Four days and three nights in and around San Pedro de Atacama – to be a tourist and to reflect on whether Peru is going to be part of this adventure. Unfortunately the situation has not improved as tourist are now trapped at major locations and cannot get back to hotels, airports via air, road or train.
I was really looking forward to visit Peru but cannot risk to get stuck – so the decision so far is to venture into the vulcanic area of very north Chile, and then into Bolivia and up to the Titicaca Lake and then back down. Only drawback is missing the rendezvous with my daughter (that most likely will find another destination based on recommendations from authorities), but then also gaining more time exploring Bolivia, Argentina and south Chile.
San Pedro de Atacama is on a large flat at appr. 2.500 masl and holds the largest salt flats in Chile. SPdA is sourrounded by red mountain towards west and the volcanic range dividing Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. SPdA is a slow touristy country side city with a lot of focus on the sights around and selling local mechaindice – due to the relatively high UV index here of 17+ (compared to “highs” in Denmark of 6) I really consider buying a larger hat.
Coming into SPdA from Antofagasta I drove by some of the largest cobber mines in Chile – I kid you not, some of deposits was 10km long and 100m high “mountains” after years of mining. Every 20km of road a new sign to a new mine right or left – big industry here.
Just before the city I passed Valle de la Luna – Moon Valley – with its very remotely recognisable structures and colors. One of the evenings I will go for sunset view.
Around SPdA there is a lot of lagunas and after 270km I’ve visited a few of them. Some salt lagunas with pink flamingos and some mountain based lagunas. I visited Laguna Cejar, Laguna Csaxa and Laguna Miscanti – the last one in 4.232 masl beating my previous altitude record driving with more than 800m.
Before heading further north a couple of other sights needed to be visited – first the archeological site Hierbas Buenas where “very old” inscriptions/drawings was still visible in the red sandstone, and secondly looking into Valle del Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley) and the Rio Grande area.
Lastly before packing for Iquique – another 500km drive this time in backroads (perhaps too ambitious) – then visiting one of the local star observatories for another glimps of the galaxies around us (pictures later if any).
Nice hat you almost look like a native. 🙂