Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2027

Atacama Crossing (Chile) is a self-supported 250km ultramarathon over six stages, starting from the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama and racing in the Atacama Desert. 

Over the seven days, competitors traverse salt flats, run down unforgettable sand dunes, go through narrow slot canyons, and experience starry nights under the watchful eye of Volcan Lincancabur in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The race takes you through Moon Valley, the Valley of Mars the Salar de Atacama and finally ends in the Town Square of the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. 

DATES

• Event Dates: 2 -11 April 2027.
• Race Starts: 4 April 2027.
• See the full itinerary.

LOCATION

Meeting Place: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

• Race Location: Atacama Desert.
• Nearby Airport: Calama. 

EVENT OVERVIEW

• Distance: 250km / 155 miles over 6 stages across 7 days.
• Format: Self-supported, multi-stage ultramarathon.
• Number of competitors: limited to 150.

RACE FORMAT

• Stages: 6 Stages, including one long Stage and a shorter final Stage.
     - Four Stages of approximately 40km / 25 miles
     - One longer Stage, The Long March – normally around 80km / 50 miles
     - A final shorter final Stage for 10km / 6 miles.
• The course is fully marked – no navigation is required.
• There is a checkpoint every 10km / 6 miles.
• At the end of each Stage a Camp where you will spend the night.
• About 20% run most of the course, 60% combine a mixture of running and walking, and 20% walk the entire course.
• The cut-off times are based on a 4km / 2.5 mile per hour walking speed.
• See the full course details.

TERRAIN

The scenery and terrain is very diverse as you experience the full range that the Atacama Desert has to offer. You can expect sand-dunes, river crossings, gravel, loose rocks, hard-packed earth and even waist-high grass. This is in addition to the infamous salt flats (described as "frozen broccoli / a ploughed field") that will challenge even the most dexterous of runners to cross at full-speed.

• 50% dusty, rocky, sandy tracks and trails
• 20% hard packed tracks
• 10% sand
• 10% salt flats
• Plus slot canyons, water crossings, wet salt flats and more. 

ELEVATION & ALTITUDE

The entire course is above 2,300 meters / 7,500 feet. The highest point is on Stage 1 reaching 3,500 meters / 11,500 feet and goes downhill after that.

• Elevation Gain: 2,813 meters (9,230 feet)
• Elevation Loss: 3,646 meters (11,994 feet) 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Each Stage of the Atacama Crossing has unique cultural, historical and scenic highlights that will encourage competitors to push themselves along to the next checkpoint. Below are some of the highlights competitors can expect to experience while crossing the Atacama Desert.

• San Pedro de Atacama is itself a highlight. It is a charming desert oasis where the streets are not paved, the buildings are made from adobe (mud and straw) and are single story and there are lots of very nice restaurants, bars and cafes. This is the meeting place and the race finishes in the main square.
• Magnificent salt flats stretching as far as the eye can see.
• Huge sand dunes which will literally take your breath away.
• Slot canyons where you can touch both sides.
• Glittering night skies in the driest place on earth.
• Valley of Mars with its incredible formations in the red earth.
• Valley of the Moon, where the land rovers were tested for use on the actual Moon.

CLIMATE & WEATHER

• April is the end of Autumn / Fall in Chile.
• You can expect pleasant, dry, and sunny weather, cold nights, very little rain but wind, especially at sunset.
• Daytime temperatures: 35C+ / 95F+.
• Lows at night: 0C / 32F.

EQUIPMENT

• Self-supported: Competitors carry their own food, clothing, and mandatory equipment for the week.
• Have a look at the equipment list.
• Provided: Tents, drinking water at camps/checkpoints, medical support, course marking, race operations.

GETTING TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

The most common route is:

1. Fly into Santiago, the capital of Chile
2. Take a domestic flight to Calama (2 hours – more than 10 a day)
3. Take a shuttle transfer or Taxi from Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama

For more details about how to get to San Pedro de Atacama, including flight routes from all continents have a look at this Travel Information document.

ENTRY FEE

• The entry fee is US$4,200.
• A deposit of US$1,500 is paid to secure your place.
• The balance is due 120 days before the race – by 5 December 2026.
• The entry fee increases by US$300 after 5 December 2026.
• You can also pay in installments, for example 10 x monthly installments of US$420 (but to be paid before 5 December 2026).

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Pre- and post-race hotel nights.
• Tented accommodation during the race.
• Logistics during the race.
• Marked course, checkpoints, water, medical team.
• International staff and medical support throughout race.
• Water for the duration of the race.
• Hot water for cooking and making warm drinks in the mornings and evenings for the duration of the race.
• Awards Banquet ticket (including dinner, awards presentation and photo slideshow.
• Finisher's medal.
• Souvenir race t-shirt or jacket.

NEXT STEPS

• Complete a registration.
• Get ready for a great adventure!

Note that UltraLite (Chile) is held alongside the Atacama Crossing for those who seek the challenge of an ultramarathon but with a more flexible format. The race offers adventure, endurance, and community—all in an awe-inspiring setting.