The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth, yet while we were there, we had late afternoon and evening showers, forcing the closure of roads. As well, the roofs and doors leaked in some of our lovely hotel rooms at the Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama Hotel. The landscapes are stunning, with deserts set against soaring volcanic mountain ranges capped with snow year round. We hiked up a hill between the Andes and the Domeyko Ranges, from which we could view an archaeological site of a fortress outside of San Pedro as well as the amazing near and distant landscapes.

The Atacama has the world’s third largest salt flat, home to three flamingo species and other visiting bird species.

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