Trip to San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama

Do not confuse the Atacama Desert and San Pedro de Atacama! The desert stretches over 1,200 km and covers a third of northern Chile. San Pedro de Atacama is a charming little Andean village, and the main base for visiting this unique region full of geological wonders.

San Pedro de Atacama

Perched at an altitude of 2,438 m at the foot of the Andes, San Pedro de Atacama is a small traditional adobe village. It is a small village of 5,000 inhabitants which does not lack charm. Stroll through the maze of its streets lined with houses built of adobe. Walk around the main square with its splendid colonial-style church.

Don’t forget to visit Paige, the city’s archaeological museum. It traces the history of the Atacamenian Indians who populated the region for 11,000 years. Over time, they settled down and built fortified villages, such as the fortifications of Pucarás, which gave birth to the village of San Pedro de Atacama.

What to do in the region?

Cordillera de Salt: Valley of the Moon and Valley of Death

valley-of-the-moon-and-valley-of-death Just a few kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama hides an extraordinary landscape: the Cordillera de Sal. This mountain range borders the Salar de Atacama. It comes from a well-known geological phenomenon: plate tectonics. This movement brought back two dry lakes which gave birth to the Valley of the Moon and the Valley of Death. These vast expanses of sand have been classified as nature sanctuaries and reveal stunning landscapes. The Valley of the Moon reveals naturally sculpted rocks, representing fossilized prehistoric monsters, reptiles and even more feminine forms like Las Tres Marias. Death Valley owes its nickname to the fact that its salinity and aridity make any form of life impossible in this region. These are reddish rocks that wake up at sunset, as far as the eye can see, which largely make up this landscape.

Salar de Talar

salar-de-talar Located at an altitude of 3,950 m between the Caichinque volcano and Cerro Médano, the Salar de Talar is a geological marvel that extends over more than 46 km.²It is a geological ensemble made up of a succession of lagoons, salt flats and salt flats which run along the volcanic chain of the Salar de Atacama. The dark colors of Cerro Médano contrast with the whiteness of the salt of the salt pans, making this place exceptional. It’s a setting that will completely disorient you!

Miscantis and Miñique Lagoons

lagoons-miscantis-et-minique Located 120 km south of San Pedro de Atacama and perched at more than 4,200m above sea level, you can discover another natural gem: the Miscantis and Miñique lagoons. They are located in the heart of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, surrounded by two volcanoes of the same name. It is in a setting worthy of an artistic palette that you will be amazed. The azure blue sky, the emerald color of the water, the red and black rocks, the snow-capped volcanoes, the ocher grass literally dazzle you. We recommend that you go there in the morning, nature wakes up and you can enjoy all the moments where the water in the lagoons changes colors depending on the brightness and the rhythm of the wind.

The Tatio Geysers

the-geysers-of-tatio The Tatio Geysers are undoubtedly the highlight of this trip to Atacama. These Geysers are a set of 80 columns of steam which can reach 6 meters high. These columns are located at an altitude of 4,321 meters north of the village of San Pedro de Atacama. To enjoy the awakening of the Geysers in complete peace, we advise you to go there at dawn, accompanied by your guide. You are witnessing a magical show. The water that emerges from the Geysers is hot and then turns into steam on contact with cold air. However, there are some natural pools carved into the rock where you can swim and relax.

Puritama Thermal Baths

puritama-thermal baths Before joining the Tatio Geysers we recommend that you make a stop at the Puritima thermal baths. These eight natural freshwater pools are an exception of nature, in the middle of this desert. Their temperature oscillates between 33 and 34 degrees Celsius. In the past they were used for medicinal purposes by the ancient local Indian populations. You had to go there at least once a year. Today, they are renowned for being like a fountain of youth. They help treat rheumatism, arthritis, stress, muscle pain, blood circulation, digestive system disorders and even skin rejuvenation.

Salar de Atacama, Laguna Chaxa

salar-de-atacama-laguna-chaxa It is to the south of San Pedro de Atacama that we find this immensity of salt which extends as far as the eye can see over more than 300,000 hectares. Despite its title as the second largest salt deposit in the world, the Salar de Atacama has managed to preserve its authenticity and its idyllic setting. The Salar welcomes you in the middle of its lagoons with clear, clear waters, its volcanoes with snow-capped peaks. The dance of the flamingos brings the little touch of color that makes this landscape magnificent and unforgettable.