The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, is renowned for its unique geological formations and breathtaking natural landscapes.
✈️Travel
The flight from Santiago (SCL) to Calama (CJC) takes just 2 hours. However, upon landing, an unexpected hiccup awaited: the pre-booked car rental was inexplicably canceled 😠, forcing a last-minute switch to a TransVIP minibus at the airport exit.
The 1.5-hour journey to the charming town of San Pedro de Atacama cost CLP15,000 per person. Once in town, a vehicle was secured from the reliable West Car Rental.
🏜️Attractions
⭐️Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) & Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
Just a short 10-minute drive from the town, these two stunning attractions offer a blend of adventure and natural beauty.
Death Valley, with its steep dunes, reddish-brown rocks, and arid surface, is a sandboarding paradise. Visitors can rent equipment and experience the thrill of sliding down the towering dunes.
🎫Entrance fee: CLP6,000 per person, no reservation required
Moon Valley, known for its otherworldly, moon-like landscape, is especially enchanting at sunset.
It’s a must-visit spot for photography enthusiasts, offering some of the most spectacular views.
Free sunset viewing point📍Likan-Antay Viewpoint
🎫Entrance fee: CLP10,800 per person, no reservation required
⭐️Piedras Rojas + Miscanti y Miniques
These two neighboring sites, featuring red volcanic rock and salt lakes, are often visited together with a combined ticket.
For self-driving, tickets must be purchased online at least one day in advance, specifying the order of visits, date, and time slot; tickets are not available on-site. For example, if your ticket is for visiting Piedras Rojas first, you must start there and cannot go to Miscanti y Miniques first. Strict adherence to the designated order is required, or entry will be denied.
On the way to the salt lake, you’ll pass through the town of Socaire, where you must register 1 hour in advance. Have the QR code of your ticket and the license plate number ready for the staff to register, and they will provide you with a receipt. Keep this receipt as it will be checked upon arrival at the salt lake.
🎫Online ticket: www.socairechile.cl
⭐️Laguna Cejar
Experience the buoyancy of high salinity waters at Laguna Cejar. If not joining a tour, the site is open from 9 am to 12 pm, and tickets need to be booked online in advance. Note that it is closed on Tuesdays.
🎫Online ticket: lagunacejar.com
Adults: CLP15,000, children aged 6-12: CLP5,000
Other attractions
⭐️Geysers del Tatio (Tatio Geysers)
⭐️Termas de Puritama (Puritama Hot Springs)
⭐️Tour Astronómico (Astronomical Tour)
For a more detailed and guided experience, consider joining a tour.
Check the last image for more information.
