Atacama Desert
Earth's driest desert, endlessly beautiful
About this destination
The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on earth, yet it's alive with colour and life. Flamingos wade through salt lagoons. Geysers erupt at dawn. The moon-like Valle de la Luna turns orange and purple at sunset. And at night, at 2,400 metres above sea level with virtually no light pollution, the Milky Way is so bright it casts shadows. Based in San Pedro de Atacama, every attraction is within a 1–2 hour drive, making it the most accessible self-drive destination in Chile.
Highlights
- Valle de la Luna
- El Tatio Geysers
- Laguna Cejar
- Stargazing at 2,400 m
Must-see stops
Valle de la Luna
The 'Valley of the Moon' — a surreal landscape of salt formations, sand dunes and eroded rock. Visit at sunset when it turns every shade of orange.
El Tatio Geysers
The highest geyser field in the world at 4,320 m. Arrive before dawn to see the steam clouds at their most spectacular.
Laguna Cejar
A bright turquoise saltwater lagoon where you float like in the Dead Sea. The salt concentration is extraordinary.
Salar de Atacama
Chile's largest salt flat, home to thousands of flamingos. The pink birds against white salt and blue sky make for unforgettable photographs.
Combine with
These destinations pair well with Atacama Desert.
