"HALF DAY CEJAR LAGOON, TEBENQUINCHE & OJOS DEL SALAR" Tour. Departure from SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

"HALF DAY CEJAR LAGOON, TEBENQUINCHE & OJOS DEL SALAR" Tour

CEJAR LAGOON, TEBENQUINCHE LAGOON & OJOS DEL SALAR – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE. Discover one of the most extraordinary landscapes of the Atacama Desert on this unforgettable excursion to Cejar Lagoon, Tebenquiche Lagoon, and the famous Ojos del Salar. Located within the vast Salar de Atacama, these remarkable natural attractions showcase the unique beauty, geological diversity, and ecological richness of one of the driest places on Earth. The journey begins with a visit to the spectacular Cejar Lagoon, a striking turquoise body of water surrounded by dazzling white salt deposits and the majestic Andes Mountains. What makes this lagoon truly exceptional is its extremely high salt concentration, which allows visitors to float effortlessly on the surface, creating an experience often compared to the Dead Sea. The contrast between the deep blue waters, the brilliant white salt crust, and the surrounding desert scenery creates a setting of extraordinary beauty and tranquility.

Continuing through the heart of the Salar de Atacama, we reach the Ojos del Salar, two freshwater sinkholes that emerge unexpectedly from the desert landscape. These crystal-clear pools, fed by underground water sources, offer a fascinating contrast to the surrounding salt flats. Their intense blue waters and unique geological origin make them one of the most intriguing natural formations in the region and a favorite stop for photography enthusiasts. The excursion culminates at the stunning Tebenquiche Lagoon, one of the most breathtaking locations in the Atacama Desert. Surrounded by vast salt flats and framed by distant volcanoes, this shallow lagoon offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views in northern Chile. On calm days, its mirror-like surface perfectly reflects the sky, mountains, and clouds, creating an almost surreal landscape that seems to stretch endlessly across the horizon. As the afternoon progresses, visitors are treated to one of the most memorable sunsets in the Atacama Desert. The changing light transforms the landscape into a vibrant display of colors, with shades of gold, orange, pink, and violet reflecting across the water and salt formations. The peaceful atmosphere and immense open spaces provide the perfect setting to appreciate the beauty and silence of the desert.

Beyond its scenic appeal, this excursion offers valuable insight into the unique ecosystems of the Salar de Atacama, home to specialized flora and fauna adapted to extreme environmental conditions. The lagoons also play an important role as habitats for various bird species, including flamingos that can often be observed feeding in the surrounding wetlands. Ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking some of the most iconic landscapes of northern Chile, the visit to Cejar Lagoon, Ojos del Salar, and Tebenquiche Lagoon offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Atacama Desert, where salt, water, mountains, and sky come together to create one of South America's most extraordinary natural experiences.

Itinerary

Float effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters of the Atacama Salt Flat and discover some of the most extraordinary landscapes of the Chilean desert.

Explore the iconic Cejar Lagoon, enjoy a relaxing bathing experience in Piedra Lagoon, visit the remarkable freshwater pools known as Ojos del Salar, and conclude the excursion at the magnificent Tebenquiche Lagoon, renowned for its stunning panoramic views and spectacular sunsets.

Includes

Guide service in Spanish and English.
Pick-up from your accommodation,
Snack.
Cocktail.
Bathrobe.

Does not include

Entrance fees to the lagoons of the Salar de Atacama. (CLP 21,000 general rate, approximately USD 23.00 per person)
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.

Estimated Schedule:

Pick-up: Between 2:00 PM and 2:40 PM from accommodations located within the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama.
Estimated Return: Approximately 18:00 PM, subject to weather conditions, road conditions, visit durations, and daily operational coordination.
Approximate Duration: 4.00 hours.

Availability:

This excursion does not operate with daily departures, as tour availability depends on several factors, including seasonal weather conditions, actual availability and minimum passenger requirements.

December 25 and January 1: The excursion does not operate due to national holidays.

Reservation Deadline:

Advance booking is highly recommended. Reservations should ideally be confirmed in advance, with a minimum notice of 48 hours, as this excursion depends on availability and daily operational conditions.

