San Pedro de Atacama: El Tatio Geyser Field and Wetlands

About This Experience

Inspires Viagens runs this early-morning trip from San Pedro de Atacama to El Tatio, which the operator describes as the third-largest geyser field in the world, with more than 80 active geysers. Pickup from the meeting point is at about 4:30 am so you reach the field for sunrise, when the cold air makes the steam columns stand out. It starts from $68 per person and has a 4.2 rating from 22 reviews.

After walking the field, you have breakfast outdoors on the altiplano. On the way back you visit the Putana and Machuca wetlands and the small Indigenous village of Machuca, known for its cheese empanadas and llama skewers, with volcanoes and wildlife along the road. One reviewer also got a photo stop with flamingos.

An English-speaking guide, transport and breakfast are included. The El Tatio entrance fee of CLP 15,000 is extra and paid in cash. The field sits at about 4,300 m, so plan this trip after two or three nights in San Pedro.

Reviews are mixed. Several praise the guides and the breakfast table, while two one-star ratings include a report that the guide never showed up, so keep the operator's contact details to hand on the morning.

Highlights

• Sunrise at El Tatio, which the operator calls the world's third-largest geyser field
• More than 80 active geysers
• Outdoor breakfast on the altiplano
• Putana and Machuca wetlands
• Village of Machuca, known for cheese empanadas and llama skewers

What's Included

• ✓ Pickup from the meeting point in San Pedro de Atacama at about 4:30 am
• ✓ Return transport to San Pedro
• ✓ English-speaking guide
• ✓ Outdoor breakfast
• ✓ Stops at the Putana and Machuca wetlands and the village of Machuca

Not Included

• El Tatio entrance fee (CLP 15,000, cash)
• Food bought in Machuca, such as empanadas and llama skewers
• Hotel pickup (you meet at a set point)

Good to Know & Caveats

• Pickup is around 4:30 am and geyser mornings are below freezing, so wear thermal layers, gloves and a hat.
• El Tatio sits at about 4,300 m; do it after two or three nights in San Pedro and tell the guide if you feel unwell.
• Pay the CLP 15,000 entrance in cash and bring Chilean pesos from Calama, since San Pedro's ATMs can run out.
• El Tatio closes in snow or storms; closures are posted on eltatio.net.
• Age and health restrictions apply at El Tatio; check with the operator if you are travelling with children or are over 70.

Meeting Point

Pickup is from a meeting point in San Pedro de Atacama at about 4:30 am; the operator confirms the exact spot after booking.