Northern Chile Vol II
Trip Start
Oct 05, 2008
1
2
Trip End
Nov 26, 2008
San Pedro de Atacama,
Chile
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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.
