Travel to South America: Why the Atacama Desert Should Be in Your Top 5 Places to Visit in Chile

Author : Unwild Planet

Rare destinations give you the best of memories. This line is an absolute truth when it comes to the Chilean Atacama! With a landscape similar to that of Mars and with regions that have not received rainfalls for almost 400 years, this majestic desert located in Northern Chile should be on everyone’s Top 5 list of places to travel in South America. Here are the top five reasons why you cannot resist this destination!

1. The best place to stargaze in the whole world

Apart from the desert’s geographical significance, historical sites, and the oldest mummies of the world in Chinchorro, the Atacama is considered the best place in the world to stargaze! Due to the high altitude, lack of moisture in the air and non-existent light pollution, the skies become a clear canvas during the night, and you get to let your mind get imaginative and creative!

April through September boasts of cloudless skies, making it a peak period to appreciate the stars and even the planets Saturn and Jupiter. The environment is so ideal that the largest astronomical project in existence - Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (or ALMA), is operated here by the European Southern Observatory.

2. El Tatio Geysers

El Tatio means, grandfather, yes this grandfather geyser field is one of the highest and largest geyser fields in the whole world! The field is covered in eighty active geysers, as well as hot springs, fumaroles, and sinter deposits (a kind of chemical sediment that forms the strange rock formations found around geysers all over the world).

Pathways across the field allow you to walk past the different geysers and immerse yourself in their plumes of mist and steam at safe distances. This definitely calls for some candid photography and Instagram uploads! The best time to experience this would be early in the morning.

3. Surf a Sand Dune

If you are dreaming about riding the sandworms from the movie Dune, well, this can give you an almost similar experience! The Cerro Medanoso sand dune in the Atacama Desert is the tallest in Chile and is considered the second highest sand dune in the world and this makes it the best dune for sandboarding.

The stark landscape of eroded lava and sandstone formations sit nestled among smooth sand dunes that stretch for miles. These slopes allow you to see the unique colors and textures of the Atacama Desert at sundown. Boards can be rented in town or just come to the valley to watch the locals cutting it up down the dunes! So, are you ready to try sandboarding?!

4. Salt Flats and Flamingos

The Tara salflats may not be as vast as the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, but are as beautiful as the former. Located within the Los Flamencos National Reserve at more than 14,000 feet above sea level, the Tara salt flats are comprised of flat plains of crusty salt, as well as high desert lagoons frequented by local wildlife like flamingos and vicunas, grasslands, and bizarre rock formations like the Pacana Monks, which are vertical rock stands said to resemble the posture of monks.

Visit these salt flats to witness the flocks of flamingos that feast here in the open areas of water that contain a plethora of small crustaceans!

5. Boutique Lodges

Such a long and exhausting day of itinerary demands some cozy rooms, refreshing pools, jacuzzis, and exotic delicacies to look forward to! Atacama desert offers some of the most unique, comfortable, and environmentally friendly well-designed hotels in South America. These pueblo and adobe inspired architecture blends in with the natural landscape, letting you relax and rejuvenate. These hotels also offer a range of activities to keep you engaged day and night!