Our 3-Day Atacama Desert Itinerary
This family trip to northern Chile lasted exactly three nights and three days due to travel constraints on our end. If you have the flexibility, I highly recommend staying for at least 5 days. However, if, like us, you are working within a tight window, this comprehensive 3-day Atacama Desert itinerary shows exactly what is possible, what to expect, and where the major logistical trade-offs lie.
We were travelling with a diverse mix of ages. In our groups, we had a young child, an elderly family member with mobility limitations, two 20-year-olds, and two adults. The young adults were up for early morning mountain excursions and all the adventure possible. With that in mind, we had to prioritise our schedule ruthlessly.
Happily, we proved that planning a family trip to the Atacama Desert is an unforgettable, multi-generational adventure. Here is the complete breakdown of what we did, what we skipped, and what I would change next time to help you plan your own budget-friendly getaway.
FROM SANTIAGO TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Flight: Santiago (SCL) to Calama (CJC) and Calama (CJC) to Santiago (SCL)
LATAM Airlines (2-hour flight time)
Free airport wheelchair care for seniors
Total Cost: £525.45 / $707.21 (for 6 people)
The 99km Desert Drive to and from San Pedro – Car rental cost
Spacious Mitta 7-Seater SUV
Smooth, fully paved, easy-to-navigate roads
Total Cost: £37.88 / $51.45
Quick Overview: Our 3-Day Atacama Desert Itinerary
Use this scannable matrix to see how we balanced high-adventure excursions with senior-friendly rest periods across our trip:
| Day | Itinerary Highlights | Altitude Reached | Accessibility Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | San Pedro Centre, Valle del Marte Sunset, DIY Stargazing, Caracoles Street | ~2,400m (7,874 ft) | High. Flat walking paths and easy driving roads. |
| Day 2 | Astro Tour Booking, Baltinache Lagoons Swim, Peruvian Family Dinner | ~2,300m (7,545 ft) | Medium. Floating is effortless for kids, but hard for the elderly. The road is also bumpy. |
| Day 3 | El Tatio Geysers at Sunrise, Puritama Hot Springs, Jardín de Meraki | ~4,320m (14,173 ft) | Low. Cold and thin air at geysers. |
Day 1: San Pedro Centre, Valle del Marte (Mars Valley) & DIY Stargazing
After arriving at our glamping site, we drove into the centre of San Pedro de Atacama to look for lunch and experience the vibe of this picturesque desert town. In fairness, it was only a 3-minute drive – easily walkable – but with a young child and an elderly relative in our group, driving gave everyone far more physical comfort.
Where We Ate: Lunch on a Charming Garden Patio
We stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Perrok, located at Domingo Atienza 426. The restaurant was incredibly cosy, offering a beautiful courtyard patio and comfortable indoor seating.
Several of us opted for the plato del día (a set menu with a starter and a main, each offering two choices). I enjoyed a fresh quinoa salad starter followed by perfectly grilled fish, while others chose soup and chicken. The menu also featured classic pizzas and empanadas for pickier eaters. The food was excellent, and each plato del día cost a highly reasonable CLP 8,900.
Valle del Marte (Mars Valley) & A Spectacular Sunset Viewpoint
After lunch, we set out to explore the surrounding landscape. While we did not make it inside the iconic Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) on this day, we drove out to a jaw-dropping viewpoint just off the B241 Road to watch the sunset over the canyon. The sprawling desert shifting from bright gold to deep purple was simply spectacular.
Later that evening, we returned to the same location to try some independent, self-drive stargazing under one of the darkest skies on the planet.
Day 2: Baltinache Lagoons, Astro Tours & Traditional Parades
A Freezing Start: What We Learned About Desert Glamping
After a genuinely freezing first night in our dome, we woke up to a crisp morning and a generous breakfast included with our accommodation.
Essential Glamping Tip: If you are glamping in the Atacama Desert in winter (we were there in June, winter in the Southern Hemisphere), do not rely solely on a rustic fire log burner to keep your dome warm overnight. The logs burn out quickly unless you want to wake up repeatedly to feed the fire. Always check with your accommodation in advance to ensure they provide proper thick, heavy-duty bedding or a portable heater. Despite wearing thermal sleepwear, we were cold on night one due to thin blankets.
Caracoles Street & Booking an Astro Tour
After breakfast, we headed back into town to explore Caracoles Street, San Pedro’s main pedestrian strip. Walking it in the early morning is a game-changer; it is noticeably quieter than midday, making it the perfect time for photos of the adobe-style architecture with the iconic Licancabur volcano framed in the distance.
While shopping for souvenirs, we caught a beautiful traditional street parade celebrating San Antonio’s Day. We also stopped by a local travel office to book an in-depth, guided evening stargazing tour, as we wanted expert commentary to follow up on our DIY viewing from the night before.
Floating in the Baltinache Lagoons
With our swimwear packed, we drove out to the breathtaking Baltinache Lagoons (Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache). Floating effortlessly in these turquoise, super-saline saltwater pools hidden deep inside the desert floor was an absolute highlight. Because of the incredibly high salt concentration, you literally bob like a cork on the surface. I would easily put this at the very top of any family trip to the Atacama Desert.
