San Pedro de Atacama, gateway to the desert
San Pedro de Atacama is a dusty-street town sitting at 2,400 meters that serves as the base for exploring the driest desert on Earth. Getting there means flying to Calama's El Loa airport and continuing by bus (about 90 minutes, roughly 4,000-6,000 CLP); direct buses from Santiago also exist but take over 20 hours. The town runs almost entirely on tourism, with agencies, hostels and restaurants clustered around the plaza and Caracoles street. Book accommodation ahead in high season (July and December-February). The local currency is the Chilean peso, though many agencies also accept cash US dollars. Most travelers spend three to four full days in the area to combine desert, altiplano and stargazing without rushing the itinerary.
Altitude acclimatization before heading up
Even though San Pedro itself sits at 2,400 meters, several excursions climb above 4,000 meters, where altitude sickness (soroche) can bring headaches, nausea or fatigue. Spend the first day taking it easy, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and try coca-leaf tea. Most agencies schedule El Tatio and the high lagoons for the second or third day of the itinerary, once the body has had a little time to adjust. If symptoms persist, the sensible move is to descend and seek medical advice.
Valle de la Luna and Valle de la Muerte
Valle de la Luna, inside the Los Flamencos National Reserve, is the classic afternoon excursion: salt formations, dunes and ravines that shift color as the sun sets. Entry runs about 5,000-6,000 CLP plus the reserve fee. Arrive early at the main viewpoint, since it fills up fast for sunset in high season. Nearby Valle de la Muerte offers bike rides and sandboarding down giant dunes, a much quieter alternative for the morning. Some agencies also offer sunrise visits to Valle de la Luna itself, a different and still fairly uncrowded experience compared with the sunset crowds.
El Tatio geysers and Puritama hot springs
The El Tatio geyser field sits at 4,320 meters and is visited very early, with agencies departing between 4:00 and 5:00, because the steam vents are most dramatic in the cold of dawn, when temperatures can drop below zero. A full tour costs between 25,000 and 35,000 CLP and includes breakfast. On the way back, many tours stop at Termas de Puritama, natural hot pools tucked among volcanic rocks, with entry around 15,000 CLP; bring a swimsuit and towel, as neither is provided.
Altiplano lagoons and the Atacama Salt Flat
Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, above 4,100 meters, dazzle with intense blue water set against volcanoes and ochre hills; entry costs roughly 5,000 CLP. Within the Atacama Salt Flat, Laguna Chaxa hosts three flamingo species feeding among crusts of salt; the best light for photos comes at sunset, when golden tones spread across the salt flat. Entry to this section of the salt flat runs about 5,000-7,000 CLP. Is it worth booking a guided tour instead of self-driving? A rental car works fine, but a local guide explains the geology and wildlife far better than any signpost.
Stargazing and practical tips
Atacama has one of the clearest skies on the planet thanks to its altitude, extreme dryness and minimal light pollution, which is why it hosts professional observatories like ALMA. Several agencies run night tours with telescopes from about 20,000-25,000 CLP per person. During the day, pack strong sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, plenty of water and warm layers for the night, since the temperature swing between day and night can exceed 20 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit is between April and November, avoiding the altiplano winter (January-March), when summer rains from Bolivia can close some roads toward El Tatio. A reusable water bottle, sturdy trekking shoes and SPF lip balm round out the basic packing list for any outing in the area.