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Why Atacama Desert?
This 600-mile long sun-blasted plateau is the driest – and oldest – desert on earth. It has barely rained here for three million years, and the landscape is from another planet. Place names like Valley of the Moon and Valley of Death give the game away, but Atacama also has geysers, volcanoes, thermal pools, salt flats and lakes, where flocks of pink flamingoes roam and wildflowers bloom. It’s also a mecca for stargazers who come here for crystal-clear skies and no light pollution.
Astronomy
For the astrophiles among you the Atacama is said to offer some of the best skies in the world for star gazing. Travel during the new moon and we can arrange an astronomy safari where we head out from San Pedro to an area with no light pollution to get close to these amazing night skies. Wrapped in the wool blankets of the region (aguayos) with hot chocolate to warm us we can learn about the constellations from a certified astronomer as we look through specialist telescopes at the night skies observing the stars, the moon and its craters.
Gateway to the Desert - San Pedro de Atacama
The jumping off point for the desert and a picturesque town San Pedro is an oasis village fed by two rivers and surrounded by some surprising desert scenery. From geothermal pools to remote indigenous communities the area offers many natural and archaeological highlights including the Andes Mountains, various volcanoes, salt flats dotted with pink flamingos, high plateaus, grassy river beds, prehistoric cave paintings and salt encrusted caves. Formerly home to the Atacamenos, its population today is just over 4,000 inhabitants.
When to visit
The Atacama Desert is an all year destination with an average annual temperature of around 18 degrees celsius, more comfortable than many of the world’s deserts, partly due to its elevation and also its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. In the summer months between November and February temperatures can reach 27-32 degrees with lows of 16 degrees at night. With these hotter summer days we spend the middle part of the day relaxing with activities taking place early and late in the day.
Birdlife
The area is home to up to 68 species of birdlife including the inimitable flamingo that can be observed in the wild and at the Flamingo National Reserve in the Miskanty and Miniques area. Here it is possible to see the Andean, Chilean and James Flamingos. As we meander through pathways that cut through the crusty salt we will be surrounded by the endless horizons. The unusual fauna will make us feel like we are taking a stroll on another planet.
Explore
Take a gentle 30 km bike ride along unchallenging roads with uninterrupted views of the Andes Mountains to Cejar Lagoon, a sink hole lake in the Salar de Atacama. It has a salt concentration that ranges from 5 to 28 percent, 7 times saltier than the sea (an experience similar to that of the Dead Sea).
Make an early start and head out to the Geysers del Tatio located at an altitude of 4,300 metres. This is one of the world’s highest elevated geothermal fields and we can watch eruptions from more than 80 vents forming plumes that dance in the crisp golden rays of dawn. Crossing the mountain pass ‘La Chita’ we will drive for about an hour to get to the third geothermal field of the world, a fantastic place to spot wildlife and relax with a buffet breakfast. The large 35 degree hot springs allow you to soak away the Andes morning chill while bubbling mud pots form the perfect masque for cleansing the skin.
Fact
Prepare to acclimatise. San Pedro de Atacama is located at 2,450 metres above sea level but many destinations are higher still; the small village of Machuca, a resting point on the Andean highway is at 4,000 metres and the famous Tatio geysers are at 4,320 metres above sea level. Planning is key to ensure you minimise the potential effects of the altitude.
The area is home to one of the best preserved meteorite craters in the world due to its arid location in the middle of the Atacama desert, 200 km southeast of Antofagasta. It is believed that the Monturaqui meteor crater was formed during the Pleistocene Epoch, an estimated 660,000 years ago. The crater is around 1,200 feet (365 metres) in diameter and 112 feet (34 metres) deep.
Something for everyone
Whether you want to try your hand at pottery or saddle up and canter into the sunset there will be something to tempt you to this magical place. Luxuriate in a private villa stay or be at one with nature on a glamping or camping experience. Pedal out on an e-biking tour or be a nomad for day exploring the tiny villages and communities in the highlands.