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Tatio Geysers: A High-Altitude Geothermal Adventure

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The Tatio Geysers before sunrise
The Tatio Geysers before sunrise

Featuring over 80 geysers, El Tatio Geyser field in northern Chile is the third largest in the world after Yellowstone and Dolina Giezerov in Russia.

At an altitude of 4,300 meters (14,100 feet), it is also one of the highest geyser fields in the world.

Getting there from San Pedro de Atacama is easy, if you're willing to accept a 4 AM departure.

The Tatio geysers are most active around sunrise, therefore tour vans leave San Pedro super early in order to arrive at Parque Geotermico Geyser del Tatio, near the Bolivian border, by 7 AM.

It's only 90km away, but the roads are bad, and the vans are driving in the pitch black.

Despite being in the desert, the lack of sunlight, combined with the high altitude ensure freezing cold temperatures.

Seriously, when you first arrive, you'll be standing around in the frigid cold, barely able to see anything until the sun begins to rise.

Dress warmly, but in layers, as you'll want to peel a few off by midday, as your tour makes its way back to San Pedro.

I paid $29 for the tour, which included guide, transportation, and a light breakfast. In addition, there was a $10 park entrance fee.

The rising sun slowly illuminates the landscapes around us
The rising sun slowly illuminates the landscapes around us
One of the over 80 geysers blowing off steam
One of the over 80 geysers blowing off steam
Proving once again that it's not easy to smile with a face full of hot steam blowing out of the ground at you
Proving once again that it's not easy to smile with a face full of hot steam blowing out of the ground at you
Tourists are advised to keep their distance from the geysers, as the crust around them can be thin. Our guide warned us that more than one person had been injured and killed over the years, as a result of falling into the boiling water.
Tourists are advised to keep their distance from the geysers, as the crust around them can be thin. Our guide warned us that more than one person had been injured and killed over the years, as a result of falling into the boiling water.
Once the sun was up, the sky turned a brilliant blue, offering a sharp contrast against the steam of the geysers
Once the sun was up, the sky turned a brilliant blue, offering a sharp contrast against the steam of the geysers
Tourists walk towards one of the field's largest geysers
Tourists walk towards one of the field's largest geysers
The geysers are natural vents for magma that heats up an underground water source
The geysers are natural vents for magma that heats up an underground water source. The steam is released at 85 degrees Celsius, or 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
A dreadlocked visitor takes a break next to one of the largest geysers
A dreadlocked visitor takes a break next to one of the largest geysers
Tatio Geysers
The Tatio Geysers can reach up to 30 feet
While not the largest geyser field in the world, the surrounding scenery makes it one of the most spectacular to visit
While not the largest geyser field in the world, the surrounding scenery makes it one of the most spectacular to visit
An optional dip in a natural hot spring is a popular activity. There are no changing rooms, so plan ahead, or prepare to bare your bottom.
An optional dip in a natural hot spring is a popular activity. There are no changing rooms, so plan ahead, or prepare to bare your bottom.
One last look at El Tatio Geysers in Chile's Atacama Desert
One last look at El Tatio Geysers in Chile's Atacama Desert

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About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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Comments

  2. Ben says

    November 27, 2013 at 2:36 am

    hi, how would I get to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile from Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

    please let me know your suggestions by plain vs bus?

    thanks

    • Dave says

      November 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm

      Hi Ben, I traveled to San Pedro by plane from Santiago. I’m not familiar with Rio Gallegos in Argentina.

    • Dave says

      March 4, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      The 4am departure was to catch the sunrise. We drove most of the way in the pitch dark, with just the headlights to light the way. If you have your own 4×4, maybe you could do it alone, but I would plan to go with a group.

    • Dave says

      March 5, 2014 at 10:58 am

      To be honest, I can’t remember if the road was paved the whole way. You can ask around once you’re in San Pedro to get better advice.

  6. Si Salter says

    March 8, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    Hi, love this post. I hope you don’t mind I’ve added the link and a few lines to my post: STEP 294 – See the El Tatio Geysers and Atacama Desert, Chile. Hope to send some more page views your way.

    We’d love you to share your story from your visit by joining our STEPS challenge. You might even make our Top 100 travellers list.

    Thanks again and happy travels.

    Si

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