The Atacama Desert
Atacama Desert is one of the driest places known on Earth. It's a lunar landscape filled with lakes, lagoons, geysers, and enormous volcanoes.
El Tatio Geyers
At an altitude that places it among the world’s highest geothermal zones, El Tatio presents a field of more than eighty active geysers spilling steam across the Andes of Chile. The site combines these erupting vents with natural hot‑spring bathing pools, creating a landscape where vapor and water coexist.
Explore PlaceAltiplanic Lagoons
A striking blue volcanic lake rests at more than 13,000 feet in the Chilean Andes. The water’s intense hue reflects its volcanic origin, while the surrounding grassland spreads across the high plateau. It lies within a protected national reserve, linking natural beauty with conservation.
Explore PlaceSan Pedro de Atacama
Overlooking the snow‑capped Licancabur volcano, San Pedro de Atacama rests on the edge of the high‑altitude desert of the Puna de Atacama. The town belongs to Chile’s Antofagasta Region, lying about 106 km southeast of Calama and the Chuquicamata copper mine. Its name is shared by the surrounding commune in El Loa Province.
Explore PlaceEl Loa Calama Airport
At analtitude of roughly 2,200 metres, El Loa Airport marks the primary aerial entry point to the Atacama Desert, the world’s driest non‑polar landscape. The facility serves the city of Calama in Chile’s Antofagasta Region, linking the high‑altitude mining town with Santiago and a growing stream of tourists bound for the desert’s salt flats and volcanic formations. Though modest in size, the runway’s length of 3,000 metres accommodates both domestic jets and occasional international charter flights, reflecting Calama’s role as a logistical hub for the surrounding copper mines.
Explore PlaceMore about The Atacama Desert
San Pedro de Atacama, a small oasis town with lively markets, dusty streets and straw-and adobe homes, has many bars as well as restaurants. There are also some exceptional desert lodges. The stunning landscapes of Copiapo, Valle de Elqui and Valle de Elqui can be found a few hundred kilometers south. They are also spectacular but remain remarkably uncrowded. Atacama is a great place to stargaze and watch sunsets due to its low humidity and clear skies.
Day tours take you to the Tatio geysers, the stunning lagoons that glow pink from flamingos, and the Licancabur Volcano which lies at Chile's border to Bolivia. This trip can be combined with cross-Andes expeditions to Bolivia and northern Argentina or to a stunning new tented luxury camp in the Chilean Pacific.
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Insider-led Chile Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
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We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
