Hey Lykkers, do you want to have the best vacation ever? San Pedro de Atacama is worth it!
In addition to Patagonia, San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile's most well-known tourist sites. The Atacama Desert is a destination on many people's bucket lists because of its distinctive landscapes and arid climate.
How to get to San Pedro de Atacama?
Most people arrive by flight at Calama airport or from Bolivia after the Uyuni tour. Check which option works best for your trip itinerary. If you arrive at Calama airport, it is still a 1.5-hour drive to San Pedro.
You can ride the shuttle from Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama if you don't have a rental car. It takes approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, and they leave regularly as soon as they're filled. The set price should be 15,000 pesos, or roughly $18.
The Best Tours of San Pedro de Atacama
Although that perception of the Atacama Desert as a desolate, uninhabitable region that stretches for miles on end is not unfounded, this region of Chile is quite vibrant, offering a wide range of activities and attractions for tourists of various backgrounds. San Pedro de Atacama, the main entry point to the area and the center of almost everything you're likely to do here, is home to the most well-known tourist destinations.
1. Ride horses through the desert
For both novice and expert riders, many tour companies provide horseback rides. The Death Valley and the Catarpe Valley are the most visited locations.
2. Summit one of the area’s highest peaks
San Pedro de Atacama and the surrounding area are home to some of the highest peaks in the Andes Mountain Range, drawing mountain climbers from all over the world. Toco, Lascar, Sairecabur, Licancabur, Acamarachi, Soquete, Colorado, Simbad, and Miñiques are the nine most visited mountains and volcanoes.
3. Savor the local cuisine
You'll have many chances to sample local cuisine in San Pedro, including the well-known llama meat skewers and goat cheese empanadas. Tabbouleh salads made with quinoa instead of bulgur wheat, steaks with a sauce made with fruits from the chañar tree, and cheesecakes made with goat cheese and figs.
4. Go birdwatching
Although San Pedro de Atacama and its neighboring areas are home to numerous wetlands, Chaxa Lagoon is a birdwatcher's dream come true. It is one of the most significant nesting locations for the three flamingo species that live in Chile: the Chilean Flamingo, the Andean Flamingo, and the James' Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus James). It also draws hundreds of migratory species from North America.
Sunrise and sunset are the finest times of day to observe birds feeding. To catch details, remember to pack a camera with a long-focus lens and high-quality binoculars.
5.Look up at the stars
The Atacama Desert has some of the clearest skies in the world, Gaze at the stars in the most beautiful night sky you have ever seen in your life.
Places to visit near San Pedro
1. Toconao and Atacama Salt Flat (Sector 4 of Los Flamencos National Reserve)
A must-see attraction is the oasis of Toconao, 38 kilometers (23.6 mi) southeast of San Pedro de Atacama. In the Soncor Sector of Los Flamencos National Reserve, Toconao serves as the entry point to Laguna Chaxa, commonly known as Chaxa Lagoon. At the Atacama Salt Flat, you may enjoy watching bands of flamingos and other birds eat from a brine lagoon.
2. Salt Mountain Range, Death Valley, and Moon Valley (Sector 6 of Los Flamencos National Reserve)
A tour that combines the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range), Valle de Marte (Mars Valley), and Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) will offer breathtaking views of this region's unique desert formations, which some claim resemble landscapes from Mars and the Moon. This tour will take you a little farther into the desert, but it's still only 6 km from San Pedro.
You should not pass up the opportunity to witness the Moon Valley sunset, as everyone says.
Are you ready? Let's go on a happy vacation!
