Welcome to Calama
It may appear drab and gritty but Calama happens to be the pride and joy of northern Chile, an economic powerhouse that pumps truckloads of copper money into the Chilean economy year on year. And while it holds little attraction for visitors – most people will only stop here for the night (if they have to) on their way to the la-la land of San Pedro de Atacama – there is a visceral appeal to this mining town that definitely goes that extra mile in 'keeping it real.'
Top experiences in Calama
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Food and drink
Calama activities
Atacama Desert 4-Day Tour: Moon Valley and Chilean Salt Flats
From Death Valley to Moon Valley and the salt flats, see the beautiful landscapes of Chile’s Atacama Desert on this four-day excursion. Airport transfers are provided, and you have a choice of a three-star or four-star hotel, with breakfast included.Itinerary:Day 1: Calama -- San Pedro de AtacamaAfter being met at Calama airport, you’ll be transferred to the village of San Pedro de Atacama. Spend the afternoon with your guide on a scenic drive to Salt Mountain and Valle de Marte (Chile’s Death Valley), and watch a spectacular sunset in the extraordinary landscape of Moon Valley. You’ll then be transferred to your selected hotel, where the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore San Pedro on your own.Accommodation: Casa Don Tomas Hotel (three-star, choice of twin or triple room) or Hotel Kimal (four-star, choice of twin or triple room) in San Pedro de AtacamaDay 2: San Pedro de Atacama -- Atacama Salt Flat -- Toconao -- San Pedro de Atacama (B, L)Following breakfast, you'll be driven out to the Atacama Salt Flat to see three species of flamingos nesting on Lake Chaxa. After visiting the picturesque town of Toconao, renowned for its classic bell tower, continue on to the village of Socaire and the altiplanic lagoons of Meñique and Miscanti. Ringed by volcanoes of the Andes Mountains chain, the vivid blue lakes lie 14,850 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level and are protected by Flamingos National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos). Returning to your selected hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day and evening to spend at your leisure.Accommodation: your same hotelDay 3: San Pedro de Atacama -- Geysers del Tatio -- San Pedro de Atacama (B)It’s a pre-dawn start today, departing your hotel at 4am to reach the Geysers del Tatio by sunrise. Once at the geysers, enjoy a breakfast box before taking a guided walk around the geothermal field, seeing the breathtaking sight of columns of steam rising from the ground as the sun rises over the Andes Mountains. The return drive to San Pedro de Atacama provides fabulous views of the Torcopuri and Sairecabur volcanoes. After being dropped off at your hotel in San Pedro, you’ll have the rest of the day and evening to visit the town’s lively market and spend your time as you please.Accommodation: your same hotelDay 4: San Pedro de Atacama – Calama (B)After breakfast, a transfer takes you to Calama airport to catch your onward flight.
El Loa Airport Shared Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama Hotels
After you arrive at El Loa Airport in Calama (Aeropuerto El Loa), meet your professional bilingual driver, who will take you on the 60-mile (95-km) drive to San Pedro de Atacama. Sit back and relax on the journey, or perhaps practice your Spanish with your driver! You’ll be dropped off at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantly, and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
San Pedro de Atacama 2-Day Tour and Taito Geysers, Moon Valley
Discover this small town located in the Atacama dessert and be amazed by its singular landscapes, quite unlike anywhere else on earth. Vast salt flats and active geysers are the main attraction of this 2-day tour.You can choose between 3 types of accommodation: Inn, Comfort or Superior, depending on your preferences and you will have breakfast included each morning. Lunches and Dinners are at your own expenses, and your guides will be happy to recommend places for you to taste local cuisine.IMPORTANT: Arrival flights to Calama Airport MUST be during the morning (up to 11.00am) and departure flights MUST be during the afternoon (after 4pm) in order to be able to take both toursFor details on each day of the tour, please see the Itinerary below:Day 1 - San Pedro De Atacama - Moon ValleyAt the appropriate time, you will be picked up from Calama airport and will be driven to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (about two hour away- shared service).3.00pm In the afternoon, you will visit a National Reserve located in one of the world’s driest and most hostile zones of the world: the Atacama Desert. Please remember that National Park Fees are not included since they should be paid locally. Once inside the Reserve, you will visit a geological phenomenon known as Salt Mountain Range and will admire the landscape from different spots, to then immerse into the deepness of the Earth, while visiting the salt caves. You will as well understand the delicacy of the clay while visiting the Tres Marias, sculptures craved by nature. For the perfect closure, you will admire the dusk on the Great Dune, from where you will be able to see the Andes, Domeyko mountain range and the Salt mountain range. This tour starts and ends at our operator’s office in San Pedro de Atacama.Overnight: accommodation included Day 2 - San Pedro De Atacama - Half Day Tatio Geysers & Machuca (B)4.30am After an early morning pickup at your hotel, experience one of the most astonishing phenomena produced by nature! Visit the beautiful geothermic field, manifestation of the inner heat of the Earth. Take the most amazing photographs walking across the tracks over the field. Have the unique opportunity to swim in the The Tatio spring waters, rich in minerals. Go along the imposing Andes mountain range, and participate in the adventure of observing native plants and animals in their natural habitat. Your breakfast will be provided when the sun rises. On your way back, you will also have a short visit to Machuca village. Please remember that National Park Fees are not included. You will get to your hotel around 12.30pm.At the appropriate time, you will be driven to Calama airport (about two hour away- shared service).Meals included: Breakfast
