Private Tours
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
PRIVATE TOURS
Private Tours in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is the perfect gateway to the world’s most surreal desert landscapes. At 3K Private Tours, we offer a curated selection of private, half-day and full-day tours designed to showcase the region's diverse geological wonders, vibrant wildlife, and profound silence.
Whether you wish to experience a single iconic location or combine several adventures into a seamless multi-day journey, every excursion is entirely customizable. We handle all the logistics, allowing you to simply choose the landscapes that call to you and enjoy the desert at your own pace.
Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley is a stunning landscape where erosion has exposed layers of minerals in a spectrum of colors, giving the valley its name. The intense erosion has also shaped intriguing rock formations, creating a unique and otherworldly terrain that we can explore and photograph.
This location is perfect for panoramic and Astrophotography shots, capturing the vibrant contrast of reds, greens, and whites against the desert sky.
Whether focusing on the sweeping landscapes or the intricate details of the rock textures, this is a must-visit spot.
The strong erosion also left intriguing formations that we can explore walking around the area. To finish the morning we go to a nice spot for breakfast, after that we returned to San Pedro.
Approximately 5 hr tour
Departure Time 6:00 am
Departure time may vary depending
on the time of the year
Vallecito
Just like the moon valley, Vallecito is located in the middle of the Salt Mountain Range, just 30 minutes from San Pedro, this area displays striking erosion from wind and water, creating intriguing geological formations in a process that lasted millions of years, creating a landscape that resemble the surface of the Moon.
This isn’t only a perfect location for landscape photography, but also to explore one of the most interesting locations in San Pedro, and we’ll take a light hike through the surrounding hills, where we can enjoy panoramic views of the desert and stunning sand dunes.
Approximately 4 to 5hr tour
Departure Time 4:30 pm
Departure time may vary depending
on the time of the year
Trekking Rio Salado
Just 40 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama, where the soaring Andes embrace the surreal Cordillera de la Sal, lies a hidden geological wonder waiting to be explored. Step into a dramatic canyon carved from reddish liparite rock, where the winding Rio Salado — aptly named the “Salty River” — guides your path through this otherworldly landscape.
As you trek along the riverbed, prepare to get your feet wet: sturdy shoes that can handle water are essential. This isn’t just a hike — it’s an immersive journey through, mineral-rich waters, and silence broken only by the whisper of wind and flowing water.
This 1-hour-and-a-half- trek takes place mostly **within the riverbed**, between towering volcanic rock walls. The sound of the water, the contrast of the desert, and the coolness of the canyon create a unique experience.
Ideal for nature and geology lovers.
Approximately 4 hr tour
Departure Time 4:30 pm
Departure time may vary depending
on the time of the year
Chaxa Lagoon
(Summer Only)
Approximately **60 kilometers south of San Pedro de Atacama**, we reach a striking lagoon nestled within the vast expanse of the **Atacama Salt Flat**. This lagoon serves as a vital **summer habitat for South American flamingos**, attracting flocks of these elegant pink birds during the warmer months.
As we stroll along the lagoon’s edge, visitors will have the chance to observe and photograph a variety of **migratory bird species**, including flamingos in flight.
Approximately 4 hr tour
Departure Time 16:30 hrs
Departure time may vary depending
on the time of the year
Valle de Marte
Just 15 minutes from San Pedro de Atacama, Valle de Marte offers a stunning 1.5-hour hike through one of Earth’s most otherworldly terrains. Climb gentle ridges for panoramic views of the Cordillera de la Salt, then descend a towering sand dune and wander through the valley’s sculpted heart.
Wind-carved cliffs, rust-red hues, and surreal contours make this place feel like Mars — no imagination required. Perfect for photographers and adventurers, it’s a desert journey that transports you… without leaving Chile.
Approximately 3 hr tour
Departure Time 4:30 pm
Tatio Geysers
We depart at 6am in the morning and we drive north into the Andes Mountains, we we’ll be driving through the South American altiplano until we reach the geysers at 14,000 feet. After exploring the Geysers we stop at a beautiful location for breakfast with a panoramic view and hot coffee. On the way back we stop at a high altitude wetland were we ‘ll have the chance to see Vicunas (south American camel), Flamingos and other migrating birds.
On the way back we stop at a high altitude wetland were we ‘ll have the chance to see Vicunas (south American camel), Flamingos and other migrating birds. After the Machuca wetland, we head back to San Pedro.
Approximately 6 hr tour
Departure Time 6:00 am
Departure time may vary depending
on the time of the year
The Moon Valley
The moon valley is located 15km from San Pedro de Atacama, its an area in the middle of the salt mountain ranges that was modeled by tectonic movements and remodel by wind and water in a process that lasted 23 millions years.
Here we will have the chance to walk through the formations that resemble the surface of the moon until we reach the view points in the park, plus an abandon salt mine.
Approximately 3 hr tour
Departure Time 9:00 am
Lagunas Altiplanicas y Piedras Rojas
We head south between the Andes Mountains and the salt flat, we drive past the Socaire village, until we reach 4,200 meters above sea level (14,000 feet), where we find the Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons. These lagoons are between volcanoes and mountain reliefs such as the Miscanti and the Meñiques volcanos. Both lagoons are born from underground water. Then we head to the Salar de Talar, known as Piedras Rojas, where the rocks are subject to natural oxidation and weathering.
Approximately 7 hr tour
Departure Time 9:00 am
Trekking Catarpe
Here we head north of San Pedro towards the Catarpe Valley, halfway through the valley we enter a ravine made by water erosion, following the riverbed we find beautiful geological formations all along the path and at the end we climb a small hill to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the entire area.
Its a 2 hr trekking / 3 to 4 hr Tour
Departure Time 9:00 am
