1

Taxis are probably not cheap either.

2

Taxis will be more expensive than tours to all the sites you listed.

I had my own transport, but took the tour to the geysers to save myself bumping along in the dark early in the morning. I don't remember any food or drinks being provided--perhaps you're looking at a more luxurious option than the basic ones available?

3

There was a very basic breakfast included in the tour to the geysers, but not much of a luxury. Not that you'd be interested in an extensive breakfast buffet at 6 in the morning and -10C, but anyway....

Agree with the above, a taxi is probably not going to be any cheaper than the tours.

You can cycle to the salt lake (the one you can float in), and possibly also to the valle de luna (not sure), so renting a bike for a day or two might be a slightly cheaper option for those 2, but I think the only feasible way of seeing the geysers is going with a tour.

4

Yes renting a bike is much cheaper to visit Valle de la Luna and the salt lake. There is also a some really nice cycling routes nearby, ask at the bike rental place.

Other sites are cheapest to visit on tours. Shop around as prices vary a lot between agencies.

5

San Pedro is inundated with mountain bike rental places, so as long as you are of a reasonable level of fitness then many places are within reach.

Valle de la luna is roughly 12 miles away and fairly level ground. Valle de la muerte (death valley) is only a few miles away and so well within reach for most. There is also a place called El Tunnel I think which is an interesting passageway through the mountainside - the views from here are particularly spectacular.

I never cycled to the El Tatio geysers, partly due to distance (some 40 miles away) and the amount of water you would need to carry on your back. The somewhat overbearing dryness of the atmosphere in these parts means liquid intake is incredibly high when cycling, and you certainly don't want to be running out of water when miles from San Pedro.

Plan carefully and I'd definitely advise cycling the area over guided tours. An exception to this is the stargazing tours which I'd definitely recommend ....

6

Thanks for all of the advice. We biked to Valle de la Lina for sunrise today, beautiful!