Alto Atacama gives you multiple alternatives to travel around the desert, like van, bike or walking, it depends only on the time you have, the moment of day and the exercise you want to do. What never fails is to walk, a good idea is to go from the hotel to the town of San Pedro which is located only 3 kilometers away, ideal for a stroll in the morning, afternoon or at night after a nice dinner.

Walking has many benefits physically, emotionally and mentally. Physically decreases arterial blood pressure, strengthens the heart, lowers cholesterol, helps prevent osteoporosis and burn calories. In the emotional and mental, it helps disconnect from the problems, to breathe better, helps to meditate or connect with God, it gives you energy and revitalizes the mind and body. It makes us feel better and be better.

All these benefits multiply when walking in an environment like Atacama, it is a unique experience to walk through the infinite desert, looking at the vast sky full of stars, guided by the light of the full moon, breathing clean air and more. Remember to prepare well before you leave, always wear comfortable shoes, in the day wear a hat, light clothing and sunscreen in the afternoon as it is cooler, wear warm clothes and don’t forget to take a flashlight.

The town of Toconao, an oasis just 40 kms south of San Pedro is one of the main tourist attractions of Atacama. This village of 800 inhabitants is built entirely in stone liparita, a material that keeps the inside temperature warm regardless the climate change outside.

Bright and white in the center of town and in front of the plaza, is the church and bell tower of San Lucas, from the eighteenth century which was rebuilt after earthquakes and fires. Today it is a National Monument and is under the care of nuns.

The toconares are related in three main activities, volcanic stone carving, doing beautiful sculptures and miniatures; the cultivation of fruit and spices, which grow very well in the area thanks to the purity of its water; and exploitation of minerals from the Salar.

They have a special sensitivity for the environment thanks to the inherited culture of the ancient inhabitants, and not only that they’ve traspassed. With a strong sense of independence that they still mantain, they have passed the ancient teachings from parents to children, doing big efforts to have a good education, adapting to new technologies but without surrendering their traditions. This great example of the community ranks as the rural town with more professionals per capita in Chile.

The ancestral Lickanantai community of Tokonao, as they call themselves, is supported by the Chilean Indigenous Law, the UN and Human Rights.

Picture: (cc) Pablo Neco

This week in our Summer Guide I`ll give you a tip to observe when you visit San Pedro: The Guatin, also known as the Cactus Valley or Quebrada de Cardones, a unique geographical throat, which has these two names because of the presence of hundreds of centennial cactus “Echinopsis atacamensis “ or Cardones that reach 7 meters high and 70 cms. diameter and grow only 0.9 cms per year.
Guatin is located at the junction of the rivers Purifica and Puritama, a few kilometers from the village down the road to the Tatio Geysers. You must park the car on the esplanade of access and begin the walk down the river to reach one of the sandy beaches where I recommend leaving your towels, picnic backpacks and continue the exploration in a bathing suit and husks for water through the different POSONES (natural pools) and wonderful corners of this place.

A spectacular trekking where you can enjoy the amazing geography of the place deep into a canyon of rock formations and numerous waterfalls.
A familiar PANORAMA to enjoy summer evenings.
To see more photos visit our Flickr site!

In the picture: Francisca García enjoying Guatinwaterfalls

My visits and stays in San Pedro, because of ongoing academic years, work and others, have always been in the summer season. Personally I’m grateful for this period for the mere fact of walking in shorts and shirt and being outdoors at night without the need of blankets or hats. That’s why I wanted to share the benefits of this special place during this time of the year so that you are not intimidated with the “heat of the desert” and choose  this destinantion confidently for  your next holidays.
In the following posts, as a guide to summer, I’ll tell you the options to splash in the waters of the area and enjoy the alternatives that San Pedro de Atacama offers in this months to enjoy those hours of intense sun without missing a second of your stay.
Delving into the Vilama upstream is a good option to see how water flows in the desert, the geography of rivers and meet their special flora and fauna.
To get there you must take the road to the Geysers and reach the hamlet of Vilama, tie your bike to a tree or leave your car there and start to make way upstream about 10 to 15 minutes to find a good place to set up your own beach situation.

At this time of year  the Altiplanic Winter rivers grow and you can bathe surrounded by the fox tails in the lands flattened by the floods. I recommend to get relax as you lay on these rocks and feel like the water as it passes over your body, it is such a great experience! And, don´t forget your picnic! A bottle of water, sunscreen and your camera, so that you can then send us your memories and share them via our Flickr.