Atacama Desert Tours and Holidays 2024/2025

There isn’t a single adjective that can adequately describe the grandeur of the Atacama Desert but if you’re desperate enough, “otherworldly” could come close. That does come quite literally as soil samples from Desierto de Atacama share striking similarities with samples taken from Mars — and that’s only one of the things that makes a trip to Atacama Desert a must when on a Chile tour.

14 Trips in Atacama Desert with 89 Reviews

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Atacama Adventure 4D/3N

of 1 review
  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
The travel specialist was great - especially David and Rodrigo. Nice sceneries and good atmosphere. ...
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Adventure
  • Transport Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Operated in English
days04 From US$ 760 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01 10+ seats left
  • Sep 02 10+ seats left
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Discover Chile

of 47 reviews
  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
This holiday met all of my expectations and in some cases exceeded them
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Adventure +1 more
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • Transport Boat & Flight
  • Age Range 16-95 yrs
  • Operated in English
days13 From US$ 7,200 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Nov 25 Only 1 seat left
  • Dec 16 Only 5 seats left
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Chile, Patagonian Lakes and Atacama Desert

of 15 reviews
  • Trip customizable
  • Best price guaranteed
Chile never ceased to amaze. It's a destination that promises unforgettable memories and an apprecia ...
  • Tour Type Private Tour
  • Activities City sightseeing & Volcanoes +2 more
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • Transport Flight, Private Vehicle & Taxi
  • Age Range 1-79 yrs
  • Operated in English, Spanish
days10 From US$ 2,750 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01
  • Sep 02
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Atacama & Altiplano Trekking Adventure

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
13 day trekking and hiking trip through Arica, Putre, Parinacota and 11 other destinations in Chile. Read More
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Trekking and Hiking & Natural landmarks sightseeing
  • Accommodation Hotel, Guest House, Hut & Sleeping Hut
  • Transport Boat
  • Age Range 18-79 yrs
  • Operated in English, Spanish
days13 From US$ 4,890 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Oct 14
  • Mar 24

Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 4D/3N (Atacama to Atacama)

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4 day desert safaris tour to Laguna Colorada, Chiguana Salt Flat and 3 other destinations traveling through Chile and Bolivia. Read More
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Desert safaris & 4x4 overland tour +1 more
  • Accommodation Hotel, Hostel & Villa
  • Transport 4WD Jeep & Minibus
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Operated in English
days04 From US$ 403 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01 10+ seats left
  • Sep 02 10+ seats left
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Best Of Chile

  • Trip customizable
  • Best price guaranteed
10 day city sightseeing tour in Chile, visiting Santiago, Puerto Natales and San Pedro De Atacama. Read More
  • Tour Type Group Tour
  • Activities City sightseeing & Chill out +1 more
  • Accommodation Hotel & Camping
  • Transport Flight & Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 8-95 yrs
  • Operated in English
days10 From US$ 2,047 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 17 10+ seats left
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Argentina & Bolivia: Salt Flats and Desert

of 3 reviews
  • Trip customizable
  • Best price guaranteed
Hi Vera and Yuna, We are back in the US and have reflected on our fabulous trip. Thank you for
  • Tour Type Private Tour
  • Activities Adventure & Honeymoon
  • Accommodation Hut, Hotel & Villa
  • Transport Bus, 4WD Jeep & Train
  • Age Range 5-79 yrs
  • Operated in English, Spanish
days09 From US$ 2,400 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01
  • Sep 02
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Atacama & Uyuni Salt Flats Adventure 7D/6N

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
7 day adventure trip to San Pedro De Atacama, Uyuni and 2 other destinations traveling through Chile and Bolivia. Read More
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Adventure
  • Accommodation Hotel, Hostel & Villa
  • Transport 4WD Jeep, Bus, Minibus & Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Operated in English
days07 From US$ 1,101 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01 10+ seats left
  • Sep 02 10+ seats left
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Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Atacama to Uyuni)

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
3 day explorer trip to Uyuni Salt Flat, Uyuni and 1 other destinations traveling through Bolivia and Chile. Read More
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Explorer & Adventure
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • Transport 4WD Jeep & Minibus
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Operated in English
days03 From US$ 341 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01 10+ seats left
  • Sep 02 10+ seats left
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Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 4D/3N (Atacama to La Paz)

