At which lake along the route is swimming allowed?

Swimming and the floatation experience take place in Piedra Lagoon, located within the Cejar Lagoon complex. Swimming is strictly prohibited in Tebenquinche and Ojos del Salar lagoons to protect the local wildlife and the soil structure.

Are there shower facilities available after the salt bath?

Yes. The Cejar Lagoon area has changing rooms and freshwater showers where you can rinse the salt off your skin before continuing on the trail to Tebenquinche. However, you won't be able to use soap for environmental reasons.

What time is the departure?

The tour runs year-round (except on Tuesdays due to park maintenance). From December through March, departure times are 2:50 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. From June through August, the tour departs earlier, at 2:20 p.m., to accommodate the earlier sunset.

What's included in the appetizer?

At the end of the tour, we'll serve you a selection of snacks along with juices and pisco sours, a traditional Chilean drink. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when you make your reservation.

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Howlanders girls hiking the Laguna Cejar tour in San Pedro de Atacama

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group listening to the guide's explanations

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Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

Visit Laguna Cejar from San Pedro de Atacama with a guide and admission included

Location

San Pedro de Atacama

Duration

1 day

Language

Spanish and English

This page has been automatically translated.

Tour highlights

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

On the Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour tour, you’ll explore the northern basin of the Salar de Atacama to discover several stunning aquatic environments. During this 4- to 5-hour tour, you’ll visit Laguna Cejar, Laguna Piedra, the Ojos del Salar, and Laguna Tebenquinche.

You’ll start the tour at Piedra Lagoon (next to Cejar Lagoon), a body of water with a salt concentration higher than that of the Dead Sea, allowing you to float effortlessly on its turquoise waters. Get ready for a very special swim in a unique setting right in the heart of the Atacama Desert.

Next, you’ll head to the Ojos del Salar, two circular freshwater pools that emerge from the salt crust, and you’ll end the tour at Laguna Tebenquinche. There, you’ll walk along designated trails to observe wildlife and watch the sunset over the salt flat while enjoying a snack.

Are you ready for this experience? 😊

✨ If you’re traveling to San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll be able to enjoy unique activities. Check out all the excursions and tours in San Pedro de Atacama and dive into the adventure.

Tour details

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

Starts

From your lodging in San Pedro de Atacama between 2:45 p.m. and 3:25 p.m. The time may vary by up to half an hour depending on the month.

Ends

In downtown San Pedro de Atacama at 6:30 p.m.

Included

Ride-sharing
Professional Guide (Spanish - English)
Snack, juice, and pisco sour (appetizer)
Entrance to Cejar Lagoon
Entrance to Tebenquinche Lagoon

Important information

SCHEDULE: Please note that from October through March, the departure time may vary slightly. You will be informed of the exact time the day before the tour.

MINIMUM AGE: 6 years old.

RESTRICTIONS: This tour takes place in a high-altitude area (2,400 m a.s.l. / 7,870 ft), so it may not be suitable for everyone. We recommend assessing in advance whether the activity is suitable for your physical condition and mobility.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you will receive a 100% refund. After that time, or if you don’t show up, no refunds will be issued.

Tour itinerary

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

Cejar Lagoon, San Pedro de Atacama

Elevation: 2,342 m a.s.l. / 7,684 ft a.s.l.

📍 Pickup in San Pedro de Atacama

The tour will begin once the entire group has gathered at the meeting point. All set? Let’s start the Laguna Cejar San Pedro de Atacama tour!

Cejar Lagoon - Piedra Lagoon

The driver will head to the Atacama Salt Flat to enjoy its spectacular lagoons—their turquoise blue color will amaze you. The first stop will be Cejar Lagoon—a lake even saltier than the Dead Sea! You’ll never forget this breathtaking landscape, a magnificent palette of colors surrounded by imposing volcanoes.

The next stop will be Piedra Lagoon, where you’ll enjoy a swim and experience a curious floating sensation, similar to that of the Dead Sea. When you get out, there will be facilities with fresh-water showers to rinse off the salt before continuing on the tour.

Ojos del Salar - Laguna Tebenquinche

Next, you’ll come to the Ojos del Salar, two freshwater pools in the middle of the desert that look like piercing, deep-blue eyes and form an oasis in the heart of one of the world’s driest deserts. Here you’ll marvel at the underground formations and the hydrogeological contrast between these freshwater pools and the surrounding salt lakes.

The final stop on the tour is Tebenquinche Lagoon, a sanctuary of biodiversity inhabited by flamingos and other birds. You’ll walk along its trail and enjoy magnificent views where the sky blends with the desert and the whiteness of the salt.

🚐 Return to San Pedro de Atacama

After rounding off the tour with a snack and a pisco sour (a classic Chilean drink with a citrus flavor), the Laguna Cejar San Pedro de Atacama tour will come to an end with the return to downtown San Pedro de Atacama.

What to bring

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

Hiking shoes.
Sunglasses.
Comfortable, warm clothing.
Sunscreen.
Towel.
Swimsuit.
Cash (pesos).
Water (at least 1 liter per person).

Where does the tour start

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

The tour begins in San Pedro de Atacama, and most travelers arrive from three different areas:

From Santiago, Chile: The best option is to take a direct flight to Calama. Upon arrival, you can take a shuttle to San Pedro de Atacama. We recommend Transfer Pampa as the most reliable company.
From Peru: You’ll most likely arrive directly from Cusco or Arequipa. In this case, we recommend taking a bus that crosses the Arica-Tacna border and then takes you to San Pedro de Atacama, although this is a somewhat complicated journey, as it requires changing buses several times.
From Salta (Argentina): There is a direct bus that takes approximately 11 hours.

Questions & Answers

Cejar Lagoon Atacama Tour

At which lake along the route is swimming allowed?
Swimming and the floatation experience take place in Piedra Lagoon, located within the Cejar Lagoon complex. Swimming is strictly prohibited in Tebenquinche and Ojos del Salar lagoons to protect the local wildlife and the soil structure.
Are there shower facilities available after the salt bath?
Yes. The Cejar Lagoon area has changing rooms and freshwater showers where you can rinse the salt off your skin before continuing on the trail to Tebenquinche. However, you won't be able to use soap for environmental reasons.
What time is the departure?
The tour runs year-round (except on Tuesdays due to park maintenance). From December through March, departure times are 2:50 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. From June through August, the tour departs earlier, at 2:20 p.m., to accommodate the earlier sunset.
What's included in the appetizer?
At the end of the tour, we'll serve you a selection of snacks along with juices and pisco sours, a traditional Chilean drink. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when you make your reservation.