Our friends in Chile love their country, so they have shared their reasons why you should travel on our Red Hot Chile trekking holiday.

Nestled between the breezy Pacific Ocean and the heights of the Andes mountains at Chile’s northern tip, the Atacama Desert is a place unlike any other. As the driest non-polar desert in the world, rain is incredibly scarce, only gracing this bone-dry region with .004 inches of rain per year. Dotted with high altitude lakes, explosive geysers, valleys studded with bizarre rock formations, endless salt flats, and mountains that rise in stark profile on the horizon, the Atacama is chock-full of opportunities for adventures, including hikes, mountain biking routes, cultural attractions, stargazing under skies filled with brilliant stars, and endless photos opportunities.

1. Walk on the moon at the Valle de la luna

The Valley of the Moon (Valle de La Luna) is one of the Atacama Desert’s top destinations - and for good reason. Located eight miles west of the town of San Pedro, this valley of jagged ridges, rolling sand dunes, and strange rock formations gets its name from its lunar-esque appearance. One of the best times to go is at sunset, which you can watch from one of the many lookouts.

2. Get steamy at the Tatio Geysers

With over 80 active geysers, the Tatio geyser field is one of the largest and highest geyser fields in the world. Its name, tatio, means ‘oven’ in the language of the Quechua, an ancient tribe who used to inhabit the area. Along with Valle de la Luna, the Tatio geysers are one of the most popular destinations in the Atacama, and is especially popular at sunrise, when the cool air is filled with steam from the gurgling hot springs.

3. Visit the red planet

The Valle de Marte (Mars Valley) cuts across the surface of the Atacama Desert like a giant scar, its red rocks glowing angrily under the unrelenting sun - just like its namesake, Mars. Its craggy ridges and rock formations were carved over time by water and wind, leaving behind a barren but astonishing landscape.

4. Be enchanted by the region’s villages

The tiny villages which dot the sandy plains and mountains of the altiplano are charming microcosms, offering a glimpse into how people make a living in such a harsh and isolated place. In San Pedro, visitors can wander the dusty streets lined with whitewashed adobe houses, sample the coca tea blends locals use to combat altitude sickness and visit the town church which is the secondest oldest in Chile. Another popular Atacama church - famous for its white walls, blue windows, cross, door and straw roof - can be found in Machuca, located further out in the desert.

5. Get starry-eyed at night

The Atacama Desert has some of the clearest night skies in the world, which makes for amazing stargazing. A handful of the world’s top observatories call this arid desert home, using the advantageous combination of no light pollution, clear skies and high altitude to scan deep space. The most well-known observatory, ALMA, uses a telescope that is more powerful than the Hubble telescope. There are many opportunities to go stargazing on your own, or take a tour with a local astronomer.

6. Find tranquility at Chaxa Lagoon

The crystal-clear surface of the Chaxa Lagoon is a captivating sight, mirroring the clear sky, the surrounding mountains, and the flocks of wild flamingos that call the area home. Surrounded by crusty salt flats that stretch off to the mountains on the horizon, it’s a popular spot for photographers to play with distance and capture the vivid colors.

7. Visit ancient ruins and petroglyphs

The Atacama desert is dotted with the remnants of ancient people. At Pukara de Quitor, you can explore the ruins of a former fortress partially restored by archaeologists, which is dated to be of pre-Columbian origins. Then, while on treks in the desert through the Rio Grande valley and river gorge, you’ll find petroglyphs and paintings hidden in caves along the cliffs and valley walls.

8. Climb a volcano

Be the ultimate envy of your friends back home and climb to the summit of an ancient giant. The conical profile of Bolivia’s Licancabur volcano dominates the surrounding landscape, and with the aid of a guide and slow and steady climbing to adjust to the altitude, you can reach the summit to soak up the stunning views of the surrounding salt flats and lakes, as well as get to see the lake located in the volcano’s crater.

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