---
type: "Article"
title: "6 Worthwhile Excursions in the Atacama Desert, Chile"
description: "The Atacama desert in Chile is one of the driest place on earth, covering a 1,000-kilometre strip of land on the Pacific coast, west of the Andes mountains. Here you will find vast tracts of red sand, active volcanoes, felsic lava, salt-lakes and a variety of animals and plants."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/chile/excursions-atacama-desert"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 12
tags: ["Desert", "Hiking", "Landscape", "Nature", "Rural", "Tour", "Chile"]
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/rural-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/review"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/excursion-tips"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lake"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wildlife-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/travelmemo"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T13:53:11+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2013-11-17T19:46:08+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: excursions-atacama-desert.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:53:11+00:00
---

# 6 Worthwhile Excursions in the Atacama Desert, Chile

> The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the driest places on Earth, offering a dramatic landscape of salt flats, geysers, volcanoes, and lunar valleys that rewards adventurous travellers with unforgettable natural spectacles.

## Destination
Atacama Desert, northern Chile — centred on the town of San Pedro de Atacama, west of the Andes along the Pacific coast.

## What to see
- **Salar de Atacama & Laguna Cejar** — Chile's largest salt flat, dominated by views of Volcán Licancabur; includes the crystal-clear, highly saline Laguna Cejar where visitors can float.
- **El Tatio Geysers** — A geothermal field of fumaroles and mineral springs at 4,200 m elevation, about 80 km from San Pedro de Atacama; most active at sunrise.
- **Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)** — Famous for its moon-like terrain of reds, oranges, and browns, with large sand dune fields and salt formations known as Las Tres Marías.

## What to do
- **Hiking in Valle de los Cordones** — An easy but scenic hike through a gorge featuring foxtail plants and candelabro cacti.
- **Stargazing** — Night-sky viewing in the desert offers billions of visible stars, including the Southern Cross, enhanced by knowledgeable local guides.
- **Mountain biking** — Bike tours are available through the desert landscape.

## Good to know
Bring warm layers for the El Tatio Geysers visit — temperatures are very cold at high altitude before sunrise. A private guide with a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended for accessing remote areas. Luxury accommodation is available at Awasi Hotel (Relais & Chateaux) and Alto Atacama Desert Lodge.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Atacama-Desert-in-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "View over Atacama Desert in Chile"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Awasi-guide-Jorge-Corantes-Fernandez-Walter-Schaerer.jpg"
    caption: "Awasi guide Jorge Corantes Fernandez and travelmemo's Walter"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/salt-Salar-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Salty Salar de Atacama"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Laguna-Cejar-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Swimming in salty Laguna Cejar"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Tatio-geysers-Atacama-Desert-Chile-2.jpg"
    caption: "Tatio geysers at sunrise"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Taito-geysers-sunrise-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Tatio Geysers at sunrise"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Las-tres-Marias-Salzformation-Valle-de-la-Luna-Atacama-Wueste.jpg"
    caption: "Salt statues \"Las tres Marias\" - Valle de la Luna"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/foxtail-candelabro-cactus-Cardones-gorge-Atacama-Desert.jpg"
    caption: "Foxtails and Candelabro cactus in Cardones gorge"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/stargazing-Southern-Cross-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Stargazing at Southern Cross in Atacama desert"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Awasi-hotel-pool-San-Pedro-de-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Awasi patio and hotel pool"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Alto-Atacama-desert-lodge.jpg"
    caption: "Alto Atacama desert lodge"
```