Dinner at Inca’s Peruvian Restaurant
Starving after our swim, we freshened up, picked up my mother, and headed back to Caracoles Street for dinner at a Peruvian restaurant called Inca’s. The food was fantastic and highly affordable. We ordered a delicious seafood risotto, fresh ceviche, and standard pizza for the younger kids. A full meal for six people, including non-alcoholic drinks, came to around £80 (US$109).
Later that evening, my daughter and I were picked up directly from our accommodation for our expert-guided stargazing tour, which was an incredible, highly educational contrast to our self-drive adventure. Thankfully, our second night in the dome was much more comfortable, as the staff provided us with noticeably thicker blankets!
Day 3: El Tatio Geysers at Sunrise & Puritama Hot Springs
Our final day started with a very early alarm. We were up at 3:45 AM and picked up at 4:30 AM for the journey to the famous El Tatio Geysers.
The Majestic Sunrise at El Tatio
Sitting at a serious elevation of roughly 4,320 metres (14,170 feet), El Tatio is a drastic climb from San Pedro’s baseline altitude of 2,400 metres. I booked this excursion directly through our accommodation for £38 (US$51) per person, which included comfortable transport, entrance tickets, and a hot outdoor breakfast.
The route climbs steeply along an uneven, dark, winding mountain road, and you need an experienced local driver handling this terrain. Arriving just before dawn, the sight of columns of white steam exploding out of the geyser fields in the freezing pre-dawn air was genuinely magical.
- Multi-Generational Warning: This specific excursion was tackled by myself, my daughter, and my 20-year-old niece. I strictly do not recommend it for young children or elderly travellers with mobility issues. The combination of intense altitude, rough gravel terrain, and sub-zero temperatures makes it a highly demanding outing.
Soaking in the Puritama Hot Springs
That afternoon, we embarked on our final tour to the stunning Puritama Hot Springs, booked via a local agency on Caracoles Street. Nestled at the bottom of a dramatic canyon, these thermal pools sit at roughly 3,400 metres (11,150 feet). The warm, mineral-rich waters range from 28°C to 33°C (82°F to 91°F) and are connected by beautiful, flat wooden walkways.
Crucial Altitude Sickness Warning: I strongly advise against booking El Tatio and Puritama on the same day. Both involve significant elevation shifts. Squeezing them back-to-back drastically raises your risk of altitude sickness. We felt the unpleasant physical strain ourselves, and while I don’t regret the experiences, it was an unpleasant sensation. If you have the extra time to spread these across separate days, take it.
Farewell Dinner at Jardín de Meraki
Back in San Pedro, we celebrated our final night at an incredible garden restaurant called Jardín de Meraki. Surrounded by lush green plants, winding garden pathways, vibrant coloured lamps, glowing fire pits, and a live DJ, it made for a truly magical evening. I ordered a spectacular seafood risotto while my daughter thoroughly enjoyed her pizza.
We spent our final hours walking Caracoles Street one last time, soaking in the unique desert atmosphere before our early morning drive back to Calama Airport for our flight to Santiago.
The Verdict: Why You Should Stay Longer Than 3 Days
While our 3-day Atacama Desert itinerary successfully hit our top travel priorities, it forced us into heavy compromises. We had to miss the iconic Moon Valley completely, and we had to dangerously pack two high-altitude excursions into a single afternoon, resulting in mild altitude sickness.
If your schedule permits, extend your stay to 5 nights or more. A longer trip gives you the breathing room to naturally acclimatise, enjoy rest days for seniors and kids, and safely add other jaw-dropping locations like the Altiplanic Lagoons, Piedras Rojas, and the Tropic of Capricorn Monument without the time pressure.
Real Budget Breakdown: What We Spent for 6 People on our 3-day Atacama Desert Itinerary
To help you calculate your own travel expenses, here is the exact financial data from our self-planned family holiday:
| Expense Category | Exact Total Cost (6 People) |
|---|---|
| Flights (Return Santiago to Calama) | £525.45 / $707.21 (LATAM Airlines) – for 6 People |
| Accommodation (San Pedro Domos) | $388.00 USD (3 Nights) – for 6 People |
| Car Hire (Mitta 7-Seater SUV) | £37.88 / $51.45 (3 Days) – for 6 People |
| Tours and Ticket Entrances (Baltinache, Stargazing, El Tatio & Puritama) | $150.00 USD per person |
| Food, Drinks & Fuel | Budget-friendly local standard |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get altitude sickness in San Pedro de Atacama?
Yes. While the town itself sits at 2,400m, high-altitude tours like El Tatio shoot up to over 4,300m. Combining multiple high tours on the same day noticeably increases your risk. Space them out and drink plenty of water.
Is the Atacama Desert suitable for kids and elderly travellers?
Absolutely. Highlights like Caracoles Street, the Baltinache salt lagoons, local garden restaurants, and evening stargazing are incredibly gentle and flat. Skip the high-altitude geyser field if your companions have mobility limitations or health considerations.
Author Note: This itinerary is based on a fully self-planned, self-driven family holiday to Northern Chile. All stated costs and reviews reflect our real-world experience booking independent accommodation via Booking.com and selecting tours directly through local agencies on Caracoles Street.
Check all the guides I have written about Chile
Atacama Desert Family Trip
Stargazing in the Atacama Desert
