Atacama Desert - Chile

The desert is life and adventure
...Discover for yourself the many wonders of the Atacama Desert, the most arid desert in the world. Spectacular landscapes and natural phenomena abound wherver you look.
And in all this immensity, tiny villages such as Parinacota, Caspana, Socoroma, Surire or Isluga still maintain the traditions of their Aymara ancestors, and the influence of Spanish colonization is still evident in the architecture of their churches. The city of Calama, 214 kilometers from Antofagasta, is an oasis in the middle of the desert. With its fine selection of hotels, this in an ideal basecamp for sightseeing trips to nearby places of interest such as the El Tatio Geysers 3,550 meters above sea level, where great pillars of water and steam which rise up some 10 meters high and reach temperatures of 85oC. 100 kilometers to the southeastlies the arid wasteland of the Valley of the Moon. Towards the north, the village of Chiu-Chiu has several attractions including the nearby 150 meter deep Chiu-Chiu Lagoon, an astonishing natural phenomenon in the middle of the desert.

From Calama, you can also visit the huge amphitheatre of the biggest open-cast mine in the world-Chuquicamata. As the largest of the twelve salt flats in the Northern Region, the Salt Lake of Atacama is especially interesting. It stretches out like a vast white lake as far as the eye can see and its banks are the habitat of unique species of fauna.

The North is entertainment and relaxation
The main cities of the North, Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta are situated on the coast. They all have airports linking them to the rest of the country, and are connected by road to each other and to the most important sightseeing areas. Comfortable hotels, motels and hostels, usually located on or near the sea in these towns, are available for your enjoyment and relaxation. Ther'es no time for boredom in the North... every day you can choose from the delicious variety of local dishes usually based on fish and seafood. For those who like shopping there are lots of local markets in Arica where yo'ure bound to come across that unexpected treasure, or you can visit the Duty Free Zone in Iquique. The choice is endless! Spend the afternoons sunbathing on one of the numerous beaches lulled by the sea breeze and the feeling of endless space! At night enjoy a game of back gammon, roulette or even the slot machines in the Casinos of Arica or Iquique where you can also dine and dance.

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