Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is an experience of a lifetime. Not only it the driest desert on earth, receiving an average of 14 mm a year (although last year only 4 mm, which contrasts interestingly to the 4 m that Parque Pumalín receives on the Aisén penisula down south), but it's packed full of amazing outdoor activities including geysers, hot springs, flamingo-filled lakes, salt flats, salt mountains, giant sand dunes, and various archeological sites.

Some of the highlights of my week there included:

Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos - This reserve is located in the Atacama salt flat, the second largest in the world second to the Uyuni flats across the border in Chile. The lagunes are home to 4 types of flamingos. Interestingly, the salt flat here is filled will all sorts of "impurities" which make it highly valuable for mining elements such as 60% of the global suplly of lithium.

Valles de la Luna y Muerte - These valleys are spectacular for wandering around through and are separated by an amazing cordillera de sal (salt mountain range) that turns bright white when it rains once a year.

El Tatio Geysers - I left at 4 in the morning to get to this geyser complex in time for sunrise. I think this is the second largest geyser complex in the world after those in Yellowstone. Although sunrise was absolutely freezing at 15,000 ft elevation, soaking in the nearby hotsprings made it worth it!

Laguna Miscani & Miñiques - These beautiful altiplano lakes are important bird breeding grounds.

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