The perfect day trip for everything you wish to find in the Atacama Desert. Incredible volcanoes, huge salt flats and beautiful lagoons. You will be amazed with the landscapes of this trip.
We will reach over 4.000 meters above sea level, reason why we recommend full rest the night before and warm clothes for the cold.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
6:00 AM
Next available
Sat, Oct 10
Adult (ages 12+)
$239
Child (ages 3–11)
Free
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 9.
Tour Options
Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons
Pickup included
Itinerary
Piedras Rojas
Admission not included600 min
• Toconao
• Talar Salt Flat also called “Piedras Rojas” (Red rocks)
• Chaxa Lagoon
• Miscanti Lagoon
Lagunas Miscanti y Miniques
Admission not included120 min
Incredible lagoons between the volcanos: this two lagoons are the perfect scenario for a picture of the desert. The contrast between the rocky mountains and the amazing colors of the lagoons make this place a magical one
Salar de Atacama
Admission included120 min
The Salar de Atacama is the largest salt deposit in Chile whose surface, white and rough, hides a large brackish lake from the naked eye. Its size is 300,000 square kilometers and can be fully appreciated thanks to the fact that the air is completely dry. However, this great visibility distorts the appreciation of distances.
Laguna Chaxa
Admission not included60 min
What a special place! Surrounded by volcanoes, mountains and mountain ranges, this lagoon fills us with an indescribable peace as soon as we begin our journey towards its waters rich in plankton and crustaceans.
Unlike other lagoons, we cannot swim here, but that is not an impediment for not enjoying the ride.
At 4,500 meters above sea level, we soon will discover that Laguna Chaxar is an unmissable sight for bird lovers.
What's included
Included
Park entries included
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Breakfast
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
20 reviews
5
17
4
1
3
1
2
0
1
1
Important Information
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons take?
Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons lasts about 10–11 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons cost?
Prices start at $239 per person for this San Pedro de Atacama experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:00 AM.
How much does Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons cost for children?
Children aged 3–11 pay nothing, adults from $239. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Hostal Pueblo de Tierra.
What languages is Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 16 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Highland Wonders: Red Stones & Lagoons worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 20 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Full Tour.
Reviews(20)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
mczink
December 30, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Could Be Improved: Rushed and Disorganized Experience
While the landscapes of the Atacama Desert are undeniably breathtaking, my experience with this tour unfortunately fell short of expectations. There were several organizational and logistical issues that impacted the overall enjoyment of the trip.
Firstly, the pick-up time was unexpectedly moved forward to 6:00 AM the evening before, which caused some last-minute adjustments on our end. While such changes can happen, earlier notice would have been appreciated. Once the tour began, it felt rushed—our driver seemed to be in a hurry, and though safety was not directly compromised, it made for an uncomfortable ride. Additionally, the guide appeared disengaged and provided only minimal information about the incredible places we visited, which was disappointing given the rich history and natural beauty of the region.
A significant letdown was that we did not visit the Salar de Atacama, a key highlight of the itinerary. No explanation was given for this omission, leaving us feeling like we missed out on an essential part of the experience. To add to this, at the end of the tour, we were dropped off at the outskirts of town instead of our original pick-up location, which was inconvenient and unexpected.
The Atacama Desert is a truly magical place, but I believe this tour could improve significantly with better communication, a more engaged guide, and adherence to the promised itinerary. I hope future travelers have a better experience!
1
176omars
November 5, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Exploring the Atacama
We bought this and other tours with the Full Tour. The agency at Atacama was punctual on all the tours, the attentive and knowledgeable guides of the attractions, and the very good scripts. The breakfasts and snacks offered on the tours were very satisfying. We got a very interesting cost/benefit ratio. I recommend.
Operator response
Ficamos felizes em saber que todos os passeios atenderam às suas expectativas, especialmente com a pontualidade, os guias atenciosos e os roteiros bem planejados. É muito gratificante saber que nossos cafés da manhã e lanches também contribuíram para tornar sua experiência ainda mais agradável. Agradecemos pela recomendação e esperamos que volte para descobrir mais lugares do Chile juntos.
Q
Q7856SWfeliper
April 25, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Full Tour Agency
Wow, the best experience we've ever had, the Full Tour agency accompanied us the entire time, from closing the package to the last tour. Thank you very much for the work done.
Operator response
Olá Felipe, primeiro queremos agradecer a confiança depositada na nossa agencia, o Chile é um país lindo e encantador, foi um prazer ter vocês aqui e mostrar as belezas da região do deserto de Atacama. Nossa equipe estará esperando você para mais aventuras juntos.
