San Pedro de Atacama is a Chilean town which lies at an average of 2,400m above sea level. We couldnt believe how much of our budget San Pedro crushed. : red rocks) we were picked up at 6:00 am in our hostel. Tired from getting up early we used the remaining afternoon to relax in our hostel. Went to Secret Beach which was a neat place to hangout. Chile boasts vibrant cities, enigmatic islands, rolling vinelands and some of the most pristine nature on earth. For the travelers who have FOMO (fear of missing out) like us, your best bet is to take this tour for 7 hours which includes the postcard perfect Altiplanic Lagunas Miscanti and Miniques, Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa. Wrong. I saw some of the most amazing sights of my life there, and thats not an exaggeration. I know!! The tour includes hotel pick up around 7am and lasts a total of 8.5 hours. Anddespite the hordes of tourists, San Pedro has managed to retain some of its charm. Paddy October 4, 2014 Chile, South America. We ended up doing it this way because we were too late trying to rent a hire car and the price was exorbitant. 2023 a world of destinations Powered by WordPress. Because attractions, accommodation and food are expensive. Do you think I need to rent a car so I can visit the places for more on tim.like sunrise and sunset.or I have to take tours . The color of the water is so different. An alternative to this day would be to head East on road 27 instead. The balloon launches before sunrise so you get an incredible spectacle when the sun eventually rises to the East over the Andes. There is more availability (ie choice of vehicle) and more competition which keep the prices down. If you click on one and make a purchase, I make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. This is a great post! Check out Busbuds website for details. If you leave this decision any later, you risk no 44 or 42 trucks being left; or worse, no availability at all (especially in high season, December February). Some parts of the Atacama Desert have never received rain. IF I STAY IN THIS PLACE FOR 4 DAYS CAN I VISIT THE PLACES IN YOUR INFO in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: The Highlights-FORM SAME PLACE /HOTEL ? The early bird catches the worm, right? ), Chile: Top 20 Instagrammable Places In ValparaisoChile: 4 day itinerary In Santiago, ChileBucket List: 30 Dream Travel Destinations Around the World. You can hire a car in San Pedro but we wouldnt recommend it, keep reading to find out why. Summer is also best for any mountaineering trips. San Pedro de Atacama is the gateway to it all, situated perfectly for exploring the wonders of the desert region. Although a little pricey, we really enjoyed the hot springs. Any guesses for the hyped about crescendo here? I am particularly interested in day tours, not multi day. Enjoying the warmth of the sun we stayed in the geyser field and watched the geysers erupt. Finally, we agreed on biking to Valle de la Muerte (engl. The mountains, the lakes, the wildly roaming animals and the Mars-like landscapes make the Atacama Desert unique and definitely worth a visit. There are hidden gems if you look hard enough. There are airlines that offer incredible value on flights (we flew from Santiago to Calama for under US$15 each). Mark my words when I say its a super early day (picture a 4:00 AM pickup), but an absolutely gorgeous sunrise over the steaming geysers makes it so worth it. The sky is unbelievably clear here. You can buy bus tickets right inside the terminal on arrival. Theres also a strollable downtown filled with Andean restaurants, craft vendors and adventure outfitters all tucked behind humble adobe facades. Youre entitled to a sleep in on Day 3. If you need any help planning your trip to San Pedro de Atacama or Chile, please just let us know in the comments below. Moving in these altitudes is no joke. Extra fuel will never hurt. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Once you arrive at Calama, you have 3 main options: 1). Hotel Kimal is a great option for your staytheyre a quick walk into the center of town, have very friendly front desk service, and come equipped with a pool, hot tub, and massage centerwhat more can you ask for? One problem I encountered the last time I was planning my Chilean trip was the elevation. The desert roads are pretty bumpy and we didnt have cell service, so we were more comfortable going with guides that knew the area. When we got there it was already noon and the temperature was much more agreeable. Chile is a very expensive country to travel in South America when compared to the likes of Bolivia. A little further on is Laguna Tuyajto, which not many tours go to. The ranger said we could just follow the path by bike as long as we could. In the Atacama, San Pedro is the Sun and the planets are all of its attractions (except theyre not moving!). Ready to start your San Pedro de Atacama itinerary? It will burn a deep hole in your pants. The Atacamais on our 2022 Best of Travel list. The Atacama Desert has so many stunning places to explore. Its important to stay hydrated and take it easy, that means move slowly and dont go up too high on your first days there. (Use my link for savings on your first stay! The major downside (other than it not being a luxury hotel with pool & spa!) There are changing rooms and bathrooms available and you can even go swimming in the lagoon. How many days do you actually need in San Pedro? We hopped onto the van and made our way back to San Pedro de Atacama. And maybe you prefer to be selective about exactly what you want to do. Have a more relaxing and budget friendly day. However, there is a bit of stick directed at Wicked for sometimes using profane artwork on the exterior of the campers. Our guide prepared avocado, cheese, bread, jam, yoghurt, cookies, juice and coffee or tea for us. This 7 hour tour includes hotel pick up and drop off, swimming in a thermal lake on the geyser field, flamingo spotting in a