Atacama Salt Lake 

Observe the great wonder that Atacama salt offers, enormous lake inserted in the heat of desert next to its three unique flamingoes species of the zone and the small and singular town of Toconao with its typical crafts. To the south of San Pedro is the access to the center of the impressive Atacama Salt. During the route is possible to photograph and appreciate the view of Licancabur and Lascar volcanoe among other attractiveness with singular beauty, following by the same route is the town of Toconao and continuous until the salt, it finishes in the Chaxa lagoon which is inhabited by three kinds of flamingoes and a great number of migratory birds.  This it is the scene where the atacameñan culture was developed. The air is extraordinarily dry here, which gives it a perfect transparency. This same clarity, nevertheless, makes difficult to judge the distances. Under the salt there is a lake, hidden by a thick and rough scab of "tiznada" salt with the dust of the desert, that contains one of the greater lithium reserves in the world, a mineral used in some high technology industries and that operated in the South sector of the salt..

Toconao

    Colonial town completely build with liparitas stone of volcanic origin and reknown for its interesting craftmanship objects of the same material. The word "Toconao" comes from the cunzo "toco" that means "stone". Located near the Andes, al 2.500 meters above sea lever. The main source of work of its inhabitants is based in the agricultural and artisan activities that are made in the volcanic stone quarry, creating retorts of Torre Campanario (Bell Tower) of the town's church. It is also known for its alleys of the orchards and in the surroundings, the Quebrada de Jeréz, with those giant and peculiar petrogliphs.The Toconao oasis, is known by its imposing bell in the tower and its streets with small factories crafts. The imposing Atacama salt, an enormous lake hidden under a heavy white mantle of salt is observed.

Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) was formed million of years ago. It was an old lake, which bottom went raising by the same movements of the terrestrial coast which gave origin to the Andes Mountains. Moulded through time by rain, wind and the Sun of the Atacama Desert, its final form that we know nowadays counts with a great variety of natural sculptures, different types of stratifications and varied colorations by the mineral diversity of the place.

        The name of "Cordillera de la Sal" derives from the fact that its rocks possess a great quantity of calcium sulphate, what gives them the aspect of being splashed with salt.

The fantastic rocks outcrop in the first plane is due to its top and the minerals color of the salt of which they are compound. It is recommendable to see the sunset when the desert changes from red to purple and then black. At heart is the Licancabur volcano which can be seen from hundreds of kilometers away.

         Its geologic origin is an emerged lake, where the old horizontal layers are vertical by the fold of the surface. Thus the strange figures that seem dinosaurios arise in a scene of strange brightness. When leaving this mountains, one enters to the Atacama Saltlake; from there is possible to appreciate a panoramic view of the oases that conform San Pedro de Atacama town. Following the way to this town, the Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) is crossed, with peculiar forms eroded by the wind and a reddish color with white spots.

      Cordillera de la Sal is located 70 kilometers from Calama. Just before the entrance to the town of San Pedro de Atacama, it can be seen from both sides; mountains with unusual forms and mineral brights.

It is a geothermal field located in the Andes mountain range, being the highest of world (4,200 mts of height) and it is located at 89 kilometers of San Pedro. It in the morning early hours presents an impressive steam fumaroles activity produced by the high temperatures of its watery craters. It is surrounded by hills that reach 5900 meters of height.

To the tourists is recommended to take thick clothes, bath suit, towel, sun protector and mineral water. It is without doubt one of the most wonderful spectacles offered by the atacama desert. Its mineral salts edges are soft, is necessary to have precaution when approaching. The colorful of the ground and the sky stands out among the steam columns of 7 meters height, under the first sun rays. It is a wonderful spectacle. In the environs there is thermal pools where is possible to take a bath.

Approximately between 06:00 and 07:00 hours the maximum expession of these steam fumaroles take place with temperatures that reach 85°C, and that emerge from the Earth with force arriving at approximate heights between 7 and 8 mts. In the trip and in the place, it is possible to observe vicunas, llamas, ñandues and vizcachas, while in the flora emphasize the giant cactus, llaretas and coiron. The temperature in the morning fluctuates between 15°C and 2°C under cero at night.

The place also counts with thermal water pools, with mineral deposits, which upholster 10 km2 of the geothermal field, while, at heart, the snow volcanoes summits stand out against a metallic blue sky. With its famous frame and spectacular scene the Geisers of San Pedro de Atacama are clearly one of attractive more impressive to visit.