Taking a trip around San Pedro de Atacama makes you question whether you're actually on Earth. The landscape is breathtaking and beautifully strange; the only topography it can be likened to is that of the moon or something from Star Wars. Welcome to Atacama, the driest place in the world.
San Pedro de Atacama serves as the gringo meeting point in northern Chile and is surrounded by otherworldly landscape. Hot geysers, volcanoes, salt flats and lakes surround this small but pleasant tourist town. The obvious activity is to visit the surrounding area which can be done by mini bus, or if you fancy a cycle (albeit a fairly long one) then bikes are a great option. The salt pools are a great stop, where you can literally lie reading a book with no chance of getting it wet against some unreal scenery. Watching the sun set from the valley of the moon is also a must and an experience you won't forget, the moon rises as fantastic colours appear throughout the valley.
However, what most people come here for, is the star gazing. A tour of the night sky can be taken with 'Servicios Astronomicos Maury y Compania'. Away from any light pollution the view of stars is simply incredible, you won't have seen anything like it. We could see the rings of saturn and shooting stars covered the sky. Highly recommended. Pack warm as its freezing on a night, and you don't want to find yourself (as we did) spooning and hugging strangers for warmth.
Hostal: Hostel Rural - Not the cheapest but comfortable dorms and a good atmosphere.
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