4-Days Trip to Discover San Pedro de Atacama
DAY 1: Calama Airport - San Pedro de Atacama - Moon ValleyReception at Calama Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.In the afternoon, departure from the hotel to the Moon Valley (04:00pm Subject to confirmation). 19 km from San Pedro, in the Salt Mountain Range, is the Moon Valley located, declared a Nature Sanctuary and Monument and protected by the uniqueness of its beauty. It consists of a depression surrounded by small hills with impressively sharp peaks. The tour is an imaginary trip to landscapes that does not belong to our world, but to other planets. We will see the Dinosaur Valley and Death Valley, where there is a spectacular panoramic view of the area. We continue to the Moon Valley, where we will find geological formations that are the result of successive foldings of the earth's crust. In the valley is possible to appreciate the salt sculptures known as Las Tres Marias, formed by wind erosion. Continuing with the tour we will walk through the interior of the caves that remain from the old deposits, to get closer to valley where is the Big Dune. After a break, we will climb this dune, which impresses with its size and is used for extreme sports as snowboarding At sunset, a bold palette of golds and reds appear, touching the soul and sensibilities of the visitor.Overnight @ 4* Hotel in San Pedro DAY 2: San Pedro de Atacama - Altiplanic Lagoons - Atacama Salt Flat- San Pedro de AtacamaBreakfast. Departure at 08:30am. In this excursion, we will visit Piedras Rojas (Red Stones) located in the Tara Salt Flat with its fascinating and beautiful red-colored landscape, remarked by its owe-inspiring geological formations born from the rusting of the iron. After that, we will go through the path to the Altiplano in order to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, located more than 4,200 meter above the sea level and surrounded by great and imposing volcanoes from the Andes Mountain Range and flora and fauna in their natural environment.Overnight @ 4* Hotel in San PedroDAY 3: San Pedro de Atacama – Tatio Geysers – San Pedro de Atacama Departure at 5:00am from the hotel. Subject to confirmation. We leave at dawn from San Pedro de Atacama Hotel to go to the Tatio Geysers, a geothermal center with geysers that can only be seen very early in the morning. After seeing this spectacular sight in a magnificent natural setting, we eat breakfast. Overnight @ 4* Hotel in San Pedro DAY 4: San Pedro de Atacama – Calama Airport Breakfast. In due time, transfer to Calama Airport.
3-Days Trip to Discover San Pedro de Atacama
DAY 1: Calama Airport - San Pedro de Atacama - Moon ValleyReception at Calama Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.In the afternoon, departure from the hotel to the Moon Valley (04:00pm Subject to confirmation). 19 km from San Pedro, in the Salt Mountain Range, is the Moon Valley located, declared a Nature Sanctuary and Monument and protected by the uniqueness of its beauty. It consists of a depression surrounded by small hills with impressively sharp peaks. Continuing with the tour we will walk through the interior of the caves that remain from the old deposits, to get closer to valley where is the Big Dune. After a break, we will climb this dune, which impresses with its size and is used for extreme sports as snowboarding At sunset, a bold palette of golds and reds appear, touching the soul and sensibilities of the visitor.Overnight @ 4* Hotel in San Pedro de AtacamaDAY 2: San Pedro de Atacama - Puritama Hot Springs – Atacama Salt FlatBreakfast. At 09:30am departure to the Puritama Hot Springs. Located at 30 Km. aprox. from San Pedro de Atacama we will find the Puritama River, its waters come from the Mountain Range, they warm up because of the proximity of the volcanic material and this place, they surface. This area features the basic services needed and terraces in each swimming pool. Here, we will enjoy an incredible landscape, a 33°C thermal bath with healing properties. Return to the hotel.In the afternoon, we will visit Chaxa Lagoon, a scenery and beautiful landscape, divided into several water mirrors where a great number of flamingoes and other birds such as Andean Flamingoes. Finally, before we return, while the landscape features marvelous views of the Licancabur and Lascar Volcanoes, we will visit Toconao with a typical colonial architecture, San Lucas Church, the first National Monument. Return to the hotel.Overnight @ 4* Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama DAY 3: San Pedro de Atacama - Tatio Geysers - Calama Airport Departure at 5:00am from the hotel. Subject to confirmation. We leave at dawn from San Pedro de Atacama Hotel to go to the Tatio Geysers, a geothermal center with geysers that can only be seen very early in the morning. After seeing this spectacular sight in a magnificent natural setting, we eat breakfast. On the way back, we see the majestic Andes Mountain Range, whose peaks seem close enough to touch. We then arrive at Machuca, a small llama herder settlement. Transfer to Calama Airport.
