Atacama Desert tour: Red Stones, Salt Flats & Lagoons

Cross four thousand meters to lagoons ringed by volcanoes and salt that stretches to the horizon.

A full-day guided tour through the Atacama Desert reaches the Salar de Atacama salt flats, Chaxa Lagoon at 4,500 meters, and the Altiplanic Lagoons between volcanic peaks. The tour includes a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese; hotel pickup; breakfast and lunch; and an air-conditioned vehicle for the 10 to 11 hour journey. Travelers need moderate fitness because of the high altitude and cold. The operator recommends a full night's rest beforehand and warm clothes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Altiplanic Lagoons2h
2. Atacama Salt Flats2h · entry included
3. Chaxa Lagoon1h

Explore Atacama Desert landscapes

• Visit Toconao village
• See Talar Salt Flat (Piedras Rojas)
• Explore Chaxa Lagoon
• Visit Miscanti Lagoon
• Photograph Altiplanic Lagoons
• Discover Salar de Atacama salt flats
• Enjoy views of Chaxa Lagoon wildlife

The experience

What makes this day trip work is the route itself: it strings together four distinct stops across the high desert, each one a different landscape. You start at Toconao, then move through the Talar Salt Flat (also called Piedras Rojas for its red rocks) before reaching Chaxa Lagoon at 4,500 meters above sea level. The final stop is the Altiplanic Lagoons, a pair of lagoons nestled between volcanic peaks. The contrast between the rocky mountains and the water's colors is what the operator calls the draw, and the dry air means visibility stretches far enough to see the scale of it.

The Salar de Atacama itself covers 300,000 square kilometers and is Chile's largest salt deposit. The white, rough surface hides a brackish lake underneath, and the extreme dryness of the air lets you see across it, though that same clarity can distort how far away things actually are. Chaxa Lagoon, surrounded by volcanoes and mountain ranges, sits high enough that it fills with plankton and crustaceans. You cannot swim here, but the lagoon is a known stop for bird watchers. The Altiplanic Lagoons offer the kind of scenery that photographs well, with the rocky terrain and colored water creating strong contrasts.

The altitude is the real constraint: you'll spend most of the day above 4,000 meters, reaching 4,500 at Chaxa. The operator recommends a full night of rest beforehand and warm clothes for the cold. Moderate physical fitness is needed to handle the elevation. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and breakfast and lunch are included, along with all park entries. A live guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Portuguese leads the group, and pickup from your hotel is part of the booking.

What’s included

• Breakfast and lunch.
• all park entries.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Full Tour

Is this one for you?The 10 to 11 hour commitment means you need a full day clear, but it is what fits all four stops (the red rocks, the salt flats, Chaxa Lagoon and the Altiplanic Lagoons) into a single journey. If you have only a half-day or prefer a shorter outing, this tour is not the fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 3): free.

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 the Salar de Atacama like when you get there?

The Salar de Atacama is a vast white salt flat covering 300,000 square kilometers, Chile's largest salt deposit. The surface is rough and hides a brackish lake underneath. The extremely dry air gives you visibility across enormous distances, though that clarity can actually make it hard to judge how far away things are.

Can you swim in Chaxa Lagoon?

No, swimming is not possible at Chaxa Lagoon, but that does not diminish the experience. The lagoon sits at 4,500 meters surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and it is rich in plankton and crustaceans, making it a strong draw for bird watchers.

How high do you go on this tour?

You reach over 4,000 meters above sea level during the day, with Chaxa Lagoon at 4,500 meters. The operator recommends full rest the night before and warm clothes for the cold at that altitude.

What's included in the price?

Park entries, breakfast, lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese are all included. Hotel pickup is also part of the booking.

How long does the whole day take?

The tour runs 10 to 11 hours from start to finish, so plan for most of your day.