• Explorers

  • Transportation

  • Guide

  • Snacks

Discover one of the most fascinating geological landscapes in northern Chile with the Rainbow Valley & Salado River Tour in San Pedro de Atacama.

Located within the Domeyko Mountain Range, Rainbow Valley is famous for its colorful hills, rock formations, and landscapes shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion.

The valley gets its name from the wide variety of colors found in its mountains and canyons, where minerals such as iron, clay, and salts create red, green, white, and ochre tones contrasting with the blue sky of the Atacama Desert.

The excursion also includes visits to areas near the Salado River, surrounded by Altiplano vegetation, cactus, and unique desert scenery.

During the tour, visitors can also observe ancient petroglyphs and learn about the geological and cultural history of the region.

Ideal for travelers seeking photography, geology, culture, and low physical demand excursions.


Estimated Duration

Approximately 4 to 5 hours

Departure Schedule

AM departure: around 8:00 AM
Return: around 1:00 PM


Recommendations

  • Bring sunscreen
  • Wear sunglasses and a hat
  • Bring water
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Bring comfortable clothing and a light jacket
  • Bring a camera for landscape and petroglyph photography
Physical Demand
low
Suitable for all visitors. Mostly panoramic or vehicle-based tours with minimal walking.
Experience
For Everyone
No previous experience needed.

Schedule

07:00 - Departure from your hotel

The vehicle travels through the passenger accommodation. You will meet the tour guide.

Visit to Rainbow Valley

We will travel through a valley of rock formations of intense and varied colors, ranging from red and orange to green and blue. The name "Rainbow Valley" comes from the wide range of colors found in the rocks and layers of sediment in the area. Erosion and minerals present in the soil have given rise to these vibrant hues, creating a surreal and fascinating landscape.

Visit to the Salado River

The Salado River is a fascinating example of how life can adapt and thrive even in extreme environments like the Atacama Desert, and offers visitors the opportunity to experience this natural wonder on their trip to San Pedro de Atacama. We will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area and enjoy activities such as hiking and birdwatching.

13:30 - Return to accommodation

About 100 kilometres from Calama, the world's driest desert hides a small oasis called San Pedro de Atacama. It's an adobe town and dirt roads that have stolen the hearts of thousands of tourists for the charms of Atacameña and Spanish culture contained in each of its buildings. What do you say you come with me and we go around

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the tour includes pick-up and drop-off at hotels or hostels located within the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama.

Rainbow Valley is a mountainous area within the Domeyko Mountain Range, famous for its colorful hills created by different minerals and geological processes.

The colors are caused by minerals such as iron, salts, and clay, which create red, green, white, and yellow tones in the rock formations.

The Salado River is a small watercourse surrounded by Altiplano vegetation and unique desert landscapes.

The excursion operates year-round. Morning hours usually offer the best lighting conditions and more comfortable temperatures.

Temperatures vary depending on the season. Days are usually pleasant, although desert weather can change quickly.

No. The tour has low physical demand and is suitable for most travelers.

  • Rainbow Valley
  • Salado River
  • Petroglyph areas
  • Panoramic viewpoints in the Domeyko Mountain Range

Yes. Some areas feature ancient petroglyphs created by pre-Hispanic Atacameño cultures.

Yes. Due to its moderate altitude and low physical demand, it is an excellent acclimatization option.

Comfortable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a light jacket are recommended.

The excursion usually lasts approximately 4 to 5 hours including transportation and sightseeing.

Included

  • Transport Service
  • Bilingual Guide spanish/english
    During excursions and departures mentioned in the itinerary
  • Passenger Transportation Insurance
  • Expert advice and coordination
    Personalized guidance and coordination of your experience via phone, email, webchat, WhatsApp, and scheduled video calls.
  • Booking Fee – Reservation Management
    Administrative costs associated with managing and confirming your reservation, including payment processing and coordinating services with local operators.

Not Included

  • Entrance to Rainbow Valley
    General public entry value: CL$ 10 000 per person. Only in cash.
Additional fees to be paid locally
per person, from
CL$ 10 000

Tickets and entrance fees payable at the destination are a direct contribution to the conservation of ecosystems and infrastructure, and support culture and the local community.

General Conditions

Service Security Conditions

  • Whether due to weather conditions or route conditions (roads) that do not offer the minimum guarantees of safety for safe operation, our provider reserves the right to cancel the service

Acceptance of Activity Risks

  • The passenger declares to know and understand the risks involved in participating in adventure tourism activities, which cannot be completely eliminated, even when there is compliance with security standards accredited by the service provider, which are intended to decrease the risks that the development of this activity involves.
  • It will be the duty of the adventure tourism service provider to inform of the conditions and requirements for the development of the activity, as well as, it is the duty of the participants who take an adventure tourism service to adequately inform themselves of the conditions in which the service is provided, of the minimum conditions that the participant must have before carrying out the activity and abide by the instructions that the company and guide in charge of the activity indicate.

Commercial Conditions

Cancellation Policies

  • Cancellations with 5 days or more before arrival: 90% refund.
  • Cancellations with 4 days or less before arrival are not eligible for a refund.

Other Conditions

  • Prices in United States Dollars (USD) are calculated from their value in Chilean Pesos (CLP) with the exchange rate of the day and may vary depending on the day the payment is made.
  • Entrance Tickets to The Parks or National Reserves are not included in the value of the Tour.
  • Valid rates for services at the indicated times.
  • Services apply with a minimum of passengers at the time of booking.
  • Rates per person subject to change.
  • For security and operational reasons, the schedules may be modified without prior notice.
  • In Excursions the collection is at the indicated hotel.
  • In transfer service, it applies from all hotels in San Pedro de Atacama (does not include Ayllus in the suburbs)
  • Excursions with bilingual guide Spanish and English.

Conditions of Minors

  • Minimum age for tours of minors is 7 years, except Geysers del Tatio whose minimum age is 12 years.

Our apply on everything not mentioned before.

Request with GreatChile

Rainbow Valley
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      Per Person Price

    Prices available for travel from May 27, 2026 in advance.

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