This is the final post in our Atacama travel guide. For more destinations, check out the <Chile Collection> on our homepage. The itinerary below can be completed in 1-2 days and is mostly along Highway 23, which captures the essence of Atacama. Some areas are at a higher altitude (around 4000-4200 meters), so plan according to your physical condition and be mindful of altitude sickness.
📍Laguna Cejar Salt Lake Floating
📍Laguna Chaxa Park Flamingos at the Salt Lake
📍Jere Valley Gorge
📍Salar Aguas Calientes (Piedras Rojas) Salt Lake
📍Lagunas Miscanti y Miñiques Two Salt Lakes
⚠️ Laguna Cejar: If you’re not part of a tour, tickets for floating are only available early in the morning; other times are reserved for tour groups. It can be quite chilly in the morning, so we opted out (we had already experienced floating in the Dead Sea in Jordan).
⚠️ Chaxa Park + Jere Valley: There is no mobile signal on-site, and tickets must be purchased online in advance as a package deal. Enter with a QR code. A half-hour hike is required, and the park closes at 7 PM.
⚠️ Piedras Rojas + Miscanti y Miñiques: These two sites are very close, so it’s common to buy a combined ticket. For self-driving, here are the key points to remember:
‼️ Tickets must be purchased online at least one day in advance, specifying the order of visits, date, and time slot. No on-site ticket sales!
For example, if your ticket is for Piedras Rojas first, you must start there; otherwise, you won’t be allowed to enter.
‼️ On the way to the salt lake, you will pass through the town of 📍Socaire. You must register in the town at least one hour before your scheduled visit. For instance, if your ticket is for 12:30, arrive by 11:30.
Have your ticket QR code and license plate number ready for the staff. They will provide a small ticket and some essential information (speed limits, toilet locations, etc.).
‼️ Keep the small ticket, as it will be checked upon arrival at the salt lake. Even if you have a ticket but haven’t registered, you won’t be allowed to enter.
‼️ After Socaire, there are no supplies, so stock up on food and drinks in the town.
‼️ Piedras Rojas requires about an hour of hiking. The path is easy and doesn’t involve climbing, but the wind can be strong, so dress warmly. The altitude is around 4000 meters.
‼️ Miscanti y Miñiques, these two lakes require less walking, with an altitude of around 4200 meters.
The road conditions are poor, making for a bumpy ride.
