Atacama Desert, CHILE
Airing Date: Sep 11th, 2006
The driest and highest desert in the world is the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, South America. Until 1971 it had not rain at all for 400 years and in some areas it hasn't rained for 20 million years!
Lagoons exist in the region despite this being the driest desert on earth. The water that evaporates into the desert south of San Pedro de Atacama is the 'Salar de Atacama', the world's largest salt lake.
The Atacama desert is so moon-like that even NASA has found a home here testing technical equipment. The Valley of the Moon is in the Cordillera de la Sal.
This remarkable landscape looks like the surface of the moon, complete with craters. The best tip is to climb the dunes and get a real feel for this spectacular landscape.
The geysers at El Tatio at about 4200 m, are the highest geysers in the world. The geysers are surrounded by mountains reaching almost 20,000 ft (6000 m).
The best time to visit is at dawn when it is easier to see the steaming fumaroles produced by the high temperatures of their watery craters. This happens for a constant 45 minutes at this time of day.
While there are heaps of geysers, they don't reach the greatest of heights. The highest eruption observed has been around 6 metres but the average height is about 75 centimetres - and that's hardly that impressive.
FURTHER INFORMATION
3 night package from $1570 a person
Includes accommodation at Hotel Alti-Planico, excursions and all taxes. Twin share. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 11/9/06.
B-First Travel - PH: 1300 763 338, Web: www.bfirsttravel.com
LAN Airlines return to Calama from:
$3089 ex Sydney, $3213 ex Melbourne, $3213 ex Brisbane, $3984 ex Perth.
Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 1/8/06.
LAN Airlines - PH: 1800 221 572, Web: www.lan.com
