Day 21 Arrival at Atacama and visit to Moon Valley

 

We flew to Calama in the very north of Chile and were transferred to our hotel in a small town about 100km away called San Pedro de Atacama. The bus journey was quite spectacular as we were driven through the desert and through a mountain range.

 

 
Small mountain range between Calama and San Pedro de Atacama

 
Landscape between Calama and San Pedro de Atacama

 
View to the salt lake

We had a quick photo stop at a place called Cordillera De La Sal where the rock formations were spectacular.







Our hotel room wasnt ready so we went for a walk into the town which is very different to the other towns we have been to in Chile and more like the wild west. The roads are not made up and are dusty and stony. It was very hot so we went to a cafe and had a fresh lemonade which was really nice.


 
Looks like our blackbird but doesnt sound like one!

 
Dove

 
Some horsemen riding through the town centre

 
San Pedro town centre display

The hotel is very nice and quite unusual.  Accomodation is in lodges which are quite simple but comfortable.

Mid afternoon we went on an excursion to Moon Valley. We first went to see a former salt mine and heard the mountains making a cracking noise. Apparently this is the only place in the world where this happens. I heard a few of the louder noises but others, including Paul, heard a lot more. Must get my ears tested. We then did a long walk in Moon Valley. We climbed a hill with unbelievable rock formations all around, especially at the top. After that we went for a small buffet supper with Pisco Sour -the local cocktail, and then finished by watching the sun set over the hills.  Our clothes, shoes and hair were covered in sand so we took a shower when we got back and just had a drink in the hotel bar before going to bed.  We have another early start tomorrow.

 

 
Moon Valley

 
Moon Valley.  the brown flat areas are sand dunes

 
Moon Valley, the brown flat area is a sand dune

 
Ridge formed by the wind on the sand dunes

 
Moon Valley

 
Sunset over Moon Valley

 
Moon Valley - salt formations in the hills

 
Moon Valley

 
Moon Valley - the flat areas are sand dunes

 
Enjoying our Pisco Sours while waiting for the sunset.
(colour of our clothing is not accurate)



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