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How to Spend 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama
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Atacama Salt Flat Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama including Los Flamencos National Reserve and Socaire Village

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San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
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Atacama Salt Flat Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama including Los Flamencos National Reserve and Socaire Village
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Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon10 hours  (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 1 more
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Discover the natural splendor of the Atacama Salt Flats on a full-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, visit the luminescent salt flats of Soncor; observe fabulous flocks of brightly colored flamingos in Los Flamenco National Park; and explore the luscious lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques. Feast upon a traditional Chilean lunch in the charming village of Socaire, and browse the bespoke boutiques of Tocanao for special souvenirs and artisan treasures.
  • Day trip from San Pedro de Atacama to the Atacama Salt Flat and Los Flamencos National Reserve
  • Visit the Soncor section of the Atacama Salt Flat
  • See Andean flamingos and other wild birds at Chaxa Lagoon
  • Enjoy great views at Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, more than 13,000 feet above sea level
  • Dine on an Atacama-style lunch in the village of Socaire
  • Stop by the village of Toconao to see its bell tower and shop for souvenirs at the handicraft market
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Hotel pickup and drop-off (from hotel pick up list)
Transport by air-conditioned minivan or bus
Live tour commentary provided in English & Spanish
Lunch
Gratuities
Entrance fees to Altiplanic Lagoons (5,500 Chilean pesos, approx. US$9, per person)

Departure Point

Ignacio Carrera Pinto 451, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile

Traveler pickup is offered
Remember that the Hotel pick up and drop off is included only on the following Hotels: Hosteria San Pedro de Atacama, Casa de don Tomas, Altiplánico, Kimal and Poblado Kimal, Cumbres, Iorana Tolache, NOI Casa Atacama, Don Raúl, Tulor). If your Hotel is not included on the list, please approximate directly to the meeting point located at Ignacio Carrera Pinto #451, San Pedro de Atacama, at the same time specified

Departure Time

8:00 AM

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
After hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama, relax during the scenic drive to one of the world’s largest salt flats in an air-conditioned minivan. Arrive at the Chaxa Lagoon, a spectacular section of the Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flats) that lies within the Reserva Nacional Los Flamenocs (The Flamingos National Reserve). Explore the area for approximately an hour, capturing the vibrant color of flamingos on film. Home to a diverse variety of wildlife, you’re sure to spot some fascinating creatures during your stop.

Continue on to the Miscanti and Miniques Lagoons, volcanic bodies of water situated at an elevation of 13,780 feet (4,200 meters). Created by the cooling of molten lava, the lagoons provide a visual spectacle with their dramatic landscape and volcanic backdrop; explore the area on foot during a relaxed stop in the area.

Next, travel to the provincial village of Socaire to feast upon local specialties inspired by regional produce. Famed for its unrivalled culinary skills, the restaurant provides an appetizer, main course, desert and drink that is sure to pleasure the palate.

Revitalized, venture to the village of Toconao; admire the quaint village church and browse the craft shops for artisan treasures before returning to San Pedro de Atacama in your comfortable minivan.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
San Pedro de Atacama
Your day trip from San Pedro de Atacama begins with hotel pickup starting at 08:00 a.m. from the Hotels on the pick up list (Hotels list with pick up included: Hosteria San Pedro de Atacama, Casa de don Tomas, Altiplánico, Kimal and Poblado Kimal, Cumbres, Iorana Tolache, NOI Casa Atacama, Don Raúl, Tulor). If your Hotel is not included on the list, please approximate directly to the meeting point located at Ignacio Carrera Pinto #451, San Pedro de Atacama, at the same time specified.
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Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Lagunas Miscanti y Miniques
Our first stop will be after approximately 1 hour of trip in the high plateau Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons located at 4200 a.s.l. In these lagoons you can appreciate the fauna of the place. Amazing landscapes from the lagoons in company of the mountains, millennial history behind this incredible place.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
Piedras Rojas
Then we go to Piedras Rojas where we visit Salar de Aguas Calientes and Salar de Talar, where you can see the rock formations reddish colors. Enjoy the incredible landscapes from the Atacama Salt Flat, especially with the colors that the nature offers to us.
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Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
Iglesia de Socaire
The next stop is in the Atacameño village of Socaire, where you have lunch in a typical restaurant. You can also see the cultivation terraces and the village church.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
Laguna Chaxa
Then we visit the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile, where the flamingos national reserve is located. We will visit the Chaxa lagoon to observe the types of flamingos, as well as other species that inhabit the lagoons of the to Salt.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
Valle de Jere
As the last stop, we will visit the village of Toconao where we will appreciate the fantastic architecture of the bell tower and the town church.
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Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
San Pedro de Atacama
After our incredible experience in the Atacama Salt Flat, we will return our trip back to San Pedro de Atacama. The drop off will be at the same point as where you were picked up (meeting point or Hotels from the list)
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Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes including trekking pants and shoes, and a windbreaker or warm jacket
  • It is recommended that you bring water, sunblock and sunglasses
  • Note: Please bring cash to pay for the entrance fees and any additional expenses
  • Note: The altiplano lagoons lie at more than 13,500 feet in elevation, which may cause mild altitude sickness for some; it is recommended that you drink hot tea or water prior to the tour and carry any necessary medication. Infants are allowed to visit the lagoons but be aware of the altitude before going, the responsability is under the parents in case of any inconvenient.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Remember that the Hotel pick up and drop off is included only on the following Hotels: Hosteria San Pedro de Atacama, Casa de don Tomas, Altiplánico, Kimal and Poblado Kimal, Cumbres, Iorana Tolache, NOI Casa Atacama, Don Raúl, Tulor). If your Hotel is not included on the list, please approximate directly to the meeting point located at Ignacio Carrera Pinto #451, San Pedro de Atacama, at the same time specified.
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Gray Line Chile

