There are certain landscapes, environments and experiences that simply don’t exist anywhere else on Earth, only in South America, and it’s possible to combine two of them in one extraordinary journey. The lunar-like Atacama Desert (the driest on the planet) in northern Chile, and Bolivia’s infinite Uyuni Salt Flats (the largest in the world) make for a truly unique adventure that’s duty bound to take your breath away.
Combining these two magnificent natural wonders offers everything from uninhabited valleys to depleted volcanoes, natural hot springs and geysers, ancient rock carvings to some of the world’s best stargazing. With boutique hotels, cultural sites and plenty of outdoor activities along the way, experiencing both Atacama and Uyuni in one trip is an absolute joy.
When visiting the Atacama Desert, it’s all about the great outdoors. Exploring one of the world’s most unique landscapes in a way which suits you is a must. Whether riding through valleys on horseback or hiking up remote hills, stargazing at night or observing flamingos by day, the list of things to do around Atacama is a long and tempting one—even before enjoying the comforts of your boutique hotel!
The Moon Valley
A top Atacama attraction, the Moon Valley is a natural wonder that will leave you spellbound. It’s not just a clever name, this landscape looks and feels like another planet with its vast and desolate expanses, sudden and sheer cliffs, rock formations and untouched terrain in every direction. There are many ways to explore the Moon Valley, from 4×4 adventures to hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, or enjoying a private picnic beneath the façade of a depleted volcano—and adventure-lovers’ dream.
El Tatio Geysers
The geothermal El Tatio Geysers are yet another natural wonder in Atacama, and make for a restorative afternoon if taking a dip in their healing waters. The landscape surrounding El Tatio is suitably dramatic, with the thermal springs fringed by volcanoes and occasional jets of steam towering from the ground. The El Tatio Geysers are an impressive sight, especially at sunrise, though be sure to wrap up warm if visiting first thing in the morning!
Rainbow Valley Petroglyphs
Chile’s Rainbow Valley in the Domeyko Mountains is an incredible site, both for the otherworldly colorful rock formations and 10,000-year-old petroglyph carvings that cover parts of the gorge. There are some wonderful trekking routes throughout the Rainbow Valley, some taking you to elevated viewpoints and others past the ancient petroglyphs. Rainbow Valley is a humbling and thought-provoking place, one that leaves you in awe of Mother Earth’s unwavering might.
Stargazing in Atacama
The high altitude, climate, and remote location of Atacama combine for some of the clearest night skies and best stargazing on the planet. There are several observatories in the area, so either finding one or heading out on a private night-time tour is essential. On a good night, the skies above Atacama are blanketed in bright stars and you can see everything from the Milky Way to Jupiter, Venus, the Southern Cross, and so much more.
Watching Flamingos
The enigmatic flamingo has made a happy home in northern Chile, and there’s plenty of chance to witness this iconic bird while here. Some of the top places to see flamingos near Atacama include Laguna Chaxa, Salar de Atacama (the Atacama Salt Flats), Los Flamencos National Reserve and the Miscanti and Miniques Lagoons, all of which can be done as a day trip.
Mountain bike to Quebrada del Diablo (Devil’s Throat)
One of the most fun-filled ways to traverse Quebrada del Diablo, the Devil’s Throat, and reach its famous viewpoint is by mountain bike. The route is action-packed, taking you from open plains to tight passes and through a gorge, a great way to feel connected with this landscape and be rewarded for your efforts by the end!
Lagunas Baltinache
Head to Lagunas Baltinache for a swim in its remote, salty waters. With nothing but desert and mountains all around, the isolated location of Lagunas Baltinache is stunning enough, and taking a dip in these lagoon waters is a truly unforgettable experience.
Salar de Talar
As a taster before your discovery of Uyuni, Bolivia, Chile’s own expansive salt flats are also well worth a visit. Around 2.5 hours from San Pedro de Atacama, Salar de Talar is a magnificent location surrounded by majestic mountains and feeling as remote as anywhere on Earth.
Atacama is home to a host of boutique and luxury properties, many of which go above and beyond to respect the local culture as much as the landscape and natural wonders that surround. Some of the top Atacama hotels include:
Tierra Atacama
Tierra Atacama is a boutique bolthole that’s just 10 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama Town, yet feels a world away thanks to a stunning, isolated location and clever architecture. Making the most of the desert and valley views that surround this magnificent property, Tierra Atacama is blessed with walls of glass throughout—from the fine dining restaurant and other communal areas to the wonderfully decorated guestrooms—meaning those scintillating views are always in sight. The look and feel of this property is chic and minimalist, using natural materials like bare stone and wood wisely, as well as traditional throws or ornaments for cultural nods and a sense of place. The outdoor swimming pool and stylish sun terrace are a joy on hot afternoons, as is the Uma Spa where a plunge pool, Jacuzzi, yoga and wellness therapies await. With fantastic tours, stargazing, and the Atacama landscape all around, Tierra Atacama is a fantastic choice to enjoy them all.
Explora Atacama is a top hotel for active and curious travelers. Tucked away in Ayllu de Larache, just outside San Pedro de Atacama, Explora Atacama is perfectly set up for those who want to dig deep into the landscape, as well as the culture and heritage of the Atacama Desert. From outdoor adventures like hiking, biking and climbing, to stargazing or time in the rejuvenating spa, Explora has it all and every stay is capped off by welcoming staff and a fantastic restaurant too.
Nayara Alto Atacama
Nayara Alto Atacama Hotel never fails to impress with its adobe-walled design blending perfectly into the landscape, geothermal therapies in the Puri Spa, and fine dining food that’s worthy of any top-class restaurant. Everything at Nayara Alto Atacama is designed to connect you with the landscape, its people, culture, and of course cuisine. Here, just outside San Pedro de Atacama in the in the Catarpe Valley, you have easy access to unmissable sites like the Moon Valley and Salar de Atacama Salt flats, geysers of El Tatio and Tebequinche Lagoon, to name a few. The property even has its own viewing station for some of the best stargazing on Earth, and with Alto Atacama’s distinctive take on 5-star luxury you’ll be extremely well looked after while here.
