Hello, everyone! My name is Bella DeShayes, and I'm currently studying abroad in Santiago, Chile through the GW Chile study abroad program. In this post, I'll be sharing some of the highlights of our amazing weekend trip to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Day 1: Thursday, April 13th - Arrival & Valle de la Luna
Early Thursday morning, we departed from Santiago, bidding farewell to our host families. Our destination: San Pedro de Atacama. By afternoon, we arrived at our hotel and took some time to unpack and have lunch. Soon after, we made our way to Valle de la Luna.
Valle de la Luna greeted us with its natural wonders, starting with the notable "Tres Marías," a stone monument near the Cordillera de la Sal. Traditionally associated with the image of three praying sisters, our guide encouraged us to let our imagination roam and see what else these stone formations might resemble. Moving on from the "Tres Marías," we proceeded to climb the sand dunes, reaching their peak just in time to witness a breathtaking sunset.
Day 2: Friday, April 14th - Valle del Arcoiris
The next day we made our way to Valle del Arcoiris, in English, Rainbow Valley. Clay and various minerals flood the hills and rock formations of this unique place with color. We visited the valley and the Salado River, as well as Yerbas Buenas, a place of great historical importance for its petroglyphs. A place of passage for caravans of different indigenous groups, on their routes between the northeast of Argentina or the Bolivian altiplano and the Pacific Ocean, it preserves engravings and zoomorphic and anthropomorphic drawings on the stone.
Day 3: Saturday, April 15th - Geysers and Stargazing
Our Saturday was action-packed, starting bright and early. We departed from our hotel at 5 am to visit the Tatio Geysers, situated at an altitude of 4,320 meters. We witnessed the gasses emanating from the geysers clearly against the backdrop of a stunning sunrise. While exploring the geysers, I unfortunately experienced symptoms of altitude sickness. However, our knowledgeable guide quickly advised me on how to alleviate the discomfort, and I was able to fully enjoy the rest of the day. After our geysers adventure, we indulged in a lovely breakfast in the nearby geometric field.
As the night fell, we embarked on an extraordinary astronomical tour. Located on the outskirts of San Pedro, we visited the home of a French astronomer, who graciously shared her expertise and telescope collection with us. We started with a talk, observing the sky with our naked eyes and learning about constellations and prominent stars. Later, we had the opportunity to peer through the telescopes, spotting Mars, star clusters, and more. Inside, we continued the conversation with our guide, sipping hot chocolate and tea. One of my favorite parts of this tour was hearing the astronomer's opinions on astrology, and her adorable dog tagging along to gaze at the stars alongside us.
Day 4: Sunday, April 16th - La Vivencia Atacameña & Farewell San Pedro
For our final activity, we visited an Atacameño family in the Ayllú de Coyo, a community located about 20 minutes from San Pedro. The family warmly shared their customs, showcasing indigenous traditions, rituals, and their unique food and agricultural practices. We observed their corn cooking techniques, discovering the different meanings behind the types of corn they grow. It was truly fascinating to interact with and learn from the people who continue to uphold the traditions and rituals of their ancestors.
Overall, I was absolutely in awe of our trip to San Pedro de Atacama. The diverse range of activities and the natural beauty of the region made it an unforgettable experience. What made it even better was that everything was meticulously planned and included in the GW Chile program, sparing us the stress of arranging the logistics ourselves.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope you enjoyed reading about our adventures in San Pedro de Atacama!
Isbaella (Bella) DeShayes
GW Chile - Spanish Track
Spring 2023
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major