Piedras Rojas, Atacama Salt Flats & Altiplano Lakes Trip
Discover the majestic volcanic landscapes of Piedras Rojas (Red Stones), situated in the heart of the Chilean altiplano. On this tour, you'll also visit the Atacama salt flat and mountain lagoons located at more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level.
Piedras Rojas, Atacama Salt Flats & Altiplano Lakes Trip
After meeting up in the center of San Pedro de Atacama between 6 and 6:40 am, we'll head deep into the Atacama desert, stopping for breakfast along the way.
Our first stop will be Toconao, an indigenous village characterized by traditional white adobe buildings. During our visit, you'll hear all about the history and traditions of the Toconao people. We'll also check out the Church of San Lucas and its bell tower, which date back to the 18th century and have been declared national monuments.
Afterward, if we have good weather, we'll go to the Chaxa Lagoon, offering a beautiful landscape that is divided into several water mirrors and where we'll be able to see flamingos. For about an hour, we'll hike along the Piedras Rojas trail. There we'll admire the impressive salt flat. We'll also have the opportunity to see the famous highland lakes of Miscanti and Miñiques, and their respective volcanoes. If we're lucky we'll be able to see endemic fauna such as vicuñas, foxes and flamingos.
At noon we'll stop for lunch to recharge our batteries. This lunch will take place en route or at a restaurant on the way back to San Pedro. The lunch en route includes a main course and a drink, while the restaurant menu consists of 2 dishes (you can choose one of them) and a drink. After lunch, we'll travel to the Piedras Rojas, one of the most beautiful spots in all of Chile. Here, the oxidation of iron in the altiplano rocks has created a surreal, scarlet-toned landscape that seems to belong to a different planet.
Here we'll also be able to appreciate the emerald waters of the lagoon of the Salar de Aguas Calientes, a beautiful spot that will win you over from the moment you first lay eyes on it. Finally, we'll return to San Pedro de Atacama and drop you off at the small square in the center of town or at a central point in the surrounding area. Arrival is scheduled for around 6 pm.
Pickup
The tour includes pickup from hotels located within a radius of 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the center of San Pedro de Atacama. If your hotel is located in other areas, we'll pick you up from Calle Ignacio Carrera Pinto, 451.
Changes in the itinerary
It's not currently possible to visit the village of Toconao.
Instead, we'll make a stop at the Tropic of Capricorn Milestone, where you'll be able to take a picture.
Price
More Information
Duration
12 hours - 12 hours 40 minutes.
Language
The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Included
Hotel pickup
Transport by bus
English speaking guide
Breakfast
Lunch
Not included
Tickets: CL$ 23,000 (US$ 28.70) for foreigners and CL$ 20,000 (US$ 24.90) for Chileans
When to book?
You can book up until 30 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
No printing of documentation required.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - Will the schedule always be the same?
A - This excursion is subject to the weather, so there may be changes in the schedule and duration of the tour. In addition, on some days we may be unable to visit the Chaxa Lagoon due to capacity restrictions.
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Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
If you have any other questions please contact us .
Free cancellation
451, Calle Ignacio Carrera Pinto.