5-Day Atacama Desert Self-Drive, Northern Chile
Tour details
- Road Trip & Self-Drive Hit the open road and travel at your own pace
- Private Tour Travel exclusively with your friends and family
- Self-guided Independent exploration, backed by expert advice and support
- Medium Intensity Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
- Guided in English Other languages on request: Spanish
- All Ages Welcome
Itinerary
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You can visit Atacama, the driest desert on Earth, at any time of year. In summer the days turn scorching, while the altitude keeps the nights cool and steady. The Altiplanic winter brings afternoon downpours and frequent electrical storms, with heavy rain possible in January and February and snow falling in July and August. We handle the logistics for you: help at the local airport, the car rental and your accommodations. With everything booked in advance, you're free to focus on the driving and the views. NOTES: Chile's geography gives it every climate on the planet, and its four seasons are clearly marked. The warmest months run from October to April, and the coldest from May to September. REQUIREMENTS Drivers must be at least 25 years old. Each driver needs a valid driving licence and passport. (You don't need an international permit to drive in Chile.) A major credit card in the renter's name is required (MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club or American Express). IMPORTANT NOTE: given the times we're living through, this trip can be shaped around your budget and particular needs. There are no fixed departures and no minimum length, and you can start and finish on whatever dates work for you. Just tell us what you'd like, and we'll put together a fully tailored holiday. Thanks and take care!
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Collect your rental car at Calama Airport, then drive roughly 101 km to San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, make your way out to Moon Valley and walk among the rock and sand shapes that wind and water have sculpted over thousands of years. The colours and textures here really do resemble the lunar surface. Night in San Pedro de Atacama.
Locations
- Calama, San Pedro De Atacama
Meals
- Breakfast Buffet breakfast at hotel
Accommodation
El Refugio · Hotel 4*
Optional Activities
- Visit Moon Valley with its impressive stone and sand formations
- Visit Death Valley
Landmarks
- Moon Valley
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Today is yours to explore at your own pace. One idea is the hour-long drive to Los Flamencos National Reserve, where deep blue lagoons draw flamingos and plenty of other birds. Alternatively, head for the Atacama Salt Flat, the largest in Chile, ringed by striking volcanoes and crusts of salt. Take enough food and water for whichever route you pick. A second night in San Pedro de Atacama.
Locations
- San Pedro De Atacama
Meals
- Breakfast Buffet breakfast at hotel
Accommodation
El Refugio · Hotel 4*
Optional Activities
- Visit Los Flamencos National Reserve to observe flamingos and other bird species
- Visit Atacama Salt Flat (Salar de Atacama)
- Visit Puritama Hot Springs
Landmarks
- Los Flamencos National Reserve
- Atacama Salt Flat
- Puritama Hot Springs
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Another open day, with up to about 240 km of driving if you want to use it. You might revisit Los Flamencos National Reserve and the Atacama Salt Flat, or go somewhere new such as the Altiplanic Lagoons. Returning along Route 23, watch for the Tropic of Capricorn markers and an old Incan trail flagged by a white cross. Carry plenty of food and water. Overnight again in San Pedro de Atacama.
Locations
- San Pedro De Atacama
Meals
- Breakfast Buffet breakfast at hotel
Accommodation
El Refugio · Hotel 4*
Optional Activities
- Visit Los Flamencos National Reserve to observe flamingos and bird species
- Visit Atacama Salt Flat
- Visit Altiplanic Lagoons
- Visit Tropic of Capricorn marker
- Visit Incan trail marker
Landmarks
- Los Flamencos National Reserve
- Atacama Salt Flat
- Altiplanic Lagoons
- Tropic of Capricorn
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This free day starts early, with a departure around 5:30 AM for the 180 km drive to the El Tatio Geysers and the village of Machuca. Sitting at 4,300 metres, El Tatio is the highest geothermal field in the world, and at dawn you'll see forceful jets of steam and bubbling ponds. At a spot called Pozon Rustic you can soak in the thermal water. Order a packed breakfast from your hotel the night before, and bring enough food and water for the whole day. Return to sleep in San Pedro de Atacama.
Locations
- San Pedro De Atacama
Meals
- Breakfast Box breakfast (request from hotel reception the night before)
Accommodation
El Refugio · Hotel 4*
Optional Activities
- Visit El Tatio Geysers at dawn
- Visit Machuca village
- Bathe in Pozon Rustic thermal waters
Landmarks
- El Tatio Geysers
- Machuca village
- Pozon Rustic
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Have breakfast at your hotel, then set off on the drive of roughly 101 km back to Calama Airport. Allow enough time for the car return paperwork, and remember to fill the petrol tank before you hand the rental back.
