Mirador Coyote

Mirador Coyote — Sunset

From Tres Marías, the route doubles back the way it came, out of the reserve and onto the highway toward Calama, where a short unpaved turnoff leads to the Mirador Coyote (also known as Mirador de Ckari), the highest viewpoint associated with the valley and the traditional spot to watch the sun go down over the Cordillera de la Sal. The perspective from here is wider than anything inside the reserve itself — the full sweep of salt mountains catching the last light, the Licancabur volcano often visible on the horizon beyond. Access to this mirador has been intermittently restricted in recent seasons due to safety concerns over the approach path, so it is worth confirming locally on arrival in San Pedro whether it is currently open; if closed, the view from Duna Mayor at the same hour is a more than adequate substitute.

Arrival: San Pedro de Atacama

The return to town after sunset closes a long day that began in the mountains of Jujuy and ends in the desert oasis that will be home for the next several nights. San Pedro's low, dusty streets and adobe buildings hide a surprising density of restaurants, tour operators, and archaeological history — enough to fill the coming days at altitude far lower than almost anywhere else on this stretch of the trip. Tonight, though, is simply about food, rest, and letting the last of the day's light fade from the sky.