The desolate Atacama in South-America

What are you looking for in the Atacama? Absolutely nothing if you love the grassy, ​​manicured landscapes we are used to in Europe, or if you are looking for interesting cities with culture. In the Atacama, you will find none of that. It is a virtually uninhabited desert under a scorching sun where not a single drop of rain falls. No… you go to the Atacama if you are looking for adventure; if you want to experience the wild, almost otherworldly beauty of one of the driest deserts in the world.

Rich coast

The coast of the Pacific ocean in the west has a chilly and misty climate. The landscape is spectacular, with rugged rocks, steep cliffs, and wide sandy beaches. In some places, the coastal mountains rise almost vertically from the ocean. Along this coast flows the cold but nutrient-rich Humboldt Current, making it not only chilly and misty but also teeming with life. This is the paradox of the Atacama: one of the most desolate areas in the world borders one of the richest ecosystems we know, with millions of seabirds and marine mammals.

Otherworldly landscapes in the Atacama

Going inland, the influence of the cold ocean diminishes rapidly. After just a few kilometers, the fog has vanished, and the land lies exposed under a scorching sun. In deeply cut ravines, a single inhabited village forms a last sign of life, but otherwise, sand, snow-white salt flats, and abandoned ghost towns dominate the landscape. This is a primeval landscape, so uninhabitable and otherworldly that space organizations train their astronauts here.

Volcanoes and Flamingo’s

In the east of the Atacama lies the Altiplano, a high altitude plateau with peaks reaching up to 7,000 meters in height. The landscape is breathtaking, with endless vistas of gigantic volcanoes, azure salt lakes, and mysterious geysers. The nights are also very special; so clear that you can see almost the entire universe. The Altiplano has a unique wildlife. Majestic flamingos, graceful vicuñas, and funny viscachas are fully adapted to life at these high altitudes.

You can find more photos of the Atacama and the Altiplano on my blog pages. (Older blog pages in Dutch only)