The 15 Best Altiplano Lagoon Tours in the Atacama

1.Piedras Rojas, Altiplanics Lagoons & Salar Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 592 reviews · 10 hours · from $85Our pick

Join a small group of up to 14 for a long Atacama day with guides such as Cheryl, Christian, Camila, or Mauricio. You’ll visit Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, Piedras Rojas, Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire, and Toconao, with breakfast and lunch included. Expect cold mornings, strong sun, high altitude, and outstanding photo stops.

“We enjoyed the whole tour. It’s lot to learn about different places and our tour guide Carolina helped us to know more about the places. She also took some beautiful pictures of ours. We highly recommend everyone for this tour and our tour guide Carolina and her companion driver”

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2.Baltinache Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 359 reviews · 5 hours · from $70

Meet your English and Spanish-speaking guide in San Pedro for a five-hour trip southeast to the Baltinache Lagoons. You’ll cross dramatic salt and rock country, visit seven lagoons, and may float in one pool when conditions allow. Guides such as Francisco, Daniel, and Mauricio are praised for clear local explanations. Pickup and a substantial breakfast-style snack are included.

“We were so lucky to have had Francisco as a guide. The day was lovely - we were picked up from our hotel and traveled quickly to the Magic Bus. We beat all of the crowds, which was amazing and made for great photos and a calm visit. Our guide explained to us what was happening in the area and the history behind it. We also had a nice small breakfast available for us, which we ate surrounded by the salt mountains. Next we were off to the lagoons, which unfortunately were closed for swimming (reopening in September due to pollution); but they were still incredible to look at and…”

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3.Triple tour: Red stones, highland lagoons and Chaxa Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 219 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

You’ll spend 10 hours exploring Piedras Rojas, Socaire, Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, and Chaxa Lagoon from San Pedro de Atacama. A bilingual guide such as Karla, Manu, Christian, or Carolina may lead the day. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, shared transport, and stops at up to 4,200 meters are included, but park fees are extra.

“Loretto is amazing! Best guide! Intimate group! Avmazing views. Food could be improved, but not critical!”

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4.Red Stones and Altiplanic Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $75Top rated

Set out from San Pedro at 7:00 am for Piedras Rojas, Miscanti Lake, Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire, and Toconao. Your day includes breakfast and lunch, with guides such as Marlon or Juan explaining the sights. Expect striking red rock, high-altitude lakes, flamingo country, salt-flat views, and a separate park entrance fee.

“Marlon is an excellent guide. He is very knowledgeable and interacts well with his group. Company also communicates well regarding pick up, what to bring, etc. The scenery is stunning with a variety of things to see on this trip. Highly recommend this activity and this tour company!”

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5.Red Rocks & Altiplano Lagoons Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 108 reviews · 10 hours · from $129

Travel from San Pedro de Atacama to the Tropic of Capricorn, Red Rocks, Chaxa Lagoon, and the high Altiplano lagoons. You will walk at up to 3,800 meters, reach heights near 4,200 meters, and learn about desert wildlife from an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Breakfast, lunch, transport, and entrance fees are included.

“Lolo was an outstanding guide 5 stars for all aspects of the trip. Will book another with excursion with this group. She made it fun and informative. And what a great smile. You can tell she loves what she does!!! Bravo”

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6.Altiplanic Lagoons & Piedras Rojas Tour from San Pedro de Atacama

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $113

Travel from San Pedro de Atacama to Chaxa Lagoon, Miscanti and Miñiques, and Piedras Rojas. Expect a long day, high altitude, bumpy roads, lunch in Socaire, and guide commentary in English and Spanish. Guides such as Pedro, Carla, Ivan, and Juan Pablo have been especially praised for adding humor, local context, and helpful photo stops.

“Albeit this is a long day with much driving, it is well worth it. The lagoons are beautiful but the red rocks asnd surrounding coloured mountains are spectacular!”

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7.Full Day Tour Piedras Rojas Altiplanic Lagoons Chaxa Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $140

Set out at 6:00 a.m. from San Pedro de Atacama for Piedras Rojas, the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, Socaire, and Chaxa Lagoon. Small groups of up to 15 visit flamingo country and high-altitude salt flats. Guides such as Florencia, David, Diego, Anita, and Marco have led departures, with breakfast and lunch included.

