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Atacama Crossing race photo

Atacama Crossing

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Atacama Crossing race photo
Atacama Crossing race photo
Atacama Crossing race photo
Atacama Crossing race photo
San Pedro de Atacama
CL
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0Pierre cb · Public domainDXR2k8 · Public domainFrancesco Mocellin · CC BY-SA 3.0
Race date in 148 days
Apr 4, 2027 Sun
City · Distance
San Pedro de Atacama · 250km · 125km
Entry fee
$4,200Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenSee how to enter ↗
2027Date Apr 4, 2027 · Open
2025
2025Date Mar 30, 2025
Official website ↗
InstagramYouTube
D-day as of Nov 7, 2026
Atacama Crossing race photo
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Atacama Crossing race photo
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Atacama Crossing race photo
Pierre cb · Public domain
Atacama Crossing race photo
DXR2k8 · Public domain
Atacama Crossing race photo
Francesco Mocellin · CC BY-SA 3.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Atacama Crossing — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

A self-supported stage race of 250 km over 7 days in Chile's Atacama Desert.

The route crosses salt flats, sand dunes and slot canyons and finishes in the main square of San Pedro de Atacama.

The field is limited to 200 runners.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Atacama Crossing runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3
Jason PerriotteRan in 2025
“Stage 1 Done and I'm dusted. 35.3km for Stage 1 today and things didn't quite go as planned.”

In stage 1 they got a headache and blisters on both heels, and the 13kg pack made their shoulders hurt too. They treated the blisters, lightened their load, and headed out for stage 2.

Read the original on RacingThePlanet Atacama Crossing Blogs
Richard BehringerRan in 2023
“Lower pack weights make a big difference in getting through the race.”

After withdrawing in stage 2 the year before, they tried again and finished with a 6.25kg pack and a nutrition plan. Even on the day the checkpoints closed because of the heat, they walked into camp.

Read the original on RacingThePlanet Atacama Crossing Blogs
Robert RipleyRan in 2022
“I am quite happy with 4th place.”

They fell several times in stage 3, and with a dislocated finger and a head injury they considered quitting, but after getting the medical team's permission on the rest day they finished the remaining stages.

Read the original on RacingThePlanet Atacama Crossing Blogs

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Atacama Crossing Highlights VIdeo

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Atacama Crossing — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

General entry

Entry cost $4,200

Secure your place with a $1,500 deposit and pay the balance no later than 120 days before departure.

Organizer's page

First come, first served

Entry cost $4,200

Register on the official website and secure your place with a US$1,500 deposit.

Pay the balance by 5 December 2026 to avoid a surcharge.

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Atacama Crossing course map and elevation

Your 250km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 8:00
EventStartEntry feeField sizeBib pickup
ultra250250km08:00$4,2001502027-04-03
UltraLite (Chile)125km08:00$3,500—2027-04-03
START

Near San Pedro de Atacama

departing from camp each day

FINISH

Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama

Town Square

Finish · Google Maps

Cutoff
Based on a walking pace of 4 km/h

Show more

Runners start · local time — Stages 1–5 start daily at 8:00 am; the final stage starts on 10 April at 10:00 am (times are approximate)

This is a week-long race across the Atacama Desert, widely regarded as the driest place on Earth.

Participants carry a full week of gear and food in their packs, while the organizers provide only water and tent camps.

Course is entirely above 2,300 m in elevation, and the highest point, near Camp 1, is over 3,000 m. Daytime temperatures hover around 22°C,

but nights drop to about 5°C, so the swing between day and night is large.

The route consists of four stages of about 40 km each, one long stage of about 80 km, and a short final stage of about 10 km.

There is a checkpoint every 10 km, and you rest at camp at the end of each day.

The Valley of the Moon, the Valley of Mars, the Atacama Salt Flat, and the Licancabur volcano appear as course backdrops.

The 2027 edition is the 19th running, and it takes place as one course of the 4 Deserts series.

Only about 20% of all participants run the whole way;

the rest mix running and walking or walk throughout.

The fastest time on record is 21 hours 20 minutes, set by Rob Forbes in 2022.

Participant benefits

Medical support

Water stations

Aid stations

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Hotels635m from the start · ★9.6

Where and when to collect your Atacama Crossing race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Bib pickup

No official expo

Stations & transport near the venue

Source · checked Nov 5, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

San Pedro de Atacama

Host town; stage 1 starts from the race camp. Fly Santiago (SCL) to Calama (CJC), then about 1 hour by bus or taxi to San Pedro de Atacama.

Airport transfers are not included.

Map

Getting to the finish

Town Square, San Pedro de Atacama

Final stage finishes in the town square.

Map
Source · checked Nov 5, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

To reach San Pedro de Atacama, take a domestic flight from Santiago to Calama Airport (CJC), then a bus or taxi for about 1 hour.

Airport transfers are not included in the Entry fee, so arrange your transport in advance.

You arrive at the hotel on Friday, 2 April, two days before the race, and the briefing and the gear and medical checks take place on Saturday, 3 April.

There are 35 mandatory gear items, so the pack check takes time.

Packs average 9 kg, and light ones weigh around 7 kg.

Many race reports also say that cutting pack weight makes a big difference.

Every morning the start is at 8:00 am, and the time limit are based on a walking pace of 4 km/h. You collect water at the checkpoints,

and on very hot days checkpoints sometimes close, so plan a comfortable margin.

The sun is strong during the day and the nights are cold, so it is best to dress in thin layers.

Because of the altitude, you may get out of breath easily in the first two days, so monitor how you feel after arrival.

On the final day, 10 April, the last stage starts at 10:00 am, and the race finishes in San Pedro Square at around noon, with the awards ceremony at 7:00 pm.

Accommodation is provided by the race hotel for one night before and one night after, in twin-share rooms.

Times are local to San Pedro de Atacama. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels near the Atacama Crossing start line in San Pedro de Atacama

Hotels that make race morning easy

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Trip.comClosest to the start lineView on Trip.com
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing San Pedro de Atacama with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Experiences, food and sights are travel products in San Pedro de Atacama.

Flights, hotels, airport transfers and budget for Atacama Crossing

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Atacama Crossing

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Ask the runners preparing for this raceWrite a post
CourseBib & expoGetting aroundStay
San Pedro de Atacama runners' room
MORE RACES.

Frequently asked questions about Atacama Crossing

FAQ
When does Atacama Crossing 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sun, April 4, 2027 in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

How do I register for Atacama Crossing 2027?

Entry routes: First come, first served.

Registration is handled on the official website.

How much is the Atacama Crossing 2027 entry fee?

The main event costs $4,200.

What distances does Atacama Crossing 2027 offer?

ultra250 · ultralite.

Where does Atacama Crossing 2027 start?

Near San Pedro de Atacama.

What is the Atacama Crossing 2027 course like?

This is a week-long race across the Atacama Desert, widely regarded as the driest place on Earth.

Participants carry a full week of gear and food in their packs, while the organizers provide only water and tent camps.

Course is entirely above 2,300 m in elevation, and the highest point, near Camp 1, is over 3,000 m.

Where does Atacama Crossing 2027 finish?

Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama (Town Square).

What are the Atacama Crossing 2027 cutoff times?

Based on a walking pace of 4 km/h.

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