Comments on: A desert full of wonders – San Pedro de Atacama, Chile http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/ go explore. experience. and be inspired. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:29:19 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1452 velvet Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:56:27 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1452 Hi Borja, There are so many things to see & do. I was only there for a week and it was a bit short. There were other things I wanted to see/do but just didn't have the time. I can certainly recommend the Valley of the Moon (valle la luna) sunset tour - if you love a good hike (make sure you're in good condition as the altitude and heat were a great challenge for me...but then, I was there in November, closer to summer), go with Cactus Tour (that's the tour I described in my article). My impression was that Cactus is more for the younger (i.e. 20-something) crowd. If you don't want the hike & just want to see the sunset, there are many agencies that offer it. Cosmo Andino is another good (Dutch-owned) tour agency. I booked the rest of my tours with them. They're reliable albeit more mainstream. I can certainly recommend the lagoon tour (Laguna Chaxa, Miniques & Miscanti) and the El tatio Geyser tour - both also described in my article. For the latter, dress warm in layers. It's a 4:30am pickup and it's a 2 hour drive up to the geysers & the temperatures up there so early in the morning is WAY BELOW freezing. By the time you get down to SP de Atacama, it will be very hot (around 30 degrees Celsius) - the temperature variations are extreme! If you like star-gazing, I can also recommend the star-gazing tour. You can book this at a separate agency (I can't remember the exact name of the agency...but they're all located on the main street Caracoles - SP is very small so you won't have a problem finding everything). The tour takes you outside town to an observatory and there's a very enthusiastic Frenchman who knows a lot about the stars (fascinating stuff!). There are lots more tours and trips. The one I really wanted to do was a 3-day excursion into the mountains which combined sightseeing with meditation and self-reflection... just seemed very cool.. but I didn't have the time. Just keep in mind that the temperatures (even in & around SP) can be extreme so bring sufficient warm clothing. Always ensure you have water with you - it is the driest place on Earth! - you'll notice the dryness right away (dry skin, chapped lips, the occasional nose bleed, dry throat, etc..). AND sunblock! At least factor 40; sunglasses & a cap. The sun is not only strong, the glare (at least when I was there) was blinding. I can't remember how much the tours costs but my impressions was they weren't very expensive. SP de Atacama is a backpacker town so there are many backpacker options. Anyway, hope this helps. Enjoy your trip. Hi Borja,
There are so many things to see & do. I was only there for a week and it was a bit short. There were other things I wanted to see/do but just didn’t have the time. I can certainly recommend the Valley of the Moon (valle la luna) sunset tour – if you love a good hike (make sure you’re in good condition as the altitude and heat were a great challenge for me…but then, I was there in November, closer to summer), go with Cactus Tour (that’s the tour I described in my article). My impression was that Cactus is more for the younger (i.e. 20-something) crowd. If you don’t want the hike & just want to see the sunset, there are many agencies that offer it. Cosmo Andino is another good (Dutch-owned) tour agency. I booked the rest of my tours with them. They’re reliable albeit more mainstream. I can certainly recommend the lagoon tour (Laguna Chaxa, Miniques & Miscanti) and the El tatio Geyser tour – both also described in my article. For the latter, dress warm in layers. It’s a 4:30am pickup and it’s a 2 hour drive up to the geysers & the temperatures up there so early in the morning is WAY BELOW freezing. By the time you get down to SP de Atacama, it will be very hot (around 30 degrees Celsius) – the temperature variations are extreme! If you like star-gazing, I can also recommend the star-gazing tour. You can book this at a separate agency (I can’t remember the exact name of the agency…but they’re all located on the main street Caracoles – SP is very small so you won’t have a problem finding everything). The tour takes you outside town to an observatory and there’s a very enthusiastic Frenchman who knows a lot about the stars (fascinating stuff!). There are lots more tours and trips. The one I really wanted to do was a 3-day excursion into the mountains which combined sightseeing with meditation and self-reflection… just seemed very cool.. but I didn’t have the time.

Just keep in mind that the temperatures (even in & around SP) can be extreme so bring sufficient warm clothing. Always ensure you have water with you – it is the driest place on Earth! – you’ll notice the dryness right away (dry skin, chapped lips, the occasional nose bleed, dry throat, etc..). AND sunblock! At least factor 40; sunglasses & a cap. The sun is not only strong, the glare (at least when I was there) was blinding.

I can’t remember how much the tours costs but my impressions was they weren’t very expensive. SP de Atacama is a backpacker town so there are many backpacker options. Anyway, hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.

]]> By: Borja http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1451 Borja Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:39:08 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1451 Hey Velvet, I really enjoyed reading your post. Im planning to do the same trip in a few weeks. Im on a low budget and dont have that much time to spend their either for I will be going on a backpacking tour troughout south america. Do you have any information on how much you spend on the tours during that week or any other things I should keep in mind when visiting san pedro de atacama? Thanks, Borja Hey Velvet,

I really enjoyed reading your post.
Im planning to do the same trip in a few weeks.
Im on a low budget and dont have that much time to spend their either for I will be going on a backpacking tour troughout south america.
Do you have any information on how much you spend on the tours during that week or any other things I should keep in mind when visiting san pedro de atacama?

