girl with open arms observing the starry sky
telescope on the astronomical tour
sunset in the valley of the moon
fumerolas geyser del tatio tour
fumerolas and group on the geyser del tatio tour
howlanders girl on her back in the moon valley
cejar lagoon
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3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package with 4 guided tours and entrance fees included

Location
San Pedro de Atacama
Duration
3 days
Language
Spanish and English

Tour highlights

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

The 3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package is the perfect way to experience the top highlights of San Pedro de Atacama in just a few days. Throughout this unforgettable adventure, you’ll discover the otherworldly landscapes of Moon Valley, enjoy a stargazing astronomical tour, visit the impressive Tatio Geysers at sunrise, and relax in the turquoise waters of Cejar Lagoon.

This package also includes the entrance fees to the main attractions, making your experience easier and more convenient from start to finish.

It’s also a great way to acclimatize to the altitude before continuing your journey to the famous Uyuni Salt Flats, helping reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Below, you’ll find everything included in this unforgettable Atacama Desert experience:

Tour details

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

Starts
From San Pedro de Atacama. Departure time may vary by up to 30 minutes depending on the season.
Ends
In San Pedro de Atacama.

Included

  • Shared transportation
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish-English)
  • Astronomical Stargazing Tour
  • Individual photo during the Stargazing Tour
  • Moon Valley Tour
  • Moon Valley entrance fee
  • Snacks, juice, and pisco sour during the Moon Valley and Cejar Lagoon tours
  • Cejar Lagoon Tour
  • Cejar Lagoon entrance fee
  • Tebenquinche Lagoon entrance fee
  • Tatio Geysers Tour
  • Breakfast during the Tatio Geysers Tour
  • Entrance fee to the Tatio Geysers

Not included

  • Accommodation
  • Meals not mentioned above

Important information

  • The itinerary of this package is indicative, and the order of the tours may vary. Once your reservation is confirmed, we will inform you of the exact schedule for each excursion.
  • Temperatures in the Atacama Desert can be very cold during the early morning hours, especially on the Tatio Geysers tour. We recommend bringing warm clothing suitable for low temperatures.
  • For the Cejar Lagoon Tour, departure time is at 3:30 PM from October to March and at 3:00 PM from April to September.
  • During full moon nights, the Astronomical Tour is not available. In this case, it will be replaced by the Rainbow Valley Tour.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellations!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour begins, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be provided.

Tour itinerary

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

DAY 1 Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour

Start: San Pedro de Atacama office (first departure) or your accommodation (second departure)

End: Your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama

Departure times: 7:50 PM or 10:00 PM

Duration: 2.5 hours

Atacama Desert Stargazing Tour

Escape the lights of San Pedro de Atacama and discover one of the clearest night skies in the world on this unforgettable Stargazing Tour. After heading to a remote observation point, your guide will introduce you to the fascinating world of astronomy with an educational talk about the constellations, planets, stars, and galaxies visible from the Atacama Desert.

Using professional telescopes, you’ll observe planets, star clusters, and deep-sky objects while learning more about the universe above you. To make the experience even more memorable, the guide will also take professional nighttime photos of you and your group under the spectacular star-filled sky.

After approximately 2.5 hours, you’ll return to your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama.

boy with arm raised against the backdrop of the starry sky

DAY 2 Moon Valley tour Atacama

Start: San Pedro de Atacama office

End: Your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama

Departure time: 3:30 PM

Duration: 5 hours

Moon Valley Tour Atacama

During the afternoon, you’ll explore the surreal landscapes of Moon Valley, one of the most iconic places in the Atacama Desert. After meeting your group, you’ll visit highlights such as the Duna Mayor, Mina Victoria, and the famous Tres Marías rock formations.

Throughout the tour, your guide will explain the geological history of the area, how these unique formations were created, and why this valley resembles the surface of the moon.

The experience ends at the spectacular Ckari Viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Cordillera de la Sal. After sunset, you’ll return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Moon Valley Tour Atacama desert landscape

DAY 3 Tatio Geysers Tour & Cejar Lagoon Tour

Geysers del Tatio tour

  • Start of the tour: from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
  • End of tour: downtown San Pedro de Atacama
  • Time: 5:00 a.m.
  • Duration: 7 hours

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

  • Tour start: from San Pedro de Atacama office
  • End of tour: at the municipal parking lot of San Pedro de Atacama
  • Time: 14:20
  • Duration: 5 hours

Tatio Geysers Tour

Start your day before sunrise to visit the impressive Tatio Geysers, one of the largest geothermal fields in the world and the most important in South America.

As the first sunlight hits the geothermal field, you’ll walk among steaming geysers and boiling fumaroles while your guide explains the science behind these natural phenomena. Each geyser behaves differently, creating a constantly changing landscape of steam columns and bubbling water.

After exploring the area, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved breakfast including bread, avocado, hot coffee, and snacks to warm up from the cold morning temperatures.

On the way back to San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll stop at Vado de Putana, where you may spot pink flamingos and native Andean camelids in their natural habitat. Arrival in town is around 12:30 PM.

tatio geyser

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Salar de Atacama to discover some of the most stunning lagoons in northern Chile.

Your first stop is Cejar Lagoon, famous for its incredibly high salt concentration, even greater than the Dead Sea. Next, you’ll visit Laguna Piedra, where you can float effortlessly in the salty water surrounded by spectacular desert scenery.

The tour continues to the Ojos del Salar, two freshwater sinkholes with intense blue water that create a surprising contrast in the middle of the desert.

