Full-day small-group Atacama highlights tour (max 14 guests): Piedras Rojas red rocks, high-altitude Miscanti & Miñiques lagoons, flamingos at Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire village, with gourmet breakfast, snacks, bilingual guide and hotel pickup included.
Climb into the high Andes on a full-day loop from San Pedro de Atacama that packs three of the desert's most striking landscapes: the crimson boulders of Piedras Rojas glowing against turquoise lagoons, the serene Miscanti and Miñiques Altiplanic Lagoons framed by snow-capped volcanoes, and Chaxa Lagoon where pink flamingos wade in shallow brine.
Your bilingual guide picks you up early from your hotel and keeps the pace relaxed, sharing insights on the altiplano's unique ecology and geology as you pass through Socaire village and the Tropic of Capricorn. Start with a warm open-air breakfast at a scenic stop, then explore each site with short walks and plenty of time for photos—the red rocks feel almost Martian, the lagoons mirror the sky perfectly, and Chaxa's flamingos add graceful color to the white salt expanse.
This 10-hour classic tour includes comfortable air-conditioned transport, breakfast, lunch, and entrances to Red Stones and Chaxa Lagoon.
Real talk: altitude reaches 4,200 meters—acclimatize in San Pedro first, move slowly, and children under 10 are not permitted due to elevation and cold.
Small groups max 15 for a personal feel; book early for clear days.
Here's practical advice to help your altiplano day go well, based on common experiences with altitude, weather, and stops. We've pulled this from what past guests told us after their trips.
Common issues. Not wheelchair accessible—uneven trails. Guests found walking moderate but altitude tiring—pace yourself. Weather rarely cancels; dress in layers.
Yes—spend 1-2 days in San Pedro (2,400 m) before. Tour reaches 4,200 m—drink water, avoid alcohol first days. Guests managed fine with rest and coca tea.
Not for children under 10 due to altitude and cold. Older kids handle it with supervision. Families said teens loved the flamingos and lagoons, but monitor fatigue.
Limited—notify early for swaps (more veggies/beans). Guests found breakfast/lunch hearty regardless.
Mornings very cold (below freezing), afternoons warmer. Guests layered up and peeled off—sun strong year-round.
Flamingos at Chaxa, vicuñas/guanacos at altiplano. Guests spotted foxes and birds often—guide points them out.
Covers Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons, and Chaxa with included entrances, breakfast/lunch, and small groups. Past guests said the guided pace and scenic stops made it easier than self-driving the high desert.
Book it today with Atacama Chile Tours or simply following this link.