Locations
- San Pedro De Atacama
Meals
- Breakfast Buffet breakfast at hotel
Dates & Prices
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From Sunday 1 Nov 2026To Thursday 5 Nov 2026
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From Monday 2 Nov 2026To Friday 6 Nov 2026
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From Tuesday 3 Nov 2026To Saturday 7 Nov 2026
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From Wednesday 4 Nov 2026To Sunday 8 Nov 2026
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From Thursday 5 Nov 2026To Monday 9 Nov 2026
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From Friday 6 Nov 2026To Tuesday 10 Nov 2026
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From Saturday 7 Nov 2026To Wednesday 11 Nov 2026
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From Sunday 8 Nov 2026To Thursday 12 Nov 2026
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From Monday 9 Nov 2026To Friday 13 Nov 2026
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From Tuesday 10 Nov 2026To Saturday 14 Nov 2026
Partners
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Alesia Tour
Tour PartnerFrom the field to the feed: Alesia supports operations and curates tour experiences for discerning audiences.
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Signature DMC
Tour partnerOrganises and runs this tour on the ground, from guides and transport to accommodation.
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TourRadar
Booking partnerYour booking is handled and secured through TourRadar, the world’s largest marketplace for multi-day tours. Payments are processed on their secure checkout.
Included
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- 4 nights accommodation at El Refugio by Casa Don Tomas Hotel with buffet breakfast
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- Breakfast @ Hotel
- This tour offers Vegetarian and Vegan food options on request. Simply let the tour partner know the food option that you prefer.
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- Free Parking at the hotel
- Tailor made itinerary featuring a day-by-day breakdown, highlights of the area, activities and museums schedule, suggested restaurants, and any other helpful information.
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- 4 days car rental, category D (Crossover 4x2 AT)
- Unlimited Kilometers, local taxes
- Pick up &Drop off at Calama Airport around 12h00
- CWD, PAI & SACA insurances
Not Included
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- Internal Flights are NOT included, we can certainly help you to book these if you need us to.
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- Travel Personal Insurance
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- There are optionals activities which you can add to your experience, please check with us. There are NOT included in the total price of the tour.
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- Car Rental: Gasoline, extra days, other insurances, driver
- Entrance fees to Museum and archaeological sites
- Extras at the hotel
- Meals
- Any item don´t mentioned
- Travel Personal Insurance (highly recommended)
All accommodations are subject to change
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Robert
When I booked the tour, I didn't know what I was going to find. From start to finish it was amazing. Thank you very much Gabriela for taking care of everything.
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Matheu
One of the best things about this tour is that being Self-drive, you can drive your time. No need to depend on anyone.
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Jhon
The desert is imposing, very beautiful.
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JuanVillalbaAlves
It's not a desert like any other with simple sand, but it's something else. I was very happy to have done this tour, where I could get to know a magnificent place, especially that I had the car to move with my times and not depend on anyone.
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GustavePendragoon
That it is Sel drive is like the strawberry of the dessert, since it allows the time that it does not want itself, and it does not depend on anybody, it gives you complete independence. The car was very comfortable, did not consume much fuel. The hotel food, was mafnifica. They will be able to know magnificent places, do not hesitate to do.
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JannetNoga
Excellent! I had never visited this region of Chile before and neither had I done it through a package. But the truth is that it was a unique and fun experience. We had a great time, and the highlight is that by having a self-drive car, everyone can tour and do things at their own time. The hotel is very nice and comfortable. Next trip I will definitely hire Signature Tours to put it together for me. Thank you very much.
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Darius
I had never been in a desert before. The first word that comes to mind is incredible. I wish everyone could ever know a place as beautiful as that. Thanks Signature Tours for this trip... See you the next time.
Tour ID: 158071
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Deposit
Book now with just a 10% deposit. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure.
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Currency
Chilean Peso
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Plug type
Type L
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type L.
Type L
Used in Chile
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This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.
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Payment information
Pay now
A 10% deposit
Balance due
60 days before departure
Installments
Interest-free, every two weeks
Currency
USD
Booking fee
None
Book now with just a 10% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $111 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before 28th December 2026 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
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Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some partners may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.