There are many deserts on your planet, areas where, due to specific climatic conditions, rainfall is minimal or non-existent. There are very hostile places for humans; there is local wildlife, certain species that somehow managed to adapt to the harsh climate. If you are interested in visiting this part of the world, please read on.
Location Of The Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is situated in the north of Chile, wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountain Range, covering an area of 105,000 square kilometres. It might surprise you to learn that many tourists visit the Atacama Desert, as it is one of the last remaining unspoilt regions of the world.
Best Times To Visit
The summer runs from December to February, which is a popular time to visit, but if you are into stargazing, the months of July and August allow you to see an amazing number of stars. Of course, there is almost zero rainfall in the Atacama Desert, so you won’t have to prepare for rain.
San Pedro De Atacama
This quaint town is located at 2,500 metres above sea level and this is a great place to base your Chilean holiday. You might experience mild altitude sickness but that shouldn’t last longer than a single day; symptoms include nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Even if you are a seasoned solo extreme traveler, you may want to join one of the Chile guided tours where you can have an English-speaking guide. The tour company handles all the details and helps you to prepare by giving you all the information you need to plan your stay. You cannot fly to San Pedro, as there is no airport, rather the nearest airport is in Calama, which is a mining town known as the ‘Gateway to the Atacama’.
Tatio Geysers
This is a geothermal area with geysers that sits at 4,200 metres above sea level; this is the 3rd largest field of geysers in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere. This is a natural phenomenon that you simply must include in your schedule, and it might surprise you to learn that there are many opportunities for a swim, so do pack your swimsuit.
It Gets Very Cold At Night
The temperatures regularly drop below freezing in the Atacama Desert, so you do need to have warm clothing. At night, below zero is the norm and in the day, temperatures can range from 10-18C, while elevations can be as high as Everest Base Camp (8,000 metres above sea level). Bring layered clothing with you, as this is the best way to keep warm in the cool early mornings and evenings.
Trust A Local Tour Operator
If you are looking to spend your next holiday in Chile, start with an online search for an established tour operator that covers Chile and the Andes Mountain Range, and you can make an enquiry. The tour operator has a wealth of experience in organising holidays for their clients, plus they offer many tour packages that bring you a unique insight into Chile and the Atacama Desert.
Range Of Chile Holidays
There are numerous holiday packages in Chile, which include:
- Essential Chile – This tour includes Santiago, the Atacama Desert, Lake District, Torres Del Paine and Valparaiso.
- Austral Highway – This tour includes Santiago, the Carretera Highway and the wine region.
- Chile North To South – This tour includes Santiago, Atacama Desert, Huilo Huilo, Torres Del Paine and Valparaiso.
The first step to finding an established Chile tour operator is to search with Google, then you can browse the tours and select the right one for you.