T
toby_c
April 1, 2024 · via Viator
Ripped me off
Tour company asked for $20 directly via PayPal for park fees. I paid this. This was outside of Viator .
I was given the wrong start time twice, I challenged this and it was still confirmed. I went to sleep and miss local guide messages with an earlier pick up time. I missed the trip.
Viator refunded me as this was the agent error, not mine, despite the agent blaming me!
After several efforts my request for refund of $20 has been ignored. This is theft.
This was my experience and I managed to rebook a trip locally which was £50 cheaper.
Your call whether you want to deal with this company or not. I wouldn't.
M
marciapN4428FV
October 22, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
The guide Teresa was wonderful, she took great care of the passengers and the explanation was wonderful.
Incredible landscape, there is no way to describe this place, only those who have been there can describe how it feels and the spectacle of nature
Operator response
Queremos agradecer o seu comentário, Piedras Rojas é um dos passeios mais bonitos do Atacama, o contraste das salinas com as rochas vermelhas, assim como as demais paradas incluídas no passeio são paisagens inesquecíveis. Foi um prazer ter atendido você.
Obrigado por sua confiança.
A
anacristinamD2181DY
October 16, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent Organization - Amazing to have seen much of the Atacama Desert
The landscapes are stunning, we took lots of photos. Unforgettable and peaceful place. I am very satisfied with the tour, we made great choices. Everything very well organized by Diego Hengler note 10000 :)
Operator response
Olá Ana, o Chile tem paisagens realmente inesquecíveis e ficamos muito contentes em saber que conseguimos fazer um ótimo roteiro nesses lugares. Nós amamos compartilhar com outros uma amostra do Chile ,esperamos receber você novamente para mais aventuras juntos.
H
hannas534
September 22, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
It was simply perfect! From start to finish, the company fulfilled everything agreed. If you searched at the right time, we have incredible guides.
Operator response
Olá Hanna, muito obrigado por sua avaliação. Para nossos guias e toda a nossa equipe receber feedback positivos como o seu nos deixa muito felizes e nos motiva a nos esforçar ainda mais.
4
40familyof4
September 4, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Good tour, but expensive
This was a very long tour (we spent probably 7hrs in the small bus) with only 2 bathroom stops. Overall, it was a very good experience. Our driver (Adele) and tour guide (Nicole) were excellent. We visited a flamingo reserve and different lagoons. Nicole is very experienced and used pictures/ books as needed to tell us about the fauna and history of the different areas. We saw a few additional animals along the way (fox, llama). The tour is bilingual (even though the booking makes it appear it would only be one language).
The tour had to be changed because 2 parks were closed for maintenance at that time. The tour company texted us the day before and asked if we were OK with the change. The parks had been closed for a while (we heard about it in the local tourist office) and the tour operator should have adjusted the description on the website. Instead of visiting one of the parks we were dropped off at a restaurant in San Pedro de Atacama at 3 PM for lunch (which was included in the tour).
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We're glad to hear that you had an overall positive experience and enjoyed the company of Adele and Nicole during the tour. It's great to know you appreciated the stops at the flamingo reserve and lagoons, as well as Nicole's informative explanations.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the last-minute changes to the itinerary and understand your concerns about the park closures. We'll work on improving our communication to ensure our descriptions are fully updated on the website. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will use it to continue improving our tours. We hope to welcome you again for a more seamless experience in the future!
A
Anna Carolina P
August 11, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful experience, you can't miss it!!
The landscape is absurdly beautiful, the guides are attentive and very careful with Brazilians!! You can trust with your eyes closed.
Operator response
Olá Anna Carolina, obrigado pelo comentário. O Deserto do Atacama esconde lugares que parecem mágicos, um exemplo disso são as Piedras Rojas, ficamos muito felizes por ter ajudado você a viver está linda experiência, esperamos que retorne em breve.
U
U4535
July 29, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
phenomenal tour
The landscapes are amazing and guides Nicole and Veronica were excellent, even taking excellent photos. I loved the tour and the information made by the guides. I recommend the tour, but you are worried because in winter it is very cold....
Operator response
Olá, muito obrigado pela sua avaliação, o Chile é um país lindo com lugares incríveis como Piedras Rojas no deserto de Atacama, ficamos muito felizes por ter ajudado você a descobrir esse lugar e saber que você gostou.
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