San Pedro de Atacama

From World travel guide

San Pedro de Atatcama is famous all over Chile for being popular with international visitors. Visitors come in large numbers to use the town as a stepping stone to the amazing landscapes around it. Prices in any of the laid back bars and restaurants compare with a normal western European city.

Do

• Dozens of identical firms will offer to whisk you off in a transit van or jeep to "take pictures" of the landscapes. Watch out for campsite owners trying to over charge you.

• Horseriding or cycling around San Pedro, but make sure you choose your ride leader from a stable and not one of the many agents in town. follow old Inca trails, sandstone canyons, cycle out to the valle de la luna

Get out

Alternatively, hire a car in the town one stop before San Pedro (forgotten the name, it's the town where you can catch a train to Bolivia). With a 4x4 you can visit some very remote sites with live volcanoes, the salt plains, geysers and hot springs. Bring a spare.

If the nearby salt plains appeal, take the 3 or 4 day train ride to Bolivia (bring warm clothes!). The amazing train is essentially a cargo train that carries a handful of Bolivian peasants between the coast and the altiplano, but it provides an incredible vista. Do it with someone you like

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