Why the Atacama Desert in Chile Should Be on Your Bucket List

Located in Northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest desert on the planet outside the North and South Poles, and the second driest desert on Earth overall. Some areas of this vast desert landscape haven't seen rain for more than 400 years.

Aside from its hot and dry climate, the Atacama Desert is one of the most wildly diverse landscapes in South America. Here you'll find sand dunes, salt flats, geysers, volcanoes, canyons, valleys, and more. The unique features of the Atacama Desert make for a nature lover's paradise and the perfect playground for adventure enthusiasts.

So why should the Atacama Desert of Chile be on your bucket list?

Why the Atacama Desert Should Be on Your Bucket List

Situated directly between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the wild and varied landscapes of the Atacama Desert in Chile draw thousands of visitors each year. Here's why you should be one of the lucky visitors to the world's driest desert.

Other-Worldly Desert Landscapes

The Valle de Marte or Mars Valley is a popular area for outdoor activities in Chile like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and sand dune surfing. This sandy valley surrounded by rocky formations really does feel like stepping into a lunar world. Believe it or not, NASA actually uses the Atacama Desert to practice using equipment designed to search for life on other planets.

Sometimes called Death Valley, Mars Valley is located in the Salt Mountain range near San Pedro de Atacama and boasts epic views of the sand dune-surrounded Andes Mountains, making it a great place to watch a stunning desert sunset.

Lots of travelers will combine a trip to Mars Valley with a visit to the slightly further Moon Valley, or Valle de la Luna. This area is a moon-like landscape full of intricate rocky formations like the Las Tres Marias salt statues. Hiking, mountain biking, and stargazing are great ways to explore the Valle de la Luna.

The Atacama Salt Flats

Salar de Atacama are the biggest salt flats in Chile, and tours of this majestic area leave after sunset from both nearby towns of Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama. Formed from an evaporated lakebed leaving behind dissolved minerals, this area rarely sees rain and makes for a stunning sight in the desert.

Nearly the size of Yosemite National Park in total, the Atacama Salt Flats include a series of evaporating ponds and a large salt lake at its center called the Chaxa Lagoon. Birdwatching is the main activity here, with flocks of flamingos and other aquatic birds basking in the sun.

Unbelievable Stargazing

High in altitude and far from major cities and light pollution, stargazing in the Atacama Desert is some of the best in the world. Night sky tours operate out of San Pedro de Atacama and Elqui Valley, staying close to high altitude areas and interior valleys that see fewer cloudy night skies.

To catch the best views of the moon and the Milky Way while in the Atacama Desert, choose a location far enough away from the sometimes cloudy Pacific Ocean coastline. The humidity on the coast tends to gather more clouds and make moon and star seeking more challenging.

The Desert Town of San Pedro de Atacama

Dive into the vibrant local culture of Chile in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Here you'll find quaint adobe-style homes lining dirt streets and a mix of history, culture, and cuisine from the far reaches of the world. The rich history of the Inca Empire is preserved here in ancient customs and traditions, and it's the perfect place to join a tour of the Atacama Desert's most popular attractions.

Geysers, Hot Springs, and Volcanoes

Chile's Atacama Desert is home to several different geothermal features to heat up your desert adventure. About 50 miles (79 km) outside San Pedro de Atacama are the El Tatio Geysers, a volcanic thermal field and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Get there before sunrise for your best chance to see thermal activity at the geysers, then take an early morning dip in the nearby thermal pools.

Puritama Hot Springs consist of eight large pools of geothermal spring water located at the bottom of a canyon. Soak in the mineral waters of one of these natural hot spring thermal pools, and relax your mind and body as you take in the amazing desert landscape around you.

Ancient and Active Volcanoes

The world's driest desert is also home to several different active and dormant volcanoes.
On the border of Chile and Bolivia is Licancabur Volcano, an inactive volcano considered sacred by people of the Atacama Desert. Cerro Toco is another dormant volcano close to San Pedro de Atacama with a towering presence and challenging trekking routes.

Visiting the Atacama Desert with Flashpacker Connect

The chance to explore the Atacama Desert is the trip of a lifetime, and our experienced guides are ready to help you make the most of your adventures in Chile. Join Flashpacker Connect for an unforgettable desert adventure with a group of travelers who share the same dream.

Flashpacker's experts have crafted the perfect itinerary for Atacama, where everything from meals and hotels to excursions and entry fees are taken care of for you.

Tour the iconic Moon Valley and feel the steam at the El Tatio Geysers when you visit the Atacama Desert's thermal areas. See the flamingos and the turquoise waters at Miscanti, Miniques, and Chaxa Lagoons.

Interested in a more extensive tour of the incredible Southern Hemisphere? Flashpacker Connect also offers a 9-day tour of Salta, Argentina, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, and more. Start checking adventures off your bucket list and join a trip today.

The Best Time to Visit the Atacama Desert

The best time of year to visit the Atacama Desert is September through December. Travelers who want to explore the beauty of the desert, mountains, and other incredible landscapes of Chile will find this time of year has less tourists and warmer temperatures. Clearer skies during these months also mean better opportunities for epic stargazing.