"RAINBOW VALLEY AND YERBA BUENAS" Tour

"RAINBOW VALLEY AND YERBA BUENAS" Tour

RAINBOW VALLEY AND YERBA BUENAS – San Pedro de Atacama. Embark on a captivating journey through some of northern Chile’s most remarkable natural and cultural landscapes with this enriching excursion to Rainbow Valley and Yerba Buenas, located near the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. This experience offers a harmonious blend of geology, archaeology, and the vast beauty of the Atacama Desert. The adventure begins at Rainbow Valley (Valle del Arcoíris), a truly extraordinary site known for its multicolored hills and rock formations. Layers of minerals deposited over millions of years have painted the terrain in striking tones of red, green, white, yellow, and ochre, creating a dramatic visual spectacle. As you explore this ancient landscape, you will gain insight into the region’s volcanic origins and tectonic evolution, while enjoying excellent opportunities for photography in a setting that feels both surreal and timeless.

The tour then continues to Yerba Buenas, one of the most significant archaeological areas in the Atacama Desert. Here, visitors can observe an impressive collection of prehispanic petroglyphs, etched into stone by ancient cultures that once traveled and settled in the region. These rock carvings illustrate animals, ceremonial symbols, and scenes of daily life, offering a fascinating window into the worldview, traditions, and movement of early desert communities. The contrast between the delicate engravings and the surrounding arid landscape adds depth and meaning to the visit.

Throughout the excursion, knowledgeable guides share detailed explanations about the geological formations, ancestral cultures, and historical importance of each site, providing context that brings the desert to life. Ideal for travelers interested in nature, history, and photography, this tour reveals the profound connection between landscape and culture in the Atacama. Rainbow Valley and Yerba Buenas is an inspiring exploration of color, heritage, and deep time—an unforgettable experience in one of the oldest and most captivating deserts on Earth.

Itinerary

• The excursion begins with hotel pickup (Winter: 2:00–2:30 PM / Summer: 3:00–3:30 PM) as we travel northeast of San Pedro de Atacama toward Yerbas Buenas, an important archaeological site once used as a temporary settlement and transit point by ancient cultures. This area preserves remarkable artistic expressions, including petroglyphs, pictographs, dry engravings, and rock paintings created with natural earth pigments and animal fats.
• We then continue to the impressive Rainbow Valley, one of the region’s oldest geological formations, with an estimated age of nearly 100 million years. Its striking layers of multicolored minerals create a dramatic and unique desert landscape.
• According to the group’s physical condition, we will take short, easy walks through the area, exploring features such as a dry waterfall and other fascinating rock formations. These walks last approximately 30 minutes and allow time to appreciate the geological and natural beauty of the valley.
• At the end of the experience, we return to the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (Winter: 7:00–7:30 PM / Summer: 8:00–8:30 PM).

Includes

• Guide service in Spanish and English.
• Admission tickets.
• Pick-up from your accommodation,
• Snack (portion of mixed nuts, cookies, or other).
• Water.

Does not include

• Tips and gratuities.
• Professional guide in French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. If you would like a guide in these languages, please request one in advance and pay an extra fee, subject to availability.
• Other services not described in the program.

Notes:

• Level of difficulty: low.
• Minimum age required for the tour: 7 years old.
• The order of site visits may vary depending on weather conditions and groups.
• Timings are approximate and vary throughout the year depending on the season and sunset time.