The Arco Iris Valley lives up to its Spanish name of “Rainbow Valley” with a stunning display of red, white, yellow and brown cliffs set against a bright blue sky. It has become an integral part of San Pedro de Atacama’s image, attracting visitors from around the world with its glorious colours. Spend hours with your family strolling through this picturesque world with very few crowds.
Access the fascinating natural region on one of the regular guided tours. Book with a tour operator online or via your hotel and take a bus into the fairytale-like region. Learn about the geological history of the rocks, as well as the local plants and animals. Look for the area’s wild donkeys, goats and llamas.
Discover the petroglyphs in the Hierbas Buenas section of the valley. Here, search the rock face to find more than a thousand ancient expressions of art by the Atacameño people. The artworks feature animals, such as foxes and llamas. Look for some of the more imaginative creations, including two-headed animals and shamans.
Capture photos of the various rock formations at different times of day to catch the subtle changes in the hues and shadows. See fabulous displays of colour in every direction, with green or white peaks, red and purple cliffs and many other hues reflecting the sun’s rays. The range of salt concentration in the rocks explains the exceptional variety of colour in the valley.
Guided tours often include trips to quaint villages, where you can learn about local culture. Tours vary, but a typical trip will begin early in the morning from your hotel and include food, transportation, travel insurance and a bilingual guide. The journey takes about 4 hours in total.
The Arco Iris Valley is about 50 miles (80 kilometres) from the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Travel by bus or car should take just less than 1 hour.
