Έρημος Ατακάμα στη Χιλή

The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is one of the most spectacular and unique areas on the planet. Despite having almost no annual rainfall, its landscape features crystal clear blue lagoons, bubbling geysers, hot springs and rivers, and geographically it is a bizarre combination of lava flows, salt basins, rock formations and canyons. The region is so desolate, it is often described as moon-like. The plateau extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes Mountains and in the middle of this desert, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, lies the Spanish colonial village of San Pedro de Atacama, surrounded by a green oasis. Because of the high altitude and nature of the geysers, the Atacama is not a destination recommended for young children, pregnant women or anyone with a heart condition.

Latin Trip/Chile Call Center (tel. 800/811-3077; www.chilecallcenter.com) offers a four-day "Marvels of the Atacama Desert" trip that departs from Calama, the nearest airport city to San Pedro. It includes airport transfers, ground transportation, three nights' accommodations at the Hotel Casa de Don Tomas in San Pedro, breakfast daily, one lunch, sightseeing with an experienced tour guide and entrance fees to museums and natural sites. Highlights of the trip include the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt mountain range), the Licancabur volcano, the Padre Le Paige Archaeological Museum, the home of Pedro de Valdivia (the conquistador who founded Santiago), Pukara de Quitor (a pre-Hispanic fortress), Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), the salt caverns, Tres Marias (Three Marys) rock formations, the village of Toconao with its liparite stone buildings, the Atacama salt flat, Flamingo National Reservation, the lakes of Miscante and Minique, Aguas calientes salt flat, Tuyajto lagoon, Tatio Geysers and the villages of Caspana, Toconce, Vegas de Turi, Chiu-Chiu and Lasana. This trip runs throughout the year and is priced from $375 per person land-only, based on double occupancy.

If you'd like to explore the region at a slower pace, then an Atacama Desert Expedition Ride from Hidden Trails (tel. 888/9-TRAILS; www.hiddentrails.com) may be the perfect solution. The expedition includes two nights in a hotel, seven nights camping, all meals, wine with dinner, eight riding days, horses, Chilean saddles, airport transfers and an English speaking guide for $1,929 with a $90 single supplement. The ride starts in San Pedro de Atacama and highlights include bathing in the Lagoon Tebinquichein, the Atacama Salt Flat, flamingo colonies, the Salt Mountain Range, the plain of Pacience, Moon Valley, Death Valley, Piedra de la coca's rock engravings, Valley of the Rainbow, lama-caravans, the village of Machuca, Guatin River, Quebrada of the Devil Canyon, San Pedro River, Catarpe Incan archaeological site, Paso de los Toros and Pukara of Quitor. The trip suits intermediate horse riders (canters and gallops) with a minimum of two riders and a maximum of five, aged 12 years and up and weighing no more than 187 pounds. Departure dates are November 2, December 2 and 29, 2007, January 15, February 3, March 11, April 2, May 2, July 17, August 2, September 2, October 2, November 2, December 2 and 25, 2008. A shorter six-day trip with three riding days is also available with two nights' hotel accommodations and three nights camping for $1,045.

Gap Adventures (tel. 800/708-7761; www.gapadventures.com) has an exceptional 20-day journey from La Paz, Bolivia to Santiago, Chile. The "Atacama Crossing" departs regularly at least once a month throughout the year (except August and September) and is priced at $795 per person land-only with a $250 local payment to cover tips, guide and entrance fees. The trip is for a maximum group size of 15 people and includes 17 nights' hotel accommodations, two nights on buses, transportation by bus and four-wheel drive trucks, all meals on the desert crossing excursion (two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners), entrance fees and a GAP tour leader. Travel from La Paz to Cochabamba, Sucre and Potosi before spending three days crossing the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert by four-wheel drive vehicle. The tour visits Laguna Colorada (a large red lagoon), Laguna Verde (a striking blue-green lake), plus numerous geysers, boiling mud pools and thermal baths, and Licancabur volcano 19,549 feet above sea level. The tour winds up in Santiago after a few days in San Pedro de Atacama and the beachside town of La Serena.

For serious mountain climbers and those seeking an extreme adventure, Azimut 360 (tel. +56/2235-1519; www.azimut360.com) provides a number of mountain and volcano specific expeditions in the Atacama. Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano on the planet at 22,615 feet and Azimut 360's expedition to climb the massive volcano departs from Copiapo from September to May (October to April are considered the best months). This 12-day tour is a strenuous climb but also takes in trekking amongst some of the magnificent lakes in the Atacama including Laguna Santa Rosa and Laguna Verde and visits Tres Cruces National Park, Maricunga Salt Lake and Paso San Francisco. While ascending the volcano, accommodation is provided at the fully equipped University of Atacama refuge camps. The trip includes hotel accommodations in Copiapo, meals, private transportation and a bilingual specialized mountain guide. For two people traveling together the cost is $1750 per person, or $1690 for three people, $1390 for four to 12 people.

Alternatively, try a seven-day adventure to climb Licancabur, the highest crater lake in the world. The volcano's summit is home to an ancient Incan sanctuary and sacred funerary site at Lake Blanca. Before ascending, the trip visits the a number of interesting sites around San Pedro de Atacama, Rio Purifica, Puritama, Tatio Geysers and Laguna Verde (Bolivia). This ascent requires very good physical condition but no special technical qualifications. The expedition includes six nights' lodging in hotels and fully equipped camps, meals, private transportation and bilingual specialized mountain guide(s). The cost is $1,150 per person for groups of two, $1,090 for three people or $950 for four to 12 travelers.

(πηγή: www.frommers.com, October 24, 2007)