Self-Drive Guide for the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile (4WD Recommended)
The Atacama Desert, located in northern Chile, is known as the driest place on Earth. It experiences scorching midday heat and chilly nights, creating a significant temperature difference. Be sure to pack clothing that can be easily layered, with lighter garments for the day and warmer ones for the evening.
📍 Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna)
Recommended visiting time: 15:30-20:00, tickets should be purchased one day in advance.
With its vast sand dunes, striking rock formations, and deep gullies, Moon Valley is often compared to the Martian landscape. It’s highly recommended to combine your visit with Death Valley (Mars Valley) for a truly otherworldly experience. Don’t miss the sunset 🌄; as the sun dips below the horizon, the sky and land transform into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant colors.
📍 Stargazing Tour 🔭 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Highly Recommended!
Stargazing time: 20:00-23:00. We joined a stargazing tour from the town of San Pedro. Different tours have varying departure times, but all start after dark. An experienced guide will introduce you to the wonders of the Milky Way and the starry sky (in English and Spanish). With telescopes 🔭, you can observe star clusters, enjoy snacks, and take stunning photos. The night sky here will remind you of the magical evenings of your childhood [Cute R].
📍 Laguna Chaxa Park
Salt lakes and flamingos 🦩 await you at this enchanting park. Book the “rutas de los salares” tour to explore the salt lakes and spot small wildlife along the way. The scenery is absolutely mesmerizing.
📍 La Piedra Roja
😅 We set out a bit too late, and by the time we arrived, the site was almost closing. Instead, we visited two beautiful lakes, Lagunas Miscanti y Miñiques (see details in pictures 7, 8, and 9). The drive itself is incredibly scenic. For self-driving, it’s advisable to buy tickets in advance, as there may be no internet coverage in the area.
📍 Laguna Baltinache
This area features several salt lakes. In the past, visitors could float in the lake, but due to pollution concerns, floating is now prohibited. The road leading to the lakes 🤯 is extremely bumpy, making for an adventurous and challenging drive!
📍 Geysers del Tatio
Tours typically depart between 4-5 am. Although it’s dark when you leave, the sunrise is absolutely stunning. The geysers are most active between 6-7 am. We drove ourselves with children and left at 6 am. The journey from the town to the site takes about 1.5 hours, and we still managed to see active geysers.
Their activity starts to decrease around 8 am. The altitude is approximately 4200 meters, so children might experience some altitude sickness. It’s also extremely cold in the morning [Facepalm R][Facepalm R][Facepalm R].
🍲 About Restaurants: Many people recommend Adobe, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. We also enjoyed a meal at La Cason, which was equally delightful [Smirk R][Smirk R]. If you’re looking for more options, simply open Google Maps, search for “restaurants,” and you’ll find a variety of local eateries with photos and menus to choose from.
