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The Atacama Desert — a 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 3-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · best time to go.
3
days
505 km
distance
8.4 h
driving
12
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Shoulder seasons dodge both the altiplanic winter rains and the January crowds — nights are freezing year-round.
- Heavy transit: day 3 (6h53) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 3 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Calama → San Pedro de Atacama
🌡 0.1–29.7°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:00
St. John the Baptist Cathedralmuseums & heritage
Feel the city's heart at Plaza 23 de Mayo's grand cathedral.
50 min · Calama
09:50
Tourist Office
You can access helpful travel info from Avenida O'Higgins.
50 min · Calama
10:40
Chuquicamata Mine
Witness the vast open-pit copper mine on a guided tour.
50 min · Calama
13:02
Valle de la Lunahiking
50 min · San Pedro de Atacama · Entrance fee is 10,800 pesos (not includ
13:52
Valle del Arcoirishiking
50 min · San Pedro de Atacama
14:42
Valle de Martehiking
90 min · San Pedro de Atacama
16:12
La Casonamuseums & heritagebudget eats
60 min · San Pedro de Atacama
18:30
Solcorcraft beer & pubs
75 min · San Pedro de Atacama
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama
e.g. Hotel Altiplanico · Hospedaje Casa de Guias
Day 2 Around San Pedro de Atacama
🌡 0.1–29.7°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:00
Laguna Cejar
50 min · San Pedro de Atacama · The entrance for the site (not the tour)
09:50
Puritama
50 min · San Pedro de Atacama · The entry fee is something to watch out (price listed 2018)
10:40
Memorial for '73 Disappeared
Reflect at this solemn desert memorial on the path to San Pedro.
50 min · Calama
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama
e.g. Hotel Altiplanico · Hospedaje Casa de Guias
Day 3 Valle de la Luna
🌡 0.1–29.7°C · 🌧 ~1 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
18:30
Chelacaburcraft beer & pubs
Unwind in a warm, beer-only pub with friendly vibes.
75 min · Valle de la Luna · 2,500 pesos for a liter of Escudo or Cri
Overnight: Valle de la Luna
e.g. Hotel Altiplanico · Hospedaje Casa de Guias