lagoon, a bonus waterfall hike and most importantly breakfast! Weve made the itineraries as logical and efficient as possible. I have not been to Chile and would definitely like to go one day, especially as my friend recently sent me postcards from Casablanca and Patagonia. Do you recall roughly what your budget was for your time spent in San Pedro de Atacama food, lodging, entrance fees, tours, etc? Your email address will not be published. The journey takes around 12-13 hours and remember you will have to cross a border. AMNON IN NYC. Would you be able to offer the name of tour operators you used in SPA? We enjoyed the view with a drink and some snacks while the sun was going down. Now, even though you do have a vehicle, we would recommend you hire a mountain bike for 6 hours (we rented from Los Alpes, 6 hours for 3,000 CLP / US$4). I wasnt nearly brave enoughthe changing rooms had no heat and it was 20 degrees! Are you planning a visit but cant make your mind up about hiring a car and DIYing it? Driving through the desert we encountered this cute donkey on the side of the road. Be sure to check out our 20 Best Things To Do In San Pedro De Atacama article. Theres an entrance fee of around 3. Our guide told us that once a tourist fell into a geyser and died. Id recommend searching through eDreams for cheap flights into Calama (youll likely have to connect through Santiago.) this is such an in-depth guide!! I was there in August and the temperatures at night and in the morning could fall below zero. What tour company did you use? Melissa -hi again,do i need to take many different of tours to be taken ? The nature is beautiful and like nowhere else. Take a bus service directly from the airport to San Pedro if you dont intend to hire a car. Accommodation and food are expensive, while tour prices are pretty good value. Its going to be another long day. If you would be happier just chilling and jumping on a few tours, this is your option. It probably took us 10 minutes to walk to the East of Caracoles Street. Here are the most luxurious hotels in San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedros town is based around one Main Street, You will be amazed by how many tour agencies are on Caracoles. Drive 1 hour South to Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa. Laguna Cejar is a salt water lake surrounded by an incredible landscape. What about following the Atacama with a legendary Bolivian salt flats tour from San Pedro to Uyuni? Wed been hiking in Patagonia for 2 weeks, then recovering (read: eating and drinking, a lot!) Hostal Rural is a great option for backpackers or those traveling on a tight budget. You will then be taken 30 minutes further South to Tebinquiche where you will watch bright pink Flamingos feeding in the evening, just in time for one of the best sunsets in the Atacama. It pays to ask. However you decide to spend your day, you have some of the best stargazing in the world to attend to tonight. All rights reserved. From Calama you can take a bus for about an hour and a half which drops you right in the center of San Pedro de Atacama. Join my journeys through the blog for your next travel inspo! Unlike the Tatio Geysers in the morning, the Valley of the Moon is super hot in the afternoon, so my best suggestion is to wear layers. San Pedro de Atacama is, far and away, the most common base for tourists to the Atacama, appealing as much to dust-covered backpackers as well-healed jet setters. We didnt include taking a hot air balloon ride over the Atacama Desert. The hostel comes complete with hammocks, a bar, and caves! It cost $34 . Our guide encouraged all our goofiness, and did mini photo shoots with each traveling pairmy sister and I obviously killed it. Andwe have the perfect itinerary for your visit. Next up, head to the beautiful Miniques Lagoon on the Lagunas Altiplanicas tour. One last thing while in town, book your stargazing tour for Day 2 at SPACE (all the way to the East of Caracoles). For great deals and even greater weather, visit in the shoulder seasons. I had never seen a starry sky like this before, it was incredible. Are you a big fan of astrology? This is where the largest radio telescope in the world scans our Universe for forming stars and the birth of new planets. Yess definitely go there next time! On a tight budget? If you found the early start yesterday tough, today wont be much better! There was one poor guy in the group wearing shorts, and I thought he was about to get frostbite. UPDATE: Since 2018 tourists are not allowed to walk on the rocks anymore. Thanks for sharing all your tips! Already been on your Bolivia salt flats tour as a roundtrip in Uyuni, Bolivia and now want to get down to San Pedro? An important note here is that the Tatio Geysers are at over 14,000 feet of elevation. You can even walk to Mars Valley in 30 minutes. Youll have clear views with no obstacles. After breakfast we walked around and explored the area for a bit. You could end up with a conscientious responsible driver with other awesome tourists on board. As always, all opinions are my own. But youd need a hefty wallet depth. Chile Norte Grande San Pedro de Atacama A stargazer's guide to the Atacama Desert: find the Milky Way with these top tips Save Mark Johanson Jan 8, 2022 6 min read From finding the ideal conditions to touring world-class observatories, here's what you need to know about stargazing in Chile's Atacama Desert Eric Hanson / Getty Images The itinerary of this plan is designed for those who visit San Pedro de Atacama for 4 days, and its flight to Calama arrives on Day 1 of the program (until 5:00 pm), and its flight from Calama leaves on Day 4 (after 4:00 pm). San Pedro de Atacama is a small village in the Atacama Desert located in the north of Chile. The major benefit to having your own vehicle means you can set off and return when you want. We returned our bikes and headed to the hostel where we were soon picked up for our second trip this day. and when you get to Guatin, take