Atacama Travel Packages

The best time to visit the Atacama Desert is from March to November, when temperatures are mild and skies are clear, perfect for exploring landscapes and stargazing. Summer months (December to February) bring higher temperatures and occasional rainfall, but also wildflower blooms in rare years of high precipitation.

Top tours in Atacama include visits to Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers, and the salt flats of Salar de Atacama. Stargazing tours are particularly popular, thanks to some of the clearest skies in the world. Cultural tours also highlight indigenous traditions and villages.

In the Atacama Desert, visitors can hike through surreal landscapes, soak in hot springs, and watch flamingos at high-altitude lagoons. Sandboarding, mountain biking, and photography are also popular activities. Stargazing under the pristine night sky is a must-do experience.

The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, with sunny days year-round. Daytime temperatures range between 20–25°C, while nights can drop close to 0°C, especially at higher altitudes. Sudden changes in temperature are common.

The closest airport to the Atacama Desert is El Loa Airport in Calama, about 100 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, the main tourist hub. Transfers by bus or private transport are available from the airport to San Pedro.

San Pedro de Atacama offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury eco-lodges to budget hostels. Many hotels incorporate sustainable architecture and provide tours and services tailored to desert exploration.

Dining in San Pedro de Atacama ranges from traditional Chilean cuisine to international dishes. Restaurants often use local ingredients such as quinoa, llama meat, and Andean potatoes. Cafés and bars also create a vibrant atmosphere in the evenings.

The Chilean peso (CLP) is the local currency. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants, but cash is useful for smaller purchases, tours, or handicrafts. ATMs are available in San Pedro de Atacama.

Festivities in the Atacama region include the Fiesta de San Pedro in June, with traditional dances, parades, and music. Indigenous celebrations honoring Pachamama and local traditions also take place in villages throughout the desert.

The Atacama Desert, stretching across northern Chile, is the driest non-polar desert in the world. Known for its otherworldly landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and astronomical importance, it is one of South America’s top adventure destinations.

Highlights of the Atacama Desert include Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers, Salar de Atacama, Laguna Chaxa, and high-altitude lagoons like Miscanti and Miñiques. The desert’s observatories also attract scientists and stargazers from around the globe.