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Salar de Tara: Landscapes of the Atacama Desert

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Located a few hours east of San Pedro de Atacama, northern Chile's Los Flamencos National Reserve encompasses 740 square kilometers near the Bolivian border. From San Pedro, it's easy to do a full-day tour to visit the Salar de Tara (salt flats) located within the reserve.

A small salt flat
Taking a coffee break at a small salt flat on the drive to Salar de Tara.

I paid $88 for my tour, which included a picnic lunch of rice and chicken. During the bumpy drive out to the salt flats, you make several stops to take photos and explore the fantastic geology of the region.

These stops also help you acclimate, as the region's altitudes can reach up to 4,860 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level.

Despite the harsh environment, small tufts of grass manage to grow in the Atacama Desert. Closer to the road, you can still see some snow.
Despite the harsh environment, small tufts of grass grow in the Atacama Desert. Closer to the road, you can still see some snow.
Rock spire
Rock spire. Can anyone guess how it was formed?
To get a sense of scale, I'm standing on the rock formation, while another person looks up at it.
I'm standing on the rock formation to give a sense of scale while another person looks at it.
Looking down at our tour van from atop a rocky outcropping.
We are looking down at our tour van from atop a rocky outcropping.
Snow-capped mountains, jagged rock formations, and a whole lot of desert.
Snow-capped mountains, jagged rock formations, and a whole lot of desert.
Our first view of Salar de Tara (the Tara salt flats).
Our first view of Salar de Tara (the Tara salt flats).
Llamas grazing by the water in Salar de Tara, Chile
Llamas grazing by the water
The water offers a perfect reflection of the nearby mountains
The water offers a perfect reflection of the nearby mountains
A lone flamingo feeds at the water's edge
A lone flamingo feeds at the water's edge
The view of Salar de Tara from where we ate our picnic lunch.
The view of Salar de Tara from where we ate our picnic lunch.
Taking a moment to appreciate the raw beauty of the Atacama Desert.
I am taking a moment to appreciate the raw beauty of the Atacama Desert.
It's amazing llamas, flamingos, or any animal can live in a desert environment 4,000 meters above sea level.
It's incredible llamas, flamingos, or any animal can live in a desert environment 4,000 meters above sea level.
How does one pose in the desert? Here, I try to convey the vast expanse of space in Salar de Tara using only my arms.
How does one pose in the desert? Here, I try to convey the vast expanse of space using only my arms.
A herd of vicuñas graze on the little grass there is to be found in the desert.
A herd of vicuñas graze on the little grass there is to be found in the desert.
Posing by the entrance sign to Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos on our way back from Salar de Tara to San Pedro de Atacama.
We were posing by the entrance sign to Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos on our way back to San Pedro de Atacama.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Richard says

    Great pictures, I went on a tour of this area from Uyuni in Bolivia. It was an incredible experience, I couldn't believe how much variety there was in the landscape! Nothing like I'd ever seen before. Thanks for the post, it brought back good memories...

    Rich

    • Dave says

      Thanks Rich. I'll be sharing more photos from Atacama and my own trip through Bolivia's salt flats in the coming weeks.

  2. Noel says

    Hi Dave I've never seen so much of a desert on a travel blog. These are fantastic views of arid landscape, rugged rocks, mountains, stray animals in an oasis. Actually, I've never been to a desert in any country. In my future travels, I'll see to it that I can visit a place like this.

    • Dave says

      Thanks Noel. People often mistake deserts for being boring places. Why would you want to visit a desert?

      But like you see here, it's a whole new world! Plus the stargazing at night is awesome.

      • Noel says

        I just want to see these amazing landscapes as shown on your great photos and experience what will be like to be there.

  3. Cam @ Traveling Canucks says

    WOW - incredible landscapes!

  4. Scott says

    Awesome pics!! What part of the year were these pictures taken?...I am going to this area and Uyuni this October and would like to get an idea what the weather is like. Again great pics!!

    • Dave says

      Thanks! I visited the Atacama Desert in late May 2012.

      In a few weeks, I'll be posting pics from my 3-day trip to Uyuni as well, which I did from San Pedro.

  5. Thomas says

    Nice photos Dave and a great place to go take a break. Never thought a desert would look so wonderful and peaceful. What type of camera are you using?

    • Dave says

      Thanks Thomas. I was and still am using a Canon S100. I edited them a little with Lightroom 4 too.

  6. jhon smith says

    Dave those are really best shots i ever seen of this desert...You rock man.

  7. Jessica says

    WOW, these photos are incredible, have yet to travel there but would really love to visit some time soon!

  8. David Blatt says

    To answer the question under one of your stunning photos...Wind! I believe the incredible shapes of those giant rock formations are created by the wind, which at 12,500 feet above level is surprisingly and consistently strong. The other paradox I discovered was..all that wind, but very little air! I'd always though difficulty to breathe was a myth until I tried to sleep in one of those hostels at -14*. Had to remain sitting up all night.

  9. Sam Desautels says

    Hey!

    I loved the post and the pictures. If you wouldn't mind, can you tell me which agency you went on the trip with?

    -Thanks

    • Dave says

      Thanks. I'm afraid I don't remember as it was a few years ago now. San Pedro is so small, it's not hard to find a tour company that offers these trips. I doubt there's much difference in quality.