Luxury Atacama Desert
Tours made for you
Lunar landscapes
Incredibly scenery is truly out of this world
Go exploring
Set out on foot, on horseback, or by 4WD
Colourful lakes
Algae turns lakes vibrant hues of red, green, white and blue
Out of this world scenery in the driest desert on Earth
The Atacama Desert ranks among the driest regions on earth, fifty times more arid than California’s Death Valley, with some regions having never had any recorded rainfall.
Located in the far north of Chile, it is a place of truly other-worldly landscapes. Mesmerising views are sculpted by rugged volcanoes, vividly coloured lagoons, salt-flats, geysers and shifting sand dunes. In fact, Atacama’s extraterrestrial plains, such as the aptly named Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), have been used to test Mars-bound NASA rovers. Thanks to its high altitude and low-to-zero light pollution, it’s also a stargazing haven home to the world’s most advanced observatories.
Despite its seemingly inhospitable climate, the desert blooms with lively oases. Flamingos flock to its algae-rich lagoons, and vicuñas, guanacos and Culpeo foxes roam the plains. What’s more, Atacama is home to a handful of luxury hotels, with options such as Awasi, Tierra and Explora offering an elevated brand of desert-chic inspired by their spectacular surroundings.
Based around the remote oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, you can venture out and explore this incredible wilderness on foot, 4WD vehicle, horseback or mountain bike. The borders of both Bolivia and Argentina are relatively close by too, making it a great stop while exploring the iconic Salar de Uyuni and Argentina’s northwestern provinces of Jujuy and Salta.
Highlights
Feel as though you’re on another planet with Valle de la Luna’s captivating scenery
Explore rugged landscapes on horseback, mountain bike or 4WD
Clear, unpolluted skies offer truly enchanting stargazing
Geothermal activity brings both soothing hot springs and powerful geysers
The remote beauty of Atacama truly makes you feel as if you've landed on another planet. There's nothing else like its lunar landscapes and flamingo-filled lakes, with the waters tinted red, green and white by the algae that lives in them. This is escapism at its very best.
Demi Roberts
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in the Atacama Desert
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised Design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic Experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Discover more of Chile
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park, in scenic southern Chile is the ultimate trekking destination with granite peaks, azure glaciers, thick forests and epic lakes. Experience intense natural beauty on tours and adventures from sea kayaking and horseback riding to challenging hikes.
Discover more
Wine Region
The Wine Regions of Chile surrounding Santiago have become one of the largest and most important wine regions in the world since the introduction of grapes by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century and the arrival of French immigrants in the 20th.
Discover more
Easter Island
One of the most enigmatic, intriguing and isolated locations on earth, Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, is like a beautiful outdoor museum. Set in the middle of the Pacific, midway between Chile and Tahiti, the island’s allure revolves around the mysterious giant stone Moai statues.
Discover more
Lake District
The Chilean Lake District is a beautiful region characterised by snow-capped volcanoes, ancient forests and clear-blue waters. Many come here for the outdoor life and its beauty has made it one of the most popular regions to visit.
Discover moreMeet your Latin America team
When to visit
There is no ‘bad’ time to visit the Atacama Desert as the climate remains relatively consistent throughout the year. Average temperatures can range from 18°C (64°F) to 25°C (77°F) , with the summer months of December to March being the warmest. As with all deserts, expect the temperatures to plummet overnight, often reaching below 0°C (32°F).
It may be the world’s driest desert, however rain is most likely to occur from late January to early February, and the unaccustomed roads become easily flooded. If stargazing is your thing, the clearer skies from December – February offer the best stargazing. Time your visit with the new-moon phase for even better viewing.
Chance of rain
Late January – Early February
Summer
December – March
Travel Guides
Plan your trip to the
Atacama Desert
Whatever you want from your adventure in the Atacama Desert, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
