A journey through the deep Altiplano of the Atacama
This is not a tour of isolated stops.
Ruta de los Salares is a true Altiplano crossing — where the journey itself matters as much as the destinations. A full day traveling through vast, remote, and sparsely inhabited landscapes, where the desert reveals its deepest scale and silence.
We leave San Pedro de Atacama in the morning, heading toward the Andes, gradually leaving the oasis behind and entering higher altitude terrain.
Slowly, the landscape opens up.
Volcanoes, plains, meltwater rivers, and salt flats unfold in a rhythm that invites contemplation. It is through this movement that the desert begins to reveal itself.
The experience is conducted at a relaxed pace, with well-planned stops and constant guidance. The altitude increases gradually, allowing your body to adapt naturally to the conditions of the Altiplano.
Our first major stop is at the viewpoint of Licancabur Volcano — an icon of the Atacama and a symbol of our agency.
Here, we prepare an outdoor breakfast, surrounded by one of the most striking landscapes in the region — volcano, open plains, and endless sky in perfect balance.
We continue along the international road toward Argentina, crossing Paso Jama and passing near Hito Cajón, close to the Bolivian border.
Before the next stop, we observe in the distance some of the antennas of the ALMA Observatory, located on the Chajnantor plateau — one of the most important astronomical sites in the world.
Our next stop is the Quepiaco wetland, a high-altitude ecosystem shaped by meltwater and underground sources.
This environment supports a surprising level of biodiversity. On favorable days, you may observe Andean birdlife feeding along the lagoon — a striking contrast against the surrounding aridity.
Further along, we reach the Monjes de la Pacana.
Towering rock formations rising from the Altiplano like natural sculptures. The landscape is vast, open, and powerful — reinforcing the sense of traveling through a place largely untouched by human presence.
Here, we also encounter the iconic Pacana “Indian” formation — one of the defining images of this journey.
Throughout the route, we cross smaller salt flats, wetlands, and wide plains that enhance the feeling of isolation and scale.
And yet, life is present.
Vicuñas, Andean birds, and occasionally flamingos appear along the way, perfectly adapted to this extreme environment.
Entering the Salar de Tara reserve, the landscape shifts once again.
Vividly colored lagoons emerge across pale terrain, shaped by a combination of minerals, volcanic activity, and extreme evaporation. We walk at a slow pace to observe these formations and understand the natural processes behind them.
The final stop is Salar de Quisquiro.
Here, the sensation of being on another planet becomes even stronger. NASA studies suggest this area shares similarities with environments that may have existed on Mars billions of years ago.
And then, the return begins.
Gradually, the desert changes once more. The air becomes denser, the altitude decreases, and signs of life reappear as we approach the oasis.
What remains is the feeling of having crossed one of the most vast and silent landscapes of the Atacama.
More than visiting places, this is an experience of moving through the desert with time, presence, and depth.
If you’re looking to experience the Atacama as a journey — not just a sequence of stops — this is where that difference becomes clear.
Due to the distance and high altitude involved, we recommend scheduling this tour for the final days of your itinerary to ensure proper acclimatization and comfort.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 4,500 meters
RECOMMENDED FOR: the second half of the itinerary