“An amazing day. Truly beautiful sights to see. Florencia and David were very knowledgeable and supper helpful. The lunch was basic but oh so flavourful. The views postcard worth.”

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8.Baltinache Hidden Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 64 reviews · 4h 30m · from $58

Spend about four and a half hours visiting the Baltinache Hidden Lagoons from San Pedro de Atacama. A bilingual guide leads a small group of up to 15 people to the saltwater pools, where you can float, enjoy desert views, and finish with a cocktail and coffee tasting. Bring a towel, water, warm layers, and cash for the entrance fee.

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9.Caracoles: Red Stones of Atacama and Chaxa Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 56 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Spend 10 hours in the Atacama highlands with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, visiting Chaxa Lagoon, the Red Stones, Aguas Calientes, and the Meñiques and Miscanti lagoons. Guides such as Brandon and Valentin add useful regional stories, while breakfast and lunch are served in scenic outdoor settings.

“Brandon was super knowledgable about the area and the tour was extremely informative.”

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10.Half-Day Tour to Laguna Cejar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $35Best value

From San Pedro de Atacama, Whipala Expedition takes you to Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar, and Laguna Tebinquinche. Expect a saltwater float, stark desert scenery, flamingo sightings, and a snack with juice or pisco sour. Guides such as Alex, Javier, Rafael, Ernesto, Sergio, and Sofia have led this outing.

“Great outing not too far from San Pedro de Atacama. Water was refreshing. Couldn't believe how we floated so easily. Great afternoon tea after. Recommend this tour.”

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11.Piedras Rojas and Altiplanic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · from $109

Spend a full day above and beyond San Pedro de Atacama, visiting Socaire, Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, Piedras Rojas, and Salar de Atacama. Expect a small group of up to 10, breakfast, lunch, hotel pickup, and a bilingual guide. Guides may include Natalie, Alex Sanchez, or Giuliana.

“I felt my tour guides were most respectful of the area and made every attempt to make everyone feel inclusive on tour.”

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12.Cejar Lagoon Tour: San Pedro de Atacama

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 4 hours · from $37

Join Whipala Expedition for a four-hour shared trip from San Pedro de Atacama to Cejar Lagoon, Ojos del Salar, and Tebenquiche Lagoon. You will float for about 30 minutes in salt-rich water, walk beside white salt flats, and enjoy a snack at a quiet stop. Guides such as Daniel and Manuel offer English or Spanish commentary.

“the whole tour was quite nice. The clear highlight was the guide. Daniel was full of information and energy. He gave clear and concise safety instructions in English along with interesting biological and historical information. a good tour for a more relaxing afternoon”

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13.Cejar Lagoon, Tebenquiche Lagoon and Ojos del Salar

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 5 hours · from $49

Travel from central San Pedro de Atacama to Cejar Lagoon for a saltwater float, then visit the underground pools of Ojos del Salar and the white salt fields of Tebenquiche Lagoon. A Spanish- or English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and snack are included. Entrance tickets and extra drinks cost more.

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14.Lagoons and Piedras Reds

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews · 12 hours · from $99

Travel by Jeep or SUV from San Pedro de Atacama to Toconao, Chaxa Lagoon, Socaire, the 4,200-meter Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons, and the Red Stones. An English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide leads a small group of up to 12, with breakfast and lunch included.

“We truly enjoyed our day with Daniel and had an absolutely wonderful experience. He was very caring, attentive, and made sure we felt comfortable at all times. Daniel is an excellent driver — very safe, focused, and calm — which gave us great confidence throughout the trip. He took exceptional care of us, shared a lot of interesting information, and made the day both enjoyable and informative. He also entertained us with his great personality and clearly does his job with heart and passion. We saw and experienced so much thanks to him, and the entire day was simply perfect. I can highly recommend Daniel — he is an incredible…”

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15.Salar de Atacama and altiplanic lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 15 reviews · 7 hours · from $78

Start early from San Pedro de Atacama for the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons at about 4,200 meters, then visit Socaire, Chaxa Lagoon, and Toconao. A small group of up to 10 travels with an English or Spanish guide, breakfast, and hotel pickup. Guides such as Rafael have been praised for thoughtful timing and lively explanations.

“Incroyable ! Le meilleur tour de loin, un guide au top & de belles petites attentions”

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