Lagunas Altiplanicas and the Piedras Rojas: Atacama Desert Tour
Overview of the Lagunas Altiplanicas and Piedras Rojas Tour
My tour of Lagunas Altiplanicas and Piedras Rojas with Cosmo Andino was a memorable one, though not without its challenges. Known for stunning views of Lake Miscanti and Lake Miñiques, this tour through Atacama Desert landscapes offered some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region.
Unfortunately, the experience took an unexpected turn with a near accident, as explained below. Although the natural beauty was spectacular, I would not recommend Cosmo Andino due to the safety issues we encountered.
Here’s a breakdown of my experience, including each stop and the unique wildlife we encountered.
Lagunas Altiplanicas and the Piedras Rojas: Atacama Desert Tour - Table of Contents
- Overview of the Lagunas Altiplanicas and the Piedras Rojas Tour
- Stop 1: The Peidras Rojas and Frozen Salt Lake
- A Scary Experience on the Way to Lake Miscanti
- Wildlife in the Atacama Desert
- Stop 2: Lagunas Altiplanias – Lake Miscanti
- Tours of the Lagunas Altiplanicas and Piedras Rojas
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
Disclaimer: Buzzin’ Around the World strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information based on our research at the time of publication. We respect all applicable laws and fair use principles. If you believe any information is incorrect or violates regulations, please contact us at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
Affiliate Links and Reviews: We use affiliate links to generate income and may receive a commission at no additional cost to you when you use our links. We strive for honest and transparent reviews, even for products which we receive compensation.
Content Creation: Our content is based on our own travel experiences. All photos are our own unless otherwise stated. We sometimes utilize AI tools to assist with tasks like generating titles, summarizing content, and improving organization.
For more information: For more information, please click HERE to visit our private policy page. We can be reached at buzzinaroundtheworld@gmail.com.
Stop #1: Exploring the Piedras Rojas and Frozen Salt Lake
Our first stop was at the Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks), reached via a rough dirt road. The striking red rock formations surround a salt lake with frozen, mineral-rich water that appears light blue, providing a stunning contrast to the reddish backdrop.
The salt lake’s surface was firm enough to walk on, allowing for incredible photo opportunities from all angles. After about an hour at Piedras Rojas, we headed toward Lagunas Altiplanicas.
A Scary Experience on the Way to Lake Miscanti
Our journey took an unexpected and dangerous turn as our van swerved off the road. The van’s wheel had come loose because the lug nuts were not properly tightened during servicing. Thankfully, our driver acted quickly to stop the van before it went over the edge. Using a satellite phone, our guide called the tour company, but it would be over two hours before a replacement vehicle arrived.
While waiting, our guide set up lunch with a view, which helped ease the tension slightly, though the experience left us shaken. Despite the delay, we continued our journey but were unable to visit Lake Miñiques as planned due to time constraints.
Wildlife in the Atacama Desert
En route to Lagunas Altiplanicas, we spotted some incredible wildlife, including guanacos—camel-like animals that blend well with the desert landscape. The Atacama Desert is home to various wildlife, including flamingos, llamas, and unique bird species, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
One of my favorite moments was capturing a photo of four guanacos against the backdrop of the desert landscape and a rising moon, a moment that would become one of my best wildlife shots to date.
Stop #2: Lagunas Altiplanicas – Lake Miscanti
Our final stop was Lake Miscanti. Although some members of our group chose to stay in the van, I couldn’t pass up the chance to explore. Surrounded by the Andean mountains, Lake Miscanti is a serene, high-altitude lake with clear, deep blue water.
Due to our earlier delay, we didn’t have enough time to hike down to the lake’s shore or continue on to Lake Miñiques.
This was disappointing, but the stunning landscape and fresh mountain air still made it worthwhile. As we left, I managed to capture a breathtaking shot of the guanacos with the moon overhead, marking the end of an unforgettable yet challenging tour.
Recommended Tours for Lagunas Altiplanicas and Piedras Rojas
Due to the remote location and lack of cell service in the Atacama Desert, it’s best to visit Lagunas Altiplanicas and Piedras Rojas with a reliable tour company. Below are some recommended options.
Affiliate Disclosure: I’m a Viator affiliate, which means I earn a small commission if you book through one of these links, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support if you choose to book through my links.
 Lagoons in Atacama Salt Flat - Half Day - Typical Tour - San Pedro de Atacama - $116.00 Lagoons in San Pedro de Atacama salt flat welcome you to this land next to the desert valleys. This vast space gathers the flora and fauna that lives in the dry habitat of the Antofagasta Region, and allows an exchange of experiences between people and biodiversity. |
 4-Day Best of Atacama: Moon Valley, Tatio Geysers and Altiplanic Lagoons - $745.00 4-Day tour getting to know San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in the driest desert of the world! Skip the hassle of dealing with logistics as we take care of your Calama airport round-trip transportation! |
 Full day Altiplanic Lagoons + Red stones viewpoint + Salar de Atacama - $159.86 Full day to learn about Chile and its geographies, take the best pictures in the driest desert in the world. |
 Atacama Salt Flat and Altiplanic Lagoons Day Tour - $98.00 Discover the Atacama Salt Flat, the largest in Chile, home to one of the most important Flamingo Reservations, the Flamingos National Reserve. Make a soft walk along a path to the Chaxa Lagoon, in order to appreciate the rich fauna of the place. |
Buzzin' Around the World's Affiliate Partners
Affiliate Partner of the Month - Viator
Viator is my favorite website for booking tours and packages. With over 300,000 unique tours to choose from, everyone should be able to find something on Viator that interests them. I like Viator because anytime I have an issue with a tour company, Viator has intervened and helped on my behalf. I highly recommend using Viator for booking your tours and vacation packages.
Book Through the Link Below to Help Buzzin' Around the World Earn Commission
Earn $200 in Travel Rewards with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card is one of the few rewards cards that does not charge an annual fee. Cardholders can earn 1.25 points for every dollar spent while enjoying 0% APR for 15 months.
Currently, Capital One is offering a signup bonus of 20,000 points (worth $200 in travel rewards) when the cardholder spends $500 in the first three months. If you are interested in this card, I would appreciate it if you would sign up with the link below, as I earn a referral bonus of 10,000 points. Those points are worth $100 in travel rewards and will help me continue to bring great content to Buzzin’ Around the World.
Once again, the Capital One VentureOne card is one of the few reward cards without an annual fee and is the perfect card for someone who is just starting to get into the travel points game.