8 - Days Unique experience in San Pedro de Atacama & Chilean Patagonia
ItineraryDay 1: Calama Airport - San Pedro de Atacama - Moon ValleyPass By: Avis CalamaReception at Calama Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.Stop At: Valle de la LunaDeclared a Nature Sanctuary and Monument and protected by the uniqueness of its beauty. It consists of a depression surrounded by small hills with impressively sharp peaks. The tour is an imaginary trip to landscapes that do not belong to our world, but to other planets. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Mars Valley or Death Valley, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionWe will see the Dinosaur Valley and Death Valley, where there is a spectacular panoramic view of the area. We continue to the Moon Valley, where we will find geological formations that are the result of successive foldings of the earth's crust. In the valley is possible to appreciate the salt sculptures known as Las Tres Marias, formed by wind erosion.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Atacama Dessert, ChileContinuing with the tour we will walk through the interior of the caves that remain from the old deposits, to get closer to valley where is the Big Dune. After a break, we will climb this dune, which impresses with its size and is used for extreme sports as snowboarding At sunset, a bold palette of golds and reds appear, touching the soul and sensibilities of the visitor.Duration: 2 hoursPass By: La Casa de Don TomásOvernightNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Hotel Casa don TomasDay 2: San Pedro de Atacama – Puritama Hot Spring Stop At: Termas Banos de Puritama, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionDeparture at 04:30pm heading northeast from San Pedro de Atacama, 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) away, we will find the Puritama river. Thanks to the sector’s volcanic activity, the temperature of the waters that flow from the mountain range rises, turning this place into one of the most sought out tourism sites in the sector. In addition, the place has all the necessary services for a comfortable visit and, thus, nature gives us the possibility of enjoying this landscape, with a delightful bath in its 33°C (91.4°F) waters rich in minerals that have medicinal properties. In this canyon, where the Puritama river flows, we find one of the richest places in terms of plants and wildlife of the sector that surrounds the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Pampas grasses create a border between the water and the rest of the landscape. At the salt bushes, several bird species, such as the Grey-hooded Sierra-finch, the Scale-throated Earthcreeper, and the Grassland Yellow-finch, among others, provide us with the ideal scenery to fully enjoy nature..Duration: 4 hoursPass By: La Casa de Don TomásOvernightNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Hotel Casa don TomasDay 3: San Pedro de Atacama - Altiplanic Lagoons - Atacama Salt Flat - San Pedro de AtacamaStop At: Lagunas Altiplanicas, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionBreakfast. Departure at 08:30am. In this excursion, we we will go through the path to the Altiplano in order to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, located more than 4,200 meter above the sea level and surrounded by great and imposing volcanoes from the Andes Mountain Range and flora and fauna in their natural environment. We will continue to Chaxa Lagoon, a scenery and beautiful landscape, divided into several water mirrors where a great number of flamingoes and other birds such as Andean Flamingoes. Finally, before we return, while the landscape features marvelous views of the Licancabur and Lascar Volcanoes, we will visit Toconao with a typical colonial architecture, San Lucas Church, the first National Monument. Return to the hotel. Accommodation CASA DON TOMAS.Duration: 6 hoursStop At: Lagunas Miscanti y Miniques, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionDeparture at 08:30am. In this excursion, we we will go through the path to the Altiplano in order to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, located more than 4,200 meter above the sea level and surrounded by great and imposing volcanoes from the Andes Mountain Range and flora and fauna in their natural environment.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Laguna Chaxa, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionWe will continue to Chaxa Lagoon, a scenery and beautiful landscape, divided into several water mirrors where a great number of flamingoes and other birds such as Andean Flamingoes. Duration: 1 hourStop At: ToconaoFinally, before we return, while the landscape features marvelous views of the Licancabur and Lascar Volcanoes, we will visit Toconao with a typical colonial architecture, San Lucas Church, the first National Monument.Duration: 1 hourPass By: La Casa de Don TomásOvernightNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Hotel Casa Don TomasDay 4: San Pedro de Atacama – Tatio Geysers – San Pedro de Atacama – Calama Airport – Santiago Stop At: Geyser del Tatio, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionDeparture at 5:00am from the hotel. Subject to confirmation. We leave at dawn from San Pedro de Atacama Hotel to go to the Tatio Geysers, a geothermal center with geysers that can only be seen very early in the morning. After seeing this spectacular sight in a magnificent natural setting, we eat breakfast. On the way back, we see the majestic Andes Mountain Range, whose peaks seem close enough to touch. