Astronomical Tourism in Chile - Elqui Valley and San Pedro de Atacama

Geisers Tatio is located at 95 kms. northeast of San Pedro de Atacama at an altitude of over 4000 meters above sea level. It is one of the most exciting and interesting places to see in Chile. It is a geothermal field caused by the proximity of the El Tatio Volcano and in which an underground river runs and helps to produce the boiling phenomenon. The steam usually rises up to about 10 meters from a boiling-water pool. We must be very careful when walking through this area. The best time to visit these pools, is precisely at dawn (06.00 AM), when the sun begins to warm the icy morning. It is also possible to take a swim. Around the geisers there are several hot spring pools.

For tourists, it is recommended to be dressed with warm clothing, since the tours tend to start before 04:00 AM, and keeping in mind that these are high places with very low temperatures. There are sandwiches and hot chocolate to help bear sleepiness and the cold.

It is located 56 kms. southeast of San Pedro de Atacama, in the Antofagasta Region. It has an area of 3000 km2, which transforms it into the largest salt bank in Chile. At an altitude which reaches over 2300 mts. above sea level, the air we breathe is completely dry. We have an extraordinary view of this giant salt bank. We can appreciate the beauty of the mountain range La Sal to the north and west and see the various attractions presented by this inhospitable landscape. Nonetheless, the tourists often suffer a distortion of the distances.

Within this radiant, white landscape and semi-crystalline waters, it is possible to find lagoons formed by the erosion of the landscape. The most important lagoon is Chaxa located in the National Reserve Los Flamencos, where we can find flora adapted to the saline environment and the desert climate such as tar and cachiyuyo. As for fauna, we can highlight the Chilean and Andean flamingos, hence the name of the reserve, as well as the chorlos de la puna, Andean gulls, birds migratory and maybe a swallow or two can be seen.

Founded in 1990, this beautiful reserve is located on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama. Within its borders, the national reserve has 5 branches which include the Valle de la Luna, the Salar de Atacama, Tara and Pujsa and Lagoons Miscante and Miñiques, each one with different flora and fauna. Their altitudes range from 2300 mts above sea level to 5910 mts. above sea level, consisting of mountainous and volcanic relief.

Within the fauna we can observe the culpeo fox, the chilla vizcachas, flamingos, condors, eaglets, the ñandu and jarjual ducks. Regarding the flora, we can appreciate the cachiyuyo, tar and salt grass. There is a water system implemented to maintain the flora and fauna of the area, among which we can highlight the already mentioned Lagoons Miscante and Miñiques, Lagoon Puilar, Chaxa and Barros Negros.

It is located in the mountain range La Sal, in the Atacama Desert, Second Region in the north (15 kms. northwest of San Pedro de Atacama). This natural sanctuary is a true geological wonder for humanity. Because of its lunar-like appearance, they named it the Luna (Moon) Valley. The sunsets seen from the valley are a real spectacle. At  sunset, the hills begin to change colors, the sky goes from pink to purple to black, while the wind blows through the rocks.

The valley measures about 12 kms. square and the journey can take between 3 to 4 hours, showing the harsh beauty of its landscape, the erosion of the relief and the salinity expressed in its surroundings shining intensely in the moonlight. Tourists are advised to take enough water, lip and radiation sunblock and a jacket to cover themselves from the wind that usually can be found at 2700 mts above sea level.