Calama’s Coolest Outdoor Activities: Top 5 Picks

Calama, alright, that place might be more than just a jumping-off point to the Atacama. Believe it or not, very few people are fully aware of the cool outdoor stuff you, like your average tourist, can get up to near Calama. I mean, as a matter of fact, Calama isn’t exactly world-famous as, basically, the ultimate adventure hub. Yet, so, it acts like, basically, a gateway to experiences in one of the driest, highest, and, I mean, like, just overall fascinating terrains you’ve probably, arguably, never imagined. And very, very few other locales offer, that, pretty much, the same range of opportunities within easy reach. So, if you are wanting a vacation loaded with things to remember, trust me, Calama and its area won’t let down!

Stargazing in the Atacama Desert

Very little on this planet matches looking at stars within the Atacama. First, the extreme aridity makes for practically zero cloud cover, okay? It, more or less, does wonders, very, for getting really transparent night skies. Second, at the high elevation it definitely feels like you are, sort of, much, much nearer the stars to start with! Lastly, and as a matter of fact, faraway from light sources, well, you, like your tourist, might see planets you cannot really see closer to town. Tours leave from Calama, often with astronomers, really. And, like, you may gaze through potent telescopes and understand the cosmos; honestly, it’s actually fairly cool and very educational. Any visitor may gain memories by the tour!

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Exploring the El Tatio Geysers

Rise extra early (really, REALLY early!), well, for getting to El Tatio. It tends to be, basically, the biggest geyser location on earth, and, honestly, watching steam blasts emerge on a really early, frosty morning gives a, kinda, very otherworldly experience. It usually has such strong thermal contrast, really; the freezing air as compared to that very hot geothermal stuff. Remember a camera, basically, that has some type of decent cold-weather tolerance for those batteries. Very few visitors overlook this and honestly, and you’re really likely not to forgive that!

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Sandboarding at Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley)

Ok, a thing you can enjoy here? Forget all the spooky stuff linked with that title; it, pretty much, only references its harshness. Death Valley happens as, sort of, the setting for extreme sandboarding, and, well, as a matter of fact, sliding at high speed over truly enormous dunes really provides, literally, a rush like no other, sort of. Operators around Calama supply gear plus assistance; very often included is instruction and even, arguably, transport out, kinda. Any traveler could experience what professionals experience at Death Valley, sort of.

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Mountain Biking the Atacama Desert Trails

If bicycles happen to be your thing, well, just think about this! Many tour operators rent equipment appropriate as per your skill for use right, like, on these trails that ring the outskirts outside of Calama. They, arguably, happen across fairly smooth packed sand that extends to rockier trails with more, pretty much, serious rises or, sometimes, technical regions too. Always confirm maps ahead, alright. Bring additional water always; in other words, stay hydrated. You tend to burn kilojoules without feeling much as you happen, typically, not sweating so much right away due it, okay, just like your typical dry conditions. In all honesty you don’t want, in other words, the risks there!

Read our full review: Atacama Desert Mountain Biking Trails Full Review and Details

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Trekking to the Puritama Hot Springs

Do you wanna dial things way down? Do you wanna de-stress after, for instance, a hardcore biking run or, okay, an arduous sandboarding challenge? Here’s an alternative for relaxing at naturally thermo-heated waters existing throughout 8 pools right at Puritama’s Springs north-west near San Pedro. Apparently, the steady heat has some, kind of, really soothing mineral qualities so, basically, these definitely feel lovely! Arrange this later on the trip to sort of refresh yourself ahead of traveling towards whatever, typically, your usual day!

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• Stargazing: Definitely enjoy incredibly pristine dark skies in a planetarium atmosphere.
• El Tatio: Consider taking in steaming geysers right around sun rise.
• Sandboarding: Like maybe tackle that super large Death Valley for awesome adrenaline bursts!
• Bike Tours: Seriously explore every biking circuit on offer ranging off easy rides nearly as advanced rides.
• Heated springs: Puritama has such cool therapeutic alternatives well worth making time later during the visit, I mean.

Read our full review: Puritama Hot Springs Full Review and Details