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4 day cultural, religious and historic sites tour to Uyuni Salt Flat, Uyuni and 3 other destinations in Mexico, Chile and Bolivia. Read More
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Explorer +1 more
  • Accommodation Hotel & Hostel
  • Transport 4WD Jeep, Bus & Minibus
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Operated in English
days04 From US$ 349 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01 10+ seats left
  • Sep 02 10+ seats left
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Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 4D/3N (La Paz to Atacama)

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4 day adventure trip to Uyuni, San Juan and 9 other destinations traveling through Bolivia and Chile. Read More
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Adventure & 4x4, quad and ATV trips
  • Accommodation Hostel & Hotel
  • Transport Bus, Train, 4WD Jeep & Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Operated in English
days04 From US$ 382 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 01 10+ seats left
  • Sep 02 10+ seats left
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Cycle Chile & Argentina: Atacama to Salta

of 5 reviews
  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
The trip is incredible. The scenery varies every day and you'll ride on all possible terrains: sand, ...
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Explorer & Bicycle tours
  • Accommodation Hotel & Resort
  • Transport Train
  • Age Range 16-95 yrs
  • Operated in English
days13 From US$ 6,298 US$ 6,045
SavingUS$ 253
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  • Brochure Price:US$ 6,298
  • Special Deal (4%):- US$ 253
  • Total Price from:US$ 6,045
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Next Departures
  • Aug 17 Only 8 seats left
  • Oct 05 Only 5 seats left
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Best of Peru And Chile

  • Trip customizable
  • Best price guaranteed
17 day cultural, religious and historic sites tour to Urubamba, Cusco and 7 other destinations traveling through Peru and Chile. Read More
  • Tour Type Group Tour
  • Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Natural landmarks sightseeing
  • Accommodation Hotel, Camping & Lodge
  • Transport Boat, Bus, Flight & Train
  • Age Range 8-95 yrs
  • Operated in English
days17 From US$ 4,147 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 03 10+ seats left
  • Sep 10 10+ seats left
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Picturesque Solo Peru and Chile Tour

  • Trip customizable
  • Best price guaranteed
17 day cultural, religious and historic sites trip to Urubamba, Cusco and 9 other destinations traveling through Peru and Chile. Read More
  • Tour Type Group Tour
  • Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & City sightseeing
  • Accommodation Hotel, Camping & Lodge
  • Transport Boat, Bus, Flight, Train & Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 8-95 yrs
  • Operated in English
days17 From US$ 5,354 View Tour
Next Departures
  • Sep 03 10+ seats left
  • Sep 10 10+ seats left
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Atacama Desert Tour Reviews

5 - Excellent
Based on 89 customer reviews
Amazing Chile
5 - Excellent
  • Anonymous
“One of the most fascinating trips I have been on. The beauty of the country is incredible and with such an extreme range of landscapes ( and weather ! ) from the north to the south you would be hard pressed to find more diverse trip in one single country.”
Guides gave lots of information, in Spanish and English and full of humor!
5 - Excellent
  • Theo Van Der Linden
“We searched on internet and learned about this company. We decided to travel with you because the comments over the 6day trip Attacama-Uyuni were really good. I would say our highlight were the good guides who gave lots of information. We only stayed in e one hotel, the Don Tomas hotel in San Pedro. We had short excursions and one large: the three day 4wd to Uyuni. The El Tunio exursions was great. Early to get up but worth it. The 4wd tour was awesome with highlights and depths (the overnight stay in the refugee: 'basic' accommodation was an understatement). Although an experience, it took many hours to recover from it. I forgot the name of the guide to the El Tunio geysers - he was awesome (I believe he is an San Pedro artist). He gave lots of information, in Spanish and English and full of humor!”
Good Title as we moved around alot to give us insite of what the country offered.
5 - Excellent
  • Anonymous
“The group of people on the trip all 'gelled' together and with the help of our excellent guide made a trip to be remembered. My only criticism, not your fault, was that I hadn't realized how warm / hot it would be and, as a result I didn't take enough light weight summer clothes.”

