12 Reasons Why You Should Visit Chile's Atacama Desert

Beautiful, barren and hauntingly surreal, the otherworldly landscapes of Chile’s Atacama desert are difficult to put into words. This strange yet stunning part of the world feels more alien than familiar, chock full of lagoons, volcanoes and geysers that are far from the norm. Let’s take a look at 12 reasons why a visit to the Atacama is totally worthwhile.

Enjoy the nothingness

The Atacama desert is the driest non polar region on earth, with some sections known to have gone decades without a single drop of rain. As a result, few species can survive in much of these sparse, barren lands.

Swim in a lagoon

Spot some pink flamingos

And with water comes life, most notably a flamboyance of colorful pink flamingos who thrive off the mineral rich algae of the lagoons.

Say hello to a vicuña

Then there is the Vicuña, a nomadic beast who must spend its life scrounging for what little food it can find.

Visit the Valley de la Luna at sunset

But it’s the scenery of the Atacama that really draws a crowd. The most notable spot is the Moon Valley, whose endless surreal rock formations make it worthy of its namesake.

Admire towering volcanoes

Snow-capped volcanoes appear seemingly at every turn, creating a breathtaking natural border between Chile and neighboring Bolivia.

Look up to the stars

NASA and other astronomical organizations are based in the region due to its famously clear skies. Nowhere on earth offers clearer stargazing than here. Better yet, tourists are welcome to get involved.

Marvel at bubbling hot geysers

At El Tatio, underground thermal activity spews piping out steam high up into the air, creating an incredible spectacle that is best viewed at the break of dawn.

Explore a salty desert

Uyuni in Bolivia might get the most attention, though Chile has its own salt flats too. The blindingly white expanse of Salar de Atacama is ripe for exploration.

Go for a ride

A number of San Pedro de Atacama’s attractions can be explored by bike, a cheap and tranquil way to discover this incredible region.

Check out some villages

San Pedro de Atacama itself might be rather touristy, but some of the surrounding villages are as authentic as they come. Take a moment to wonder around these adobe huts to get a feel for high altitude rural life.

Now head off to Bolivia

Many travelers start a tour in San Pedro de Atacama heading towards Uyuni and the sights of south west Bolivia, a captivating region that is not to be missed.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.