We got an early morning tour that cost 17,000 CLP1 which included hotel pick up, transportation, a guide, and breakfast. The tour bus picked us up from our hotel at around 6 AM. From San Pedro de Atacama, it takes about an hour and a half to reach El Tatio. It’s a steep increase in altitude from 2400 meters to over 4300 meters above sea level. We arrive at around 7.30 AM and the sun has only just finished coming up behind the surrounding mountains. At the entrance, we pay the 10,000 CLP which includes access to the thermal bath. At this altitude and in these early hours, outside temperatures are around -8 degrees Celsius. So make sure to take very warm clothing and footwear. Some people came wrapped in blankets since it was so cold. It’s also quite tiring to walk around so don’t rush through the fields to avoid getting altitude sickness.
The guide gathers the group around and gives some information on the geysers. He mentions the temperatures of the geysers are around 89 degrees Celsius. As you get close to some of the geysers, you can feel the heat on the floor. You can warm your hands up by just touching the ground. The guide takes you around for a bit at the start, and then he gives you some time to explore on your own. There are geysers of all sizes throwing hot gasses into the air and some even spewing boiling water. Overall, we had about an hour to go throughout the site before meeting back at the tour bus in the parking lot. A lot of people came back earlier though since it was so cold.
Once everyone was back on the bus, it was a quick 5-minute drive to the site’s thermal bath. At the parking lot, the guide pulled out a foldaway table to have breakfast. He gave out sandwiches and laid out some thermos containers with hot coffee and hot water to make tea. Once we were done with breakfast, we were given about half an hour to bathe in the hot thermal bath so make sure you take swimwear and a towel if you plan to get in. There are changing rooms and shower facilities at the site. We had our swimming gear, but it was still extremely cold so we decided not to get in. Instead, we found a trail that goes around the area which takes you to see some more geysers. We were done and back on the bus to head back at 9.30 AM. On the way back, the landscape in the daylight is beautiful. We make a quick stop for pictures and the guide talks about the flora and fauna in the area. As we continue, we make a final stop at the small village of Machuca. There’s a stall selling drinks and snacks but the interesting thing here is a street vendor selling grilled llama skewers. Most people feel weird about trying it, but I tried some and it was an interesting taste. We then head back to San Pedro de Atacama arriving at around 11.30 AM.
