What is so Special about the Atacama Desert?

The Atacama Desert is a truly unique and special place. It is known for being the driest place on earth, with some parts of the desert having no rainfall for decades and some parts believed to be much more than that. Despite its arid environment, the Atacama Desert is home to a rich nature that has adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. It is also home to some of the most unique natural landscapes you will ever see (unless you visit Mars of course), from the towering sand dunes to the otherworldly rock formations. Speaking of sand dunes...

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Adventure Activities in Chile's Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert is a paradise for adventure seekers. From the aforementioned sandboarding to hiking, from stargazing to exploring the salt flats, there is no shortage of exciting activities to experience here. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a unique experience, the Atacama Desert has something for everyone. One thing that many people may overlook is a visit to the geysers.

Are There Geysers in Chile?

Yes, there are geysers in Chile! The El Tatio Geysers are a must-see attraction in the Atacama Desert. These geysers are located at an elevation of 4,300 meters (14,173 feet), making them the highest geysers in the world! The best time to visit the geysers is early in the morning, around sunrise. This is when the geysers are at their most active, and the steam rising from the hot springs is truly mesmerizing. Just be careful when you get too close to the boiling hot water, or you might end up like me, feeling like your face is melting!

See, my excitement for some things gets me in trouble from time to time, I was quickly humbled in this particular situation. I got close to one of the geysers, eagerly waiting for the perfect slow-mo Kodak shot; it was bubbling up ready to spurt out its wicked heat ferociously, as it does. This time though, I was a little too close and it ended up going straight on my face.

Traumatising!

It felt like the Earth had spilled its kettle on me. But I was lucky, for some reason I didn't get any third-degree burns but I did have a VERY red face, in more ways than one.

In case you're wondering, the temperature of the El Tatio geyser can vary, but it is typically around 85-89°C (185-192°F). It is also worth noting that the El Tatio geysers are not only the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, but they are also the third largest in the world, making them a truly spectacular natural wonder to behold.

It takes around 2 hours to reach the geysers from San Pedro de Atacama town so you will have to leave pretty early to get here for sunrise. The roads are pitch black and bumpy so caution is needed, especially if you're tired.

Check out why packing travel essentials (first aid kit) was a welcome relief even if I didn't need it, it was nice to know I had it with me. As well as a mini first aid kit, here are other travel essentials to pack while abroad.

How many days are needed in the Atacama Desert?

We spent just under a week here (5 days) and covered a lot of ground, we had our camper van which was the ideal way to get around for what we wanted to do. Alternatively, you can use tours to get you to places, I wouldn’t advise renting a car. Overall I think 5 days is enough time to check out all the main spots without having to rush.

How to get to the Atacama Desert?

We took a flight from Santiago to Calama airport (the closest airport to the Atacama desert) and arranged a transfer from the airport to San Pedro town. Viator is a great site to arrange a transfer, they are reliable and offer highly competitive prices. This seems to be the easiest way to get to this destination.

Final Thoughts on the Atacama Desert

I hope you enjoyed reading this two-part blog post and found some useful information to help plan your trip to the Atacama Desert. It's worth visiting for sure and you will have a trip like no other. Whether you get stuck in the sand with your camper van, have boiling hot water splashed in your face by nature or you simply want to relax and watch the flamingos enjoy their salt lake environment, this arid desert has much more to offer than you may first think.

Don't forget to check out my previous post for more tips and recommendations. And before you go, make sure you have travel insurance to ensure a worry-free trip. I don't travel without insurance, so why risk it? Especially when you are as active of a traveller as I am and I hope you are too. I have been using CoverForYou insurance for the last few years and I usually get a year-long insurance so I do not think about it anymore. They are highly rated and offer great solutions catering to the type of trip you are looking to embark on.

Happy travels!