2-Day Atacama Desert Tour: Geysers, Lagoons & Rainbow Valley

Four desert landscapes in two days, from geysers at dawn to salt lagoons where you float.

A 2-day tour through the Atacama Desert visiting Rainbow Valley, Moon Valley, El Tatio Geysers and Cejar Lagoon. The itinerary covers elevations from 2,200 to 4,320 meters, moving between colored rock formations, high-altitude geysers, and mineral-rich lagoons. Hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama is included; a live guide speaks English or Spanish; breakfast is provided on both days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Rainbow Valley and Moon Valley Tour

• Pick up at hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
• Drive 1 hour west towards Calama
• Observe rock formations in Rainbow Valley
• Trek 45 minutes in Rainbow Valley
• Hike 1 hour at Good Herbs petroglyphs
• Return to San Pedro de Atacama
• Visit Moon Valley and Amphitheater
• Climb largest dune for panoramic views
• Watch sunset over Andes and salt mountain range

Day 2: Geyser del Tatio and Laguna Cejar

• Visit Tatio Geyser early morning
• See Ford of Putana and Machuca town
• Return route stops to San Pedro de Atacama
• Visit Salar de Atacama and Cejar Lagoon
• Observe and bathe in Cejar Lagoon
• Photograph Ojos Del Salar
• Walk around Tebinquiche Lagoon

The experience

Day one splits into two halves. A morning trek through Rainbow Valley shows rock formations striped with color: 45 minutes on foot through the sector, then a separate hour-long hike to Good Herbs petroglyphs where rock art sits among the formations. The afternoon shifts to Moon Valley in Los Flamencos National Reserve, where you climb the largest dune (roughly 800 meters) to a viewpoint overlooking the Andes, salt ranges and the Cordillera de la Sal. The sunset comes from this height, around 2,400 meters.

Day two starts before dawn at El Tatio Geysers, the world's highest geyser field at 4,320 meters. The route passes Putana Ford and the village of Machuca on the way down. The afternoon centers on Cejar Lagoon, where the mineral content is high enough that you float without effort. The tour also includes Ojos Del Salar (the Salt Eyes) and a walk at Tebinquiche Lagoon. Breakfast bookends both days. A snack and pisco sour come with the Cejar stop.

Entrance fees to the sites are separate: Rainbow Valley and Geyser del Tatio require cash payment on the day (Chilean pesos), while Moon Valley entry is purchased online before arrival. The altitude climbs steeply on day two. Bring layers for the temperature swings between high plateau and desert floor.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama.
• breakfast on both days.
• a snack and pisco sour at Cejar Lagoon.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• shared tour service across both days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (19 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Under 7: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 43

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by WHIPALA EXPEDITION

Is this one for you?Book this if you want geysers, plateau wildlife, and desert lagoons in one fixed itinerary: the two-day schedule sequences the altitude changes so you experience both high-altitude thermal features and lowland water in a single trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (7 to 11 years). Under 7: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the highest point we reach on this 2-day tour?

El Tatio Geysers sits at 4,320 meters, making it the highest stop. Rainbow Valley sits at 3,500 meters and Moon Valley at around 2,400 meters, so the altitude builds across the two days.

Do I need to pay extra for entry to each site?

Yes. Rainbow Valley and El Tatio Geysers require cash payment in Chilean pesos on the day of the tour. Moon Valley entry is purchased online before you arrive. Cejar Lagoon and Tebinquiche Lagoon each have separate entrance fees as well.

What happens on the first day of the tour?

Day one covers Rainbow Valley in the morning with a 45-minute trek through colored rock formations, then a 1-hour hike to Good Herbs petroglyphs. The afternoon moves to Moon Valley, where you climb the largest dune for panoramic views and watch the sunset from 2,400 meters.

Is there time to swim or bathe in Cejar Lagoon?

Yes. Cejar Lagoon on day two includes observation and bathing. The mineral content is high enough that you float. The tour also stops at Ojos Del Salar and Tebinquiche Lagoon for walks and photographs.

What meals and drinks are included?

Breakfast is provided both days. On day two, a snack and pisco sour come with the Cejar Lagoon stop. Lunches are not included in the tour.