Call us on 646-895-8368
Start Planning
sunset over Valle de la Luna in the Atacama Desert, Chile

Luxury Atacama Desert Tours made for you

Chile

Out of this world scenery in the driest desert on Earth

The Atacama Desert ranks among the driest regions on earth, fifty times more arid than California’s Death Valley, with some regions having never had any recorded rainfall.

Located in the far north of Chile, it is a place of truly other-worldly landscapes. Mesmerising views are sculpted by rugged volcanoes, vividly coloured lagoons, salt-flats, geysers and shifting sand dunes. In fact, Atacama’s extraterrestrial plains, such as the aptly named Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), have been used to test Mars-bound NASA rovers. Thanks to its high altitude and low-to-zero light pollution, it’s also a stargazing haven home to the world’s most advanced observatories.

Despite its seemingly inhospitable climate, the desert blooms with lively oases. Flamingos flock to its algae-rich lagoons, and vicuñas, guanacos and Culpeo foxes roam the plains. What’s more, Atacama is home to a handful of luxury hotels, with options such as Awasi, Tierra and Explora offering an elevated brand of desert-chic inspired by their spectacular surroundings.

Based around the remote oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, you can venture out and explore this incredible wilderness on foot, 4WD vehicle, horseback or mountain bike. The borders of both Bolivia and Argentina are relatively close by too, making it a great stop while exploring the iconic Salar de Uyuni and Argentina’s northwestern provinces of Jujuy and Salta.

  • Sunset over the valleys of the Atacama Desert, Chile
  • Vicuna (Vicugna vicugna), Eduarado Avaroa National Park, Bolivia
  • Landscape shot during sunset of road crossing mountains in Atacama desert, Chile
  • A tall, rugged rock formation stands against a clear blue sky, showcasing the arid landscape of a desert region.
  • The milky Way night sky in Atacama desert Chile
  • Snowy Licancabur volcano in Andes montains reflecting in the wate of Laguna Chaxa with Andean flamingos, Atacama salar, Chile
  • El Tatio Geyser Field - Atacama Desert - Chile

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Atacama Desert specialists

Visit the otherworldly Valle de la Luna

Feel as though you’re on another planet with Valle de la Luna’s captivating scenery.

Ride, cycle or drive the rugged terrain

Explore rugged landscapes on horseback, mountain bike or 4WD.

Stargaze under unpolluted Atacama skies

Clear, unpolluted skies offer truly enchanting stargazing.

Bathe in hot springs beside active geysers

Geothermal activity brings both soothing hot springs and powerful geysers.

A word from one of our experts

The remote beauty of Atacama truly makes you feel as if you've landed on another planet. There's nothing else like its lunar landscapes and flamingo-filled lakes, with the waters tinted red, green and white by the algae that lives in them. This is escapism at its very best.

Demi Roberts Senior Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in the Atacama Desert

There are many incredible places to stay in Atacama. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised Design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic Experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Chile example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

13 days From $12,197

Northern Chile Explorer

This 12-night journey highlights three of northern Chile’s most captivating regions: Easter Island, the Atacama Desert and the Wine Region. Start with a night…

Explore trip

13 days From $29,741

Luxury Chile Explorer

This private tour of Chile takes in the highlights of this beautiful country with a big dose of adventure. Begin in Chile’s far north and the other worldly lan…

Explore trip

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your adventure in the Atacama Desert, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Discover more of Chile

Meet your Latin America team

When to visit

There is no ‘bad’ time to visit the Atacama Desert as the climate remains relatively consistent throughout the year. Average temperatures can range from 18°C (64°F) to 25°C (77°F) , with the summer months of December to March being the warmest. As with all deserts, expect the temperatures to plummet overnight, often reaching below 0°C (32°F). It may be the world’s driest desert, however rain is most likely to occur from late January to early February, and the unaccustomed roads become easily flooded. If stargazing is your thing, the clearer skies from December – February offer the best stargazing. Time your visit with the new-moon phase for even better viewing.

Chance of rain

Late January–Early February

Summer

December–March

The Best Time to Visit Chile

Travel guides

Plan your trip to the Atacama Desert

Whatever you want from your adventure in the Atacama Desert, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Don't take our word for it

“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

MJ Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

Find Out More