A small town in the middle of the driest desert in the world, where it is very hot during the day and very cold at night, San Pedro de Atacama receives thousands of tourists every year, which isn't surprising: this quaint town mixes native culture, ranging from local gastronomy to adobe constructions, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, such as luxury hotels and restaurants.  The most incredible thing about San Pedro is its surroundings: landscapes ranging from the Cejar Lagoons, the Valley of the Moon and the Rainbow Valley to geysers, salt flats, national parks and volcanoes. Wheel the World offers several accessible tours in San Pedro, so you can make the most of it, whether walking, in your wheelchair, or on a hand bike.

Bike through Laguna Cejar, visit different valleys, and enjoy hiking in this accessible tour in San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile (5 days/4 nights)

San Pedro de Atacama

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama offers rooms with private patios, 3 swimming pools, a spa, and various excursions in the heart of the Atacama desert. This 4-star hotel is located 2 kilometers from the center of San Pedro de Atacama, a quaint desert town with thrilling activities in its surroundings.

The accessible guest room features 2 twin beds that can be converted into a king size bed. It is located on the ground floor with a private patio that looks out onto the surrounding desert landscape, offering the chance to stargaze in one of the clearest skies in the world.

Breakfast is included and served daily. The hotel’s onsite restaurant, Kunza, is renowned for its cuisine inspired by cooking traditions of local indigenous communities. It is open for lunch and dinner every day, and serves a barbeque buffet on Saturday evenings. For drinks or a bite to eat, the Lobby Bar offers dishes to share, a large selection of wines, and cocktails made with herbs from the region. The Spa Bar offers poolside lunch, snacks, and drinks. 

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama is about an hour drive from the nearest airport. The areas surrounding the town of San Pedro de Atacama offer amazing sights and excursions to places like geysers, hot springs, hand-biking through Valle de la Luna, and Laguna Cejar - a salty lagoon in the middle of the desert perfect for floating in.

Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama

With private patios and three pools, the Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama in Chile offers guests rustic luxury.

Take in the pristine, ancient beauty of San Pedro de Atacama desert oasis as your traverse the Explora Atacama hotel. From its rolling chain of volcanic mountains to its ever-expansive salt plains, this all-inclusive experience is sure to be an adventure to remember. 

The hotel’s rooms are designed with its picturesque landscapes in mind. In addition to a breathtaking view, the Accessible Room is outfitted with a tea station, an attached restroom, and a private heating unit. With its countless amenities, this hotel is perfect for a romantic getaway or a family adventure. 

Preparing for any of the hotel’s 40 exclusive expeditions begins with good food. The hotel’s kitchen provides nourishing, locally sourced meals to ready you for a day full of adventures. The Hotel Bar also offers superb cocktails and various Chilean wines for you to taste and enjoy at your leisure. 

The Andean deserts and highlands are ripe for exploration by horseback, bicycle, or other means of accessible transportation. Whether you're taking a trip to the Puritama Hotspring Reserve or roaming the night sky from Explora’s observatory, your experience will be unmatched. If you’re looking to tour local landmarks, sites such as San Pedro Church and Pukará de Quitor are less than 2 km (1.2 miles) away.

Hotel Explora Atacama

Take in the pristine, ancient beauty of San Pedro de Atacama desert oasis as your traverse the Explora Atacama hotel.

No Guides / staff members will be available to assist

Adaptive equipment is included and two people assisting are needed

The Joëlette wheelchair allows people with reduced mobility to hike and navigate uneven terrain. With a single wheel, and support and steering bars in the front and back, this all-terrain wheelchair can easily be used by a variety of people with different accessibility needs, and is both an excellent piece of equipment and a great way to work in a team. You can rent this wheelchair through Wheel the World, and we’ll explain how to assemble and use the chair in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

Delivery services and helmets are available for an extra price.

Joëlette Wheelchair Rental - San Pedro de Atacama

Rent this all-terrain wheelchair: not only an excellent adaptive equipment, but also a perfect excuse to work as a team!

