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Last Updated on 1 July, 2026 by Daniel Silvente
If you are planning a trip to Chile and want to make the most of your time in the north of the country, San Pedro de Atacama should definitely be on your route. This small town in the middle of the desert is the starting point for discovering some of the most spectacular landscapes in South America: colorful valleys, salt flats, geysers, high-altitude lagoons, and starry skies. Although this is not a closed package, you can organize your trip by combining different excursions. That’s why, in this article, we suggest a 5-day itinerary with the best things to do in San Pedro de Atacama: which tours to include, how to organize each day, and how to enjoy the desert without missing the main highlights.
If you still prefer to have everything planned in advance, we recommend checking out our organized options: the 3-day San Pedro de Atacama package and the 4-day San Pedro de Atacama package.
Just keep in mind that these 5 days in San Pedro de Atacama are intense. The idea is to make each day count, use your time well, and finish the trip feeling like you have discovered the best of the Atacama Altiplano. Let’s get started.
Day 1: Rainbow Valley and Cejar Lagoon
To start the trip with energy, we suggest spending the morning visiting Rainbow Valley and the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs. This is one of the most interesting excursions for a first contact with the desert landscape, as it combines colorful formations, geology, and rock art.
The tour usually starts in the morning, around 8:00 AM, and ends at about 1:30 PM. This makes it a perfect option if you want to keep exploring in the afternoon with another nearby visit.
After lunch, you can continue with Cejar Lagoon, the Ojos del Salar, and Tebinquinche Lagoon. Here, the landscape changes completely: turquoise waters, reflections of the Andes, and one of the most beautiful sunsets in the area. Don’t forget your swimsuit, as in some lagoons you can float thanks to the high salt concentration.
Day 2: Puritama Hot Springs, Valley of the Moon, and Death Valley
After an intense first day, the second morning can start with a more relaxing plan: the Puritama Hot Springs. These natural hot pools are surrounded by vegetation and canyons, creating a very special contrast with the dry desert landscape.
After a refreshing soak, it’s time to keep going. In the afternoon, the must-do plan is to visit the Valley of the Moon and Death Valley, two of the most famous landscapes in San Pedro de Atacama. Their rock formations, dunes, reddish tones, and sunset views make this one of the most recommended tours for any traveler.
If you could only choose one of the San Pedro de Atacama day tours during your stay, this would probably be one of the first on the list. It is accessible, very scenic, and perfect for understanding why this area is so often compared to Mars.
Day 3: El Tatio Geysers and Astronomical Tour
On the third day, it’s time for an early start, but it is absolutely worth it. The El Tatio Geysers tour starts very early so you can reach the geothermal field at sunrise, when the steam columns are at their most visible thanks to the contrast between the cold morning air and the geothermal activity.
El Tatio is one of the most important geyser fields in the world and one of the most impressive landscapes in the Chilean Altiplano. During the excursion, it is also common to stop in Machuca, a small Andean village where you can discover a more traditional and cultural side of the area.
And since this day is all about looking up, we suggest ending it at night with an astronomical tour in San Pedro de Atacama. The desert sky is one of the best in the world for observing stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. After seeing the steam from the geysers at sunrise, finishing the day under one of the clearest skies on the planet is hard to beat.
Day 4: Piedras Rojas and High-Altitude Lagoons
The fourth day is reserved for one of the most complete tours from San Pedro de Atacama: Piedras Rojas and the High-Altitude Lagoons. This is a full-day excursion and one of the best options if you want to see high-altitude landscapes, volcanoes, colorful lagoons, and unique rock formations.
Piedras Rojas gets its color from the oxidation of iron present in the area. The result is an intense reddish landscape, very different from other parts of the desert. When the weather is good, the contrast between the rocks, the lagoon, and the mountains in the background creates one of the most spectacular views of the trip.
Nearby, you will find Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, two high-altitude lagoons surrounded by volcanoes. Their deep blue tones and mountain setting make this excursion one of the most recommended if you have several days in San Pedro de Atacama.
Día 5: Toconao, Valle de Jere y paseo por San Pedro de Atacama
After four very intense days, the fifth day can be a good opportunity to slow down a little. One interesting option is to visit Toconao, a small village located about 25 miles (40 km) from San Pedro de Atacama.
Toconao stands out for its traditional architecture, volcanic stone buildings, and peaceful atmosphere. It is also known for local handicrafts, so it can be a good place to buy a souvenir from your trip.
Very close by is Jere Valley, a small oasis in the middle of the desert. There, the vegetation and river create a completely different landscape from what you will have seen on other excursions. After so many salt flats, geysers, and lagoons, it is surprising to find such a green corner among the rocks.
And, of course, it is also worth saving some time to walk around San Pedro de Atacama itself. Its dirt streets, adobe houses, shops, restaurants, and traveler atmosphere are all part of the experience. Although it is often seen only as the starting point for excursions, the town also has its own charm and deserves some unhurried time.
Organize The Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama with Howlanders
This is our proposal for the things to do in San Pedro de Atacama in 5 days: an intense and varied itinerary designed to combine the most famous desert landscapes with moments of rest, local culture, and stargazing.
You can organize each excursion separately or use this route as a reference to create your own combination of San Pedro de Atacama day tours. The important thing is to be clear about how many days you have, which places are essential for you, and what travel pace you prefer.
With Howlanders, you can book the main tours from San Pedro de Atacama and combine the activities.
Compare the available options, choose the tours that best fit your dates, and get ready for a complete trip through one of the most impressive destinations in Chile.
