At almost 2,500 meters above sea level lies this magical town, which holds value not only for its ancient history and unique architecture, but also as a gateway to explore unimaginable landscapes. Vertice Travel provides all the guidance needed to experience an unforgettable journey.
The iconic white church, the Museo Arqueológico del Padre Gustavo Le Paige with mummies and pre-Hispanic artifacts, the Plaza de Armas, and the dirt streets lined with adobe houses make San Pedro de Atacama a welcoming town. It has everything needed for a pleasant stay, the perfect base for exploring its surroundings and learning its history.
Planning is essential when traveling to San Pedro de Atacama. There are countless places to visit, long distances to cover, and various schedules for each destination; this is why Vertice Travel’s guidance is so valuable for making the most of the available time.
Valle de la Luna is a must-see in the Cordillera de la Sal, but it includes a pre-tour. It begins in the afternoon, revealing desert corners like the Duna Mayor, the Anfiteatro, the Tres Marías, and the Mirador Piedra del Coyote, where the arid landscape, with its different shades of brown, stretches to the horizon. Finally, you can enjoy the sunset with a view of the Cordillera de los Andes at 2,600 meters above sea level.
For an unrepeatable experience, the one at Laguna Cejar is truly special. Within the area is Laguna Piedra, where the high salinity of its crystal-clear waters makes floating effortless. The surroundings combine the white of the scaly salt on the ground, the turquoise of the water, and the pink of the flamingos that pose for the cameras of amazed tourists.
Waking up early in San Pedro de Atacama definitely has its rewards. The tour to the Géiser del Tatio involves about an hour and a half drive, and you must arrive before night ends to witness the unique life event of seeing steam fumaroles at sunrise. As the light begins to brighten the vast terrain, you can see the shadows rising from the ground like clouds toward the sky. Then the entire landscape becomes visible: the cracks, boiling water, bushes, cacti, and desert.
After the awe-inspiring natural spectacle, on the way back to San Pedro de Atacama, you can make several stops: a bofedal where water from the Altiplano rains collects, providing a feeding ground for flamingos, guanacos, foxes, and other native animals; the humedal de Putana, where one of the area’s most active volcanoes can be admired; and the small town of Machuca, where you can purchase typical local products.
If you still have the endurance for the altitude, the trip to the lagunas altiplánicas is a spectacular journey that includes visits to the towns of Socaire and Toconao, where the Valle de Jere proves that an oasis can exist in the desert, and fruits and vegetables can be grown. Beyond 4,000 meters in elevation, you’ll reach the Lagunas Miscanti y Miñiques, offering a privileged view of the area’s volcanoes, like the active Láscar, which usually has a visible fumarole.
The climate in San Pedro de Atacama is typically warm, but temperatures drop at night, especially in higher altitude areas, where strong winds are also common. During the summer, the Bolivian winter can bring heavy rainfall to the city and its surroundings. The Vertice Travel team is committed to providing comprehensive advisory services to help organize a seamless trip.
