Atacama Desert

History

The rich history of the Atacama Desert is diverse, with traces of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Archaeological finds show that hunters and gatherers must have lived in various parts of the Atacama Desert as far back as prehistoric times, at least 10,000 years ago. They lived off the region’s natural resources. The Incas also lived in parts of the Atacama Desert and built roads and agricultural terraces. In addition, they established important trade routes through the desert. In the 16th century, the Spanish arrived in Chile. Owing to natural resources such as silver, saltpetre and copper, they regarded the Atacama Desert as an important area. The colonists established settlements and mines in the region. As a result, the Atacama Desert became an important part of the Spanish Empire. In the centuries that followed, the area became increasingly associated with mining. In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a great deal of mining activity in the region. Nowadays, the local population in the region largely makes a living from tourism. Thanks to its extraordinary and unique landscapes and rock formations, the region attracts many visitors from all over the world. It is also an important area for astronomers due to the perfect conditions.

Geological features

Geologically speaking, the Atacama Desert is a diverse and fascinating region. It is home to a wide range of unique landscapes characterised by volcanoes, salt deposits, geysers, petroglyphs and otherworldly scenery. Indeed, there are areas of the Atacama Desert that bear a resemblance to Mars. The extreme aridity and minimal vegetation make it an interesting area for scientists researching the composition of the Red Planet, Mars.

Climate

The climate in San Pedro de Atacama and the surrounding area is a desert climate, characterised by aridity and extreme temperatures. It is hot during the day and temperatures drop below freezing at night. Rain is rare throughout the year; when it does rain, it amounts to just a few millimetres per year. Thanks to the dry conditions and clear skies, San Pedro de Atacama is perfect for astronomy and stargazing.

San Pedro de Atacama

The desert village of San Pedro de Atacama serves as a base for your visit to the Atacama Desert. The village lies in the heart of the desert and offers a wide range of accommodation options, restaurants, bars, shops and trip agencies. The streets of San Pedro de Atacama, with their traditional adobe-style buildings, are colourful and brimming with vibrant culture. The shops and markets sell a wide range of local, often colourful, arts and crafts. All excursions to the sights scattered across the Atacama Desert depart from (hotels in) San Pedro de Atacama.

Wildlife

Despite the desert’s sometimes harsh conditions and sparse vegetation, there is nevertheless a surprising diversity of wildlife to be found. Among others, vicuñas live in the area; they have adapted well to life in the dry highlands. There are also three species of flamingo living in and around the desert. The Andean flamingo, the Chilean flamingo and the James’s flamingo are often found in the salt lagoons that abound in the desert. As well as flamingos, many other bird species are spotted in the desert, including the Andean condor, the Chilean vulture, the Andean puna skimmer and the brown thrush. The culpeo fox is a South American fox that has also fully adapted to life in the arid climate. It survives by hunting smaller animals that also live in the desert. The Fata Morgana gecko is another remarkable species that can thrive in extreme temperatures; it is often hidden amongst rocks and prefers sandy areas.

Places of interest

The Atacama Desert is home to several fantastic sights, some of which we have listed below:

Yerbas Buenas archaeological site

At this archaeological site, thousands of prehistoric petroglyphs have been carved into the rocks by indigenous peoples. The carvings include depictions of geometric and human figures, symbols and animals, and offer a glimpse into the region’s ancient culture. The exact meaning of the engravings remains a mystery and is still the subject of research. It is thought that they played an important role in religious and spiritual practices.

Valle del Arcoíris

The Valle del Arcoíris, better known as the ‘Rainbow Valley’, is a remarkable and unique geological formation in the Atacama Desert. The valley owes its name to the diverse colours visible in the rock formations, which are reminiscent of the colours of a rainbow. The valley was formed by volcanic eruptions, erosion and sedimentation, which led to the creation of these unique rock formations with their varied textures and colours. There are several vantage points offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Sunrise or sunset are the best times to visit the valley, as this is when the colours are at their most beautiful.

Altiplanic Lagoons

The Atacama Desert is home to several lagoons situated at an altitude of over 4,000 metres above sea level. These lagoons are surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and the water is often intensely coloured, making it stand out against the rugged and desolate landscape and creating a stunning contrast.

Want to read more about the Atacama Desert?

Read our colleague Petra’s blog post about her visit to this extraordinary region:

• Petra’s blog: The four most beautiful places in the Atacama Desert.