San Pedro de Atacama: Ruta de los Salares Day Tour & Lunch

Summary

Salt flats, volcano views, wild flamingos and open air lunch on the Ruta de los Salares

You’ll start your Ruta de los Salares day trip from San Pedro de Atacama with breakfast overlooking Licancabur volcano, then cross surreal salt flats where you might spot wild vicuñas or flamingos. With a local guide handling logistics (and snacks), you’ll end the day sharing lunch back in town—still carrying a bit of desert silence with you.

What’s the experience like?

“Wait, is that a flamingo?” I blurted out with my mouth half full of bread and cheese. Our guide, Carla, just grinned and pointed again—yep, there they were, a cluster of pink dots wobbling around the edge of Salar de Pujsa. The morning had started earlier than I’d like (I’m not really a sunrise person), but sitting at the Licancabur viewpoint with hot coffee and that volcano staring us down—well, it made being groggy worth it. There was this sharp chill in the air that made every sip taste better. Someone passed around cake and I still don’t know who brought it.

The drive between salt flats—Pujsa, Quisquiro, then Aguas Calientes—felt like moving through different planets. Sometimes you’d see nothing but white stretching out forever; other times those weird brown ridges would just appear out of nowhere. Carla kept telling us about the geology (“millions of years!” she said more than once), but honestly I was mostly watching for vicuñas darting across the road. They’re skittish but somehow always seem to pose for photos anyway. The wind picked up at one point and dust got everywhere—my lips tasted like salt for hours after.

Lunch back in San Pedro de Atacama felt almost too normal after all that space and silence. We crowded into a little restaurant (I never caught the name) and just sort of sat there quietly for a while before anyone started talking again. It’s funny how tired you get from just looking at things all day. I still think about that first view of Licancabur though—how small we all felt sitting there with our thermoses and fruit, barely awake but already somewhere else entirely.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tour of salt flats and volcano views

• Breakfast at Licancabur viewpoint
• Visit volcanic structures
• Explore Salar de Pujsa salt flat
• Explore Salar de Quisquiro salt flat
• Explore Salar de Aguas Calientes salt flat
• Lunch in San Pedro de Atacama

Top questions

How long is the Ruta de los Salares day tour from San Pedro?

The full-day tour lasts approximately 8-10 hours including stops and meals.

Is breakfast included on the Ruta de los Salares tour?

Yes, breakfast is served at the Licancabur viewpoint as part of the tour.

Which salt flats are visited during this day trip?

You’ll visit Salar de Pujsa, Salar de Quisquiro, and Salar de Aguas Calientes.

Are there opportunities to see wildlife like flamingos or vicuñas?

Yes, it’s common to spot both flamingos and vicuñas along the route.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a restaurant in San Pedro de Atacama after returning from the salt flats.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring warm layers for early morning cold, sun protection, water, and a camera for wildlife sightings.

Is this Ruta de los Salares tour suitable for everyone?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, heart or respiratory issues, or pregnant travelers.

Are specialized infant seats available?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available upon request for this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes breakfast with fruit, bread, cheese, juice, coffee or tea (plus some cookies and cake if you’re lucky), all guided transport between salt flats like Pujsa and Quisquiro with plenty of stops to stretch your legs or snap photos of wildlife—and finally lunch back in San Pedro before heading home dusty but happy.