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Atacama Salt Flat Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama including Los Flamencos National Reserve and Socaire Village?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Atacama Salt Flat Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama including Los Flamencos National Reserve and Socaire Village.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "It's a far drive out and back over the course of the day and the roads in Atacama are SUPER bumpy, so come prepared if you get car sick/motion sickness." See review
  • "Don't be surprised if you cant get to close to the lagoons, they are very protected from tourists." See review

Reviews

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56 Reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 56 reviews
star-5
Yikes
JessG
, Mar 2020
Before you take this tour, ask yourself a question. In an ideal world, what would you do with 8 hours of your hard earned vacation time? What type of day do you want in Atacama? If you’re looking for 80% of your day to be in a bus that doesn’t have effective air conditioning, a dysfunctional speaker for the tour guide, and literally breaks down on the tour...look no further. I actually couldn’t think of a more fitting tour for you. You’ll love it. But you might be wondering. What about the sights? And the information from the tour guide? I’ll answer my question with another question. Do you enjoy not discernibly knowing where you are or why what you’re looking at is important? I found myself over the course of the tour realizing I’d effectively learned nothing as well as can’t recall anywhere I went because it had been poorly communicated and/or changed the day before (The flamingo area was closed due to flooding). While the sites were beautiful, we would basically drive for an hour, hop out and take a picture, and hop back in. Would’ve been so much better if we could have had some time to explore and then meet back at the bus. I want to wrap up with the food. After 8 hours, we stopped by a restaurant—that we had stopped by earlier to place our order—we had perhaps one of the most underwhelming meals that side of the Tropic de Capricorn. I couldn’t tell what I was eating except for the green apple jello as dessert.
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star-4
Worth the day out
LouB
, Mar 2020
Great scenes. Saw llamas, vicunas, jagoons, bird life, flamingos. Don't be surprised if you cant get to close to the lagoons, they are very protected from tourists. Our driver and guide were very good. Only negative is the road conditions which they have no control over, so expect a very bumpy ride. Bring water. Lunch was at a little family stop in Socaire and was good. Nice trip.
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star-4
Beautiful scenery, poor lunch
Deborah_B
, Mar 2020
Beautiful lagoons, fantastic views and scenery. Good, knowledgeable guide Ignazio who spoke excellent English. The only disappointing thing was lunch - soup that had no flavour, cold pasta and a stuffed marrow type vegetable which again lacked flavour and appeal and green jelly. The restaurant had no atmosphere what so ever, the tour group were their only customers and there was no menu or choice.
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star-2
you cannot find an older bus even if you try
Canagendra_N
, Mar 2020
You were supposed to travel in a minivan, instead you travel in a very old rickety bus with about 30 People
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star-4
A full day tour
Roberta_L
, Feb 2020
This is a full day tour with a lot of driving (most of it on good roads). You will climb to high elevations and one person on our tour suffered and got sick from altitude sickness. At the highest elevation it was quite cool (around 40 degrees F) and can be quite windy. The sights were very interesting, there was a fair amount of wildlife sightings. Our lunch at a small town on the way back was good.
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star-4
Stunning scenery
MaddyHam10
, Dec 2019
Enjoyed this daytrip to the Lagoons and Salt Flats. The scenery is amazing. Glad to see that the guides take the protection of the natural habitat seriously. This is a long day so take plenty of water and snacks.
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star-5
Worth visiting
mikesM7657DO
, Nov 2019
The views and nature were amazing. Max was our tour guide. He is one the best professionals I've ever met. Excellent customer service, good sense of humor. Max talked to every one personally multiple times during and was very helpful. I could get an answer to any questions. My appreciation to you Max. The company should give Max some bonus. He is really good. I enjoyed my trip.
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star-5
Amazing day trip to see the desert
Jillian B
, Nov 2019
This day trip was an amazing tour of all the ecosystems in the Atacama desert. Seeing the flamingos was one of the best parts, but you also get to see the mountains, volcanoes, and lagoon. Lunch was also included in one of the villages which was nice. Overall it's a pretty low intensity day in terms of walking. It's a far drive out and back over the course of the day and the roads in Atacama are SUPER bumpy, so come prepared if you get car sick/motion sickness.
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star-4
Amazing scenery with no extras
Jecel M
, Nov 2019
The places we were taken were simply incredible and worth the money. Our lunch however was simply awful, worst food we have had in any tour, whilst our ‘guide’ mostly slept during the transit. friendly yes, but not much of a guide.
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star-5
Lovely day out
sineadwachlarz
, Oct 2019
The guide was really nice and always made sure to take the time to make sure everyone was ok and translated so that everyone could understand. Thank you!
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Attractions in San Pedro de Atacama

Tulor VillageR. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological MuseumOjos del SalarAltiplanic LagoonsToconaoPukara de QuitorRainbow Valley (Valle del Arcoiris)Puritama Hot Springs (Termas Baños de Puritama)Cejar Lagoon (Laguna Cejar)Atacama Desert