San Pedro de Atacama

For the last of our school-sponsored trips, we traveled to San Pedro de Atacama. Here is the description my guidebook provides: "Devil dusters zoom wantonly through sun-scorched Norte Grande with its undulating curves of rock and stone, Andean lagoons, snow-capped volcanoes, salt flats and sensuously perforated coastline." I figured I'd throw that in because if that doesn't paint a picture in your head I'm not sure what will. Located in the northern desert region of Chile, San Pedro is home to the most arid desert in the world, and contains the most diverse landscape I have ever seen. It's almost like some crazy combination of New Mexico desert, White Sands National Park, Yellowstone National Park, salt flats, and the Andes mountain range with 15,000 ft. high peaks/ volcanoes and massive lagoons. We had the most incredible week.

San Pedro de Atacama is a rural town that almost resembles Santa Fe but is smaller, just as touristy, and covered with adobe and turquoise. We were able to enjoy some of the town's nicer restaurants as part of our program, but we also enjoyed a local 1 kilo empanada (don't worry, it was shared - see below).

Church in the San Pedro Plaza

San Pedro's Main Street

This was very real

One of the first things we were able to do upon our arrival to San Pedro was ride horses, something I hadn't done in at least 10 years. A group of 7 of us went out with two local guides and wandered around the remote desert on horseback for a couple of hours. It was nothing short of pure beauty and raw fun combined with the experience of riding a horse through a landscape that that can only be described as breathtaking.

My horse, Caramelo, was easily the sweetest and most enjoyable horse to ride (my friends would probably disagree but that's just because they didn't get to ride him). We first rode out past the limits of the small town:

Stables

then rode through an open desert space where we were able to see for miles

then rode up over a large sand dune

and wandered a little more before finally heading back.

To begin our first full day, we to ventured a small rural town outside of San Pedro called Toconao. It was fairly quiet because we arrived first thing in the morning, but we were still able to wander around and see the rustic village. The adobe structures and use of turquoise in both Toconao and San Pedro made me feel like I was at home in the desert.

"Last tree in the desert"

Next we ventured up 15,000 feet into the Andes for incredible views of a couple of the region's largest volcanoes and the beautiful lagoons that rest at their base. Along the way, we also got to see some wild vicuñas, which is basically the Chilean version of alpacas (unfortunately they were too sneaky for us to grab pictures).

During our time in San Pedro we also ventured to the "Parque Nacional los Flamencos" where we were fortunate enough to see lots of wild flamingos and beautiful salt flats.

Flamingos in the distance

Desert colors

Salt flats

During our other full day we visited another region of salt flats where the ground looks like it's covered in a layer of snow. The water here was incredible as well - vibrant blue that seemed too perfect to be real.

Later in the morning, we went to a nearby lake that has a salt content resembling that of the dead sea. We spent a nice hour floating around on our backs - a really unique feeling unlike anything else. You really couldn't try to keep yourself upright in the lake, the water was too buoyant and our feet floated up out of our control.

Floating in Chile's Dead Sea

Our last big site to visit was to Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), a place I can really only describe as what I assume Mars must look like. This place was not real. The rock formations were something out of a sci-fi movie and covered with salt in many parts, giving the idea of another light snow dusting. We were also able to watch the sunset here, and I could not be more honest when I say it felt like an out of this world experience.

Overall, I think San Pedro de Atacama is my favorite place I have seen so far in Chile. Though the general landscape is desert, the diversity of the region is unbelievable and I was continually enchanted by each location we visited. There is no doubt in my mind that I will travel back there someday.