Awasi Atacama
Awasi Atacama is a characterful yet sophisticated Relais & Châteaux property and one of the best luxury Atacama hotels around. With expert local guides onsite and a long list of tours available, Awasi aims to immerse you in all things Atacama, that is when you are able to drag yourself from the inviting grounds, pool, or gourmet restaurant. The standalone thatched casitas offer a nice sense of privacy here and with only 12 guestrooms available, you’re in for personal service and a boutique atmosphere too.
The most scenic and enjoyable way to travel from Atacama to Uyuni is to drive in a 4×4 vehicle, with your local Atelier guide. From start to finish the journey takes around 8 hours, though there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way as you travel through mountain passes, past Lagunas Verde and Blanca, along the Dalí Desert Plateau and onwards to the town of Uyuni.
We’d recommend making the journey between the Atacama Desert and Uyuni Salt Flats a part of the overall experience by spreading it over 2 days. In doing so you can make time for further stops like the traditional town of San Cristobal, the reddish waters and native flamingos of Laguna Colorada, or remote Sol de Mañana Geysers.
An unmistakable 4,000-square mile expanse of perfectly flat salt plains, the largest in the world and once the site of a vast pre-historic lake, Uyuni is a true natural wonder. Among the most iconic—and photo-worthy—travel experiences in South America, Uyuni must be seen to be believed and is just as enjoyable in either the dry or wet season.
The famous “skewed perspective” photographs are a right of passage when visiting Uyuni, though beyond the fun there is nothing but the landscape’s majesty to admire here. The salt plains are also a source of local income and cultural significant too, and though they are the main attraction there’s plenty else to do around Uyuni. You can visit the giant cacti of Incahuasi Island in the middle of the desert, see the ancient ruins (and mummies) of Pukara de Ayke, or even the towering Thunupa Volcano.
Further afield there’s the incredible Red Lagoon and its surrounding geysers, or the so-called Train Cemetery for something altogether different!
Matching the uniqueness of this magical landscape, some of the accommodation options in Uyuni are equally memorable. From hotels made entirely of salt to luxury airstream campers sitting under the stars, overnighting in Uyuni is as much a part of the experience as visiting the salt flats themselves. It’s worth noting that in remote areas the accommodation options are modest and simple, though work well with the logistics of certain routes such as Villamar, Ojo de Perdiz, Laguna Hediona and Mallku Cueva. Unfortunately at the time of writing, the perfectly placed and unique domes of Kachi Lodge are currently closed, though some of our other favorites include:
Palacio de Sal
Resting on the cusp of the awe-inspiring salt flats, Palacio de Sal (literally the “Salt Palace”) is both inviting and novel. As its name suggests, almost everything in the hotel is made from salt—from the bedside tables to the brickwork and walls, even sculptures carved from salt to create an unmistakable sense of place. There is luxury here too, with a spa and swimming pool, Jacuzzi (complete with stunning views) and guestrooms that are more spacious than most. Palacio de Sal is true to its name, and a great option if staying in Uyuni for multiple days.
Luna Salada
Luna Salada, in the heart of Bolivia’s Southern Altiplano, enjoys a prime location overlooking the surrounding plains and offers easy access to the Uyuni Salt Flats. Constructed from salt blocks, the walls, surfaces and hearths of Luna Salada add a real sense of place, especially when adorned with traditional throws and colorful artworks. The cozy theme continues with log burners, low lighting and an overall ambience that helps you feel at home. Here the panoramic views across the plains towards Uyuni are best enjoyed from the outdoor terrace or hot tub in the hotel’s spa, and thanks to Luna Salada’s remote setting the stargazing on a clear night is unforgettable.
Airstream Campers
Simply one of the most extraordinary accommodation options in South America, Uyuni’s Airstream Campers combine personal service, comfort, and a one-off location on the salt flats themselves. Being mobile, Uyuni Airstream Campers have the privilege of finding the most remote spots on the salt flats to call home, and as with Luna Salada, when you’re utterly isolated in the wilderness you’ll see some of the world’s best stargazing each evening. Led by your own private guide, you’ll get to reach hidden corners and see unmissable sights along your journey, exploring by 4WD, bike and on foot, you’ll also be treated to delicious meals prepared by your driver-guide-chef when staying on the salt flats. Imagine sundowner cocktails looking out over plains, and evenings spent under a blanket of twinkling stars above.
In the Atacama Desert the temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year, peaking in summer between December and February which is a lovely time to visit. Here you can enjoy warm afternoons exploring Atacama’s awe-inspiring landscapes, before evenings spent under some of the clearest night skies on the planet. May to July, in Chile’s winter, is also a good time to visit if planning a trip around this time, partly because other areas such as southern Patagonia are off limits in the depths of winter.
Uyuni has a wet “Mirror” season from December to March and dry “Desert” season between April and November, though is accessible all year-round. When visiting, the main consideration is how you prefer to witness the salt plains themselves as they appear very differently depending on the season and some areas may be inaccessible if the rains are too heavy.
You can travel in either direction between Atacama and Uyuni, though we like the idea of adding the salt flats onto the end of a journey through Chile, having already taken in some of the country’s many varied landscapes. There are different options and places of interest to stop along the way, whether traveling from Chile to Bolivia or the other way around, with one suggested route over 7 days being:
Whatever your interests or group size, speak to the travel specialists at Atelier and they will craft your dream tailormade tour to Chile, Bolivia and beyond.
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