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San Pedro de Atacama

Ancestral cultures and travelers from all over the world mingle in this ancient village with dirt streets and adobe houses.
Visit the old square to learn about its inhabitants’ customs. Surrender to the calm pace of its people and do not miss its old church. Soak up the local art in Pueblo de Artesanos and let yourself be seduced by the local and international cuisine proposals of its restaurants.
Interesting tours will let you explore the area’s many attractions: active geysers, lagoons that stand out for their intense colors, and dazzling salt flats. Cycle through the desert or enjoy the Valley of the Moon.
Once night falls, what better way to enjoy the infinite stars twinkling over the driest desert in the world!

 

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San Pedro de Atacama

Prob. de precipitaciones: 2%Humedad: 35% Viento: a 10 km/h.
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Explore the charms San Pedro de Atacama

  • Chiu Chiu

    A must-see for tourists following the “Inca trail”; this is an oasis of shade in the middle of the desert. Inhabited by communities from Atacama, its easy-going pace is only interrupted by religious festivities which, depending on the patron saint, include confetti, flour or algarrobo drinks (fermented drink made from the pods and seeds of the algarrobo tree).

    Try the typical food of the north and don’t forget to visit the San Francisco Church, built in the 1600s. It is the oldest church in Chile and was built using millennial indigenous techniques. Go in and marvel: it is made out of mud and cactus wood.

  • El Tatio Geyser

    Get up before dawn to enjoy the show just as the sun rises, with the craters of El Tatio as the main attraction. Located 4,200 meters above sea level, its fumaroles (smoke from the geysers) create amazing white steam columns which are at their best between 6 and 7 in the morning.

    On your morning outing see how the local endemic wildlife (viscachas, vicunas, nandues) and other birds leave their hiding spots, looking for their breakfast among the yaretas (fern like plants) and giant cacti. Tired? Finish your day in the healing hot springs that the destination offers.

  • Atacama Salt Flats

    Center-stage of many surprises, the 3,000 square kilometer salt lake is an unbeatable sight. Home to Andean birds and a large lithium reserve, its thick crust forms heaps that crackle at sundown, when temperatures drop quickly.

    The Atacama Salt Flat is one of the main attractions of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Be amazed by the large number of long-legged birds that nest and feed in its “watery eyes”, like those of the Chaxa Lagoon. Keep your eyes wide open to try to spot the differences between the Andean, Chilean and James flamingos.

  • Toconao

    Toconao is a quiet town with typical colonial architecture, but full of details that make it unique and help you relax. Known for its volcanic rock constructions, its church, built in 1744 and the San Lucas Bell-tower, which are examples of the benefits of this rustic material.

    Walk around the square and get a souvenir from the stands set up there, where alpaca textiles and miniature versions of the bell tower made of rock will charm you. Taste their delicious fruits; quinces, fresh and dried figs and apricots from the Jere gorge will indulge your palate.

  • Altiplanic Lagoons

    Deep blue waters and white shores which welcome a large variety of birds, the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons are a gift of nature. Located inside the Los Flamencos National Reserve, at more than 4,000 meters above sea level, they provide a magical contrast with the snow capped hills that surround them.

    A mix of desert, mountains and ice, it is the ideal site for photography and birdwatching. While there in the Altiplanic Lagoons (Lagunas altiplánicas) go deeper into its sheer immensity until you reach the Aguas Calientes salt flat, where you’ll find the desolate Tuyaito Lagoon with a pearl-like color difficult to find elsewhere.

  • Los Flamencos National Reserve

    In the enormity of the desert you’ll find lagoons, salt flats and mountains that are intertwined with the landscape. Together they create magical sights!

    The Los Flamencos National Reserve invites you to enjoy the beauty of the landscape around it. The diverse climatic conditions of its seven areas will surprise you as you become one with your surroundings. You can see its variety of flora and fauna where flamingos take center stage.

    Walk along the trails around the spectacular altiplanic lagoons, discover the Chaxa Tourist Center and see how the sun sets behind Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna).

  • Moon and Mars Valley

    The peculiar rocky formations and dunes of Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) and the changing colors of Mars Valley (Valle de Marte) and the Salt Mountains are an attraction that you can’t miss while visiting the Atacama Desert. At night, both places become the most romantic spot for stargazing.

    Found just a few minutes from San Pedro de Atacama, you can get to these mystical settings on bike, trek around them and enjoy sandboarding on the dunes. Visit them and appreciate the overwhelming shadows that the desert displays.

  • Salar de Tara

    Discover the Tara Salt Flat 150 km west of San Pedro de Atacama and 4,300 m.a.s.l. in the Los Flamencos National Reserve.
    Surprise yourself with the Pacana monks, two rock formations capriciously molded by wind erosion that stand as guardians of the Aguas Calientes Salt Flats.
    Visit the Tara Cathedral, a majestic rocky barrier in the middle of the desert that was once part of a large volcanic caldera. Encounter Altiplanic wildlife: vicuñas, Andean foxes, Andean gulls, llamas, puna plovers, yellow-billed pintails, and flamingos.

