This is a reflection after a four-day self-driving trip in the Atacama Desert of Chile, known as the “driest place on Earth” and the “most Martian-like place on Earth.” It’s suitable for those who like to take their time and want to explore a wider area.
The Atacama Desert once went 90 years without a drop of rain, but during my visit, I saw two rain showers, a rainbow that reached the sky, extremely bright lightning, thunder, and thick cumulonimbus clouds 🤨
I always feel that the Atacama Desert is similar to the Hexi Corridor west of Wushaoling in Gansu, with Danxia landforms + large grasslands of western Sichuan + high mountains + deserts of Xinjiang. The unique features are the continuous Andes Mountains, volcanoes, salt lakes, flamingos, and guanacos (llamas).
‼️ Be aware of altitude sickness.
1️⃣ Fly to Atacama and land at Calama Airport, which is 100km from the desert center, the town of San Pedro de Atacama (SPDA). Driving on Route 23 through dozens of kilometers of straight desert road is very enjoyable.
‼️ Most of the roads are paved, with only a small part being gravel, which saved my buttocks from the bumpy ride in Patagonia.
‼️ Slow down before turns; I saw two accidents where cars went off the road on straight stretches.
‼️ Keep a safe distance when following other vehicles; I witnessed a six-car pileup on Route 27.
‼️ When stopping temporarily, do not block the driving lane; use the shoulder instead.
2️⃣ Exploration range
‼️ SPDA is at an altitude of 2500m. With the town as the center, the surrounding areas include Death Valley, Moon Valley, and Devil’s Throat.
‼️ From the town, heading north on B245 leads to geysers, reaching up to 4500m in altitude; heading east on Route 27 towards Bolivia and Argentina, the highest point is 5200m; heading south on Route 23 to Miscanti and Miñiques Lakes, Red Rocks (Piedras Rojas), and branching out to B355 to Chaxa Lake, and finally to Argentina; heading west on Route 23 from Calama; southwest on B241 to small Danxia valleys and desert scenery.
‼️ Gas station at the intersection of Routes 23 and 27 as you leave the town.
3️⃣ Calama Airport is almost the only option for renting a car.
‼️ If possible, rent a car with strong power, as there are many sections on Route 27 and B245 at altitudes of 4500-5200m, making it difficult to climb (even with the pedal to the floor, the speed was only 35).
‼️ Many cars with insufficient power were stranded in the middle of the road.
‼️ The rental company emphasized not to go to supermarkets in Calama, as there is a chance of car break-ins for foreigners.
💡 Additional Tips
😎 Don’t forget to pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Snacks and an offline version of Google Maps are also must-haves for a smooth journey.
🌡️ The temperature can vary dramatically from day to night, so layer up! Start with a warm down jacket in the morning, but be prepared to shed layers as it can get quite hot by midday.
Opt for the three-layer clothing system, and if possible, choose accommodations with air conditioning for a comfortable rest.
🏔️ My experience with altitude sickness was relatively mild, with just a slight sensation of head tightness. If you start feeling the effects of altitude in SPDA, take some time to let your body adjust before pushing on with your adventure.
🚗 When driving up to the plateau via Route 27 and B245, make sure to bundle up. The higher you go, the cooler it gets, so stay cozy and enjoy the breathtaking views!
Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll dive into the detailed itinerary.