A group of friends travers desert lands using a joëlette wheelchair, one of them sits on it, and two of them carry the chair working as a team.

Guides / staff members have been trained by Wheel the World to provide assistance to people with disabilities during the activity

Transportation is not wheelchair accessible but assistance will be provided for transfers

Accessible bathrooms at multiple stops during the activity

Places visited are all wheelchair accessible and can be navigated independently

You’ll be picked up from your accommodation before heading out for an outdoor adventure to explore the Altiplanic Lagoons and the Piedras Rojas. As you explore the unusual terrain that features red rocks, white salt pans and dark blue lagoons, your experienced English-speaking guide will tell you all about the Atacama region’s geology, flora and fauna. You’ll also stop for lunch where you can enjoy traditional local dishes, and refreshments including fruit, snacks and water are provided throughout the day. After a day of fun and exploration, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.

Transportation to and from the tour is not wheelchair accessible, however assistance will be provided for transfers if required. A Joëllete all-terrain wheelchair is available for the tour and requires two people to assist. The tour follows rocky, stony and gravel footpaths in places and the guides will be able to assist throughout the tour. Accessible bathrooms are available at multiple locations during the day.

Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas - Day tour

Explore the rugged Piedras Rojas and picturesque Altiplanic Lagoons on this guided outdoor experience. Check out its accessibility here!

A visitor in a wheelchair on a gravel path enjoying views of the mountains.

On this accessible private guide, you’ll have the chance to explore one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Chile, the Atacama salt flats. The tour begins with a pick-up service from your hotel and a drive to the quaint small town of Toconao. You’ll have a quick stop-off here to admire the native stone houses and to visit the church and bell tower, and then you’ll get back in the vehicle and head to the Gran Salar de Atacama. This is the largest salt flat in northern Chile and covers a huge area. The landscape is surrounded by mountains and a volcano and is home to many species of flora and fauna, such as three kinds of flamingos and Darwin’s rhea. Your private guide will show you around the salt flat and answer your questions about the local wildlife, and will provide you with snacks and bottled water. At the end of the 4-hour tour, you will be driven back to your accommodation.&nbsp;

This tour is accessible to people with disabilities. Most places visited can be navigated independently, but your tour guide has experience of working with disabilities and will be available to provide assistance if necessary. The vehicle is not wheelchair-accessible but staff can help you to transfer, and accessible bathrooms can be found along the tour route. Adaptive equipment is provided, according to your needs.&nbsp;

Laguna Chaxa Salar de Atacama Tour

A private, accessible 4-hour tour of Chile’s beautiful Atacama salt flats, with round-trip transportation included. Check out its accessibility here!

A man in a wheelchair on the edge of the vast salt flats.

No accessible bathrooms available for the activity

Few accessibility measures are in place and assistance is needed for the full experience

You’ll be picked up from your hotel before heading 30 minutes west of San Pedro de Atacama to the spectacular Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, where you’ll explore some of the most unusual and interesting landscapes to be found on Earth on an accessible trek. When you arrive at the valley, you’ll set off on a journey through the desert’s red clay and rocky terrain which resembles the surface of the Moon. During your expedition, you’ll make stops at Les Tres Marías, La Mina Victoria and La Duna Mayor where you’ll be able to learn about the geological phenomena that have created unique rock formations and sand dunes, and you’ll also have time to take some photographs.

You’ll cover some rough and rocky terrain during this trek, and a Joëlette is available if required. Your guide will be experienced in helping visitors with disabilities and will be able to assist you. Transportation to the trek’s starting point is not wheelchair accessible, but assistance will be provided for transfers. No accessible bathrooms are available during the trek. Afterwards, you'll be taken back to your accommodation.

Valle de la Luna Tour

Explore the moon-like landscape of Valle de la Luna on this trek. Check out its accessibility here!

Lunar-like terrain and visitors with a Joelette chair being photographed.