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Machuca, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta RegionWe then arrive at Machuca, a small llama herder settlement. The village is filled with adobe houses with thatched roofs. Green wetlands lend a special charm.Return to HotelDuration: 1 hourPass By: Avis CalamaIn due time, transfer to Calama Airport to board your flight destination to Santiago.(we recommend to book flight after 4:00pm)Pass By: LQ Hotel By La Quinta Santiago AeropuertoOvernightMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: LQ HOTEL by LA QUINTA SANTIAGO AeropuertoDay 5: Santiago - Punta Arenas - Puerto NatalesPass By: Terminal de buses Puntarenas - QueposReception and transfer to the bus terminla to board the regular bus heading Puerto Natales (245 km/3 hours journey). Pass By: Hotel Martín GusindeArrival in Puerto Natales, reception and transfer to your hotel.Accommodation at Hotel Martin Gusinde OvernightNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Hotel Martin Gusinde Day 6: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park - Puerto NatalesStop At: Cueva del Milodon, Puerto Natales, Magallanes RegionWe will leave Puerto Natales to the north, and after a half an hour trip we will arrive at our first stop: the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument. We will visit the main cave of a group of three caves, where more than 100 years ago were found the remains of this prehistoric animal.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales, Magallanes RegionThe travel continues towards the Torres del Paine National Park, enjoying the view of the Sofía Lagoon, Porteño Lake, Prat Mountain Range, Mesa Hill, Toro Range, and Ballena Range.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Lago Del Toro, Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes RegionAfter a 2 hours trip, we will arrive in the Lago del Toro viewpoint, located in the lake's south coast. From there, we will have a spectacular view of the lake and the Paine Range (also known as Paine Massif). Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Lodge Lago GreyThen, we will make a small hike by the Grey Lake's shore, from where we will have another perspective of the Paine Massif and the Cuernos del Paine. Duration: 1 hourStop At: Lago Pehoe, Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes RegionAfter lunch (not included) in a coffee shop inside the park, we will go to the Salto Grande area, a place where is located the Pehoé Lake viewpoint, where the glaciers of the Paine River unload its fast-flowing waters.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Laguna Amarga, Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes RegionAt the end of the tour, we will visit the Amarga Lagoon and the Sarmiento Lake viewpoint, to then go back to Puerto Natales. Duration: 1 hourPass By: Hotel Martín GusindeOvernightMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Hotel Martin Gusinde Day 7: Puerto Natales - Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers - Puerto NatalesStop At: Puerto BoriesWe will begin our expedition in Puerto Bories where the Frigorífico Bories National Historical Monument, a structure from 1913 that stands out due to its industrial, post-Victorian English style. We will continue the journey until reaching Guanaco Island, where we will see beautiful Magellanic dolphins, also known as toninas, a must-see wonder. The journey on the water will continue until we reach our main destination, Balmaceda Mountain, where we will be able to see the awe-inspiring Balmaceda Glacier. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Puerto ToroWe will disembark in Puerto Toro where we will hike along the bank of the Témpanos Lagoon with our guide.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Serrano Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park, Magallanes RegionAfter a short break, we will continue on to the Serrano Glacier, passing through a native forest of coigües (Nothofagus dombeyi), ñirres (Nothofagus antarctica), and ciruelillos (Embothrium coccineum) while enjoying the magnificent vegetation and the contrast between the sky and the sea ice. Once we have reached the Serrano Glacier, we will enjoy a whiskey with thousand-year-old ice while we take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the glacier. We will make one last stop at a Magellan Region estancia, where a delicious typical Patagonian lunch with roasted lamb will be awaiting us. After this, we will go back to Puerto Natales.Duration: 2 hoursPass By: Hotel Martín GusindeOvernightMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Hotel Martin Gusinde Day 8: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas AirportPass By: Puerto NatalesTransfer to Natale’s bus station to take your regular bus destination Punta Arenas Airport.. (we recommend to book flight after midday)Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.