal here.

Atacama Desert Weather & Stargazing Calendar

Daytime highs in San Pedro de Atacama stay mild all year. What changes is the night: winter brings the coldest dawns and the crispest skies, while January and February can see afternoon cloud from the Altiplanic Winter.

77°

Jan

77°

Feb

75°

Mar

72°

Apr

66°

May

63°

Jun

61°

Jul

64°

Aug

68°

Sep

72°

Oct

75°

Nov

77°

Dec

Best all-round months

Coldest dawns, crispest skies

Altiplanic Winter cloud risk

Temperatures are typical daytime highs in °F for San Pedro de Atacama (2,407 m). High-altitude tour stops run 15 to 30°F colder. Stargazing is excellent in any month if you avoid the week around the full moon.

Where the Atacama Desert Tours Take You

Every tour starts from San Pedro de Atacama, the oasis village at the center of this map. Pins show the headline sights: tap any of them for what makes that stop worth the drive.

Landscape & lagoon sights

Stargazing & summits

San Pedro de Atacama base

From Oasis to Summit: the Altitudes Your Tours Reach

Altitude shapes every Atacama itinerary. Use this ladder to sequence your days: sleep low, climb progressively, and save the summits for last.

2,407 m San Pedro de Atacama Village base, where you sleep and acclimatize
2,550 m Valle de la Luna Perfect first-day tour, barely above the village
3,656 m Salar de Uyuni Bolivia's giant salt flat on the 3-day crossing
4,120 m Miscanti & Miñiques Altiplano lagoons on the Piedras Rojas route
4,320 m El Tatio Geysers Dawn tour, the big altitude jump of most trips
5,604 m Cerro Toco Summit Guided hike, higher than Everest Base Camp

Rule of thumb: no more than 1,500 m of day-trip gain on your first two days, and keep summit hikes for day three or later.

What Travelers Say About Their Atacama Desert Tours

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Fantastic! The storytelling was incredibly engaging, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, there were some snacks and drinks, and the pickup service was smooth and well organized. Great communication, excellent equipment, and a lovely atmosphere. We had an amazing evening!!

Sam · Belgium · July 2026 · GetYourGuide review · checked 2026-08-06

★★★★★ ★★★★★

This tour was absolutely fantastic and easily the highlight of my trip to Chile. Every stop was breathtaking, especially Piedras Rojas and the Altiplanic Lagoons. The landscapes are unlike anything I've ever seen. Everything was very well organized from start to finish. The transportation was comfortable, punctual, and made the long journey enjoyable. The guide was excellent—very friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the region. Throughout the day, they shared fascinating information about the history, geology, wildlife, and local culture, which made the experience much more meaningful. I learned so much. I also loved the atmosphere during the trip. The music played in the vehicle was great and perfectly matched the incredible scenery, making the journey between destinations even more enjoyable. If you're visiting the Atacama Desert, this tour is an absolute must. It exceeded all my expectations, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable experience.

Eduardo · Brazil · July 2026 · GetYourGuide review · checked 2026-08-06

★★★★★ ★★★★★

This was a great excursion from San Pedro de Atacama. We experienced the high altiplano, massive volcanic surrounding mountains, awesome lagoons filled with flamingoes, lots of wildlife, Uyuni Salt Flats, Uyuni city and had some great photos taken. Freddy was a great guide and our driver did a great job. We really enjoyed the company of the other couple we went with. While this tour is more expensive than several others we were able to do the trip in 3 days and 2 nights and had good accommodations and food. The border crossing can take a significant amount of time so pack patience. You do spend a lot of time in the vehicle so take that into account also.

Ryan · United States · April 2026 · GetYourGuide review · checked 2026-08-06

Reviews published on GetYourGuide, read on 6 August 2026. We do not collect or moderate them.

Late afternoon light over the salt ridges of the Cordillera de la Sal seen on an Atacama Desert tour, with Licancabur volcano rising on the horizon near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Why the Atacama Desert Belongs on Your List

The Driest Place on Earth

Parts of the Atacama have gone centuries without measurable rain. That absurd dryness is what gives you 300+ clear nights a year, intact salt formations and landscapes that look untouched by weather.

The World's Astronomy Capital

ALMA's 66 antennas and the giant telescopes of the coming decade all chose this desert for a reason. The same sky the professionals booked is what you look at through a tour telescope for $33.

Landscapes Used as Mars

NASA has tested Mars rover instruments in the Atacama's Yungay region because the soil chemistry is that close. Moon Valley and the Salt Mountain Range genuinely do not look like Earth.