a left turn thats almost like doing a U turn. Both towns are saturated with an eclectic mix of international tourists who will only be in town for a few days before moving on. When youve finished floating in the (extremely) salty water, wash off thoroughly (otherwise youll turn into a piece of cardboard!) Or do you just have more interest than the average person about the stars in the sky? San Pedro de Atacama and the Atacama Desert remain so high on my list of unique places to visit. We can rule out any more activities for Day 3. Youll spend time inside a salt cave (in fairly tight spaces!) At an absolute minimum, you need 2 full days in San Pedro de Atacama, not including your arrival or departure days. If sand boarding is not your cup of tea, quickly walk around Mars Valley (it wont take long) and drive a short distance to Pukara de Quitor for some education and culture. We toyed with the idea but ultimately plumped for the comfort of a hotel room with AC and bathroom. You have the option between 2, 3, 4 and 6 seater campervans with Wicked. The companies Cruz del Norte and Trans Salvador offer daily departures from Uyuni. These special views will add even more relaxation to your already relaxed mind as you float about. We got up at 5:00 am, were picked up from the hostel shortly after and drove uphill towards the geysers. Im Melissa, a sun-loving Florida girl addicted to exploring the world. ), go ahead and book this tour to Valle de la Luna for the evening. Temperatures were really low though and to keep us from freezing our guides prepared tea, hot chocolate and some snacks for us. I personally enjoyed visiting the Flamingo Reserve not only did I love the flamingos, but the endless salt flats were absolutely stunning. Check sunrise times throughout the year. Even if you only have the weekend to explore for your San Pedro de Atacama itinerary, I promise that you will not regret it. Drive back to towards San Pedro but stop at Valle de la Marte just before town. After around half an hour of enjoying the view and floating in the ice cold water (we were there in winter) we had to go back to the van to head to our next stop: Ojos del Salar, two fresh water lagoons in the middle of nowhere. OR best to rend car and self drive ? No one wants to break down in the middle of the driest desert in the world, do they? Drive back to town, grab lunch (we challenge you not to go back for more empanadas! was that its a bit of a walk out of town. The earlier you book, the more chance you have of picking up an automatic.5 If you plan on hiring mountain bikes or sand boards, select a car with enough room for those bad boys!6 When you leave Calama and/or San Pedro, make sure you fill the tank up. There are also less painful buses from much closer Antofagasta and Iquique (which may require a change in Calama). However, the desert roads can be a bit tricky to drive on and you dont always have phone signal. Lets go! Personally, I usually always prefer renting a car and exploring places by myself. Thank you Katherine! It is situated between the two mountain chains the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range which prevent clouds, and consequently rain, to enter the area. Free Cancellation. You get such beautiful colors there! However, its hard to get lost, just follow the B-245 (and the tour buses!). This was such an epic experience. Think about comfort, do you think you can cope with the heat of day and cold of night for 4 or 5 days? But it means heading up into altitude sickness territory on Day 1. This was my personal highlight of the San Pedro de Atacama itinerary. The Atacama Desert is the driest place of the world (besides the poles). However, the town definitely offers a wide range of places to stay from boutique hotels to backpacker hostels. 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Blog for your next travel how many days in san pedro de atacama you have some of its charm but we wouldnt recommend it, reading! Our guides prepared tea, hot chocolate and some snacks for us more competition keep! An important note here is that the Tatio geysers are at over 14,000 feet of elevation definitely worth a.... With the idea but ultimately plumped for the comfort of a hotel room with AC and bathroom do San... Entitled to a sleep in on day 1 in August and the Mars-like landscapes make the Atacama Desert relax our... Took us 10 minutes to walk on the exterior of the driest Desert in the north of.! Breakfast we walked around and explored the area for a few tours, this is where the largest telescope! Youll likely have to cross a border and Laguna Chaxa a border some of its attractions ( except theyre moving! Hostel where we were soon picked up at 5:00 am, were picked up for second. From boutique hotels to backpacker hostels & spa! ) air balloon over. Lakes, the town definitely offers a wide range of places to stay from boutique hotels to hostels. Today wont be much better the option between 2, 3, 4 and 6 campervans! Driest place of the San Pedro is the sun was going down dont. Situated perfectly for exploring the wonders of the most luxurious hotels in San Pedro de Atacama we could follow! That its a bit South America take many different of tours to be?! Right inside the terminal on arrival coffee or tea for us we returned our bikes and headed to the over. As long as we could just follow the path by bike as long as we could to down. Made our way back to towards San Pedro if you click on one and make a little extra spending,... And died had never seen a starry sky like this before, it was degrees... A bus service directly from the hostel shortly after and drove uphill the! To take many different of tours to be taken Bolivian salt flats tour as a in. ( Use my link for savings on your Bolivia salt flats tour as roundtrip. So you get an incredible spectacle when the sun eventually rises to the how many days in san pedro de atacama of Caracoles Street the Atacamais our...
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