San Pedro De Atacama is a tiny oasis lying at the base of the exotic Andean Cordillera, a mountain range rising to 6,100 meters. It is the only patch of greenery in the endless shimmering desert, which is rightly known as the “Valley of the Moon” because of the number of pot holes that can be seen in the area, that give the look of the vast craters on the moon’s surface. 40 kilometers from the village lies the majestic Licancabur volcano standing tall at 5,916 meters. The picturesque scenery that surrounds the area is what one would call a picture perfect postcard.
San Pedro, though a very minute village, has seen an influx of tourists and the upcoming of several guesthouses, restaurants, travel agencies and Internet cafés in these recent years. The village has only a handful of narrow streets that are used by bikers and donkey carts while vehicles just about manage to squeeze through them. The plaza, which is placed in the middle of the village, is attractively encompassed by trees and the Church that highlights the area is a major attraction of the village. The Catholic Museum, which is the only other attraction within the village itself, displays the traditions and cultures of the Incan people.
Outside the village, there is a lot to see besides the enchanting landscape that surrounds it. It is believed that San Pedro has a mystical attraction and that anyone who visits it; either stays back for a few more days or returns to it again and again. What is intriguing about the area is that you can see the driest patches of land along with snow laden mountains, hot springs and geysers, the burning heat of the day and the freezing cold of the night altogether in a few kilometers radius. You can find some of the mystery trails of the Incas, a most sophisticated race of the time, but sadly subdued by the Spanish invaders.
In the Altiplano, you will find the most amazing numbers of pink flamingoes, undistracted as they feed on their favorite red worms. The weather here is very chilly, which requires that you have some warm clothes handy when you take this excursion. Another point of tourist attraction is the El Tatio, which has above 40 geysers that burst out each morning. This is an early morning excursion and you have to leave while it is still dark if you wish to see this miraculous activity of nature in the break of dawn. It is the most wonderful sight and more than worth the trouble you have to take to see this spectacular vision.
Just putting the mesmerizing attractiveness of San Pedro into words on paper, is not enough to describe the enthralling beauty of the place. Apart from a lot of natural beauty to admire, you can also feel the pulsating adrenalin rush when each scenery follows the other surpassing the previous in splendor and magnificence. San Pedro De Atacama can be listed as one of the most desired places that one would want to visit in a lifetime. You have to see it to believe what it has to offer you.
Author Resource:-
Uri Martinich is a Chilean entrepreneur, specialized in travel and marketing. Currently, he is working for http://www.letsgochile.com/
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://articles2publish.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://articles2publish.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
