Why You Need to Go to Chile’s Atacama Desert, in 17 Spellbinding Photos

[Judi Lynn]

Why You Need to Go to Chile’s Atacama Desert, in 17 Spellbinding Photos

Northern Chile’s Atacama Desert takes the prize for being the world’s driest, as well as one of earth’s most surreal adventure destinations. From lunar landscapes that NASA used for testing Martian rovers to nighttime star fields you might as well reach up to touch (plus archeological sites, dune surfing, and pink flamingos), you can do it all without wanting for luxury. Here’s how.


by Nic McCormack

The Atacama Desert’s 41,000 square miles of diverse terrain includes spurting geysers best visited at dawn, wind-sculpted golden dunes perfect for surfing, salt lagoons for a bracing float, and cliffs of colorfully striped strata known as Rainbow Valley. Those are just the terrestrial offerings.

It’s also one of the best locations on earth to appreciate our Milky Way’s glittering collection of stars, with April through September the best time to see it. For the darkest skies, time your visit to a waning rather than a full moon—or better yet, a Lunar Eclipse (the next will come on March 23). Prepare to be wowed by the most amazing natural light show on earth.




Stargazing–

Adhemar Duro’s stunning nighttime photograph (and video) of Monjes de la Pacana was taken in such strong winds that he had to pile rocks on the base of his tripod to stop it from shaking. The monolith pictured is the most emblematic of the desert's gigantic rock formations. A perfect combination of altitude, dry air, and a lack of light pollution means the Atacama is one of the best stargazing locations on earth. Cloudless skies April through September is a peak period to appreciate the stars, as well as Jupiter and Saturn. You won’t even need a telescope to see the breathtaking light show above. Darker skies are best, so avoid visiting during a full moon. (Still, that spectacle is beautiful in itself.)

Photographer: Adhemar Duro/Flickr

. . .




Coyote Lookout–

Mountain bikes are an excellent way to get around San Pedro de Atacama and venture farther afield. It’s a short ride to the nearby salt lagoons, and hardier adventurers can also ride into rugged terrain. Coyote Lookout is a popular stop (and photo op), thanks to a nail-biting drop to Cordillera de la Sal.

Source: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

More:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2016-03-09/chile-atacama-desert-travel-guide-san-pedro-hotel-adventure-sights

[Thor_MN]

1. Coyote Lookout? No freaking way, I watched cartoons as a kid.

But visiting the Atacama? Definitely a bucket list thing. The vineyards in Argentina, paradoxically close to the Atacama desert would be a great tack on.