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El Tatio Geysers Tours
66 Tours & Activities
Historical Tours
26 Tours & Activities
How to Spend 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama
0 Tours & Activities
8 hours (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 1 more
Good for avoiding crowds
Overview
Discover the unearthly geysers of the world’s driest desert on an early morning tour to El Tatio geyser field from San Pedro de Atacama. Gaze in wonder at over 80 spouting shoots of steam as you watch an enchanting sunrise in the desert. Enjoy a traditional breakfast before concluding with a cultural exploration of the provincial village of Machuca on this engaging excursion.
- Tour from San Pedro de Atacama to El Tatio geyser field
- See the geysers at sunrise, when columns of white steam create an incredible sight
- Visit the tiny village of Machuca, where only 10 or so residents live in thatched-roof mud houses
- A light breakfast and round-trip transportation included
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Depart from your hotel before dawn and catch a few moments of sleep during a scenic trip north. Arrive at the geyser field as the sun completes its ascent and casts a spectacular glow over one of the biggest geothermal fields in the world.
Explore the field, marveling at the impressive white column of steam that tops each geyser, then disappears as the temperature increases. Capture fantastic photographs then enjoy a light breakfast of fresh ham or cheese sandwiches, a sweet biscuit, fruit juice, and tea and coffee.
Return to your comfortable minivan and venture to the provincial village of Machuca. Explore the tiny village, consisting of only 10 residents, a wooden church and rustic abodes with thatch roofs, browsing charming artisan stores for bespoke souvenirs. Sample the local specialty of a llama empanada (own expense) then settle into your vehicle for the journey back to San Pedro de Atacama.
Explore the field, marveling at the impressive white column of steam that tops each geyser, then disappears as the temperature increases. Capture fantastic photographs then enjoy a light breakfast of fresh ham or cheese sandwiches, a sweet biscuit, fruit juice, and tea and coffee.
Return to your comfortable minivan and venture to the provincial village of Machuca. Explore the tiny village, consisting of only 10 residents, a wooden church and rustic abodes with thatch roofs, browsing charming artisan stores for bespoke souvenirs. Sample the local specialty of a llama empanada (own expense) then settle into your vehicle for the journey back to San Pedro de Atacama.
Itinerary
Your tour starts with hotel pickup by van before dawn — yep, that's early! — from San Pedro de Atacama. The hotel pickup starts from the Hotels located nearby San Pedro de Atacama urban zone. We will drive north of San Pedro de Atacama to El Tatio, an approximate 1.5- to 2-hour trip.
The El Tatio Geyser Field stands just over 14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile and getting there is half the fun. You’ll travel up windy scenic mountain roads surrounded by snow-covered active and dormant volcanic peaks along the way. Magma beneath the surface acts to heat an underground source of water resulting in an explosive release of pressure.
Your arrival at the geyser field coincides with the rising sun, which gives the geysers their most spectacular appearance. In the cold, early morning air of sunrise, each geyser is topped with a white column of steam that disappears when the temperature warms up. You have about two hours to walk around the field, marveling at the geothermal wonders and taking pictures. Then enjoy a light breakfast that typically includes a ham and cheese sandwich, biscuit, fruit, juice, tea and coffee.
After about three hours total at El Tatio, head back toward San Pedro de Atacama, stopping in the village of Machuca.
Duration: 3 hours
Admission Ticket Not Included
You have about an hour here to explore the very tiny village (about 10 residents) at your leisure, checking out its wooden church, handful of adobe houses with thatch roofs, and artisan shop. If you wish, try a llama empanada, the local specialty (own expense).
Finally, make the drive back to San Pedro de Atacama.
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Not Included
Traveler Tips
- "Just be aware that, at that altitude and before dawn, the air temp is below zero." See review
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Product code: 6315CJCTATIO
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