• South America
    Our local guide Cristóbal explains how irrigation gates work in the desert
    Pretty square in little San PedroChilean National Police are the most respected agency in the country (Carsbineros = carbines)Just 60% of Chileans are Catholic, but most don't practicePretty gate at the churchThe adobe fencing in San Pedro de Atacama is sometimes very intricateLicancabur Volcano at 19,000 feet is the iconic volcano in the areaCracked desert earthThis little guy was in the salt flatsSalt flats at lower elevation evaporate fast leaving a mess that isn't drivable like BoliviaFlamingo in flightJust had a cell phone but the reflection was cool!Flamingos in flight!Flamingo feeding and poopingTincho on left (our main guide) Cristóbal, and our driver Edwin provided sunset snacks and drinks

    Flamingos!

    May 26 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We spent the morning exploring San Pedro de Atacama, learning about the town’s history and culture while walking its dusty adobe-lined streets. We also visited the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, one of the oldest churches in Chile.

    In the afternoon, we headed out to the Salar de Atacama salt flats and Laguna Chaxa, where we saw flamingos living in the middle of the desert. There are three types of flamingos here (Chilean, Andean, and James) and they spend up to 16 hours a day beaks down filtering for brine shrimp to get enough calories for the day. Every once in a while they would fly over which was a cool site.

    We finished the day with a sundowner and sunset over the salt flats before heading back to San Pedro.    Read more