Our journey led us to an unforgettable destination. Over the course of three days, we immersed ourselves in a place so captivating that even more time wouldn’t have sufficed. Originally drawn by its renowned stargazing opportunities, which unfortunately eluded us due to persistent cloud cover, we discovered a wealth of other remarkable experiences.
We embarked on exhilarating hikes through the Valley of the Moon and the Valley of the Sun, each step revealing surreal landscapes that seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie. The El Tatio Geysers fascinated us with their steamy, otherworldly spectacle at dawn, while the ethereal beauty of Sala de Tara left us in awe of nature’s artistry.
The quaint town of San Pedro de Atacama offered a charming contrast with its adobe architecture and vibrant local culture. However, the pinnacle of our adventure came with the heart-pounding thrill of sandboarding in the Valle de la Muerte. The dunes beckoned us with their golden slopes, promising an adrenaline rush that was indeed tremendous, though the challenge of trudging up in boots was a feat in itself.
Every site we explored was uniquely enchanting, leaving an indelible mark on our memories. From the picturesque town to the exhilarating sandboarding escapade, each experience added a layer of richness to our journey, making it a truly extraordinary adventure.
Valley Hikes
Geysers
El Tatio Geysers: Located at an altitude of around 4,300 meters (14,100 feet), El Tatio is one of the highest geyser fields in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s situated approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of San Pedro de Atacama. The geothermal field features over 80 active geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles that erupt steam and boiling water into the cold morning air. The best time to visit is at sunrise when the contrast between the chilly morning temperatures and the geothermal activity creates impressive steam columns against the backdrop of the Andes.
Tatio Hot Springs: Alongside the geysers, there are natural hot springs at El Tatio where visitors can take a relaxing soak. These hot springs are fed by the geothermal activity and offer a unique experience of bathing in naturally heated waters surrounded by the high-altitude desert landscape.
Salt Flats
There are three separate salt flats in the region, it makes for another great day trip.
Sandboarding
This was incredible and the first time we tried it. The sand boarding itself is not that hard especially if you have skied or snowboarded. The hard part is climbing up the sand dune in big boots and carrying the board. But well worth it….It almost never rains here, we happened to be there as a thunder storm was rolling in.
Town
San Pedro de Atacama is a small town located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It’s renowned for its stunning landscapes, unique geography, and vibrant culture. Here are some key highlights:
It’s situated at an altitude of about 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) above sea level and surrounded by the Salt Mountain Range. The desert landscape around San Pedro is characterized by salt flats, geysers, volcanoes, and surreal rock formations.
San Pedro de Atacama is a popular destination for tourists interested in nature, adventure, and astronomy. Visitors come to explore the Atacama Desert, visit salt flats like Salar de Atacama, and witness the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and Valle de la Muerte (Valley of Death). To get here you fly into Calama.
The area around San Pedro is known for its clear skies and minimal light pollution, making it one of the best places in the world for stargazing. There are several observatories in the region where tourists can observe the night sky with telescopes. We were disappointed we didn’t get to do this due to the weather.
