Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is a desolate, arid wilderness plateau, covering a 1000km strip of land on the Chilean Pacific coast, west of the Andes Mountains. It is scientifically proven to be the driest non-polar desert on our planet. However, the thought that this is a place devoid of life is far removed from reality, as the Atacama Desert is overflowing with life provided you take the time to explore its many wonderful ecosystems and landscapes.
On this high sub-Andean plateau, there are small indigenous villages 4000m above sea level where timeless traditions linger in extreme settings. In addition, vast salt flats, active bubbling geysers and intense blue lagoons where pink flamingos wade and feed in the alkaline waters are just but a few of the astonishingly extraordinary features of
this region.
Night skies are devoid of any human or light pollution, hence crystal clear views of the stars in our Milky Way are hard to be matched. International stargazers flock here to look into gigantic telescopes at scientific astronomical observatories to gain unprecedented insight to the celestial bodies and far distant constellations in the Heavens. This region receives in excess of 300 perfectly clear days and correspondingly crystal night skies a year, thereby having perfect terrestrial conditions for stargazing at one of a number of
astronomical observatories.
The gateway to the Atacama is the town of Calama and its domestic airport (CJC), which is a short 2 hour non-stop flight from the nation's capital city of Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival visitors are met and warmly welcomed, then transferred in comfort to San Pedro de Atacama, the largest settlement in the area, where excellent
accommodation options in boutique hotels and intimate internationally acclaimed 5 star lodges, such as Explora Atacama and the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge and Spa to name but two, provide fabulous lodging.
Highlights
Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) formed millions of years ago, which through time and natures elements of rain, wind, heat and cold form natural sculptures, vastly different stratifications with varied colourations, caused by the mineral diversity.
Tatio geysers are a geothermal field located at sokme 4,200m above sea level, located 90km from San Pedro de Atacama. The morning early hours see the geysers present impressive steam fumaroles activity. Surrounded by Andean peaks that tower 5900m the vistas and photographic opportunities are surreal.
Altiplano lakes of Miscanti and Mifiique 4000m above sea level, attract a wide variety of animals and birds such as bright pink flamingos, tagua comuda, parina chica, cait6, playero de baird, chorlo de la puna, jurujual duck and guallata. These azure lakes are in stark contrast to the surrounding snow capped mountains and volcanic cone peaks.
Toconao and Atacama Salt lake, located to the south of San Pedro it is known for three unique flamingos species which inhabit the Chaxa lagoon. En-route, the spectacular Licancabur and Lascar volcanoes make for sensational photographic backdrops. The atmosphere here enables one to see almost 70km distant. The colonial town of Toconao is constructed with liparitas stone of volcanic origin. Here local inhabitants carve out a living from agricultural and artisan pursuits. Toconao and the surrounding Quebrada de Jerez features giant petroglyphs.
The remains of Pukara de Quitor (Fort of Quitor) constructed by the Atacamefio people in the XII century (700+ years ago) to defend themselves from marauding tribes
Jesuit priest Padre Le Paige (Father Le Paige) Museum exhibits the evolution of the atacamefian culture over its 11,000 journey in time, with 4.000 skulls, innumerable mummies, weapons and utensils. Padre Le Paige was fascinated by prehistoric Atacamefia culture.
Puritama hot springs, used in time past by the Inca to recharge energy on their overland trading missions. Located in a mountainous region of great natural beauty, the constant thermal water temperatures ranging between 25° and 30°C have curative properties for human rheumatic conditions.
Valle de Muerte - close to San Pedro and known as the Valley of Mars, is renowned for astonishing landscapes and rock formationso Easter Island thanks to its real life Moai statue on display.
