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The Atacama Salt Flat and the Altiplanic Lagoons

What is the Atacama Salt Flat?

The Atacama Salt Flat is the largest salt deposit in Chile. It’s located in the Antofagasta Region, between two Chilean communes.

The closest city is San Pedro de Atacama, 55 km to the north.
The regional capital, Antofagasta, is 316 km to the west.

The name Salar de Atacama refers to more than just the salt flat itself. It includes the entire salt basin, a natural area with:

The Domeyko Mountain Range
The Paciencia Plain
The Salt Mountain Range (home of Valle de la Luna)
The flat itself, where water collects and evaporates
The Andes’ western range
The Lila Mountains to the south

Size and Wildlife

This basin is the third-largest hydrographic basin in Chile, after the Loa and Tamarugal pampas.

Area: 15,620 km²
Length (N–S): 210 km
Maximum width: 110 km

The Los Flamencos National Reserve is home to:

Flamingos
Piuquenes
Rheas
Ducks
Guanacos
Vicuñas
Llamas and alpacas

Salt is formed when rainwater dissolves salts in the soil. This salty water flows into the flat, evaporates, and leaves salt behind.

The air here is extremely dry, which makes distances seem shorter than they are.

The Atacama Salt Flat: Location

55 km from San Pedro de Atacama
316 km from Antofagasta

The Atacama Salt Flat: location map

The Atacama Salt Flat: What to see?

With 3,000 km² of surface, this is the third-largest salt flat in the world, after:

Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) – 11,000 km²
Salinas Grandes (Argentina) – 8,200 km²

Chaxa Lagoon

This small lagoon, part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, is one of the best places to watch flamingos.

A short trail leads you into the blinding white landscape of the salt flat. It’s here that you really feel the size of this place.

Compared to Salar de Uyuni, the Atacama Salt Flat has a rougher surface, made up of large salt blocks, while Uyuni’s is smooth.

Note: There is an entrance fee to visit the lagoon.

The Altiplanic Lagoons: Miñiques & Miscanti

These stunning lagoons are located near the town of Socaire, about 90 km from San Pedro de Atacama.

Altitude: 4,120 meters above sea level
You do not need a 4×4 vehicle, but it’s important to be acclimatized to the altitude.

These lagoons are fed by underground water sources and are home to a wide variety of animals, including many flamingos. They are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, reflected beautifully in the water.

Species you can find here include:

Tagua cornuda
Chilean flamingo
Parina chica
Caitó
Baird’s sandpiper
Puna plover
Juarjual duck
Guallata

Plant life is mostly:

Llareta
Paja brava

There are also archaeological sites in the area.

Book an excursion to enjoy the Atacama Salt Flats from San Pedro de Atacama

If you’re visiting the area of San Pedro de Atacama, you can book the excursion to the Atacama Salt Flat and the Altiplanic Lagoons

Visiting Atacama? check our best tours to visit San Pedro de Atacama

#353 – Santiago, Atacama Desert & Easter Island – 9 nights #351 – Santiago, Torres del Paine and Atacama Desert – 9 nights
#363 – Santiago, Atacama, Torres del Paine & Skorpios III Cruise – 12 nts
#360 – Chilean Patagonia and Atacama Desert – 12 nts

Atacama Tours with Argentina, Peru, and other destinations in Chile

It´s a nice list of four tours including the Atacama Desert in the itinerary. But, a great idea is to combine San Pedro de Atacama, with other destinations in Chile and why not… Argentina and Peru. Check some great options below:

#1052 – From Rio to Santiago via Iguazu, Buenos Aires and Atacama – 18 nts #1081 – Colorful Argentina, Chile & Peru – 17 nights
#1004 – Argentina & Chile in 12 nights – Option IV – 12 nts
#1090 – The Great tour of South America – 26 nights