A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
The Atacama Desert unfurls across northern Chile in sizzling salt flats, bone-dry sierras, barren beaches, and prickly patches of colorful cacti. However, one of its greatest features is only apparent after the sun plunges into the Pacific. That’s when earth’s most lunar-like landscape morphs into a dazzling dome of glittering stars – perfect for the ultimate stargazing trip.
In northern Chile, a short drive south from the local capital of San Pedro, you’ll find one of the world’s most alluring treasures: the Atacama Salt Flats. This region is recognized as one of the driest areas in the world, receiving hardly more than 1 mm of rainfall in an entire year. Its unique geography includes the Andes mountains to the east and Cordillera de Domeyko to the west, alongside various volcanoes such as Aguas Calientes and Lincancabur. Historically significant, the salt flats were central to the War of the Pacific, a conflict fueled by valuable mineral-rich territories desired by Bolivia and Peru, along with shaping Bolivia’s economic identity and wedging Chile between the borders of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.
If the universe’s history is condensed into one calendar year, humanity barely accounts for a minute. The pyramids of Egypt would have been erected at 11:59:50 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, with Christopher Columbus’ voyage embarking just a mere second before the ball dropped.
The Bolivian salt flats of Salar de Uyuni are an absolute must-see in South America. However, there is another breathtaking location in the Atacama Desert that rivals its beauty – Salar de Tara. During my recent trip to South America, I regrettably didn’t allocate enough time to visit Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, but luckily, my visit to Salar de Tara in Chile turned out to be a fantastic alternative.
The Atacama Desert, renowned as the highest and driest non-polar desert worldwide, captivates visitors with its lunar-like landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty. With diverse terrains such as salt flats, geysers, and lagoons, the Salar de Atacama stands out as one of the most remarkable places on earth.