Experience El Tatio Geysers Tour in San Pedro de Atacama

Have you heard about the El Tatio Geysers Tour in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile? It’s an incredible site and experience that shouldn’t be missed. The tour of the geyser fields of El Tatio is an unforgettable experience for any traveler. It’s well worth the trip, even if you’re visiting San Pedro de Atacama for a few days only.

In this guide, you’ll get all the information you need to know before exploring the majestic El Tatio geyser fields. You’ll discover the best way to get there, what to expect while on the tour, and where to book the activity in San Pedro de Atacama.

What Are Geysers?

Geysers are hot springs that erupt periodically, sending a column of steam and occasionally hot water into the air. The temperature of the water released by a geyser can range from 70 to over 300 degrees Celsius. The source of the heated water is usually magma, or molten rock, that lies far beneath the earth’s surface. This can cause water nearby to become superheated, resulting in a geyser eruption.

El Tatio Geysers Tour in San Pedro de Atacama

El Tatio geyser fields are located around 4,320 metres above sea level in the Cordillera Mountains of northern Chile. It is the third-largest geyser field in the world and is home to over 80 geysers and many hot springs. It has been protected as an area of natural beauty since 1979.

The best time to visit the El Tatio geysers is between 5-8 am. The early morning chill creates an incredible misty fog, making it the perfect sight for a memorable sunrise experience. An El Tatio geyser tour typically begins before sunrise and last until around 9 am. Make sure to dress warmly and bring along a hat and gloves as temperatures can drop to freezing levels at this altitude.

You may also encounter some native wildlife during your tour, including 2 species of wild fox, llama, and the endangered Andean condor.

Things to Expect on the El Tatio Geyser Tour

The tour will start with a pickup from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama between 4am-4:30am and take you on a 2-3 hours drive to El Tatio, during which you’ll see some stunning views of the Atacama Desert and Altiplano, Andean mountain range. Once you arrive at El Tatio, you will be taken on a guided walk around the geyser fields, which will last around two hours. You will be able to observe how the powerful geysers power up with the sun’s rays and hear their thunderous eruptions. Afterward, you can take a dip in one of the hot springs and take pictures of the area’s unique landscapes.

After your tour, you’ll be taken to an authentic Llama farm where you’ll be able to learn about Llama breeding and herd management. A typical llama tour lasts around 15-20 minutes and you should be able to interact with some friendly llamas!

Once your llama tour is over, you’ll be treated to a traditional breakfast of eggs, llajua, and local breads at a nearby restaurant before returning back to San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll arrive back in town around 10:30am-11am tired but fulfilled after having seen this amazing natural phenomenon!

Where to Book an El Tatio Geyser Tour in San Pedro de Atacama

The easiest way to book an El Tatio Geyser Tour in San Pedro de Atacama is with GetYourGuide, which offers an easy-to-use platform for booking experiences all over Chile. GetYourGuide offers competitive rates and has a team of professional customer service representatives that are there to help with any queries or issues that may arise during your booking process. Furthermore, GetYourGuide offers quality assurance guarantees (such as free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure) and secure payments for added peace of mind during the booking process.

My El Tatio Geyser Tour Experience

I recently had the opportunity to experience the El Tatio geyser tour firsthand via GetYourGuide and it truly was an incredible experience! The tour was professionally organised and ran smoothly from start to finish. The guide was very knowledgeable and kind, taking into account my inexperience with early mornings! I was so glad I packed plenty of warm layers as it got positively freezing at times! It was well worth the effort though as I was able to observe first hand these powerful bursts of steam and hot water that occur in nature – truly an unforgettable experience!

Conclusion

The El Tatio Geyser Tour in San Pedro de Atacama is an unforgettable experience for any traveler looking for an off-the-beaten-track adventure! You can expect to witness world-renowned geysers erupting with powerful jets of steam and hot water as well as observe diverse wildlife including llamas and the endangered Andean condor. To book this tour, GetYourGuide offers a secure platform for booking experiences with competitive rates and quality assurance guarantees such as free cancellation up until 24 hours before departure. So get out there and experience this incredible place for yourself!

If you’d like to book this tour with GetYourGuide, click here.