After a long 12-hour flight from the East Coast, we finally arrived at the world’s driest place, as described in geography textbooks [PartyR]. I had initially expected to see just a vast expanse of desert, but was pleasantly surprised by the variety of unique landforms, including salt lakes, towering sand dunes, eerie stone forests, and cracked plains. As you walk along, you can even spot conical volcanoes on the horizon.
📅 Itinerary: (August 28-29, 2024)
DAY1️⃣
9:50 AM – After landing, we transferred by bus and arrived in San Pedro at 12:00 PM. The first order of business was signing up for tours, exchanging currency, and getting a local SIM card.
🌜 Moon Valley – Half-day tour, 26,000 CLP including admission
This is the most iconic itinerary in Atacama!
The Moon Valley, with its otherworldly landscape, is a must-see. The area features undulating sand dunes, rugged rocks, and unique salt formations. A short hike is included, and the guide provides fascinating insights along the way. The highlight is watching the sunset from a scenic viewing platform.
A small afternoon tea is provided. For those who are light drinkers, it’s best to skip the pisco offered by the guide. It may look harmless, but it packs a punch with an alcohol content over 40%. I tried one glass and felt unwell all night, leading me to cancel my evening activities.
DAY2️⃣
♨️ Morning – Geysers 30,000 CLP + 10,000 CLP for admission
This is the highest geyser field in the world. Departing at 4:00 AM, it was an early start, and upon arrival, the cold was intense, with frozen ground and strong winds. To be honest, the experience was somewhat marred by the harsh conditions, but the return trip made up for it.
We enjoyed a hearty breakfast in the wild, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views (p5). On the way back, we also spotted flamingos, which saved us from booking a separate flamingo tour (bushi).
🚶 Afternoon – Stroll around the charming town
🔭 Evening – 40,000 CLP
Another classic itinerary, where you can marvel at the stunning Milky Way with the naked eye. I chose Spaceob, which boasts top-notch equipment, including the largest personal telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, and the explanations are incredibly professional. The only downside is that you need to make a reservation by email in advance (you can refer to my previous notes).
If you’re coming to Atacama for stargazing, be sure to avoid the full moon period to get the best views.
【TIPS】
[RecommendR] For travelers with a tight schedule transferring from Santiago to Calama, we highly recommend flying with LATAM Airlines. Upon arrival, you’ll find two convenient check-in counters right at your disposal for luggage drop-off (for other airlines, you would need to haul your luggage from T2 to T1).
[RecommendR] We suggest signing up for tours on-site, as you can often negotiate much better prices than what’s available online. Don’t worry about availability; I personally tried it and found that even if you sign up and pay at 2:00 PM, you can still catch the 2:25 PM Moon Valley tour.
[RecommendR] Atacama offers a variety of one-day tour options. If you plan to join a 3-day, 2-night Uyuni tour later, consider skipping some of the similar attractions, such as salt lakes and flamingos, to avoid redundancy.
[RecommendR] For currency exchange and SIM cards, there’s no need to stress. Convenience stores along the main street in town offer SIM cards and assistance with activation, and 1GB of data for two days is usually sufficient. P12 is a street lined with currency exchange shops offering competitive rates. If you’re heading to Bolivia, you can also exchange Bolivian currency here, as the rates are generally better than in Uyuni.
