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Northern Chile 2012
Why spend two weeks in Chile's Atacama Desert - known as having the driest climate on Earth?  Maybe to behold otherworldly scenery in one of the most remote locations on the continent; or perhaps to gaze up into the clearest night skies on the planet; or simply to revel in one perfectly warm, perpetually sunny day after another.

We began our tour of the north in the coastal town of La Serena, took a side trip into the beautiful Elqui Valley, flew up to San Pedro de Atacama and then bused back to the coast and the town of Arica.  A few days were lost wandering up to Parque Lauca before we spent our final nights in Santiago, Chile's capital city.

A night at one of the observatories in the Elqui Valley is a requirement and the San Pedro reqion is a deserved tourist magnet.  But desolate Parque Lauca is a treasure worth discovering - the ultimate destination for any explorer of Chile's austere northern region.

Get all the details of this trip on our blog:  Northern Chile Blog
Date(s): August 2012. Album by David Kohl. Photos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg. 1 - 106 of 106 Total. 4646 Visits.
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Chile Map

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El Tatio
El Tatio Geysers nominated as one of the seven natural wonders of South America.

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Atacama area map

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El Tatio Geysers

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El Tatio Geysers

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El Tatio Geysers

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El Tatio Geysers

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El Tatio Geysers

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Colonial church

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El Tatio Geysers

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San Pedro de Atacama

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San Pedro street scene

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San Pedro church

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San Pedro church

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Cactus wood ceiling of San Pedro church

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Interior of San Pedro church

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Alien shadow

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Cause of alien shadow

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Strongest man in Chile

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Sunset on the outskirts of San Pedro

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Volcan Lincancabur

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Valle del Muerte

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Valle del Muerte

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View - in the distance - of Salar de Atacama

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Dune at Valle de la Luna

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Valle de la Luna

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Valle de la Luna

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Valle de la Luna viewpoint

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Sunset from Valle de la Luna

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Sunset from Valle de la Luna

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Sunset Views

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Llamas in San Pedro

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Llama head shot

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Sign artist in San Pedro

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Northern Chile Map

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Lluta Valley

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Geoglyphs in the Azapa Valley

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Geoglyphs in the Lluta Valley

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Train crossing in the Lluta Valley

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Lluta Valley view

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Road from the Lluta Valley to the Azapa Valley

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Azapa Valley view

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View from Pukara de Copaquilla on Chile Route 11

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Vicunas along the road to Parque Lauca

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Vicuna crossing

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On the road to Parque Lauca

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Road to Parque Lauca

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Church at the village of Parinacota

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Detail from church at Parinacota

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Steeple of church at Parinacota

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Lagunas Cotacatani

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Lago Chungara
Parque Lauca is one of the most remote destinations in the country.  Well worth the difficulties in getting there.

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Lago Chungara

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Flamingoes at Lago Chungara

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Birds at Lago Chungara

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Volcan Parinacota from Lago Chungara

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Lago Chungara

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Parque Lauca

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Parque Lauca

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Church at Putre

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Terrace Lodge at Putre
The place to stay in Putre is The Terrace Lodge. Comfortable rooms, friendly hosts and the closest accomodations - besides camping to Parque Lauca.

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Recycling receptacles in Putre

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El Morro in Arica

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Walkway up to El Morro from Arica

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View of the bay of Arica from atop El Morro

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View of the Pacific Ocean from atop El Morro

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Graffiti in Arica

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Eiffel-designed customs house in Arica

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Eiffel-designed chirch in Arica

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Arica-La Paz train station

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Elqui Valley Map

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Street scene in the village of Vicuna
A photo of the exterior of Hostal Valle Hermosa where we stayed in Vicuna.

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Mamlluca Observatory

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Telescope at Mamalluca Observatory

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Telesope at Mamalluca

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Elqui Valley

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Pisco grape vineyard in the Elqui Valley

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Los Niches pisco distillery

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Church in Pisco Elqui

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Landscape surrounding Pisco Elqui

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Pisco Elqui street scene

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Graffiti in Pisco Elqui

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Beach at La Serena

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La Serena - Fountain in the Japonese Gardens

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La Serena - Hostal El Punto exterior
Snag this private room if you can in Hostal El Punto in La Serena.  It was perfect.

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La Serena - hostel room interior

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Mercade La Recova in La Serena

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Front of Hostal El Arbol in La Serena
New and immaculate Hostal El Arbol is a cozy place to stay in La Serena.

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Sculpture in park in Coquimbo

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Sculpture in park in Coquimbo

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Pedestrian street in Barrio Lastarria in Santiago

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Santiago - View of the mountains from the Alemeda

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Dogs asleep outside a store in Barrio Brasil

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Teatro Municipal - Santiago

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Teatro Municipal

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Mercado Central - Santiago

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Emporio la Rosa - Santiago

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Emporio La Rosa - Santiago

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Main house at Concha Y Toro Winery

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Wine Tasting at Concha Y Toro

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Wine cellar at Concha Y Toro winery

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Graffiti in Barrio Bellavista - Santiago

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Graffiti in Barrio Bellavista - Santiago

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Room in the Happy House Hostal - Santiago

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Statue atop Cerro San Cristobal

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Sunset view of Santiago from Cerro San Cristobal