With two days in San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll be able to take several trips to surrounding attractions and see natural phenomenon that the desert town is famed for. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours.
Day 1: Geysers and Lunar Landscapes
**Morning:**Seeing El Tatio, one of the world’s largest geyser fields, at its best requires a very early start, so book a tour with hotel pickup and catch up on sleep during the journey here. The spectacle of watching steam shoot into the air during sunrise is worth it.
**Afternoon:**In the mid-afternoon, after having a stroll around the town, head into the desert on a tour of Moon Valley and Death Valley. The lunar landscape—shaped by wind and water over millions of years—is most striking around sunset, when the sand glows a burning red.
**Night:**See a different kind of lunar landscape on a stargazing tour. Visit the biggest astronomical observatory in South America and see the moon’s craters, planets, and stars through state-of-the-art telescopes in the company of an astronomer. Atacama is one of the best places in the world to go stargazing.
Day 2: Rainbows and Hot Springs
**Morning:**Kick off your second day with a trip to Rainbow Valley, so named for its red, beige, green, and white tones, which are created by clays, minerals, and salts. Tours typically guide you around its mineral-rich hills and reveal prehistoric rock art.
**Afternoon:**After a couple of days of adventure, take some time out to relax. Head out on a tour to Puritana Natural Springs where you can soak in eight thermal pools that are naturally heated to a temperature of 92°F (33.5°C).
**Night:**The nightlife in San Pedro de Atacama is muted to say the least, and it’s no wonder given the early-morning departure time of most tours. Nevertheless, there’s a popular bar called Chelacabur on Caracoles Boulevard. There, you can toast your trip and then find a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants.
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