Home > San Pedro de Atacama > Atacama Salt Flat Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama including Los Flamencos National Reserve and So
USD $90.00
Atacama Salt Flat Day Trip from San Pedro de Atacama including Los Flamencos National Reserve and So
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Visit the Atacama Salt Flat and its neighboring villages and attractions on this day trip from San Pedro de Atacama with a local guide. Start at Chaxa Lagoon in the Soncor section of the 1,200-square-mile (3,000-sq-km) salt flat; part of Los Flamencos National Reserve, Soncor is famous for its Andean flamingos and other native birds. Then explore the beautiful lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques; have an Atacama lunch in the village of Socaire; and visit the handicraft market in the village of Toconao.
Your day trip from San Pedro de Atacama begins with hotel pickup by minivan for the drive south of town to the Atacama Salt Flat (Salar de Atacama), the largest salt flat in Chile and one of the largest in the world.
Your first stop is Chaxa Lagoon in a part of the salt flat known as the Soncor section, which lies in the greater Los Flamencos National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos). Known for its role as a breeding site for the rare Andean flamingo, Soncor is also home to an array of other birds like yellow-billed teals, sandpipers and crested ducks. Spend about 45 to 60 minutes here, exploring the area via a small path that provides great photo ops, and then hop back in the van and head to Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, also part of the national reserve.
Located at an elevation of 13,780 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level, the altiplano (high plain) lagoons sit at the base of Miñiques Volcano and were separated from each other by a lava flow from an eruption. You have about one hour here to walk around, take pictures and admire the incredible views of the blue lagoons surrounded by the volcanic landscape.
Back in the van, continue your day trip to the village of Socaire, about 15 miles (25 km) north of the lagoons. Socaire is known for its typical Atacama cuisine, which you’ll enjoy for lunch at a local restaurant; the menu varies daily but includes an appetizer, main course, dessert and soft drink.
After lunch, head to the village of Toconao, about an hour north, back toward San Pedro de Atacama. Stop for a bit to browse the handicraft market and admire the church and bell tower, the village’s one well-known attraction, before returning to San Pedro de Atacama, where your day trip ends with hotel drop-off.
The guide was excellent. The places visited were fantastic. Bird watching was good.
Review by: Giulia F, September 2017
Tour operator poorly organized: we did not have a good experience with Turistour and we would not recommend them for a trip. Also we could not see everything we were supposed to due to adverse weather (it was very windy that day).
Review by: gvwright, May 2017
We enjoyed the day. Not many flamingoes but we knew before we went that this may be the case.
Review by: Leili P, April 2017
Was an nice day! Long day wich ended with thunder and rain. But for this time we have had visited all places and were safely in bus on the way back to San Pedro de Atacama. The most impression were Flamencos National Reserve, Aqua Calientes volcano and Salt lake beside this, Socaire village - very tasty late lunch!!!_br/_ By the way I really enjoied the scenery on the way back. Mostly there was Atacama itself on leftside and Andes under heavy thunder on the right side!_br/_ Leili
Review by: Helen M, February 2017
Great day out with a super guide who spoke really good English.
Review by: James S, January 2017
Our guide, Christian was very knowledgeable and patient. The tour itself was fantastic. We saw breath taking landscapes and loads of wild-life, including the famous famous flamingos and a heard of wild Vicuna!
Review by: George E, December 2016
Great tour
Review by: Judith C, December 2016
very interesting trip through the amazingly dry atacama desert, its salt marshes, then up to_br/_ the higher altiplano lakes, also stopped in two small oasis settlements, excellent guide, he spoke very good english.
Review by: Dan, October 2016
Really great day out, they picked me up promptly from my hostel and enjoyed the stunning sight of Chaxa and the Salt Flats. Their guide was super helpful, patient, and also fluent in English as well as Spanish, which was useful for the non-spanish speaking guests. They also provided a three course lunch which was a nice way to finish the tour off. A tour not to miss!
Review by: Tom M, August 2016
Fantastic day! Great guide. Great sites. The pictures don't do it justice.
Review by: Grzegorz F, July 2016
Highly Recommended
Review by: John Michael L, July 2016
The highlight of the trip, which is to visit Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques was initially cancelled because of and #34;bad weather and #34; per the tour guide. Because myself and other tourists expressed disappointment it went ahead and go to these places, where other tour buses were also. The views are breathtaking!
Review by: Joseph R, May 2016
Excellent tour. Well worth the time and cost. Very helpful, fluent guide who shared unique insights. Good lunch and lots of photo ops
Review by: Joe, May 2016
Excellent tour. Well worth the time and cost. Very helpful, fluent guide who shared unique insights. Good lunch and lots of photo ops
Review by: Germán V, April 2016
Excellent. Great tour operator. Nice lunch. Superb views of the altiplano, lagoons, flamingos. Good guide, explaining everything._br/_ Strongly recommended._br/_ If in San Pedro, there are many other less cost operators.
Review by: Dhishan K, December 2015
Tortes is an amazing tour guide. Please see if you can actually ask for this guide as he is extremely knowledgeable and will make sure the tour is not cookie cutter and is more unique. The food on the way back from this day trip was AMAZING even for us vegetarians. I learnt a lot about the culture of the people, the history of the regions, took great pictures at very scenic locations, and made friends with the fellow tourists in the shuttle. Please note this tour does not involve taking a dip in any of the lagoons. That is a different tour. This was is mostly very relaxed walking type of tour without any major hikes. Very family friendly too.
Review by: Satish B, December 2015
Gorgeous locations. Great guide. A must do. The bus was uncomfortable.
Review by: Vania K, September 2015
Fantastic!
Review by: Helead, June 2015
Enthusiatic guide who took time to explain features along the way, as well as stop for wildlife. Very pleasant manner, answered all our questions
Review by: Helead, June 2015
Enthusiatic guide who took time to explain features along the way, as well as stop for wildlife. Very pleasant manner, answered all our questions
Review by: Helead, June 2015
Enthusiatic guide who took time to explain features along the way, as well as stop for wildlife. Very pleasant manner, answered all our questions
Review by: Patrice d, May 2015
Excellent one day tour. We pass through incredible sceneries and the stops are always carefully chosen. Altitude more that 4000m was surprisingly not an issue - although you would not run around obviously! The flamingos were there and offering splendid photo opportunities. Well worth the day!
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