The Atacama Desert is one of the most incredible wonders in the world! Here in this post I will give you tips on how to clear this desert.
The landscape is breathtaking, in addition to gigantic sand dunes, you will find lakes, villages, archaeological sites, salt desert, active volcanoes and many exotic birds and plants.
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A little about the Atacama Desert
Located in the northern region of Chile, with about 1,000 kilometers of extension following the border with Peru, it is 4,000 meters high with 105,000 km², it is considered one of the driest in the world.
The most popular tourist destination is in the San Pedro de Atacama region, further north. The city is very small, with just over 3,000 inhabitants and they live off tourism.
How to get to the Atacama Desert
They exist various forms, one of them is for those who love to drive for many kilometers, usually leave Brazil car.
This is usually the longest trip and you will probably want to know every different corner that the road will provide.
For those who don't like to stay in a car for several hours, the option to get to the Atacama Desert is to go by car. plane, in addition to being safer!
There is the option to go from bus, rent a car or go with tourist agencies?? Generally if you are in Santiago, or in other cities further afield, these are good options.
Tip: choose to take the tour during the day, if you have a car, so you can admire the clean landscape along the way.
Best time to visit the Atacama Desert
Each time of year has its peculiarities, but in general there are parts of the desert that don't know what a raindrop is.
So, the rain will not be an obstacle, depending on the region you intend to visit, what will determine your choice is what you want to find it there.
At In my opinion, the most colorful time to discover the desert is in the summer. That's because the flamingos arrive in the region to “date”. There are so many that you will be mesmerized.
Temperatures in the Atacama Desert
Well, when you talk about temperature in the desert, hot days come to mind, that absurd heat. But depending on the season, it's not quite like that.
In the summer you will find very hot days, but the nights with super low temperatures.
In winter, during the days the temperatures are milder and at night, the cold is even worse.
In short: regarding temperature, the months of March to May (autumn) and September to October (spring), the amplitude ends is not so extreme and the temperatures are milder, generating a comfort for your walks.
What's in the Atacama Desert?
If you think that in the Desert you will only find sand and a lot of heat, you are very wrong.
In addition to gigantic sand dunes, you will find lakes, villages, archaeological sites, salt desert, active volcanoes and many exotic birds and plants.
Salar de Atacama
If you couldn't see the flamingos, don't be sad, because in the 3rd largest Salar in the world (salt desert) you can find several birds and other types of animals, such as: guanacos. Alpacas, llamas, nhandus among others.
Located inside the Los Framencos National Reserve, with 320,000 hectares surrounded by salt.
The highlight of the salar are the Ojos del Salar composed of two immense craters with waters in shades of blue. A beautiful contrast in the middle of the desert.
Valley of La Muerte and Valley of the Moon
Considered one of the great postcards that the desert will provide you.
You will get to know the Valle de la Luna, with a breathtaking view of the Andes mountain range at the bottom of the Valley.
Located 17km from downtown San Pedro de Atacama, generally the tour is done together with the tour of Valle de la Muerte, in the afternoon to dazzle the sunset.
Piedras Rojas
Or translating into Portuguese Pedras Vermelhas, that's exactly what you'll find.
In the midst of the pale green salt lake, they are superimposed and gigantic, giving a dazzling highlight to the landscape, which to finish at the end of the horizon are the mountains and their volcanoes.
Located at an altitude of 4,000 meters, the red color is highlighted by the excess of iron oxidation, which is highly concentrated in this region.
Puritama hot springs
Have you ever thought about taking a delicious bath inside a canyon in natural pools, with warm (between 32 and 34º) and pleasant waters.
It's really amazing, you don't want to leave!
There are restrooms, lockers to leave your things and even an area with tables to have a picnic.
The place is easily accessible, full of walkways between the 8 thermal pools. It's worth visiting this place and relaxing during your trip!
Atacama volcanoes
If you love hiking and exploring the most amazing places in the world, climbing volcanoes will be one of the most rewarding activities of your life.
In Atacama some of the volcanoes most visited are: Cerro Toco, Lascar, Sairecabur, Licancabur and Pili.
Choose the volcano you want to visit and know that this itinerary should be very early in the morning, ideally hire a guide or travel agency, so this tour will be safer.
There are active and inactive volcanoes. O Lascar volcano is one of the actives, one of the outstanding characteristics of its activity, is the strong smell of sulfur in addition to the fumes of yellow and ocher gases that come out of its depths.
O Sairecabur volcano It is one of the coolest places to visit, because it is on one of the highest peaks in Atacama. However, if you are starting to hike, it is not a good option, because the terrain is very steep and it takes many hours of walking.
Atacama Desert
Finally, I hope I have helped you with the tips to discover this paradise!
Enjoy and read more tips in our other articles:
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