Altiplanic Lagoons & Piedras Rojas Tour from San Pedro de Atacama

See four distinct salt flats and lagoons in one full day without arranging your own transport.

A full-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama that begins with breakfast in the Tambillo forest, then moves through the Salar de Atacama to Chaxa lagoon where flamingos gather, climbs to the Altiplanic Lagoons at over 4,000 meters elevation, and ends at Piedras Rojas and its turquoise salt flats. Hotel pickup and lunch are included. The guide speaks English and Spanish. The tour runs 10 to 11 hours and requires moderate fitness due to high altitude and walking at elevation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chaxa Lagoon2h
2. Altiplanic Lagoons2h

Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas Tour

• Hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama
• Visit Chaxa lagoon and flamingos reserve
• Explore Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons
• Visit Piedras Rojas and salt flats
• Return to San Pedro de Atacama

The experience

Your day starts with hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama before 8 a.m., then a drive to the Tambillo forest for breakfast among the tamarugo trees that survive in the desert. From there the route enters the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat, where you stop at Chaxa lagoon to watch flamingos and other birds that live in the divided mirrors of water. The landscape shifts as you climb: after roughly an hour of driving, you reach the Altiplanic Lagoons (two lagoons sitting above 4,200 meters at the foot of large volcanoes), where the altitude and the scale of the terrain become the point.

The final stretch takes you to Piedras Rojas and the Salar de Aguas Calientes, a salt flat where iron oxidation has stained the rocks reddish and the water holds turquoise and calypso tones. You'll pass through the stone villages of Toconao and Socaire, built from volcanic rock, on the way. Lunch is included during the day. The minivan or bus is air-conditioned, and your guide provides live commentary in English and Spanish as you move between sites. Drop-off returns you to the same pickup point in the city center.

Bring cash for the park entrance fees. The guide will collect them, and without payment you cannot enter. The altitude at the lagoons sits above 13,500 feet, which can trigger mild sickness. Drink hot tea or water before you go and carry any medication you need. Wear layers, comfortable trekking clothes, and bring sunblock and sunglasses. Children over 8 are welcome. Younger children can come but parents take responsibility for how the altitude affects them.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minivan or bus transport.
• breakfast in the Tambillo forest.
• lunch during the day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in the city center.
• live guide commentary in English and Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 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$ 61

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Gray Line Chile

Is this one for you?The tour runs 10 to 11 hours with walking at high altitude (above 13,500 feet at the lagoons), so you need moderate fitness and time to acclimatize. If you're arriving in the Atacama region and want to see multiple salt flats and lagoons in a single day without driving yourself, the fixed schedule and included transport make this work. If you prefer a slower pace or want to spend more time at one site, a private half-day option may suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years). Under 3: 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 is Chaxa lagoon and why do flamingos live there?

Chaxa lagoon sits inside the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat, and is divided into several separate pools of water. The salt water and the algae that grows there support a large population of flamingos and other bird species that have adapted to this extreme environment.

How high are the Altiplanic Lagoons and what will I see there?

The Altiplanic Lagoons sit at 4,200 meters elevation at the foot of two large volcanoes. You can observe the local fauna and the mountain landscapes that frame the lagoons, which sit in a region with millennial history.

What makes Piedras Rojas distinctive?

Piedras Rojas is a stone platform and viewpoint named for its reddish color, which comes from iron oxidation in the rock. It overlooks the Salar de Aguas Calientes and Salar de Talar, salt flats with striking turquoise and calypso-colored water that create strong visual contrasts against the red formations.

Is hotel pickup included, and what if my hotel is outside the city center?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in the San Pedro de Atacama urban zone. If your hotel is in the Ayllus area far from downtown, contact the operator to arrange a meeting point instead. Reconfirm your pickup time and location one day before departure.

What should I know about the altitude before booking?

The tour climbs above 13,500 feet, which can cause mild altitude sickness in some travelers. Drink hot tea or water before the tour and bring any medication you need. The tour requires at least moderate physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.