Lake Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: 5 Weighed Up on Cost and Hours

1.Piedras Rojas, Altiplanics Lagoons & Salar Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 592 reviews · 10 hours · from $85Our pick

Leave San Pedro around 6:00 AM for Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, Piedras Rojas, Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire, and Toconao. A bilingual guide such as Cheryl, Camila, or Denny leads the small group, with breakfast and lunch included. Expect striking scenery, wildlife stops, cold mornings, hot sun, and altitude above 4,100 meters.

“All in all it was a great tour with a great guide and group.”

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2.San Pedro Atacama: Baltinache Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 359 reviews · 5 hours · from $70Best value

From San Pedro de Atacama, drive into the desert with a bilingual guide such as Francisco, Daniel, or Mauricio. Visit seven salt lagoons, float in extremely salty water when swimming is open, and enjoy a generous local breakfast near the Magic Bus. The five-hour trip includes transport and hotel pickup, but the CLP $12,000 entrance fee is extra.

“it was such a great experience to visit the the salt pools. Lorena was a great guide, very informative and friendly.”

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3.Triple tour: Red stones, highland lagoons and Chaxa Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 219 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Spend a full day above and across the Atacama Desert, with breakfast, lunch, bilingual guidance and stops at Piedras Rojas, Socaire, Miscanti, Miñiques and Chaxa Lagoon. Guides such as Manu, Karla and Daniel have earned praise for their humor, local insight and wildlife spotting. Expect small groups, rough roads, cold mornings and altitudes up to 4,200 meters.

“Excellent tour all around! Karla was a superb tour guide! She was highly knowledgeable and had great energy. She also had the best playlists for the sections of driving between stops. The sights were stunning and we have 0 complaints. I would definitely recommend this to others.”

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4.Red Stones and Altiplanic Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $75Top rated

Set out from San Pedro at 7:00 am for a full day among Red Stones, Miscanti Lake, Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire, and Toconao. Inti Para Travel includes breakfast and lunch, with guides such as Marlon and Juan leading the day. Expect striking scenery, close views of pelicans, and a park entrance fee paid separately.

“Marlon is an excellent guide. He is very knowledgeable and interacts well with his group. Company also communicates well regarding pick up, what to bring, etc. The scenery is stunning with a variety of things to see on this trip. Highly recommend this activity and this tour company!”

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5.Red Rocks & Altiplano Lagoons Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 108 reviews · 10 hours · from $129

Travel from San Pedro de Atacama to the Tropic of Capricorn, Chaxa Lagoon, Red Rocks, and the high Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons. A bilingual guide explains desert wildlife, geology, and local life, with breakfast, lunch, park entries, and hotel pickup included. Expect thin air, cold wind, and a 1-hour-15-minute walk at about 3,800 meters.

“Lu was a super guide. We managed to see almost all the wildlife that was possible (next time, pumas!). Really good value for money. Recommended”

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