Wildlife Where None Should Be

Three flamingo species feed in the Salar de Atacama, vicuñas graze at 4,000 m and viscachas sun themselves beside the geysers. The emptiest-looking desert on Earth keeps surprising you.

One Walkable Base Town

San Pedro de Atacama is a compact adobe village where every tour picks you up at your hotel. Unpack once, then day-trip to geysers, lagoons, salt flats and summits in any order you like.

Book Now, Decide Later

Nearly every tour here offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. Reserve the must-do tours early for the right moon phase, then reshuffle your week on the ground as you acclimatize.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atacama Desert Tours

How many days do I need in the Atacama Desert?

Three full days is the practical minimum: enough for Moon Valley, the El Tatio geysers, one altiplano lagoon day and a stargazing night. Four to five days is the sweet spot, adding the salt lagoons and an adventure tour at a saner pace for acclimatization. Our detailed day-by-day breakdown maps exactly what fits into each trip length.

What is the best time of year to visit the Atacama Desert?

Any month works: the desert gets over 300 clear days a year. March to May and September to November offer the best mix of stable weather, mild nights and thinner crowds. June to August has the coldest dawns but the sharpest winter skies, and January to February carries a small cloud risk from the Altiplanic Winter. Whatever the month, plan stargazing around the new moon. See our month-by-month guide for detail.

Is the Atacama Desert safe to visit?

Yes. San Pedro de Atacama is a small, tourism-driven village with very low crime, and tours run with licensed operators, modern vehicles and guides who carry oxygen on high-altitude routes. The real risks are environmental: altitude sickness, dehydration and sunburn. Sequence your days from low to high, drink more water than feels normal, and use SPF 50+, and you have handled the top three problems.

How much does a trip to the Atacama Desert cost?

Group day tours currently run $33 to $85 per person for the classics: stargazing from $33, Moon Valley sunset from $59, El Tatio from $81, Piedras Rojas from $85. Adventure tours like the buggy ($145) or balloon ($350) cost more, and the 3-day Uyuni crossing runs about $880. Add park entrance fees of roughly $12 to $31 paid in cash, plus lodging from about $30 a night. Our full cost breakdown budgets a complete trip.

Should I book Atacama tours in advance or on arrival?

Book the date-sensitive tours ahead: stargazing (moon phase and small telescopes cap capacity), the sunrise balloon, and anything in the December to February and July peaks. Since most listings include free cancellation up to 24 hours out, reserving early costs nothing extra. Agencies in San Pedro do sell last-minute seats on landscape tours, but sunrise departures and English-language slots are the first to disappear.

Do I need a guide, or can I explore the Atacama independently?

You can rent a car and self-drive Moon Valley or Laguna Chaxa, but guided tours solve the three hard problems: 4 AM navigation on unpaved altiplano roads, altitude safety, and the geology and history that turn scenery into a story. Stargazing is effectively tour-only, since the telescopes and dark-sky sites are private. Most independent travelers end up booking tours for everything above 4,000 m.

What should I pack for Atacama Desert tours?

Layers above all: thermal base, fleece and windproof shell for dawns that start below freezing, plus a T-shirt for the same afternoon. Add SPF 50+ sunscreen, UV400 sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, two liters of water per tour day, a swimsuit for the salt lagoons, closed shoes with grip, and Chilean pesos in cash for park entrance fees. The packing list in our planning guide above covers the details.

Are there dangerous animals in the Atacama Desert?

Essentially no. The desert is too dry to support dangerous wildlife. You will see vicuñas, flamingos, viscachas and foxes, all harmless if left alone. Scorpions exist but encounters on tours are extremely rare. The Atacama's genuine hazards are sun, altitude and dehydration rather than anything with teeth.

Where should I stay in San Pedro de Atacama?

Stay anywhere within walking distance of the village center. San Pedro is compact, and every tour on this page includes hotel pickup in the village, so location barely affects logistics. Budget hostels start around $20 to $30 a night, mid-range guesthouses $60 to $120, and the desert-luxury lodges run $300 and up. Book early for December to February and July.

Can I combine the Atacama with the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia?

Yes, and it is one of the great overland routes in South America. The 3-day Uyuni crossing leaves San Pedro, crosses the Bolivian altiplano past colored lagoons and flamingo colonies, reaches the Salar de Uyuni, and returns you to San Pedro on day three. Bring your passport, cash in bolivianos for park fees, and acclimatize in San Pedro first, since the route sleeps above 4,000 m.