Experience Atacama Desert

Overview

The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world and one of the best places on earth for stargazing. The massive stretch of arid land stretches from the Pacific coast to the Andes Mountains and is filled with unique beautiful landscapes and breathtaking nature. Colorful sandstone canyons, salt flats, hot springs, geysers, deep blue lagoons, crazy rock formations, and volcanic peaks make up this land of contrasts. The colorful desert and its lifeless landscapes are popular places for activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other epic adventures.

Things to see and do

Take a walk through the otherworldly Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) one of the main attractions in the Chilean Desert. The valley’s unique vast, desolate landscapes filled with iconic rock formations created by tectonic forces 4 million years ago make it look like you are on the moon. There are four different areas and viewpoints to explore; Duna Mayor Viewpoint, Victoria Mine, Tres Marias, and Ckari Viewpoint. One of the most popular times to visit is during sunset when the landscapes are especially beautiful and a great time to capture some spectacular photos. Sunrise can also be pretty spectacular, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride over the valley.

Check out Valle del Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley) where you can encounter a stunning vibrant tapestry of multicolored rock formations that weave through the hills and river basin of Rio Grande. Capture some extraordinary views of the surrounding landscapes with color contrasts from ocher, blue, and dusty red to mint green caused by the rock's mineral content. This area is one of the best places to see petroglyphs with carvings of guanacos, foxes, men, and cross-legged shaman.

Visit Geysers El Tatio a geothermal field filled with over 80 active stunning geysers located 14,170 feet above sea level!! El Tatio is best viewed at sunrise when the eruptions are the most impressive and in full effect. Early morning is when the area is the most photogenic time of day. El Tatio is the third-largest geyser field in the world and the highest. The fumaroles (geyser's steam) are visible as they escape the earth in giant (some up to 20 feet tall) puffy columns.

Visit the seven hidden Lagoons of Baltinache, a group of 7 small saltwater lakes that are famous for their intense bright turquoise waters that contain so much salt it makes floating in them easy. You can swim in 2 of the 7 lakes in the middle of the desert surrounded by barren landscape, it's a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience. The waters are cold but can be refreshing in the desert heat, bobbing around on the surface of the tranquil lake is quite an experience.

See the famous flamingos!!! Head to Laguna Chaxa which is home to large colonies of these water-loving birds. There are three altiplano species; James’s, Andean, and Chilean.

See Las Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks)site which is surrounded by a ring of volcanoes, an expansive rugged area of red-hued rocks that look like a massive set of natural cobblestones, the contrast of the red rocks and the clear, blue Chilean sky creates a truly unique view of these spectacular landscapes.

Go Stargazing!! The Atacama Desert is one of the best places on earth to go stargazing. The clear blue pollution-free skies of the desert are filled with the mesmerizing Milky Way in all its glory. There are astronomical tours available with telescopes. The views of the night sky here are unreal, there are various visible constellations.

Visit the Museo del Meteorito in San Pedro de Atacama to learn about space exploration. The museum is housed in two large geodesic domes offering visitors a fascinating insight into the arrival of objects from space. The museum houses a collection of 77 meteorites that have landed in the Atacama Desert, some dating back over 4.5 million years. Theres a free 45-minute audio guide with descriptions of the meteorites, and you can admire the rocks on display.

Visit a natural hot spring, Termas de Puritan hot springs feature 8 crystal clear hot springs with temperatures varying from 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit. The natural springs are said to help relieve rheumatism, and arthritis due to the high concentrations of sodium sulfate. The pools are in graduated sections of the valley and are connected by small waterfalls and wooden walkways.

Dining

The main restaurants can be found in San Pedro de Atacama, despite being small the town is packed with some excellent dining spots. Theres a great variety of family-run restaurants dishing up authentic classic local cuisine, and plenty of international dining options serving everything from pizza to pasta, burgers, and seafood. The town is home to a lot of delicious new restaurants, bistros, and cafes dotted around its streets. The chefs in town rely on the land for most of their ingredients with meals made using llama meat, desert herbs,, and other key ingredients blended together to create unique regional dishes. Some local dishes include hearty patasca a spicy stew made with charqui (dried meat) potatoes, and dried corn and cooked for several hours, it's a staple in the desert region. Picante de Conejo is rabbit meat cooked in semolina and then in a broth with puti carrots, onions, garlic, and chuno, it's served with rice and other sides. Llama meat is commonly used in many meals, it has a similar taste to lamb and is used to make stews, casseroles, and pies. A popular Chilean “a lo pobre” is llama meat with eggs, and fries. Quinoa is a common grain and basic ingredient used to accompany many dishes.

Some authentic Chilean dishes include caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesan (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, then topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche.