Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth, and is virtually sterile because it is blocked from moisture on both sides by the Andes Mountains and by coastal mountains, yet this inhospitable region, quivers with life.
Atacama desert, Image credit
Foxes , mice, lizards and birds, including the Andean avocet and three species of flamingo can be found here. The deserts landscape, shape, shadow and, above all, colour, gives you tans, yellows and greens.
In an oasis, in the middle of the desert, at an elevation of some 2000 meters, lies the village of San Pedro de Atacama. It holds a few sandy streets and a fine plaza of white colonial buildings.
The church in San Pedro de Atacama, Image credit
To the south, in a basin ringed by a spiky crown of volcanoes, are the salt flats of the Salar de Atacama. The salt covers more than 280 square miles but being volcanic, has no commercial value.
Salt formation in the Atacama desert, Image credit
The crust is as hard and as rough as coral and looks like a landfill of fossilized sponge.
Salar (salt flat) de Atacama, Image credit
El Tatio geysers, situated above 14,000ft require you to bring along polar, thick windbreaker pants, feather parka, and a hat. I hope that you will not be affected by altitude sickness. The trip is definitely worth it since they remain the highest geysers in the world. They are surrounded by fumaroles and mountains reaching almost 20,000 ft (6000 m).
Geysers El Tatio, Image credit
Accommodation: Instead of hotels, it is a good idea to choose cabins to live in. If you traveling on a budget, you could choose a hostel to stay in. The Ayllu de Coyo, a rural cabin in Ayllu de Coyo is a good option. Its phone number is (56)(09) 5957567
Atacama Desert, Chile, Image credit: Jorge Tutor.
Travel Tips: Bring boots and walking shoes, It is recommendable to carry money in cash, especially Chilean pesos or national checks. There are no banks or ATM machines in San Pedro, and only a few stores accept credit cards. You could plan your trip with explora.
Source: Telegraph
