It has been voted the best place to visit and the most romantic place on more than one occasion. Along with the planet’s arid desert and unique natural attractions, including everything from Earth’s tallest geysers to salt flats, it’s also chosen for astrotourism. What to do and how to travel to the Atacama Desert Chili?
To get to San Pedro de Atacama, you can fly from Santiago de Chile to Antofagasta, then continue the trip by land for about three hours. Also, you can travel to Kalama city from where you will reach your destination in about 45 minutes.
What to do when visiting the Atacama Desert? Three different options
Baldinache
One of the most unforgettable experiences in San Pedro is a visit to the hidden lagoons of Baldinach, which is perfect for couples.
There are 7 saltwater lagoons of various sizes that will surely impress with the turquoise color of its water, which contrasts with the white color of the earth rich in mineral salts.
Later, you can visit the vineyards that grow amidst the dryness of the Atacama Desert and allow the wines to be produced at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level.
Astronomy
Each night there are astronomy tours with explanations of the constellations and high-end telescopes, except on nights with a full moon, when the light does not allow a good appreciation of the constellations.
Astronomical observations are made about 10 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama to ensure clear skies and free from any light pollution. The experience lasts an average of 2 hours 30 minutes and includes talks about the Andean worldview and observing the planets and other celestial bodies.
CEJAR Lagoon
Seger Lagoon in San Pedro de Atacama is known for its salty water that allows you to float without any effort. Most tour companies run daily excursions to Laguna Sejar, located 19 kilometers from San Pedro. This emerald pool contains high levels of salt and lithium.
Of course, there are many other options, such as Tatio Geysers or the Valley of the Moon, which are very popular among tourists. There is no doubt that the Atacama Desert is a must-mark destination on our bucket list.