I’ve been working as an outdoor guide in the Atacama Desert for ten years now, based in San Pedro de Atacama. After that much time, the desert stops feeling like an extreme place and starts feeling familiar. It’s still powerful and unpredictable, but it’s also where I spend most of my days and where I’ve learned how to move, plan, and work.

I’m trained in geology, and that background shapes how I see the landscape. Out here, the ground tells a clear story. I explain how the salt flats formed, why rock layers are folded or broken, and how volcanoes like Licancabur shaped the surrounding terrain. I keep explanations straightforward, focusing on what helps people understand what they’re looking at rather than technical terms. Knowing how the land formed also helps when planning routes and choosing where to stop.

Guiding also means paying attention to people. Every group moves differently and reacts differently to altitude, heat, and long days outside. I watch how people walk, breathe, and rest, and I adjust the pace or route when needed. Sometimes that means taking more breaks or changing plans altogether. These decisions are usually quiet ones, made in the moment, but they make a big difference in how the day unfolds.

The desert might seem tough, but it’s fragile in many ways. Salt crusts, wetlands and wildlife can be damaged easily. I explain why we stay on certain paths and keep distance from animals, especially around lagoons. Most people understand once they see how little it takes to leave a mark in a place like this.

Safety is always part of the background. The Atacama can be very hot during the day and well below freezing at night, and altitude affects everyone differently. I carry first-aid equipment, extra water, snacks and gear and I plan trips with enough margin for unexpected changes.

Apart from daytime guiding, I also run stargazing tours on a private piece of land just outside of town. The sky here is exceptionally clear, and I use my own telescopes to show planets, nebulae, and galaxies. These evenings are quieter than daytime tours and give people time to slow down and look up, often seeing the night sky in a way they never have before.

After ten years in the Atacama, the work feels less about leading and more about facilitating experiences in a place that doesn’t need much explanation. If people leave with a better sense of the desert’s scale, its limits, and its details, then the time spent out here has done what it needed to do.

I am a professional tour guide based in San Pedro de Atacama and the founder of the local travel agency Aire Libre, through which I offer a wide range of guided experiences throughout the Atacama Desert and its surroundings. All services are designed to be flexible, well-organized, and adapted to the needs and interests of each traveler.

The core of my work is guiding half- and full day tours across the region’s most iconic and remote landscapes. Acting as both driver and guide, I lead excursions to major highlights such as the Moon Valley, high-altitude lagoons, vast salt flats, and sunrise visits to the Geysers el Tatio. These tours also include lesser-known routes and viewpoints, allowing guests to experience the Atacama beyond standard itineraries while receiving detailed explanations about the landscape, geology, and local culture.

In addition to vehicle-based tours, I offer guided hikes throughout the region. These hikes can be planned individually, depending on fitness level, available time, and specific interests. Options range from short scenic walks to more demanding high-altitude hikes, always with careful attention to safety, pacing, and environmental conditions.

I also operate nightly stargazing tours at my own private stargazing compound. Using professional telescopes under some of the clearest skies in the world, these tours introduce guests to the western view of the night sky while also explaining how Andean cultures understood the stars and their role in daily and spiritual life.

To complete the experience, Aire Libre provides reliable transportation services, including airport pickups, hotel transfers, and transfers between borders, hotels, and the airport for travelers arriving from or continuing to Bolivia for example. All transport is carried out in modern, well-maintained vehicles, with safety, comfort, and punctuality as top priorities.

On a private outdoor area outside San Pedro de Atacama, I offer an intimate stargazing experience under one of the clearest skies in the world. Using high-end professional telescopes, I guide visitors through bright stars, distant clusters, nebula and planets, explaining the most important constellations visible in the desert night.

But this tour goes beyond astronomy. I also share how the Andean peoples viewed the sky - not as isolated points of light, but as living shapes formed by stars as well as the dark spaces in the milky way. Their constellations carried meaning tied to nature, agriculture, and spiritual life, offering a perspective very different from the Western approach.

By combining scientific insight with ancestral stories, the tour reveals the night sky as both a map of the universe and a reflection of human culture. It’s a quiet, immersive experience that connects visitors not only to the stars above, but to the history and wisdom of those who have observed them for thousands of years.

To make the experience truly unforgettable, I take long-exposure photos of each visitor with the night sky behind them. These stunning images serve as a meaningful and unique memory of the evening. The tour also includes a selection of snacks and drinks, so guests can relax, stay warm, and enjoy the desert’s silence while the stars slowly reveal themselves overhead. 

Piedras Rojas (& Lagunas Altiplanicas)

This tour takes you to one of the most striking landscapes in the Atacama: the vivid red formations of Piedras Rojas set against turquoise lagoons and snow-capped volcanoes. I guide you through high-altitude viewpoints, explain the geology behind the colors, and ensure you have time to appreciate the serene beauty of this unique area.

In addition to classic excursions, I offer individually guided hikes around San Pedro de Atacama. The region features excellent hiking opportunities, from gentle valley walks to demanding high-altitude routes. Each hike is tailored to your experience, physical condition, and interests, ensuring a safe and rewarding experience. Whether you prefer a relaxed walk or a challenging trek into remote areas, I guide you at a comfortable pace while sharing insights into the desert’s geology, wildlife, and history. These personalized hikes offer a more intimate way to experience the Atacama on foot. 

WhatsApp +56 984 066 905

Email tours@airelibre-atacama.com

Phone +56 984 066 905