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SAN PEDRO
DE ATACAMA & ATACAMA DESERT
What makes this the driest desert in
the world?
The primary cause is a global climatic phenomenon that creates deserts
at this latitude on the western coasts of all continents in the Southern
Hemisphere. Large, stable high-pressure systems - the one here known as
the Pacific Anticyclone -- hover just off the coast, creating easterly
trade winds and pushing storm systems away. Meanwhile, the Humboldt Current
carries cold water from Antarctica north along the Chilean coast, cooling
the westerly sea breezes, reducing evaporation, and creating a temperature
inversion (cold air immobilized below a ceiling of warm air), which prevents
the formation of high rain-bearing clouds. What little moisture is borne
onward by these ocean breezes condenses along the steep Pacific slopes
of the Coast Range, creating highly endemic coastal ecosystems composed
of cacti, succulents, and other xerophytic flora.
The final factor contributing to the formation of the desert is the Andean
cordillera, which in the north forms a broad, high-altitude volcanic plateau
known as the Altiplano . But whereas in the south, the Andes serve to
capture moisture blowing in off the Pacific, in the north the Altiplano
seals Chile off from storms laden with moisture from the Amazon Basin,
just to the northeast.
MOON VALLEY: Excursion
In the road that unites San Pedro to Calama you can enjoy and take a photo
to the mountain Range of the Salt since the mirador and stop also in the
Valley of the Death. Already in the Valley of the Moon they will be visited
"The Three Marías", the Mine of Salt, the Caverns of
Salt and the dusk since the Great Dune of sand will look at itself.
SALT OF ATACAMA
We will visit Toconao first, and then the Quarry of Liparita, later al
Valley of Jerez, traveled through by the place, continuation al to Salt
of Atacama, with visit to the Gap of Chaxa, to observe flamencos and to
observe the dusk.
TATIO GEYSERS
We start this excursion to visit the Geysers (4320 m), walk by the Field
Geotérmico (two hours in the Geysers) Later we will have time leg
to be bathed ó in the pool of the Geysers to 35ºC
We will also visit the village of Caspana with its fertile terraces, architecture
in Liparita stone and characteristic mud-roofs. We will continue with
visits to the villages of Toconce and Vegas de Turi on an awe inspiring
route which takes us through Chiu-Chiu and Lasana, with their important
cultural and historical legacies including one of the oldest and most
beautiful churches in Chile
BASIC TOUR TO VISIT
ATACAMA
DAY 1 - SANTIAGO - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO
DE ATACAMA
Arrival to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Transfer to hotel.
03 nights of accommodation with breakfast.
DAY 2 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - ATACAMA
DESERT
After breakfast, start excursion to visit Atacama Desert and Moon Valley.
We visit the Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flat) with Chaxas and Barros
Negros lagoons. We visit Toconao and Valle de Jeri.
DAY 3 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - ATACAMA
DESERT
After breakfast, start excursion to visit the Tatyo Geisers, a natural
environment with geoterman energy. Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
DAY 4 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - CALAMA
- SANTIAGO
After breakfast, transfer to airport to take flight to Santiago de Chile.
For
further information and prices, just contact us.
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