ATACAMA DESERT
The Atacama is the driest non-polar desert on Earth, a land of rust-red canyons, salt-crusted plains and volcanoes capped in snow. Its landscapes are so otherworldly that scientists use them to test rovers bound for Mars. At night, the sky may be the clearest you'll ever see.
No matter your pace, a journey to northern Chile is one of South America's most rewarding trips, and the best way to experience it is with a private guide and a truly exceptional desert basecamp in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama.
What To Do
DESERT EXPLORATION
Explore the Atacama's most dramatic landscapes on foot, by 4x4 or on horseback. Watch the sunset paint the ridges of Valle de la Luna in shades of gold and pink, then rise before dawn for El Tatio, one of the highest geyser fields in the world, where columns of steam shoot into the frozen morning air at more than 14,000 feet.
HIGH-END BASECAMPS
The right lodge turns a day in the desert into a full Atacama experience. We partner with a select group of the region's finest properties, the kind with adobe walls, open-air pools, warm hospitality and a chef-prepared meal waiting at the end of each adventure. One standout is Awasi Atacama, an intimate lodge in San Pedro where every room comes with its own private guide and vehicle, so each day is planned entirely around you.
ALTIPLANO LAGOONS & WILDLIFE
Head up into the high Andes and the desert gives way to lakes of impossible blue. The twin lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques sit beneath towering volcanoes, while flamingos feed in the shallow waters of Laguna Chaxa on the Salar de Atacama. Along the way, look out for vicuñas grazing the high plains, then end the day with a soak in the Puritama hot springs.
STARGAZING
Thanks to its high altitude, dry air and almost total lack of light pollution, the Atacama is home to some of the world's most important astronomical observatories. Join a private stargazing session with a professional telescope and an expert astronomer, and see planets, nebulae and the Milky Way in remarkable detail.
When to Visit
The Atacama is a year-round destination, with sunny days and cool to cold nights in every season. Spring (September–November) and fall (March–May) offer the most comfortable temperatures and are ideal for hiking and exploring. Summer is the warmest season, though January and February can bring the "Altiplanic winter," when brief storms occasionally close high-altitude routes. Winter brings crisp, clear days and the best stargazing, but temperatures can drop well below freezing at dawn excursions like El Tatio.
Spring (Sept – Nov)
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High/low temperatures: 77°F / 39°F
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Average sun: 11 hours per day
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Rainfall: 0 in./month
Summer (Dec – Feb)
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High/low temperatures: 82°F / 48°F
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Average sun: 10 hours per day
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Rainfall: 0.4 in./month
Fall (Mar – May)
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High/low temperatures: 76°F / 38°F
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Average sun: 10 hours per day
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Rainfall: 0.1 in./month
Winter (Jun – Aug)
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High/low temperatures: 70°F / 30°F
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Average sun: 9 hours per day
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Rainfall: 0.1 in./month
A Landscape Worth Protecting
The Atacama may look empty, but it's a fragile ecosystem where every drop of water matters to the wildlife, plants and people who call it home. The lodges and guides we partner with here understand the privilege of operating in a place like this, and many work hand in hand with the Lickanantay (Atacameño) people, who have lived in this desert for thousands of years.
Several of the region's most visited sites, including parts of Los Flamencos National Reserve, are co-managed by local Lickanantay communities, giving them a direct role in protecting their ancestral lands and sharing them with visitors. Chile also protects its dark skies to keep its world-class observatories working, which helps preserve one of the most spectacular night skies on the planet.
Your visit directly supports local communities and the continued protection of this extraordinary landscape.
