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The South American Odyssey
  • The Craze for Travelling
  • The Craze for Travelling

The South American Odyssey

A 147-day adventure by The Craze for Travelling Read more
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    7th pool Puritama

    November 30, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    We started with the 7th pool. The water was nice at around 27C and felt perfect in the afternoon sun. There were 2 small waterfalls falling into the pool.

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Moon via the telescopeObserving the celestial objectsDome for the video presentation

    Stargazing tour

    November 30, 2017 in Chile ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    We were ready to go for the star gazing tour at 9 pm as we had been informed but no one showed up to pick us up. At about 9:15 pm, we sent a message to Jonathan about it. He was quite prompt in replying back and told that the bus has already left but a taxi would be there to pick us up in minutes. The taxi came as promised and we reached the place for star gazing at 9:50 pm. There we had an explanation of how to use the sky chart in the Southern Hemisphere. We got to know the constellations that were visible and how to locate them. After that, the 2nd activity was looking through the telescopes. They had set up 5 telescopes pointing to different interesting objects in the sky. We saw an open cluster, a globular cluster, Sirius star, Orion constellation and the Orion nebula. After that, they pointed 3 of the telescopes to the moon for us to take a look and click pictures.
    After that, we were taken inside a dome where we had hot chocolate and some biscuits while we watched a movie on red giants, pulsers, black holes etc.
    The tour ended after that and we were dropped off at our hostel by 11:45 pm.    Read more

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    Walkway to Chaxa lake
    Walkway to Chaxa lakeBrine shrimpFlamingo nestFlamingos in Chaxa Laguna

    Chaxa Laguna

    December 1, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Our first stop of the day was then Chaxa Laguna. A salt lake on the edge of the Atacama Desert. Here the guide told us about the 3 different kind of flamingos that inhabit the lake - Chilean, James and Andean flamingos. He also showed us the brine shrimp that the flamingos feed on. There was also a sample depression in the salt that the flamingos use for their eggs.

    Three different species often reside here: the Chilean( (red knees and feet plus a circular dance as they feed) ), Andean (more numerous; yellow legs) and James' flamingos. A variety of other birds can be seen here as well, including the Andean avocet, the puna plover and a type of sandpiper, a small bird with a long beak that feeds on small organisms in the mineral-rich water. The birds are most active at sunrise and sunset.
    The Chaxa Lagoon is located about 30 miles from San Pedro de Atacama. About 4km south of Toconao a road which is unpaved leads about 20-25km to the Laguna Chaxa. Entrance is 2500 CLP and includes baños and explanations about the Flamingos and the Salar.    Read more

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    Reached Piedras Rojas

    December 1, 2017 in Chile ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    We reached Piedras Rojas at around 11:30 pm. Its a beautiful lake at the edge of the Aguas Calientes mountains. The name Piedras Rojas (Red Stones) is due to the beautiful deep red stones forming the edge of the lake. The red stones are actually the solidified remains of lava flow rich in iron content.Read more

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    Altiplanic lagoons Miscanti & Miñique

    December 1, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    From Piedras Rojas, we drove to the other side of the mountains to the twin altiplanic lakes Miscanti and Miñique. The lakes are at 4200 mts with Miscanti being 5 mts higher than Miñique. There was an entry fee of 3000 CLP per person for the entry of the lakes. We stopped at Miscanti and had our breakfast there with beautiful views of the deep blue water in the Miscanti lake with the Miscanti and Miñique volcanoes in the background.

    The two lakes are a deep blue, backed by snow-capped volcanoes and surrounded by a large plain of yellow tussock grass that whips in the wind. This grass is one of the preferred foods of the vicuña, the shyest of the llama-like species in the area. We saw some near here. The protected lakes make for a great photo opportunity, but swimming is not allowed.

    The lakes are managed by an indigenous community located in Socaire, a town often visited for its handmade crafts and local historical church.
    The Altiplanic Lagoons are located 140 kms from San Pedro de Atacama, and it is generally very cold in this area due to the high altitude.    Read more

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    Miscanti lake with Miñique volcano behind
    Miscanti lake with Miñique volcano behindBreakfast with a viewPanoramic view of Miscanti lake and volcanoMother in laws pillowChachacomba

    Trek to Miñique lake

    December 1, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After the breakfast, we trekked a short distance to the Miñique lake. On the way, our guide showed us the round spicky cactus variety plant, imaginatively called mother-in-law's pillow. Our guide also pointed out to us the Chachacomba plant. The bright green small leaves smell like eucalyptus and are extremely good to inhale to prevent altitude sickness and also useful when trekking in high altitude, much like coca leaves.Read more

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    Miñique lake

    December 1, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    The Miñique lake was much smaller than the Miscanti. We had a beautiful panoramic view of the lake from a viewpoint on the trek. The deep blue color in contrast to the red soil around was breathtaking. We stayed there enjoying the view for a while. In the lake, we could see flamingos and the big black colored birds - Hornet Coot (Tagua Cornuda) and the Blanquillo ducks.Read more

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    Socaire
    SocaireSocaire churchBig beansMaize

    Socaire

    December 1, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    From the altiplanic lakes, we went to the nearby village of Socaire.
    It is a tiny hamlet that lives from selling lunch to tourists-it usually includes home-grown potatoes, big beans, carrots, and quinoa, plus a few other things. All these vegetables are grown locally in the oasis.
    We stopped here for 20-30 minutes. Our guide pointed out the various plants they were growing.    Read more

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    Socaire church

    December 1, 2017 in Chile ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    We also went to the church made of red and white volcanic stones with a roof made from dried cactus. It had a very unique iconography inside. The church bell tower has an interesting legend that any woman entering there would get pregnant so now it is kept locked permanently. 🙄🙄Read more