Discover the Atacama Salt Flats in Chile

In northern Chile, a short drive south from the local capital of San Pedro, you’ll find one of the world’s most alluring treasures: the Atacama Salt Flats. This region is recognized as one of the driest areas in the world, receiving hardly more than 1 mm of rainfall in an entire year. Its unique geography includes the Andes mountains to the east and Cordillera de Domeyko to the west, alongside various volcanoes such as Aguas Calientes and Lincancabur. Historically significant, the salt flats were central to the War of the Pacific, a conflict fueled by valuable mineral-rich territories desired by Bolivia and Peru, along with shaping Bolivia’s economic identity and wedging Chile between the borders of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.

Watch the Erupting Geysers

Set your alarm to catch the El Tatio Geysers, which are located at 14,173 feet above sea level. The white steam columns are most powerful between 6 and 7 a.m., so be sure to rise early. While visiting, keep an eye out for local wildlife foraging for their morning meal.

Spot the Rare Andean Flamingo

One of the joys of visiting the Atacama Salt Flats is trying to identify the various types of flamingos that inhabit this area. The Andean flamingo, recognized as one of the rarest birds in the world, can be found here alongside the Chilean and James flamingos.

Discover Additional Fascinating Wildlife

Among the other wildlife species you’ll encounter are the Puna Plover, a diminutive bird that frequents saltwater marshes, the Andean gull, typically found near rivers and freshwater lakes, and swallows, recognized for their elongated pointed wings.

Explore a Massive Salt Lake

Beneath the vast layers of salt lies Chile’s largest deposit, a massive salt lake. This area is notable for housing one of the world’s largest lithium reserves, which significantly benefits the region’s economy.

Acknowledge Its Status as the Driest Place on Earth

In some regions, the Atacama receives merely 1 to 3 mm of rain annually, solidifying its title as the driest place on Earth, according to< a href=”https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/51312/rare-snow-in-atacama-desert-chile”> NASA.

Limited Flora Thrives Here

Given the severity of the landscape—comprising sandy deserts, rugged peaks, and active volcanoes—and low temperatures that can range from 71°F in the daytime to 28°F at night, only resilient species such as cacti and hardy grasses endure.

Explore San Pedro

San Pedro de Atacama is the central hub for this adventurous area, offering numerous travel agencies on every block, especially along the main thoroughfare, Caracoles. While many of these agencies provide similar excursions, it’s wise to research to find the tours that best suit your interests.

Experience Otherworldly Landscapes

Consider taking an afternoon tour through the breathtaking rock formations of Valle de la Luna, Valle de la Muerte, and Tres Marías. The landscapes will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another planet, reminiscent of the Martian rovers tested by NASA and the European Space Agency in this region.

Exceptional Stargazing Opportunities

The region’s clean air and minimal light pollution allow for optimal visibility of the stars and planets in the southern sky at night. Bring a telescope to observe celestial objects like the Milky Way, rings of Saturn, and Jupiter, or visit one of the four mirror telescopes at the Very Large Telescope located at Cerro Paranal.

Stargaze with Experts

If you’d prefer to stargaze with experts, consider joining tours offered by companies such as Astronomy Adventures, which operates every Saturday, or Space, a company that rents visual and photographic telescopes to amateur astronomers and offers specialized tours most nights.

Experience the Setting of “The Motorcycle Diaries”

In Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s journey, the Atacama Desert left a profound impression, particularly when he encountered a pair of downtrodden Communists during his travels documented in “The Motorcycle Diaries.”

An Unusual Flower Bloom Occurs When It Rains

Every five to seven years, a remarkable phenomenon known as desierto florito transforms the landscape with a springtime bloom of flowers. The last major bloom occurred in October 2015 after heavy rains in March, revealing vast fields of mallow, attracting numerous insects, lizards, and birds.

Discover Over 200 Flower Species

Among the most striking species are Lion’s claws, suspiros, and añañucas, which blossom along trails like Juan Soldado and Quebrada Honda and within the village of Carrizal Bajo.

Explore Abandoned Mining Sites

At the turn of the century, towns built around sodium nitrate extraction, once known as “white gold,” attracted laborers from South America, Europe, and Asia. However, with advancements in technology, mining operations ceased by the 1960s, leaving behind abandoned sites that are now recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Conflict Over White Gold

In 1879, the rich deposits of sodium nitrate led Chile to engage in the War of the Pacific, also known as the Saltpeter War, against Peru and Bolivia. The conflict, which lasted four years, ultimately resulted in Chile gaining significant territory, including the annexation of the Peruvian province of Tarapacá and the Bolivian province of Litoral.

Long-term Impact of the War

For Bolivia, losing coastal access has been a persistent source of economic burden and diplomatic tension, culminating in a severed relationship with Chile in 1978. In recent times, Bolivian leaders have sought ways to attain sovereign access to the sea.

James Bond Filmed Here

The Antofagasta region in the Atacama Desert was featured in the 2008 James Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” showcasing the area’s stunning landscapes during a pivotal confrontation scene.

Other Films Have Also Used This Stunning Landscape

Numerous films have taken advantage of the Atacama’s stunning backdrop, including Patricio Guzmán’s documentary “Nostalgia for the Light,” the acclaimed “The Motorcycle Diaries” starring Gael García Bernal, and the adventurous “Spy Kids.” Many westerns and documentaries about South America have also been filmed in this iconic region.

The 33 Miners Were Trapped Here

The chilling story of “The 33,” a docudrama about the 2010 mining disaster in Chile, was filmed in this very location as a poignant backdrop, highlighting the dramatic rescue of the 33 miners who were trapped when the San Jose mine in Atacama collapsed.

The Oldest Mummies Are Found Here

While most people associate mummies with Egypt, the oldest mummies, dating back to 5,000 B.C., are actually found in the Atacama Desert, created by the Chinchorro culture which thrived in this region. The desert’s extreme aridity has remarkably preserved these ancient remains.