Thanks,

Borja

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1423 velvet Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:55:33 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1423 Hi Beverly, I long to return one day too. It's such an extraordinary region and I didn't get to see everything I wanted to see. Thank you for your comment. Cheers, Keith Hi Beverly,
I long to return one day too. It’s such an extraordinary region and I didn’t get to see everything I wanted to see. Thank you for your comment.

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Beverly http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1422 Beverly Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:44:41 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1422 I traveled in this area after finishing a study abroad in Santiago in 1997. Your travelogue makes me want to return! I traveled in this area after finishing a study abroad in Santiago in 1997. Your travelogue makes me want to return!

]]> By: Patagonia: Home of the Gods (Part I) | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1313 Patagonia: Home of the Gods (Part I) | velvet escape's blog Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:29:34 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1313 [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...] [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...]

]]> By: Patagonia: Home of the Gods (Part II) | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1302 Patagonia: Home of the Gods (Part II) | velvet escape's blog Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:58:43 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1302 [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...] [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...]

]]> By: Some lazy days in Salta | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-1051 Some lazy days in Salta | velvet escape's blog Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:13:34 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-1051 [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...] [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...]

]]> By: The Spectacular Bus Ride from San Pedro de Atacama to Salta | velvet escape’s blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-829 The Spectacular Bus Ride from San Pedro de Atacama to Salta | velvet escape’s blog Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:14:40 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-829 [...] what a journey it was! If you’ve read my post on San Pedro de Atacama (’A desert full of wonders‘) and seen the photos, you’d have an idea of the geography and geology of this region. [...] [...] what a journey it was! If you’ve read my post on San Pedro de Atacama (’A desert full of wonders‘) and seen the photos, you’d have an idea of the geography and geology of this region. [...]

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-763 velvet Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:19:05 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-763 Hi Andy, Thanks for your comment. Of all the places I visited on my world trip last year, this place certainly made the biggest impression on me. Cheers, Keith Hi Andy,
Thanks for your comment. Of all the places I visited on my world trip last year, this place certainly made the biggest impression on me.

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Andy Jarosz http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-762 Andy Jarosz Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:13:30 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-762 Great story Keith. Your description of the beauty of the desert and your experiences there are a joy to read. Getting on the wrong trip can be a blessing! I would love to see this side of the Atacama. We travelled on the Peruvian side of the Pan-Am highway as far as Arequipa and the long road picture is very familiar. -8 sounds tough going, but the stargazing must make it worthwhile. Thanks for sharing! Great story Keith. Your description of the beauty of the desert and your experiences there are a joy to read. Getting on the wrong trip can be a blessing! I would love to see this side of the Atacama. We travelled on the Peruvian side of the Pan-Am highway as far as Arequipa and the long road picture is very familiar. -8 sounds tough going, but the stargazing must make it worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: A little piece of heaven | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-348 A little piece of heaven | velvet escape's blog Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:27:09 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-348 [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...] [...] A desert full of wonders (San Pedro de Atacama, Chile) [...]

]]> By: Ten tips for planning a RTW trip | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-345 Ten tips for planning a RTW trip | velvet escape's blog Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:22:13 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-345 [...] my synthetic sheets a lot together with my jacket especially in Chile - Patagonia and in the north, San Pedro de Atacama. S.P. d Atacama was a good example. It’s a desert area (very hot & dry) but surrounded by [...] [...] my synthetic sheets a lot together with my jacket especially in Chile – Patagonia and in the north, San Pedro de Atacama. S.P. d Atacama was a good example. It’s a desert area (very hot & dry) but surrounded by [...]

]]> By: » Kazabazua, Quebec Kingdom of Heaven http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-187 » Kazabazua, Quebec Kingdom of Heaven Mon, 04 May 2009 13:17:33 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-187 [...] “A desert full of wonders” - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile [...] [...] “A desert full of wonders” – San Pedro de Atacama, Chile [...]

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-168 velvet Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:53:30 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-168 I can say now that I'm really happy that I signed up for the wrong trip. At the time, I was really worried I wouldn't make it as I wasn't prepared for it at all. The combination of heat and altitude was killing. The others seemed to have trouble with it as well but they were in their early-20's so they coped better! But it was truly an experience of a lifetime! I can say now that I’m really happy that I signed up for the wrong trip. At the time, I was really worried I wouldn’t make it as I wasn’t prepared for it at all. The combination of heat and altitude was killing. The others seemed to have trouble with it as well but they were in their early-20’s so they coped better! But it was truly an experience of a lifetime!

]]> By: jen laceda http://velvetescape.com/blog/2009/04/a-desert-full-of-wonders-san-pedro-de-atacama-chile/#comment-167 jen laceda Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:22:03 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=831#comment-167 Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. Aren't you glad you signed up for the wrong trip? Hehehe. The town of San Pedro de Atacama is absolutely charming, I agree! I have this thing for deserts--they amaze me. I'd love to experience a quiet night just stargazing...Oh, how I wish I was there now... Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. Aren’t you glad you signed up for the wrong trip? Hehehe. The town of San Pedro de Atacama is absolutely charming, I agree!

I have this thing for deserts–they amaze me. I’d love to experience a quiet night just stargazing…Oh, how I wish I was there now…

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