How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

Limited space, so the next post will dive into the salt flats. For a full experience, check out the homepage collection on Chile.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

1⃣️ El Tatio Geysers
Embark on an adventure from the town along the B-245 highway to the geysers, with two fantastic stops en route:
📍Mirante do Camelo – marvel at the uniquely shaped rocks.
📍Laguna Flamingos – the best spot to catch a glimpse of flamingos in their natural habitat.
⚠️ We didn’t make it to the geysers but stopped at these points for some stunning photo ops.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

To visit the geysers, you’ll need to set off before dawn, around 4 or 5 AM. The high altitude means it’s wise to avoid a heavy meal before departure.
⚠️ A lens of 400mm or more is essential for capturing the flamingos in detail.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

2⃣️ Valley of the Moon
Ticket office and entrance: 📍Centro de Información Valle de la Luna
🎫 No need to book in advance; tickets are available on-site, and card payment is the only option. After purchasing your ticket, you’ll receive a map detailing various attractions and hiking trails.
⛔️ The last entry is at 5 PM, and all visitors must leave by 7 PM as staff begin clearing the area.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

It’s highly recommended to enter before 4 PM and stay until 7 PM to witness the breathtaking sunset.
📍Mirador de Kari – Piedra del Coyote: This prime sunset viewing point requires a separate ticket, which can be purchased individually or bundled with the Valley of the Moon ticket. The site closes at 8 PM, which can be a bit frustrating.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

On our visit, we were in the middle of capturing the golden hour when they started to clear the area, so we hurried to the nearby free sunset viewpoint: 📍Mirador Likan-Antay.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots

3⃣️ Mars Valley / Death Valley
We decided to skip this attraction due to the intense heat and sun, making it less ideal for a hike.

How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots
How to Plan an Atacama Self-Drive Trip: Best Budget Tips & Must-See Spots