An ultimate guide to Geyseres del Tatio: all you need to know

Geyseres del Tatio is an amazing and unique place to visit in Chile, especially if you are staying in San Pedro de Atacama. It’s not the easiest place to get to though, so I have prepared for you this ultimate guide to visiting Geyseres del Tatio.

Even though setting the clock alarm up for 4 on a Sunday morning was so painful (everyone who knows me, also knows that it’s so hard for me to get up so early), the whole experience was so worth it.

Are you a night owl who finds solace in the late hours, but always wondered if mornings held something more magical? Let me share an experience that changed my perception entirely. The Geysers del Tatio, nestled amidst the stunning Chilean landscapes, proved to be an awe-inspiring spectacle that completely altered my perspective on early mornings.

As much as I resisted leaving the comfort of my bed at the crack of dawn, the promise of an extraordinary experience at the Tatio Geysers made the effort entirely worthwhile. Picture this: the first rays of sunlight casting a golden hue on nearby volcanoes while gurgling geysers, gassy fumaroles, and bubbling mud craters welcomed the day. It was a breathtaking sight!

Dragging myself out of bed, we embarked on a journey from San Pedro. Following the path of tour vans, the road transitioned from smooth to rugged, but our anticipation overshadowed any discomfort. Arriving at the geyser field entrance around 6 am, the prime time for geothermal activity, I knew the early wake-up call was justified.

The scene before me made every inconvenience vanish instantly. Surrounded by distant volcanoes, bubbling mud pools, and plumes of steam and gases soaring as high as 10 meters, I was mesmerized. Yet, the true spectacle unfurled as the sun ascended over El Tatio. The interplay of rising sunlight with billowing steam and erupting water painted a canvas of unparalleled beauty.

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However, the cold temperatures and frozen toes were a stark reminder of the freezing dawn. But, the sheer magnificence of the moment made you overlook these discomforts. Fumbling to capture the scene in countless images, the combination of colors and natural splendor was unforgettable.

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Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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This is how you cook eggs and make hot chocolate!

Be prepared for high-altitude

In this guide to Tatio geysers, I’d like to mention the effects high altitude can have on you. After an hour I started feeling dominance of the altitude that can have on a human body. My movements became sluggish, breathing more difficult… and there was still so much to see. I have written a detailed post on how to deal with symptoms of high altitude sickness in this post.

Participants of the tours started having breakfast, the geysers slowly calmed down and the time for a hot thermal bath arrived for the brave ones. Remember, the temperature is still well below zero. I might be brave when it comes to jumping out of a plane, but not so brave when icy cold is involved. So, we skipped that, keeping the reserves of courage for Puritama thermal waters.

Explore the surroundings

On the way back we made a stop in a small village Machuca, which serves as a ‘food stop’ for tourists, where you can try empanadas freshly made for you. Machuca is so tiny and so charming that it makes it a must to complete the experience.
The road back suddenly seems to be much more pleasant than the first and all the wobbles and bumps are not so noticeable anymore in the daylight. Or just maybe the beauty around was redirecting our attention? This one-day trip is full of wows!

How to get to Geyseres del Tatio from San Pedro de Atacama

Joining an excursion

There are several tour operators taking tourists from San Pedro. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. We initially considered joining the excursion with one of the tours after hearing some rumors of the road being extremely difficult to drive, especially in darkness.

Booking an excursion is the easiest option- I recommend this tour which has excellent reviews.

Driving to Geyseres del Tatio

After giving it a little thought, our adventurous side won over the safe side, and we decided to drive there ourselves. If you do have a car at your disposal you can follow the tour buses, there are many of them leaving every day. The road in places is in very bad condition and difficult to drive at night with so many curls. Following the tours make it a little easier and you won’t get lost. 4×4 car is advisable as at some point you need to cross a small river.

Search the best car rental options and rates here.

Curiosities about Geyseres del tatio

Geysers del Tatio makes up the world’s third largest geyser field (40 geysers, 70 fumaroles in a space of 3 km2). Although they are not as tall as the ones in Yellowstone Park or the one in Iceland, they are unique since they are located at 4320 meters above sea level.
El Tatio in Quechua (the language of the Inca empire still spoken today in the Andean region) means “Old man crying”.
Do you know that the English word “jerky” comes from the Quechua language?

Things to consider before the trip

Rest well. Leave a late night out or crazy partying for another occasion. Your body needs to be charged. Being at such as high altitude is draining enough.
Eat lightly. That includes a light dinner the previous day and a light or no breakfast before reaching El Tatio.
You can avoid “la puna”, commonly called altitude sickness by drinking plenty of water before heading to the field.
Dress in layers. It is so cold there that you might get some bits frozen, especially at the sun break. On the way back you may get a little bit cooked in the car as it quickly gets very hot on the way down.
Take a sunblock as the sun gets strong on the way back.
Take a bathing suit and a towel, so you can soak yourself in the thermal waters pool.
You should avoid the trip (at least as high as the geysers) if you suffer from hypertension or are pregnant. It is also advisable not to take children under the age of 6.