Adventure in Guatín and the Cactus Valley
LANDSCAPES:
DESERT AND ALTIPLANO
Updated on 30 de September, 2025
2 days of trekking and relaxation from San Pedro de Atacama
2 DAYS
Explore the unique landscapes of the Atacama Desert on an itinerary that combines adventure and relaxation. Walk among centuries-old cacti that rise towards the sky and admire the colors of the sunset in valleys that look like they are from another planet. This trip will take you from ancestral ravines to the comforting
TEMPORADA RECOMENDADA
ATRACTIVOS
Inicio del itinerario
Atractivos incluidos en este día
Day 1
Cactus Valley and Death Valley
Your adventure begins from San Pedro de Atacama. After a short 25 to 30-minute drive, either through a tour or a transfer, you will reach the Guatín Canyon to begin a trek through the Vilama River ravine.
Starting at Punta del Inca, you will enter the amazing Cactus Valley, where you can marvel at hundreds of cardones or giant cacti, some over seven meters tall. After the walk, you can cool off in small natural waterfalls before returning to San Pedro de Atacama for lunch and to replenish your energy.
In the afternoon, prepare for a magical closing in the Death Valley, whose dunes and geological formations are tinged with intense colors with the light of the sunset in the desert. It is an unmissable visual spectacle and the perfect ending to your first day.
Atractivos incluidos en este día
Day 1
Cactus Valley and Death Valley
Your adventure begins from San Pedro de Atacama. After a short 25 to 30-minute drive, either through a tour or a transfer, you will reach the Guatín Canyon to begin a trek through the Vilama River ravine.
Starting at Punta del Inca, you will enter the amazing Cactus Valley, where you can marvel at hundreds of cardones or giant cacti, some over seven meters tall. After the walk, you can cool off in small natural waterfalls before returning to San Pedro de Atacama for lunch and to replenish your energy.
In the afternoon, prepare for a magical closing in the Death Valley, whose dunes and geological formations are tinged with intense colors with the light of the sunset in the desert. It is an unmissable visual spectacle and the perfect ending to your first day.
Atractivos incluidos en este día
Day 2
Puritama Hot Springs
Today you will get up early for another trekking route through Guatín, but now connecting with the exquisite Puritama Hot Springs. After breakfast in San Pedro de Atacama and a trip of about 30 kilometers by vehicle, you will arrive at this magical place designed by the famous architect German del Sol.
Here you can immerse yourself in stepped pools of water of volcanic origin, the ideal place to relax your muscles and recharge your batteries. In addition, the site has a cafeteria and a picnic area for you to have lunch in the middle of this magical landscape.
Finally, return to your accommodation for an exquisite dinner under the starry sky of the Atacama Desert.
Atractivos incluidos en este día
Day 2
Puritama Hot Springs
Today you will get up early for another trekking route through Guatín, but now connecting with the exquisite Puritama Hot Springs. After breakfast in San Pedro de Atacama and a trip of about 30 kilometers by vehicle, you will arrive at this magical place designed by the famous architect German del Sol.
Here you can immerse yourself in stepped pools of water of volcanic origin, the ideal place to relax your muscles and recharge your batteries. In addition, the site has a cafeteria and a picnic area for you to have lunch in the middle of this magical landscape.
Finally, return to your accommodation for an exquisite dinner under the starry sky of the Atacama Desert.
What you should know
How to get there by air
From Santiago Airport, you must take a flight to El Loa Airport in Calama. From there, you can take a transfer or bus to get to San Pedro de Atacama, the starting point of your adventure.
How to get there by land
From Calama, the nearest city, you can reach San Pedro de Atacama via Route 23. The 100 km journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. There are frequent bus services and private transfers available that connect both destinations.
Climate and clothing
You will arrive in a desert with great thermal oscillation, with a lot of heat during the day and cold nights. Wear layered clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy trekking shoes, while you should wrap up for the cold nights.
Must-Know Tips
The trek in Guatín exceeds 3,000 meters above sea level, so we recommend walking calmly and drinking plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness. It is recommended to buy tickets for the Puritama Hot Springs in advance, especially in high season.
