From San Pedro de Atacama: Geysers del Tatio Half-Day Tour

Name: From San Pedro de Atacama: Geysers del Tatio Half-Day Tour
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.29 (22 reviews)

4.3 (22 verified reviews)

Steam drifts across a stone-edged path at El Tatio in early morning light

A steaming pool of hot water in the brown ground of El Tatio under a blue sky

A llama grazes in a green wetland with a stream and low buildings behind

Steam plumes rise across El Tatio, with a vehicle and visitors in the distance

Golden grass tufts cover the plain in front of distant steam columns at El Tatio

About This Experience

Ruta Chile's El Tatio trip leaves San Pedro de Atacama at about 5:00 am and reaches the geothermal field around 6:45 am, when temperatures are below zero and the steam shows best. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide in Spanish or English and breakfast are included. It starts from $50 per person and has a 4.3 rating from 22 reviews.

You spend about two hours on the field with your guide, walking among geysers, fumaroles and hundreds of pools of boiling water ringed by high peaks. Breakfast follows: the listing promises coffee, a sandwich and cookies, and the description adds tea, milk, juice and chocolate.

On the way back you look for wildlife along the Putana River and stop for about 30 minutes in Machuca, a village of houses built in the traditional style, before returning to San Pedro with the rest of the day free.

Entrance tickets are not included. El Tatio charges CLP 15,000 per person, paid in cash, and one reviewer found the ticket process unclear, so ask the operator how to pay when you book.

Highlights

About two hours on the El Tatio geothermal field at dawn
Geysers, fumaroles and hundreds of boiling pools
Wildlife along the Putana River
Photo stop in Machuca, with its traditionally built houses
Back in San Pedro by late morning, with the rest of the day free

What's Included

✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Pedro de Atacama
✓ Guide in Spanish or English
✓ Breakfast with coffee, a sandwich and cookies
✓ Van transport to El Tatio and back via Machuca
✓ Guided walk on the geyser field

Not Included

El Tatio entrance ticket (CLP 15,000 per person, cash)
Tips
Food bought in Machuca, such as llama skewers

Good to Know & Caveats

Pickup is around 5:00 am and the field is below freezing at dawn; wear warm layers, gloves and a hat.
El Tatio is at about 4,300 m; plan it after two or three nights in San Pedro.
Pay the CLP 15,000 entrance in cash, and ask the operator how tickets work, as one reviewer found it confusing.
El Tatio closes for snow or storms; check eltatio.net for notices.
Not suitable for children under 11 or pregnant women; pets are not allowed.

Not Suitable For

Children under 11 years
Pregnant women

Meeting Point

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, with departure at about 5:00 am.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.3/5 by 22 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

excellent excursion, very well organized with an excellent French-speaking guide. The guide was remarkable, very friendly, always concerned about our state of health at this altitude. He prepared a top-of-the-range breakfast and found a magical place to spend a great time together. We highly recommend.
— Laurent, September 27, 2023

All the stars were because of the guide Lorena: super lively, creative, intelligent, well-informed and cultured. The place is magnificent and unique! It was worth every penny.
— Everton, August 15, 2023

It was amazing! Get up early in the morning, but it's worth it. Our guide Manu was really great, a very nice man. It was a special experience never to be forgotten. Also on the way back, when the weather is light, you pass a beautiful landscape where you stop several times.
— Sem, April 15, 2023