Important Note:

Our agency strongly recommends that passengers follow an appropriate sightseeing schedule based on altitude levels. This gradual acclimatization helps the body adapt more comfortably to the region’s elevation and significantly reduces the risk of altitude-related discomfort during the trip. We recommend the following:

High-altitude excursions should be scheduled from the second day of your stay onward. Our suggested order is: Piedras Rojas & Altiplanic Lagoons first, followed by El Tatio Geysers, and finally the Salt Flats Route, which reaches the highest elevations.
For passengers continuing their journey to Uyuni, we strongly recommend completing at least two high-altitude excursions in San Pedro de Atacama before traveling to Bolivia in order to facilitate proper acclimatization.
For volcano ascents, we recommend a minimum of three full days of acclimatization in San Pedro de Atacama. Guests should ideally complete the region’s higher-altitude excursions before attempting trekking activities such as Cerro Toco or Láskar Volcano.

Following these recommendations will help ensure a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable experience while exploring the Atacama Desert and the surrounding Altiplano region.

Notes:

Level of difficulty: LOW.
Maximum elevation during the excursion: 2,400 m.a.s.l. (meters above sea level).
Children under the age of 7 are not permitted to enter Laguna Piedras.
Visitors must arrive already wearing a swimsuit.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Basic fitness level is sufficient. No trekking experience required. Suitable for most active travelers.
Minimum age required for the tour: Recommended for children aged 7 and above, depending on the child’s physical condition. Due to the distance, terrain type, and weather conditions, this activity is not recommended for young children.
Children rate applies from 8 to 12 years old. Adult rate applies from 13 years old and above.
The activity takes place in a remote area with no shelter or restroom facilities available. Weather conditions may change rapidly, and stop durations may vary accordingly.
Excursion days and schedules may vary depending on the season, weather conditions, and the groups forming.
The pickup and return times depend on the season and will be confirmed upon booking confirmation.

Ratebook are express in US Dollars (USD) and may be changed without prior notice.
Services and programs may be changed or cancelled in its execution, sequence and contents; in order to offer a better service, or due to extreme conditions or majeure force reasons.
This tour operates with a minimum number of passengers., Holiplus will reconfirm 48 hours before departure. If the supplier decides to cancel, for reasons of force majeure or adverse weather conditions, Holiplus will offer an alternative tour or fully refund the cost of your trip.
This tour will not run on the following dates: December 25 to January 1.
The client must be aware that that modifications in the original booking may generate changes on the final quotation.
SIB: Transfer and excursion services shared with other passengers.
Holiplus will try to avoid cancellation charges, the client must accept expenses incurred and charges established by the supplier, which may add be up to 100% of the original.
No show policy: 24 hours before the start of the tour: 100%.

DOCUMENTATION:

It is the responsibility of each passenger to carry the relevant documents for the proper completion of their trip.
Passengers must be informed and prepared to comply with visa, vaccination, and other regulations specific to the countries they are visiting.
Therefore, passengers must bear the costs incurred due to non-compliance or misinformation regarding entry and mobility regulations within the different countries they are traveling to. In the case of Chilean and foreign passengers, they must present their foreign documentation, otherwise, VAT corresponding to 19% of the fare will be charged directly to the passenger.

CANCELLATION AND NO-SHOW POLICY:

For REGULAR (SHARED) SERVICES:

Reservation cancellations must be made at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled service date and will be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 90% of the total service value.
Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the start of the service are non-refundable, and 100% of the total service value will be charged.
No-Shows: Failure of the passenger to appear at the designated meeting point and time will be considered a completed service and will not be eligible for any refund.

For PRIVATE SERVICES:

Reservation cancellations must be made at least 12 days prior to the scheduled service date and will be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the total service value.
Cancellations made less than 12 days before the start of the service are non-refundable, and 100% of the total service value will be charged.
Cancellations due to the passenger’s health condition will only be eligible for a refund upon presentation of a medical certificate issued by the corresponding CESFAM (Family Health Center).
Rescheduling requests are subject to availability.