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_{Strolling through the desert –} 

Chile is probably one of the most unique countries that I’ve encountered during my trip so far, geographically speaking. It is long and thin. My tour guide asked our group to guess whether we know why Chile is called Chile. And nobody could guess why. 

_{Building type @ San Pedro de Atacama}

He said, there are two assumptions why. The first one is because of the country’s shape, which is long and thin, just like a chili. But, the real reason would trace back to Mapuche or so called the indigenous people of Chile, which in their language Chili meant the far away land. This refers to the situation back then where the northern part of Chile still belonged to Bolivia, the desert part. And just like Argentina, the climates are different in the north and south, where the dessert serves the northern side of Chile, the southern part is popular as the antarctic. 

_{Indigenous person with llama and fox in a street art}

This time, I explored just the northern part and the middle part of Chile due to minimizing logistics, hence travelling with winter clothing during a year long sabbatical. 

_{Otw to San Pedro de Atacama} 

What is there in the northern part of Chile? 

The famous dessert of San Pedro de Atacama is here. If you ask me how famous it is, I would answer that Dune II, Star Wars The Mandalorian and a perfume which Dua Lipa endorsed were shot here. So, yeah! 

_{One of the landscapes @ San Pedro de Atacama}

What can you do there?

Due to the extreme conditions, most of the trailing parts are advisable to be visited with tours. But of course, you can explore alone too and I did for some. Check these points below to see what you can do at San Pedro Atacama. 

_{Tour operators on their tour journey break}

THE MOON VALLEY TOUR 

Honestly there are a lot of tours that you can choose at San Pedro Atacama. But if you can only choose one, you should go for this tour. It was worth it since you will explore this in a safe way. I was there in February and it was so hot. So, hiking with a professional would be a great way to minimize accidents. Plus, you will learn it professionally about the geology of where you are. Tour price was ca. 30 USD per person.

_{Upon the entrance to the Moon Valley, our guide registered us}

_{However, the entrance to it was not included, so I bought it with our tour operator. The price on the invoice was for two people, which was 10.80 USD per person.}

_{Valle de Luna – Can you imagine one of the scenes of Mandalorian or Dune here?}

_{We visited Tres Maria, three rocks as seen shaped by nature like Maria bearing, holding, and comforting baby Jesus. However, due to a tourist climbing ca. 20 years ago, one Maria was broken. Since then, we could only watch it from afar.}

DEATH VALLEY

This is also why you should choose the first tour, since Death Valley is also included in the tour. Death Valley is just another whole universe. You will be in the desert without having gone to the middle east. And the colours of the sediment and the area where you see no living is just an experience. 

_{Death Valley} 

_{Strolling at Death Valley is different since it is very sandy and sand protections are needed}

MIRADOR DE KARI

We went there at the closing of the tour to enjoy the sunset. If you have ever been to the Grand Canyon, this would remind you of it. The view is beautiful. But, if I have to be objective, I would choose the Grand Canyon as the better place. But hey, we are in South America, so one should not compare anyway. 

_{View from Mirador de Kari}

_{Chasing sunset @ Mirador de Kari}

MUSEO GUSTAVO LE PAIGE

You can go to the museum independently for 2.50 USD per person. If you visit this museum by foot in the afternoon, the climate is very hot, so you have to cover yourself and bring a lot of water. About the museum itself, it is an anthropology museum which exhibits life on the Andean mountains dating hundreds years ago. 

_{When otw to the Museum by feet}

_{One of the introduction corners}

_{Artifacts on display}

METEORITE MUSEUM

This is another museum to which you can go. You will learn a lot of different types of meteorite and its composition. Tickets are 5 USD per person.

_{Meteorite Museum from outside}

_{Meteorite display}

IGLESIA SAN PEDRO 

So, since you are in the desert there is a twist ofc. in this centrally located church. If you look up, you will notice how the ceiling is made of cactus’ wood. And the outer design is pretty much how I would imagine a building in a desert would look like. You can visit for free, but a small donation is appreciated.

_{Did you notice the ceiling?}

_{The exterior of the church}

CONCLUSION

Is it worth it to visit San Pedro de Atacama? Absolutely! Note that you need to like the heat since it is in a desert. Can you do more than what I suggested above? Of course! There are some other tour services offered on the spot, i.e. stargazing tour, tour to Salar de Uyuni. So, you should check them more and add it to your list if budget and time aren’t issues. 

_{Picnic table with our guide and the rest of the group after Valley de Luna tour}

_{Note – This article does not contain any ads. Any recommendations are based on personal experiences and not legal advice. Prices are based on February 2025.}