From gushing geysers (El Tatio Geysers) to perfectly sculpted golden sand dunes, intense blue lagoons (Cejar lagoon) to a striking rainbow concoction of cliff strata known as the Rainbow Valley, the Atacama Desert offers visitors 105,000 km2 of diverse terrain and singular landscapes that is quite unlike anywhere else on our planet. Otherworldly and unearthly, certain regions of the Atacama Desert have been likened to the lunar landscape and the barren terrain on Mars – the Valle de la Luna is a popular idyllic place to watch the colours morph from pink to red at sunset.

Adventure seekers and hiking enthusiasts should not miss the Valle de la Muerte, which provide stunning 360-degree panoramas of the almost alien-like landscape from the top, and an exhilarating sandboarding experience unlike any other. Other must visit destinations include the Los Flamencos National Reserve and the Salar de Atacama, Chile’s biggest salt flat and the best place to observe beautiful pink flamingos in their natural habitat. At night, be dazzled by the Milky Way’s glittering collection of stars, the breathtaking spectacle is a feast for the eyes that is best observed during the period of April to September during which skies are at their darkest and cloudless. The touristic town of San Pedro de Atacama is an ideal base for the adventurous traveler to refresh and rejuvenate themselves, with accommodations suitable for all kinds of budgets.