TravelStream™ news feed for member 6km on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/6km en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:51:25 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/6km/1/1225864680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/6km/1/1225864680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/6km/1/1225864680/tpod.html Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:51:25 -0500 6km Drives His Rented Car Around Chile At The End Of 2008

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San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Northern Chile Vol II San Pedro de Atacama

Tourists coming from Lauca Park find San Pedro de Atacama a bit lousy. Compare it to Putre is an endless touristic attraction. For those who can plan their holidays with no season limitations Chilean spring time is the best for visiting San Pedro de Atacama. Mid October you can have pretty much the same like all packed tourists in the middle of January. Magic word is Sarmiento Street which is one block away from the crowdie center. Has no travel agencies and ''artisans'' but has some nice private cheap accommodations and a lot of alternatives to go out for lunch/diner.

6km Tips for San Pedro de Atacama and areas around

- Going to S.P de Atacama southbound Panamericana from Arica stop for a night in Pica and the famous Termas there. An Oasis in the desert. Also must is a stop at Quillagua Oasis.
- For Motorists the visit to El Tatio must be a round trip. For example S.P de Atacama, Termas de Puritama, El Tatio, Caspana, Lasana, Chiu Chiu and S.P de Atacama. Less boring trip
- El Tatio is more like an area with fumaroles than real Geysers. Don't expect much but it is a nice drive.
- According to tourist guides best time of the day to visit is early in the morning. According to me it is late in the afternoon to join the sunset from El Diablo 20km north of S.P de Atacama.
- Termas de Puritama worth a half day visit with pic nic. Rest before drive back home.
- For those who will try to visit lago Miniques and Miscanti go some 65km further to Argentinean border at Paso de Jama. You will find Salar des Aqua Qallientes and lago Tuyaito which are mast see.
- Actually Salar des Aqua Callientes has less aqua than its name sounds to have and not ''Calliente'' at all but it's worth the visit.
- Visiting Valle de la Luna for the sunset it's ok. But if the moon is more than half face, on your way out of the park, stay half kilometer before the entrance house and wait for the moon to rise behind Licancapour Volcano.
- Drivers can avoid the police control coming from Toconao, entering S.P de Atacama by turning left before the check point.
- Yes there is a gas station in the village but is in the backyard of a hostel. Be patient and you will find it.
- In Antofagasta about 12:00 o'clock is the best time for a visit to the fish market for tasting a big plate with mixed ''mariscos'' and a glass of wine for nearly nothing.
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Putre, Chile

6km main idea about Northern Chile Vol I

Leaving the ocean straight from Iquique to rich the 3.600 meters altitude of Putre at once, is not the cleverest thing to do. Arriving up there by car as fast as possible, can bring you in a peculiar situation like experiencing the feeling of walking on the moon, which is actually a good feeling when you are on the moon and not trying to walk on the gravel roads of Putre. At least George and Marisol at La Chakana Lodge can make you feel better in seconds with their warm welcome and a cup of coca tea.

6km tips for Northern Chile Vol I

- About those asking which city to choose between Antofagasta, Iquique and Arica I have to say definitely Arica
- When in Arica not forget to go to the fish market ''Feria De Productos Del Mar'' next to the old German Locomotive and try simply everything.
- For those who travel by car notice that there is no gas station between Arica and Putre where you can find petrol in a backyard of a private home, but 35% more expensive than normal prices.
- So it is better to carry at least an extra 25 liter canister and if you plan to go southbound from Putre to Colchane carry 2 extra canisters because there is no gas station between Colchane and Pozo Almonte at No5 southbound to Antofagasta or Cerro Unita at No5 northbound to Arica.
- Finally if you are ready to go south from Putre the hard way doesn't miss Salar de Sourir and the thermals at Isluga village just before Colchane.
- All the way to Colchane and farther more the road is gravel and on the way to Salar de Sourir there is extremely heavy trucks traffic due to the borax mine at the Salar.
- In Arica our advise for accommodation ''value for money'' is ''Hostal Jardin del Sol'' www.hostaljardindelsol.cl and diner just next street ''Los Aleros de 21". Try the very fine and economic red wine from ''Concha y Toro'' Casillero del Diablo KARMENERE 2007 best value for money. Karmenere is the only Chilean variety you can find extensively in the country
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