Finally, you’ll visit Tebenquiche Lagoon, one of the best places in the Atacama Desert to admire reflections of the sky over the salt flats. Before returning to San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll enjoy a pisco sour with your group while watching the landscape change colors at sunset. Arrival back in town is around 7:30 PM.

people bathing in the cejar lagoon

What to bring

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

This package includes several tours, each taking place at different times and under different conditions. Adapt what you bring each day to the activity planned, paying special attention to warm clothing for early-morning departures and swimwear for lagoon activities.

  • Comfortable closed-toe footwear, preferably hiking shoes
  • Small backpack
  • Water
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Cap or hat
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Warm layers
  • Warm jacket or windbreaker
  • Hat and gloves, especially for the El Tatio Geysers tour
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Flip-flops or sandals
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • ID or passport

Where does the tour start

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

The package starts in San Pedro de Atacama, but each tour has a different departure point.

  • Astronomical Tour: the first departure starts at the office in San Pedro de Atacama, while the second departure includes pickup from your accommodation. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
  • Moon Valley Tour: departure is from San Pedro de Atacama. At the end of the tour, you will return to the town center.
  • El Tatio Geysers Tour: pickup from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama is included early in the morning. The tour ends in downtown San Pedro.
  • Cejar Lagoon Tour: the tour starts at the office in San Pedro de Atacama and ends at the town’s municipal parking lot.
  • Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive detailed information about the schedule and meeting point for each activity.

Questions & Answers

3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package from San Pedro de Atacama

  • Can the Stargazing Tour be canceled due to bad weather?

    Yes. The Stargazing Tour is weather-dependent and requires clear skies and good visibility. If conditions are not suitable for stargazing, the tour may be canceled or rescheduled. You will be informed if there are any changes to your scheduled activity.

  • How cold does it get at the Tatio Geysers?

    Temperatures at the Tatio Geysers can be very cold in the early morning, even during the warmer months. Since the tour departs before sunrise and reaches a high altitude, we recommend dressing in warm layers and bringing a jacket, hat, and gloves.

  • Can I swim during the Cejar Lagoon Tour?

    Yes. During the Cejar Lagoon Tour, you can swim in Laguna Piedra, where the high salt concentration allows you to float naturally, similar to the experience of floating in the Dead Sea.

    Remember to bring a swimsuit, towel, and sandals or flip-flops for this activity.

  • Is this tour package recommended before visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats?

    Yes. Spending a few days in San Pedro de Atacama before traveling to the Uyuni Salt Flats can help your body gradually adjust to higher elevations.

    Some activities included in this package take place at high altitude, such as the Tatio Geysers, so the itinerary can be a good way to begin acclimatizing before continuing your trip through the Altiplano.

  • What type of transportation is used during the tours?

    The activities included in the package are operated in shared vehicles, usually minibuses suitable for desert roads and high-altitude routes.

    Transportation arrangements vary depending on the activity: some tours include pickup from your accommodation, while others depart from a designated meeting point in San Pedro de Atacama. You will receive the exact departure details with your booking confirmation.

  • Does the Stargazing Tour operate every night?

    No. The Stargazing Tour does not operate during full moon nights because the moonlight reduces the visibility of stars and other celestial objects. On these dates, the Stargazing Tour included in the package is replaced by a Rainbow Valley Tour.

  • What is included in the 3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package?

    The 3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package combines some of the most popular experiences around San Pedro de Atacama in a single booking.

    The package includes visits to the Moon Valley, the Tatio Geysers and Cejar Lagoon, as well as a Stargazing Tour. During full moon periods, when the Stargazing Tour does not operate, it is replaced by a Rainbow Valley Tour.

    This allows you to experience several different Atacama landscapes and activities over three days without having to book each tour separately.

  • Is 3 days enough to visit the Atacama Desert?

    Three days is enough to discover several of the main attractions around San Pedro de Atacama, especially if your itinerary is organized in advance.

    This 3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package combines desert landscapes, high-altitude geothermal areas, salt lagoons, and an astronomical experience, making it a convenient option if you have limited time in the Atacama Desert.

    If you have additional days available, you can combine the package with other excursions around San Pedro de Atacama.

  • What tours are included in a 3-day Atacama Desert itinerary?

    This 3-day itinerary includes four of the most popular activities from San Pedro de Atacama:

    • Moon Valley Tour
    • Stargazing Tour
    • Tatio Geysers Tour
    • Cejar Lagoon Tour

    During full moon nights, the Stargazing Tour is replaced by a Rainbow Valley Tour.

    The activities are scheduled across the three days so you can experience different areas of the Atacama Desert while returning to San Pedro de Atacama between tours.

  • Where does the 3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package start?

    The package starts in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Each activity has its own departure arrangements.

    Depending on the tour, you will either be picked up from your accommodation or meet the group at a designated location in San Pedro de Atacama. Some activities return to your accommodation, while others finish in downtown San Pedro.

    Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive the exact meeting point and departure time for each tour.

  • What should I bring for a 3-day tour of the Atacama Desert?

    Since the 3 Day Atacama Desert Tour Package includes activities at different times of day and elevations, you should adapt what you bring to each tour.

    We recommend comfortable closed-toe shoes, a small backpack, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and comfortable clothing. Bring warm layers, a jacket, gloves, and a warm hat for the early-morning Tatio Geysers Tour.

    You should also pack a swimsuit, towel, and sandals or flip-flops for the Cejar Lagoon Tour, as well as your ID or passport.

3 Day Atacama Desert Package from San Pedro de Atacama tour reviews with Howlanders

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