Steam rising from geysers, El Tatio geyser field

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

El Tatio Geysers

Norte Grande


El Tatio is ringed by volcanoes and fed by over 80 gurgling geysers and a hundred gassy fumaroles. Contrary to popular opinion it is not the world's largest geyser field, but the third largest. The best time to see the geysers is 6am, so make sure you wipe the sleep from your eyes if you want to experience the awesome spectacle.

Watch your step – in some places, visitors have fallen through the thin crust into underlying pools of scalding water and suffered severe burns. Dress in layers: it's toe-numbingly cold at sunrise but you'll bake in the van on the way back down.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Norte Grande attractions

2. Sol de Mañana

17.58 MILES

Most tour groups wake at dawn to visit the large geyser field dubbed Sol de Mañana. This 4850m-high geyser basin has bubbling mud pots, hellish fumaroles…

3. Laguna Colorada

18.29 MILES

Laguna Colorada is a rusty-burnt-orange-hued lake (4278m) that covers approximately 60 sq km and reaches a depth of just 80cm. The rich red coloration on…

4. Árbol de Piedra

21.8 MILES

This much-photographed, five-meter tall rock in Desierto Siloli resembles a tree. Most tours stop here on the way to Laguna Colorada.

5. Termas de Puritama

25.97 MILES

These idyllic volcanic hot springs puddle together in a box canyon, about 30km northeast of San Pedro en route to El Tatio. Their temperature is about 33…

6. Termas de Polques

26.73 MILES

At the foot of Cerro Polques lies Termas de Polques, a small 29.4°C hot-spring pool, and an absolute paradise after the chilly salar nights. Although they…

7. Desierto de Dalí

28.07 MILES

Where the route splits about 20km south of Sol de Mañana, the more scenic left fork climbs up and over a 5000m pass, then up a stark hillside dotted with…