  • Puritama Hot Springs in San Pedro De Atacama

    The Puritama hot springs are staggered pools of hot sulfur springs rich in minerals that help you relax within a unique natural environment surrounded by cardones and tall ancient cacti.
    The water temperature varies between 25º to 30ºC at any time of the year and they are famous for their healing properties that help rheumatism and stress. For many years, the Puritama Hot Springs were reserved only for locals, but currently it includes a basic infrastructure with wooden walkways and dressing rooms for tourists.

Chiu Chiu

A must-see for tourists following the “Inca trail”; this is an oasis of shade in the middle of the desert. Inhabited by communities from Atacama, its easy-going pace is only interrupted by religious festivities which, depending on the patron saint, include confetti, flour or algarrobo drinks (fermented drink made from the pods and seeds of the algarrobo tree).

Try the typical food of the north and don’t forget to visit the San Francisco Church, built in the 1600s. It is the oldest church in Chile and was built using millennial indigenous techniques. Go in and marvel: it is made out of mud and cactus wood.

Culture
El Tatio Geyser

Get up before dawn to enjoy the show just as the sun rises, with the craters of El Tatio as the main attraction. Located 4,200 meters above sea level, its fumaroles (smoke from the geysers) create amazing white steam columns which are at their best between 6 and 7 in the morning.

On your morning outing see how the local endemic wildlife (viscachas, vicunas, nandues) and other birds leave their hiding spots, looking for their breakfast among the yaretas (fern like plants) and giant cacti. Tired? Finish your day in the healing hot springs that the destination offers.

Hot springs and wellbeing
Atacama Salt Flats

Center-stage of many surprises, the 3,000 square kilometer salt lake is an unbeatable sight. Home to Andean birds and a large lithium reserve, its thick crust forms heaps that crackle at sundown, when temperatures drop quickly.

The Atacama Salt Flat is one of the main attractions of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Be amazed by the large number of long-legged birds that nest and feed in its “watery eyes”, like those of the Chaxa Lagoon. Keep your eyes wide open to try to spot the differences between the Andean, Chilean and James flamingos.

Nature
Toconao

Toconao is a quiet town with typical colonial architecture, but full of details that make it unique and help you relax. Known for its volcanic rock constructions, its church, built in 1744 and the San Lucas Bell-tower, which are examples of the benefits of this rustic material.

Walk around the square and get a souvenir from the stands set up there, where alpaca textiles and miniature versions of the bell tower made of rock will charm you. Taste their delicious fruits; quinces, fresh and dried figs and apricots from the Jere gorge will indulge your palate.

Wine and Gastronomy
Altiplanic Lagoons

Deep blue waters and white shores which welcome a large variety of birds, the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons are a gift of nature. Located inside the Los Flamencos National Reserve, at more than 4,000 meters above sea level, they provide a magical contrast with the snow capped hills that surround them.

A mix of desert, mountains and ice, it is the ideal site for photography and birdwatching. While there in the Altiplanic Lagoons (Lagunas altiplánicas) go deeper into its sheer immensity until you reach the Aguas Calientes salt flat, where you’ll find the desolate Tuyaito Lagoon with a pearl-like color difficult to find elsewhere.

Nature
Los Flamencos National Reserve

In the enormity of the desert you’ll find lagoons, salt flats and mountains that are intertwined with the landscape. Together they create magical sights!

The Los Flamencos National Reserve invites you to enjoy the beauty of the landscape around it. The diverse climatic conditions of its seven areas will surprise you as you become one with your surroundings. You can see its variety of flora and fauna where flamingos take center stage.

Walk along the trails around the spectacular altiplanic lagoons, discover the Chaxa Tourist Center and see how the sun sets behind Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna).

Nature
Moon and Mars Valley

The peculiar rocky formations and dunes of Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) and the changing colors of Mars Valley (Valle de Marte) and the Salt Mountains are an attraction that you can’t miss while visiting the Atacama Desert. At night, both places become the most romantic spot for stargazing.

Found just a few minutes from San Pedro de Atacama, you can get to these mystical settings on bike, trek around them and enjoy sandboarding on the dunes. Visit them and appreciate the overwhelming shadows that the desert displays.

Nature
Salar de Tara

Discover the Tara Salt Flat 150 km west of San Pedro de Atacama and 4,300 m.a.s.l. in the Los Flamencos National Reserve.
Surprise yourself with the Pacana monks, two rock formations capriciously molded by wind erosion that stand as guardians of the Aguas Calientes Salt Flats.
Visit the Tara Cathedral, a majestic rocky barrier in the middle of the desert that was once part of a large volcanic caldera. Encounter Altiplanic wildlife: vicuñas, Andean foxes, Andean gulls, llamas, puna plovers, yellow-billed pintails, and flamingos.

Nature
Puritama Hot Springs in San Pedro De Atacama

The Puritama hot springs are staggered pools of hot sulfur springs rich in minerals that help you relax within a unique natural environment surrounded by cardones and tall ancient cacti.
The water temperature varies between 25º to 30ºC at any time of the year and they are famous for their healing properties that help rheumatism and stress. For many years, the Puritama Hot Springs were reserved only for locals, but currently it includes a basic infrastructure with wooden walkways and dressing rooms for tourists.

Hot springs and wellbeing