Unveiling the Wonders of San Pedro to the Geysers and Beyond

Chile

Unveiling the Wonders of San Pedro to the Geysers and Beyond

Adventure travel, Destination guides, Latinamerica, Travel stories

Our journey through the Atacama Desert was a magical tapestry of surreal landscapes and natural marvels that arrived to an breathtaking visit to the Geysers. From the clayey desert town of San Pedro de Atacama, the drive to the Geysers was an adventure in itself, offering us glimpses of the desert’s raw beauty and the promise of an unforgettable experience.

Our VW Van had already its best years behind, as the altitude was getting higher, the car was harder to drive. So take enough time and don’t rush. We head up to the Geysers around 3am, to arrive at 5am. Our Hostel Guy told us that a tour would be unnecessary – we can go by ourselves and even enjoy being alone and not with a crowded tourist group where everybody fights for the best picture spot.

San Pedro to the Geysers

First you drive up in a lot of tight curves and then the road stretches out, weaving through a seemingly endless expanse of desert. The journey was a visual feast, with the Andes Mountains standing tall in the distance and the vastness of the desert unfolding around us. Along the way, we encountered curious wildlife, from graceful vicuñas to a lot of Flamingos and the hardy desert foxes, reminding us of the resilience of life in this harsh yet beautiful environment.

Vicuñas are from the family of camels and they are unlike Alpacas or Lamas not domesticized. They look very similar but more elegant in my opinion. We stopped so many times just to stare and admire this wonderful piece of nature. This put us a little bit behind schedule, that’s why you have to wake up early and take extra time in consideration.

Nature’s Dance

Upon reaching the Geysers, we were greeted by a chorus of hissing steam and bubbling hot water. The geysers, scattered across the barren landscape, came to life before our eyes, erupting with incredible force and painting the sky with clouds of steam. But as we were so excited and distracted we lost of track and drove around the Geysers but didn’t find the way to arrive to them.

We read that after 5am the steam gets less and less so we were in hurry. 15 min more of driving hastily around them we finally arrived and got off the car. Standing within these natural fountains, we felt peace and a connection to the Earth’s powerful forces. A reminder of Pachamamas ability for wonders. The steam was a lot lighter than when its on its peak but the best thing about it was that just 20-30 min after we arrived, the big tourist groups who took a bath in the hot springs, left! We were alone, just us, the bubbly water and some energetic Vizcachas, which are rabbit mice and typical for that region.

Bathing in the Hot Springs

After witnessing the geysers’ spectacular show, we pampered in the ultimate desert luxury: bathing in the natural hot springs. Surrounded by the desert’s silence and under the vast canopy of the blue sky, we immersed ourselves in the warm, mineral-rich waters. We were lucky that a family which was just leaving, told us to be careful at some spots in the water because it will burn you!

So please be super careful and don’t just enter without fear. Cold and hot water will flow through the long hot spring. Next to us, very close, the little Vizcachas were looking for breakfast. I always get so excited to see wild animals even if they are normal to other people. After a relaxing bath, we drove slowly back and stopped at the places which we haven’t seen before because of the darkness of the early morning. Somewhere on the way you will find yourself in a real green oasis

A Journey Beyond the Ordinary

Our experience at the Geysers of the Atacama Desert was more than just a tourist attraction; it was a spiritual encounter with the Earth’s power forces. The drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the Geysers was a visual odyssey, introducing us to the diverse landscapes and captivating wildlife. As we left the Geysers behind back to our next adventure, we carried with us not just memories but a sense of wonder. Our journey had been a magical exploration of the extraordinary endless marvels that our planet has to offer. The Geysers of the Atacama Desert are leaving us with a deep appreciation for the miracles of nature and the boundless wonders of our world.