Atacama Desert: Lagoons & Salt Flats, San Pedro de Atacama

This full-day excursion includes visits to some of the most incredible natural wonders in the Atacama Desert. The first destination is Laguna Chaxa, a desert oasis lagoon located 50 km (31 miles) from the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Chaxa is situated in the middle of the Atacama Salar salt flats, where you'll also find Los Flamencos National Reserve. This protected area is home to flocks of Chilean flamingos whose pink feathers shine brightly against the contrasting blue of the shallow water.

At lunchtime, the tour stops in Socaire, a humble agricultural village famous for its simple adobe homes, rustic chapel, and slow pace of life. After eating, the excursion continues towards the Altiplano (high plateau) lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, which are located at a whopping 4,200 meters (13,779 feet) in elevation. Here there are panoramic views of an Altiplano desert surrounded by towering volcanoes and abounding with wildlife like flamencos, foxes, and vicunas.

The last stop on the tour is a visit to the town of Toconao, an oasis with a climate ideal for the cultivation of native fruits and vegetables. The streets are filled with vendors selling artisanal handicrafts and the local homes are cobbled together out of volcanic rocks. The town also boasts a beautiful white-washed church with a three-storied belltower. The church dates back to 1750 and has been declared a national monument.