Atacama Desert
San Pedro de Atacama
This vibrant desert community is the jumping off point for many tourists visiting the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. With great options for accommodations and dining, San Pedro de Atacama is the perfect respite from a tour of any one of the surrounding natural reserves. With an altitude of nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, this high elevation desert town is a mecca for adventure travelers from all over the globe. The town is easily walkable and has great art galleries.
Be sure to visit the Iglesia San Pedro & the Meteorite Museum housing one of the largest meteorite collections in the world.
El Tatio
El Tatio is the third largest geyser field in the world with over 80 geysers in this geothermic field. This is one of the top experiences in the Atacama Desert. The geysers are best visited in the early morning (sunrise) as the cooler temperatures promote more geothermic activity. Elevation here is intense @ 14,000+ feet above sea level.
This geysers are best experienced as a tour since the start time is usually around 4am and it's a 1 hour drive from San Pedro de Atacama on steep mountain roads.
Valle de la Luna
This lunar landscape leaves visitors in awe at its other worldly landscape featuring jagged red rock structures. As translated, 'Valley of the Moon' is a photographer's dream. Plus the added bonus of having the looming presence of a 19,423 foot elevation behemoth Licanbur Volcano off in the distance.
This distinctive valley is located within the larger Los Flamencos Natural Reserve which can be reached within a short 15 minutes drive from the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
There are plenty of short hikes within the reserve that allow you to take in the scenery. Be sure to take plenty of water.
Ruta de los Salares
This road through the high desert plains at 12,000 feet of elevation allows for magnificent views of unique rock formations and some of Atacama's desert inhabitants such as flamingos (Andean or Chilean species) and guanaco or vicuna (the Andean cousins to the llama).
On this journey, you will encounter high desert lagoons, volcanos, and the memorable "Monjes de la Pacana" pillars. This highway is the same route that you would use if you were self-driving and continuing on to the northwestern Argentinian province of Salta.
There are no services along this road so make sure to bring food and water or book a tour in the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
Valle Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley)
These unusual rock formations are the result of tens of millions of years of geological events and erosion leaving behind an eye popping spectrum of colors and minerals in the rock sediment that include copper, silver, and jade.
The rainbow valley of Atacama is one of the lesser known tourist attractions but well worth the visit; plan for half a day or book a tour in San Pedro de Atacama. This experience is usually booked in conjunction with a tour of a nearby pre-historic settlement featuring petroglyphs (rock carvings).
