The valley most three-day itineraries leave out, paired with rock art that is a thousand years older than the Inca.
- Free cancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before it starts
- Duration6 hours
Valle del Arcoíris is about 90 km north of San Pedro, and the hills there are striped green, red, white and ochre by the copper, iron and salt in the rock. It is the excursion that gets cut when people only have three days, which is exactly why it is worth taking if you have four. This six-hour tour is the only Rainbow Valley product in the inventory that pairs the valley with the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs, and at about $33 it is also the cheapest.
Compare Atacama ToursKey facts
half-day with cultural site- Duration
- 6 hours
- Meeting point
- Collected in San Pedro de Atacama; the operator confirms the time when you book
- Price
- CLP 32,002 per person
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before it starts
Included
- ✓ Pick up at the hotel
- ✓ Driver/Guide (1 pers.)
- ✓ Breakfast
- ✓ Arrival to the town (center)
Not included
- ✗ Rainbow Valley entrance ticket: CLP 5,000 per person
- ✗ Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs entrance ticket: CLP 5,000 per person
- ✗ Total: CLP 10,000, payable in cash
Where the colours come from
Mineral oxides in sedimentary rock: copper for the greens, iron for the reds, and salt and gypsum for the white bands. The colours are strongest in flat midday light, which is the opposite of everywhere else in this desert and the reason this runs as a daytime rather than a sunset tour.
The petroglyphs at Yerbas Buenas
Rock carvings of llamas, foxes, birds and human figures, pecked into the boulders by the people who moved caravans through this valley long before the Inca arrived. They are unenclosed and unlit and you walk up to them. Touching them is what destroys them, so do not.
Why it is quieter
Ninety kilometres each way for a valley with no sunset slot means it loses to Valle de la Luna on every short itinerary. The consequence is that you can stand in it without a queue, which is not true of anywhere else on this list.
The fee, and the cash
The entrance is paid on site, in Chilean pesos, cash only. The operator is explicit about it. There is nowhere to draw money on the way.
The minimum-numbers clause
The operator runs with a minimum of six people. Below that they either partner with another agency or refund you in full. Worth knowing if you are booking a shoulder-season date.
Who should not book this
- Three-day itineraries
- Anyone unwilling to carry cash
-
Rainbow Valley and Hierbas Buenas Petroglyphs Sightseeing Tour
CLP 65188The same itinerary from a different operator, about CLP 33,000 more, with no review history.
Check availability -
San Pedro de Atacama: Rainbow Valley Tour
CLP 69593Two five-star reviews and more than twice the price. Too little evidence to recommend, listed so you can see it exists.
Check availability
Check prices & dates
Book your tickets in advance: popular time slots sell out.
Compare Atacama ToursHow to book
The button opens the operator's GetYourGuide listing to pick a date and pay. Carry Chilean pesos in cash for the on-site fee. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. This site earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth it if I only have three days?
Probably not. With three days the geysers, Valle de la Luna and the altiplanic lagoons come first. Rainbow Valley is the reason to have a fourth.
What time of day is best?
Midday. The mineral colours read strongest in flat overhead light, unlike almost everything else in this desert.
Do I need cash?
Yes. The entrance fee is collected on site in Chilean pesos, cash only.