- Address: San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile;
- Working hours: from 6:00 to 10:00;
- Height above sea level: 4,200 m.
The valley of the El Tatio geysers is high in the Andes Mountains, on the border with Bolivia. The plateau with the valley is located at an altitude of 4280 meters and is part of the natural reserve of Los Flamencos. Geysers El-Tatio occupy the third place in the list of the world's largest geysers. The total number of geysers is more than 80, the height of their eruptions varies from 70 cm to 7-8 m, but there are geysers that raise the water column to a height of 30 meters! The word "Tatio" in the language of the Indian tribes means "the old man who cries", the name of the valley was due to the similarity of the outlines of one of the mountains to the profile of a man. According to another version of the Incas, who first entered the valley, they decided that spirits and ancestors were crying in this place. In fact, geysers are the result of unceasing volcanic activity on a plateau.
Trip to the El Tatio Geysers
The valley of the Tatio geysers, Chile , differs from other attractions in that its visit is organized in the early morning hours, before sunrise. It's all about the time of activation of geysers - usually it occurs from 6 to 7 o'clock in the morning. The air temperature in the desert at this time falls below zero, and taking into account the piercing wind the weather is not the most pleasant. Warm clothes will easily solve this issue. With the dawn of the sun an amazing picture opens up - a huge valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, from the entrails of which erupt the pillars of steam and water! In addition to the geysers in the valley, you can see the salt outgrowths of bizarre forms and a lake with water, containing various chemical elements and therefore colored in different colors. The soil in the valley is covered with a cracked bark, in addition, it is not known where the next fountain will be hammered. Therefore, it is desirable to move around the valley only along the paths, following the instructions of the guide.
Entertainment in El Tatio
The favorite entertainment of tourists is cooking raw eggs in pools with boiling water. This activity is also relevant because the second point of the excursion after viewing the valley is always breakfast. The water temperature in the geysers reaches 75-95 degrees, so it is better not to stretch your hands to the fountains. In the valley there are thermal pools with warm water, bathing in them is useful for everyone, and especially for people with diseases of the nervous and respiratory systems, rheumatism. This is a specific entertainment (do not forget what the air temperature is at this time over the pool), but it's worth a try. After the dawn, the valley changes beyond recognition, gaining new colors. Many people say that this is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
How to get there?
From the capital to the north of Chile, you can get to one of the daily flights to Antofagasta or Kalam , and then by bus to San Pedro de Atacama (the geyser valley is 80 km from this town). To travel to the valley is best on the tourist bus, and if by car, then only a large company and with an experienced driver from local residents who knows the way.