THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Float effortlessly in the hypersaline waters of Laguna Cejar, peer into the glassy Ojos del Salar, and watch the sun sink across Laguna Tebenquiche on this 5–6 hour afternoon tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Practical tips on what to bring and what to expect make this an easy desert adventure.
Float effortlessly in the hypersaline waters of Laguna Cejar, peer into the glassy Ojos del Salar, and watch the sun sink across Laguna Tebenquiche on this 5–6 hour afternoon tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Practical tips on what to bring and what to expect make this an easy desert adventure.
You step out of the minivan into a high desert light that feels sharper than memory; wind teases salt crystals off a flat so white it pushes contrast into every shadow. The tour unfolds in late afternoon—Cejar’s briny surface waits first, a shallow, mirror-bright basin where the water’s density lifts you with minimal effort and the desert wind seems to push you gently toward the horizon.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Gray Line Chile · San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
You step out of the minivan into a high desert light that feels sharper than memory; wind teases salt crystals off a flat so white it pushes contrast into every shadow. The tour unfolds in late afternoon—Cejar’s briny surface waits first, a shallow, mirror-bright basin where the water’s density lifts you with minimal effort and the desert wind seems to push you gently toward the horizon.
This stretch of the Salar de Atacama is layered geologically: ancient evaporation basins, wind-carved salt crusts and subsurface freshwater pockets that form the Ojos del Salar—two clear eyes peering from the salt. The area is part of an Atacameño landscape long used for caravan routes and llama grazing; modern tourism intersects with ancestral grazing grounds and local communities who guide and steward access.
Expect a short walking loop at Tebenquiche with wide reflective plains that turn orange at sunset, a short stop at the freshwater Ojos where you can see depth in the blue, and a relaxed dip in Cejar. Guides typically include a pisco sour and snacks; entrance fees are often paid on-site in cash.
Practical edge: bring layering for sharp evening drops in temperature, sun protection, at least 1.5 L of water, and a towel if you plan to float—there are no changing rooms. Hotel pickup in San Pedro usually runs 14:00–14:30 and the full excursion lasts roughly 5–6 hours. Cameras do best with a polarizer to cut glare; pack footwear that can handle salt encrustation. The experience pairs surreal visuals with straightforward logistics—easy to enjoy if you plan for wind, cold and bright light.
easy.
5–6 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; short, flat walks between viewpoints and minimal hiking required.
Yes—Cejar’s high salinity increases buoyancy and allows effortless floating; bring a swimsuit and towel as there are no changing rooms.
Usually not; operators commonly ask you to pay entrance fees on the spot in cash, so bring Chilean pesos.
Pickup is provided for hotels within San Pedro de Atacama urban zone—confirm your pickup point at least one day before departure.
The tour is family-friendly and physically easy; non-swimmers can still enjoy shore views and the freshwater Ojos, but supervise children near water.
The salt flats have been used for millennia by Atacameño communities for salt collection and caravan travel; modern tourism operates alongside these traditional uses.
Fragile salt crusts and wetland pockets are sensitive to trampling—stay on designated paths, avoid introducing soaps into waters, and carry out all trash.
Gray Line Chile operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step out of the minivan into a high desert light that feels sharper than memory; wind teases salt crystals off a flat so white it pushes contrast into every shadow. The tour unfolds in late afternoon—Cejar’s briny surface waits first, a shallow, mirror-bright basin where the water’s density lifts you with minimal effort and the desert wind seems to push you gently toward the horizon.
You step out of the minivan into a high desert light that feels sharper than memory; wind teases salt crystals off a flat so white it pushes contrast into every shadow. The tour unfolds in late afternoon—Cejar’s briny surface waits first, a shallow, mirror-bright basin where the water’s density lifts you with minimal effort and the desert wind seems to push you gently toward the horizon.
This stretch of the Salar de Atacama is layered geologically: ancient evaporation basins, wind-carved salt crusts and subsurface freshwater pockets that form the Ojos del Salar—two clear eyes peering from the salt. The area is part of an Atacameño landscape long used for caravan routes and llama grazing; modern tourism intersects with ancestral grazing grounds and local communities who guide and steward access.
Expect a short walking loop at Tebenquiche with wide reflective plains that turn orange at sunset, a short stop at the freshwater Ojos where you can see depth in the blue, and a relaxed dip in Cejar. Guides typically include a pisco sour and snacks; entrance fees are often paid on-site in cash.
Practical edge: bring layering for sharp evening drops in temperature, sun protection, at least 1.5 L of water, and a towel if you plan to float—there are no changing rooms. Hotel pickup in San Pedro usually runs 14:00–14:30 and the full excursion lasts roughly 5–6 hours. Cameras do best with a polarizer to cut glare; pack footwear that can handle salt encrustation. The experience pairs surreal visuals with straightforward logistics—easy to enjoy if you plan for wind, cold and bright light.