Nevado Tres Cruces National Park: 10-hour high-altitude tour
The world's highest volcano sits inside a national park you can reach in one day.
A full-day guided tour of Nevado Tres Cruces National Park in the Atacama region, traveling by private vehicle to high-altitude lagoons and the Ojos del Salado Volcano. The tour includes park entry, transportation, a packed lunch with fresh fruit and snacks, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish. Pickup is arranged from your accommodation.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Nevado Tres Cruces Park
- Visit Aguas Salinas Turquesas
- See Laguna Altiplánica and flamingos
What’s included
- Private vehicle transportation.
- park entry tickets.
- bottled water throughout the day.
- packed lunch with sandwiches, fresh fruit, snacks and cookies.
- English or Spanish-speaking guide.
- hotel pickup and return.
Times
- Every day 07:30
Before you book
Operated by Geo Adventures Tours
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Ten to eleven hours takes you from the base of the Atacama to lagoons sitting above 3,800 meters. The route passes through Laguna Verde, where turquoise water reflects the surrounding peaks, and Laguna Santa Rosa, where flamingos gather at the water's edge. The centerpiece is Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth at 6,893 meters. You won't summit it on this tour, but you'll see it dominating the landscape from the lower elevations where the day unfolds. Private transportation means the pace stays with your group, and the driver handles the high-altitude roads while you watch the terrain shift from desert scrub to bare rock and salt flats.
The national park sits in a quiet stretch of the Atacama, far from the tourist circuits of San Pedro or the salt flats closer to town. Laguna Altiplánica, the larger of the two main stops, sits at 3,850 meters and is where most of the flamingos congregate. The park's name comes from the Nevado Tres Cruces massif that rises behind it. Bottled water is provided throughout the day, and lunch is a packed box with sandwiches, fresh fruit, snacks and cookies, eaten at one of the stops where you can step out and take in the scale of the place without the pressure of a schedule.
The altitude is real (3,850 to 4,350 meters puts you well into the thin air of the high Andes), so the pace is deliberate and the day is not a hike. You'll be standing at the lagoons and moving between the vehicle and the viewpoints, but not climbing or trekking into backcountry. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns, but it suits all other fitness levels as long as you're comfortable with the elevation and the long hours in a vehicle.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're prepared for a full day at high altitude (above 4,300m) to reach remote lagoons and see the world's highest volcano in one trip. Skip it if you prefer shorter outings or lower elevations.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
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.
How high is Laguna Verde and what will I see there?
Laguna Verde sits at 3,850 meters above sea level and is known for its turquoise water, which gets its color from mineral salts and algae. Flamingos feed in the shallows, and the Nevado Tres Cruces massif rises behind the lake, giving the national park its name.
Is Ojos del Salado Volcano something I'll climb on this tour?
Ojos del Salado is the world's highest volcano at 6,893 meters, but this tour does not include a summit attempt. You'll see it from the lower-altitude lagoons and viewpoints where the day takes place, typically between 3,850 and 4,350 meters.
What's included in the packed lunch?
The lunch box includes sandwiches, fresh fruit, snacks, sweets and cookies, eaten at one of the stops during the day. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour.
How long does the full tour take?
The tour runs 10 to 11 hours from pickup to return, which includes the drive to the park, time at both lagoons, and the return journey to your accommodation.
Nevado Tres Cruces National Park: 10-hour high-altitude tour
10h–11h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 590 per person
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