The Atacama Desert, stretching across northern Chile, is one of the driest places on earth, offering a surreal and captivating landscape. Located at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to over 4,000 meters above sea level, this high-altitude desert is a stark but beautiful expanse of salt flats, otherworldly rock formations, and vast stretches of sand dunes. The town of San Pedro de Atacama serves as the gateway to the region, its adobe buildings and narrow streets offering a laid-back base for exploring the desert's natural wonders.
The Atacama is a geologist’s dream, with its lunar-like valleys, geysers, and unique rock formations shaped by millennia of wind and erosion. The Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and El Tatio geysers are two of the most popular attractions, both displaying the raw and untamed power of nature. At night, the desert transforms into one of the best stargazing spots on the planet, thanks to its clear skies and lack of light pollution. This extreme and magical environment has long been a sacred space for local indigenous cultures, who have left their mark through petroglyphs and ancient settlements scattered throughout the region.
