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Holiday Hotspot – Atacama - Chile
AS challenging as it sounds, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is becoming an increasingly popular add-on destination for those traveling to Chile, Easter Island or Patagonia. Atacama is one of the most astonishing places on earth, more akin to visiting another planet. The desert stretches for 1,255km and is the driest of its kind in the world. To the east it’s surrounded by the Andes, with volcanoes towering over 6,000m – some still active. Along the western edge runs the 22-million-year-old
■ Atacama Desert.
Salt Mountain range, shaped into magnificent rugged terrain by wind and deposits of volcanic ash. It’s impossible not to be moved by the Atacama the night skies are clearer than anywhere on the planet and the vast desert is breathtakingly quiet. Exploring this mysterious landscape begins with a two-hour flight from Santiago to Calama a mining town with Chuquicamata, the largest open cast mine in the world in the hills behind
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it. Sonesta Hotel Calama features 148 guest rooms with first class amenities, a full service business center, restaurant, room service, and 24-hour concierge service, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, fitness center and spa, swimming pool, executive floor with private lounge. For best rates visit www.sonesta.com A Europcar rental office in the lobby is also advantageous as the hotel offers a wonderful base for exploring the ancient Aymara villages in the area including San Pedro de Atacama set at an altitude of 2400 metres between the desert and the high altiplano, this town has been an important settlement since pre-Hispanic times, as it was a stop between the trading communities of the coast and the
mountains. It then became an important rest stop for traders during the nitrate era, before its present incarnation as a friendly base for travellers. The key attractions include Moon Valley located in the Cordillera de la Sal because of its similarity to the lunar surface and large natural arena. Also Geyser’s Tatio a geothermal field located in the Andes presents an ■ Valley of the M oon Atacama impressive steamDesert Chile ing fumaroles activity produced by the high t h o s e temperatures of their cra- wishing to investigate it by y o u r ters. The Altiplanic Lagoons vehicle, offering total relaxa- check-in to ensure you get located more than 4,000 me- tion after an awe-inspiring on board your flight with the ters above sea level offers a day’s exploration. Air France minimum of hassle. Having colourful water setting while operate a daily service from travelled all over the world Cejar Lagoon a deep mass of Paris to Santiago via Dublin for more than 20 years, I Nuevo must say this was the best emerald-edged salt crystals is www.airfrance.ie a must do for swimmers who Mundo an Irish based travel organised trip I have been enjoy the gravitational effect agent specialising in South on and I felt spoilt! www. produced by the condensa- America provide a personal nuevomundo.ie tion of salt allowing the body service and organise every to float easily. The Atacama element of your trip including Robert Walshe is a travel Desert is an active person’s all internal flights. The experi- broadcaster with Q Radio paradise, offering unique ter- ence includes private airport Network and Travel Editor for rain through which to hike, transfers in each destination, River Media newspaper titles cycle or horse ride, but it is airport assistance and guides across the island of Ireland. also entirely accessible to who can accompany you to www.robertwalshe.com