Experiences and local guides in San Pedro de Atacama

Nature

In the driest desert on Earth, at 2,400 m, San Pedro is an adobe oasis surrounded by 6,000 m volcanoes. Valle de la Luna and Valle de la Muerte, the Atacama salt flat with its flamingos, the Miscanti and Miñiques altiplano lagoons, the Tatio geysers at dawn and the clearest skies on the planet.

Activities

• Stargazing: telescope observation and night photography
• Trekking in Valle de la Luna, sandboarding on the dunes
• Tatio geysers at sunrise, Puritama hot springs
• Volcano ascents: Láscar, Sairecabur, Licancabur (with acclimatisation)
• Horseback riding and cycling through the valleys, Atacameño culture in Toconao and Socaire

When to go

Year-round; April to November for clearer skies and cold nights; avoid the full moon for astronomy; January and February can bring altiplano rains.

How to get there

Calama airport (CJC) is 1 h 30 by shuttle or bus, with frequent flights from Santiago (2 hours). Buses from Calama every hour; from Antofagasta 5 hours. The village is walkable; excursions leave from the agencies on Caracoles street. Take it easy on the first day because of the altitude (2,400 m).