Atacama Tours and Holidays

Situated between the Pacific and the Andes, the Atacama Desert is the planet’s largest showcase of mysterious natural phenomena. It is recorded as the driest desert on Earth with just an average rainfall of 1 mm a year. Still, its mountaintops are covered with snow the whole year round. Temperatures in the region are at an average of 40°C during the day and 5°C at night. Similarly, the Atacama Desert witnesses the brightest of days and the darkest of nights, making it the perfect destination for jaw-dropping romantic (and scholarly) stargazing. Atacama’s unique geography affords travelers an enriching assortment of trips and tours such as salt flats tour, sunset watching in Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), sandboarding in Death Valley, and San Pedro de Atacama tours, usually the jump-off of every traveler’s trip to Atacama.  

The Charming Oasis Village of San Pedro de Atacama

If it’s true what they say that every destination has a cliché, then Atacama Desert’s is San Pedro de Atacama. This, however, is not a warning for you to stay away. Aside from being home to most of Atacama’s lodging and dining options, souvenir shops, and its 16th century historic church, this little oasis village brandishes cozy South American charms that are a comfort after an adventure-packed day.

A day in San Pedro usually starts with a 4am tour to the Del Tatio Geysers, the world’s third largest geyser site. It has more than 80 active geysers and at the early peak of sunrise, the geysers begin to display a spellbinding exhibition of colors. Tourists can then choose to go on an archeological tour starting with the 12th century Incan fortress, Pukara de Quitor, and then proceeding to Aldea de Tulor, Atacama’s oldest village that is like a life-sized museum of ancient artifacts and rich flora and fauna. 

The Awe-inspiring Natural Phenomenon

Flamingoes in Salar de Atacama lagoons
Saline lagoons in Salar de Atacama flaunts beautiful pink Andean flamingos
Valle de la Luna in Atacama Desert
Valle de la Luna in Atacama Desert is known for its moon-like terrain

The Atacama Desert features some of the most beautiful natural sights, most notably — Valle de la Luna or Moon Valley, Salar de Atacama, and the star-studded night sky.

Valle de la Luna, has a hauntingly beautiful barren landscape of stone and sand formations, that gives it a moon-like terrain. The expansive, rugged white terrain of Salar de Atacama flaunts a collection of saline lagoons which are usually dotted with beautiful pink Andean flamingos. And the night sky in the desert is best for stargazing. Being high, really dry, unpolluted, and its night sky practically free of clouds, the desert offers the most visible tapestry of stars, moons, galaxies, and other heavenly bodies that even the naked eye can enjoy.

The Colorful Atacaman Culture

Atacama’s culture is a marriage of Inca and Spanish traditions. This is evident in their faith, food, and festivities. Locals celebrate the feast of their patron saint, Saint Peter, every 29th of June. The Fiesta de San Pedro de Atacama is the town’s most important religious festival where townsfolk parade on the streets in colorful masks and traditional clothing. This festival is comprised of a mass, a procession, dancing on the street, and ends with a celebratory drinking.

Local cuisine is designed around Atacama’s climate. One of their most distinctive native dishes is patasca, a stew of pork, beef, potatoes, and white capia corn. Other must try dishes are empanada, sopaipillas with pebre, and their local drink, pisco sour rica-rica, made from the desert herb rica-rica that is revered for its medicinal properties

What Every Tourist Must Know

Because of little vehicular traffic, it is easy to get around Atacama Desert. The most popular modes of transportation for exploring the Atacama Desert are car and bike rentals while San Pedro can easily be explored on foot.

Accommodation options in Atacama Desert vary and cater to a range of budget including hostels, boutique, bed and breakfasts, and five star hotels. Some hotels are equipped with their own observatory, a great choice for tourists who wish to end each night with a magnified glimpse of the heavens.

Restaurants in Atacama mostly feature Chilean dishes so looking for an authentic Chilean meal is not difficult. A popular spot among both locals and travelers is Inti Sol in San Pedro, well-loved for dishes such as spaghetti tres quesos, papas dorados al horno, and mushroom risotto at friendly prices. 

Getting There

For a holiday in Atacama Desert you can fly to Calama Airport, the nearest commercial airport about an hour and a half away from San Pedro. Public buses and car rentals are available upon arrival.

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