With some parts of it never having received a single of drop of rain, the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile is the driest desert on earth. No greenery or shade make it a barren and intense environment with high altitudes, dry air and very strong sun.
Temperatures are extreme with daytime being unbearably hot and night times bitterly cold. San Pedro de Atacama is a small town that sits at the desert's center, quite literally in the middle of nowhere, yet it attracts thousands of adrenaline junkies and thrill seeking backpackers.
Photo by Pixabay User, Falco
With the white Spanish colonial buildings and dusty roads with cowboys on horseback, San Pedro will make you feel like you've just stepped on to a wild west film set! But it's the diverse landscape surrounding it that draws travelers to this adventure wonderland.
Billowing geysers, active volcanoes, vast sand dunes, unique salt lakes, emerald green lagoons and bright pink flamingos make this top travel destination a landscape photographer's dream.
Valle de Lunar
Best visited at sunrise or sunset, this top travel attraction offers otherworldly views from many dramatic viewpoints. With a remarkable absence of life and a landscape closely resembling that of the moon, one glimpse will leave you in no wonder as to how the name came about. You can also horse ride around the site for an enhanced step out of reality.
Salar de Atacama
Formed as a result of having no drainage and the evaporation of water running down from the Andes, this ginormous salt flat is the 3rd largest in the world! Its surface is described in guide books as a coffee-colored coral reef that crisps and cracks under your feet. Even at 2,300m above sea level large volcanoes dominate the landscape backdrop and the surrounding lagoons are home to flocks of pink flamingos.
Valle de la Muerte
Translated as the 'valley of death', because of the countless people who have never made it out of this particular area. With zero water supply it is one of the most inhospitable places on earth. However, 328ft high, wind sculptured sand dunes make this a sandboarding heaven. Don't worry if you've never done it before either as there are plenty of tour agencies that provide lessons. Just make sure you take lots of water and energy with you!
Cejar Lagoon
This natural turquoise thermal lagoon has a such a high salt content that, similar to the dead sea, it's difficult to swim in. The best thing to do is just float around taking in the gorgeous panoramic views of the Andes mountains. A tour here is usually combined with a trip to another pair of equally picturesque lagoons that you can also take a dip in.
El Tatio Geyser
Best visited at sunrise to experience them at the height of their mystical performances, these 80 active geysers that spurt clouds of boiling water and steam 32ft in the air are the also the third largest in the world. At 4,200m above sea level the atmosphere here is a cold one with temperatures often reaching 5°F so be sure to dress in your warmest clothes!
Star Gazing
The clear air and vast expanse of night sky, combined with absolutely no light pollution makes the Atacama Desert perfect for star-gazing activities. It really is a must-see. Many tours combine astronomy lessons with the naked eye and telescope viewings. From this part of the world it is possible to see Saturn, Jupiter and the Milky Way.
It is recommended you spend at least 4 or 5 days exploring the landscapes here and afterward schedule in a few days resting to recoup from the long drives, early starts, extreme temperatures and high altitudes. But without a doubt, this travel destination offers incredible adventure and stunning landscapes like no other.
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