Northern Chile & The Atacama Desert

Northern Chile is characterized by its arid desert landscapes, ancient archaeological sites, including prehistoric geoglyphs and the world’s oldest known mummies, and the mining of copper, lithium, and other minerals. The most famous sight in the region is the Atacama Desert, one of the largest and driest deserts on Earth, where some areas receive less than 0.04 inches (1 millimeter) of rainfall per year. The Atacama is known for some of the most unique landscapes on Earth including the Valle de La Luna (Valley of the Moon), with its lunar like craters and sand dunes, the Salar de Atacama salt flats, the breathtaking Chaxa, Miscanti and Miniques lagoons, which are surrounded by snow capped volcanoes, and the El Tatio geysers. There are also ancient archaeological sites in the desert like the Yerbas Buenas Petrogylphs, the ancient village of Aldea de Tulor, and the Pukara de Quitor fort.

Another famous sight in the region is the Hand of the Desert (“La Mano del Desierto”), which is literally a sculpture of a giant hand (nearly 36 feet high) emerging from the desert sands, near the town of Antofagasta. It is a surreal and thought-provoking work of art that was created by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal in 1992. The sculpture has been interpreted in various ways by viewers and art enthusiasts. Some see it as a representation of the human struggle against the forces of nature, while others view it as a symbol of solitude and contemplation in the vast desert landscape. Its meaning is open to individual interpretation.

Some of the other sights in Northern Chile include Arica, and the Paranal, ALMA and Mamalluca observatories. Arica has a rich rich historical heritage. It was originally inhabited by indigenous people, including the Chinchorro culture, one of the world’s oldest mummification cultures. In the 16th century, the Spanish established a presence in the region, and Arica became an important port for trade between South America and Spain. The city played a role in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), during which it changed hands between Chile and Peru multiple times. The clear and dry skies of the Atacama Desert make it an ideal location for astronomical observation. Therefore, several world-class observatories, such as the Paranal Observatory, the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) and the Mamalluca observatory, are situated in the desert. These observatories contribute significantly to our understanding of the universe.

Destinations

Key sights to see

San Pedro de Atacama

Situated at an elevation of about 2,400 meters (7,900 feet), San Pedro de Atacama is the gateway to all the attractions of the Atacama Desert. The town is bustling with tourists and has all kinds of shops from winter jackets to adventure sports equipment and souvenir shops. The main street is also full of restaurants with both local fare as well as international cuisine. The town has a wide range of accommodation options from low-cost guesthouses to luxury resorts.

Valle de la Luna, Atacama

The Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), which formed nearly 22 million years ago, is a surreal and otherworldly natural attraction that is famous for its lunar-like landscapes including large sand dunes, salt caves, and rugged rock formations like the Amphitheater, and Las Tres Marias. Valle de la Luna is a popular spot for watching the sunset, as the valley changes colors from shades of red to brown, orange and purple. it is also a popular spot for stargazing, due to its crystal clear skies.

Chaxa Lagoon, Atacama

The Chaxa Lagoon is a part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, located right in the middle of the Salar de Atacama, the second largest salt flat in the world. One of its main attractions is that it is home to three species of flamingo, the Andean flamingo, the Chilean flamingo, and the James's flamingo. The surrounding scenery is also spectacular, with arid desert landscapes, salt flats, and the snow-capped Andes mountains in the background.

Miscanti & Miniques Lagoons, Atacama

The Altiplanic lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques are located around 13,845 feet above sea level, in the Los Flamencos National Reserve of the Atacama Desert. The lagoons are surrounded by the volcanic mountains Cerro Miscanti (18,445 feet) and Cerro Miniques (19,390 feet), which add to the spectacular scenery of the area. There are a large number of bird species in the area, including Andean geese, gulls, and flamingos.

El Tatio Geysers, Atacama

Located at 14,170 feet, near the border with Bolivia, El Tatio (which in Quechua means "old man crying") is the third largest geyser field in the world, and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors get there before sunrise to watch the first rays of light illuminate the columns of steam, and often enjoy a soak in the thermal pools. It is important to acclimatize to the altitude before visiting and to dress warmly, as temperatures can be quite cold in the morning.

Valle del Arcoiris, Atacama

Valle del Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley) is famous for multi-colored rock formations ranging from ochres, to greens, blacks, purples and browns. The multitude of colors is attributed to the richness and concentration of different types of clay, salts and minerals in the rocks. The valley is also home to ancient petroglyphs created by the indigenous Atacameño people, and to some hardy plant species and desert wildlife.

Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs, Atacama

Yerbas Buenas was once used by ancient caravan travelers as a place to rest on their trade expeditions. On the red rocks, one can find several petroglyphs including many shamanic forms as well as animals like llamas, foxes and flamingos, human figures, and geometric designs. These petroglyphs are believed to have been carved by the indigenous Atacameño people and other ancient cultures and date back as far back as 5,000 years.

Aldea de Tulor, Atacama

Aldea de Tulor is an archaeological site with the remains of a nearly 3,000 year old village, where the first sedentary tribes crossing the Atacama desert are believed to have lived. The site is associated with the ancient Atacameño culture and represents a significant chapter in the history of human settlement in the Atacama Desert. Visitors can see various circular structures attached to each other, now half covered in sand, and a reconstruction of these circular houses.

Pukara de Quitor, Atacama

A 12th century structure made from rocks held together with mortar, Pukara de Quitor (Fort of Quitor) is one of the most prominent examples of a pre-Columbian fortress and offers visitors a glimpse into the ancient history and culture of the Atacameño people. The fort had a central plaza and several rooms and structures for storage and housing. Over the years, it was conquered by the Incas and the Spaniards, who beheaded all the native chiefs.

Hand of the Desert, Antofagasta

The Hand of the Desert (“La Mano del Desierto”) is a sculpture of a giant hand (nearly 36 feet high) emerging from the desert sands near the town of Antofagasta. The hand is realistically sculpted, complete with lifelike wrinkles, fingernails, and veins. The sculpture's meaning is open to interpretation. Some think it represents human vulnerability against the forces of nature, while others see it as a symbol of solitude.

Arica

Arica is a port city located on the northernmost part of Chile's Pacific coast, with a rich historical heritage. The city was originally inhabited by indigenous people, including the Chinchorro culture, one of the world’s oldest mummification cultures. Some of the key sights in and near Arica include El Morro de Arica, a hill with panoramic views of the city and the ocean, Lauca National Park, and multiple beaches and archaeological sites.

Observatories

The clear and dry skies of Northern Chile make it an ideal location for astronomical observation. Therefore, several world-class observatories are situated here. Three of the most famous are the Paranal, ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array) and the Mamalluca observatories. Of the three, the Mamalluca is the most easily accessible for tourists to participate in guided tours and viewings of celestial objects through powerful telescopes.

Northern Chile & The Atacama Desert

Destinations

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