If you’re planning a trip to the Atacama Desert, you probably already have Moon Valley and Mars Valley on your list. But Rainbow Valley might not ring a bell yet. That’s exactly why it’s worth adding this hidden gem to your itinerary!
About 65 km/40 miles from San Pedro de Atacama, at an altitude of around 3,000 meters (9,840 ft), you’ll find this spectacular landscape known as Rainbow Valley. The valley sits in the Cordillera Domeyko, one of the mountain chains that frame the region alongside the Andes and the Salt Mountain Range.
The Domeyko range was formed by the volcanic activity that created the Andes. The movement of tectonic plates lifted the mountains and fractured the terrain. Shifting magma, water, and layers of sediment reshaped the landscape over millions of years. Oxidation, erosion, and dryness later exposed the different rocks and minerals we see today. The range is now considered geologically quiet, with no active seismic movement.
As the name suggests, color is everywhere. The hills display strong shades of red, green, and white. These colors come directly from the minerals in the soil and rock. Red tones come from iron. The white layers are gypsum (calcium sulfate). The pale crust on the surface comes from salt deposits. The green shades are oxidized copper. (Did you know that the Antofagasta region is rich in copper? Mining remains one of the area’s main economic activities.)
Combined with the deep blue sky and beige, purple, and brown tones, the colors create a striking natural palette. That makes Rainbow Valley one of the colorful landscapes of the Atacama Desert.
Most Atacama Desert tours to Rainbow Valley begin with a stop at the entrance, where you can buy tickets and use the restrooms. A few minutes farther by car, you reach a first viewpoint. Here you can walk into a narrow rock corridor and admire the rock structure from inside while taking photos.
Continue driving a short distance and you’ll reach the start of a gentle walk of about 30 minutes. The trail winds between the colored hills and offers wide open views. Along the way you may spot the rica-rica plant, a local herb used in traditional cooking.
This is an easy excursion where your local guide helps you understand what you’re seeing by explaining the different rock formations.
Some last tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for sand and stones. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. There is almost no shade, and the sun and altitude are intense.
A visit to Rainbow Valley pairs perfectly with nearby Yerbas Buenas (15 minutes by car), home to some of the most important Atacama Desert petroglyphs. These rock carvings are about 2,000 years old. Ancient communities engraved them into stone as a record of daily life and movement across the desert.
At the time, local groups lived a nomadic life. They traveled in llama caravans across what is now Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, linking the Amazon basin with the high Andes. Once llamas were domesticated, communities began settling near water sources such as rivers and practicing small-scale agriculture.
That history appears in the carvings. Many petroglyphs show llamas and caravan scenes. Others depict animals, including monkeys associated with the Amazon, as well as human figures. Some symbols likely worked as markers, indicating water sources or safe routes. Others probably held spiritual meaning.
There are a few places near San Pedro de Atacama where you can see petroglyphs, but at Yerbas Buenas, you'll find the largest concentration, with hundreds of carvings in one area. Additionally, it's very accessible, with only a short walk to reach them.
Ready to see Rainbow Valley and the ancient petroglyphs up close? Check our Atacama Desert Explorer program and add this unforgettable excursion to your trip.