Atacama Salt Flat and Toconao Tour from San Pedro
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Rating: 
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 5 hours
Visit the Atacama Salt Flat and neighboring village of Toconao on this 4-hour tour from San Pedro de Atacama with a local guide. At 1,200 square miles (3,000 sq km), the salt flat is one of the largest in the world; you’ll see a piece of it at the Soncor section, which is home to the famous flamingos of Chaxa Lagoon, part of Los Flamencos National Reserve. On the way to the salt flat, stop through Toconao to browse its handicraft market, and visit Quebrada de Jerez.
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Visit the Atacama Salt Flat and neighboring village of Toconao on this 4-hour tour from San Pedro de Atacama with a local guide. At 1,200 square miles (3,000 sq km), the salt flat is one of the largest in the world; you’ll see a piece of it at the Soncor section, which is home to the famous flamingos of Chaxa Lagoon, part of Los Flamencos National Reserve. On the way to the salt flat, stop through Toconao to browse its handicraft market, and visit Quebrada de Jerez.After hotel pickup, head by van with your guide to the village of Toconao, about 24 miles (38 km) south of San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy views of Licancabur and Lascar volcanoes during the drive.
When you arrive in Toconao, you have about 30 to 40 minutes of free time. Browse the handicraft workshops to look for items like alpaca wool and cactus crafts, which make great souvenirs or gifts, and don’t miss the town’s one famous attraction, its church (Iglesia de San Lucas) and bell tower made out of adobe and straw.
Next, depart the village for Quebrada de Jerez (sometimes known as the Valle de Jeré), a canyon formed by the Jeré River, which keeps the area greener than the rest of the arid landscape that surrounds San Pedro de Atacama. Walk around with your guide and enjoy a couple of photo ops, and then continue your tour into the Atacama Salt Flat (Salar de Atacama), specifically the area known as the Soncor ecosystem.
Made up of a sequence of lagoons (including Chaxa Lagoon), the Soncor ecosystem is part of Los Flamencos National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos) and is home to the Andean flamingo, one of the rarest flamingos in the world. Spend a bit of time here admiring the surreal environment and watching the flamingos and other native birds, and then return to San Pedro de Atacama for hotel drop-off.
When you arrive in Toconao, you have about 30 to 40 minutes of free time. Browse the handicraft workshops to look for items like alpaca wool and cactus crafts, which make great souvenirs or gifts, and don’t miss the town’s one famous attraction, its church (Iglesia de San Lucas) and bell tower made out of adobe and straw.
Next, depart the village for Quebrada de Jerez (sometimes known as the Valle de Jeré), a canyon formed by the Jeré River, which keeps the area greener than the rest of the arid landscape that surrounds San Pedro de Atacama. Walk around with your guide and enjoy a couple of photo ops, and then continue your tour into the Atacama Salt Flat (Salar de Atacama), specifically the area known as the Soncor ecosystem.
Made up of a sequence of lagoons (including Chaxa Lagoon), the Soncor ecosystem is part of Los Flamencos National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos) and is home to the Andean flamingo, one of the rarest flamingos in the world. Spend a bit of time here admiring the surreal environment and watching the flamingos and other native birds, and then return to San Pedro de Atacama for hotel drop-off.
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