About this tour
When Finn from the crew signed up for the Full Atacama tour, we knew we were in for a proper marathon through Chile's driest desert. Six full days of group touring based out of San Pedro de Atacama, hitting a different landscape each morning — from salt flats and flamingo lakes to dunes and volcanic vistas. This is the deep-dive option for crews who want to exhaust every corner of the region, not the quick hit. Expect late starts, solid group vibes, and a serious workout on your legs and lungs.
Highlights
- New terrain every single day — salt, sand, stone, water, sky shifts daily
- All meals sorted — breakfast, lunch, dinner included in the price
- Group atmosphere keeps energy up across six consecutive days of trekking
- High-altitude exposure means proper acclimatisation to the region
- Guides lead you to lesser-visited corners beyond the standard two-day loop
- Ideal for crews wanting to tick every major Atacama sight in one go
What to expect
This tour is a serious commitment. You're out most mornings, moving between valleys, lagoons, and volcanic plateaus at elevation — often over 4,000 metres. Days typically involve a mix of trekking, driving, and standing around in otherworldly scenery whilst your guide points out geology and wildlife. The rhythm is steady rather than intense, but there's no skipping days or sleeping in. Finn found the group atmosphere helped push through tired legs, and the included meals (basic but filling) kept everyone fuelled.
By day three or four, your body either settles into it or starts complaining. The sun is relentless, the air is thin, and the landscape is absolutely barren — which is precisely why you're here. Expect quiet moments, decent camaraderie with your fellow travellers, and a real sense of earning each vista. Weather can swing from scorching to freezing, even within a single day.
What travellers say
- Comprehensive regional coverage in one multi-day commitment
- Meals included keeps logistics simple across six days
- Small-group format beats large commercial tour operators
- High-altitude acclimatisation allows proper desert immersion
- Varied daily routes prevent landscape fatigue
- Entry fees (around 71K pesos) add significant cost on top
- Altitude and fitness demands exclude many casual travellers
- Six-day commitment may test patience in repetitive terrain
- Early starts and thin air challenge less hardy crews
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour genuinely covers the Atacama without leaving major gaps. You'll see flamingos, salt flats, lagoons, dunes, volcanoes, and geysers across six days — far more comprehensive than the standard two-day packages. The all-meals-included angle removes daily hunt-for-food friction. Groups tend to be smaller and more intimate than commercial flash-mob tours.
You need proper fitness — poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy aren't compatible with the altitude and walking. Early starts (most days) mean late bedtimes aren't optional. The $71,000 pesos entrance fees (roughly £40–50 GBP) aren't included, so factor that in. Weather is brutal and unpredictable; bring serious sun protection and layering. Six days of repetitive terrain can feel long if you're not into desert landscapes. Not pushchair-friendly.
Bring sturdy hiking boots, sun cream, hat, and a warm layer. Groups vary but tend to be 8–12 people. Peak season (May–September, cooler) books up fast.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.