Atacama Desert, Chile: Beauty at the Edge of Extremes

Flying into Calama and travelling 90 minutes to San Pedro de Atacama, we quickly realised this is no ordinary destination.

Perched over 9,000 feet above sea level, San Pedro is a small oasis town that feels both remote and vibrant. Its adobe buildings, dusty streets, and cobbled pathways create a rustic charm, while its welcoming locals and surprisingly sophisticated yet understated tourism offerings give it an energetic pulse.

The town square hums with life, showcasing local art and culture, and serving as a gateway for adventure seekers drawn to world-class hiking and mountain biking.

The surrounding Atacama Desert—one of the driest places on Earth—is nothing short of surreal.

A guided visit to Moon Valley revealed to us a landscape sculpted over millennia: jagged volcanic formations, rippling sand dunes, and layered rock rising dramatically from the earth.

As the sun sets, the sky ignites in rich hues, casting long shadows across the terrain. Sitting quietly with a sunset picnic, we couldn’t help but feel humbled by the raw beauty and timelessness of this place.

Equally unforgettable is the Solar de Atacama salt lake and Chaxa Lagoon, home to graceful pink flamingos.

Here, conservation is clearly a priority. Access is carefully controlled by local Indigenous communities, ensuring these fragile ecosystems remain undisturbed. The endless salt flats stretch to the horizon, both stark and stunning.

Yet, this beauty is not without vulnerability.

The region faces growing environmental pressure from lithium mining, which threatens the delicate water balance sustaining the lagoons—and the flamingos that depend on them. It’s a sobering reminder of the balance between human progress and environmental protection.

This extraordinary journey was expertly curated for us by Pia Knarston of Viva Expeditions and Alana Clifford of World Travellers Navigators—an unforgettable experience in a place as fragile as it is breathtaking.  

Thank you.