To two places on this trip, I‘ve visited before, I wanted to come back because I liked them so much the first time. Atacama with the Salar de Uyuni and the Iguazu Falls. So arriving in Santiago I did a detour flying to Calama and back to spend 5 days in this fascinating area, an experience that was only shortly spoiled by “The Worst Band Ever” (more below)
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My expectation was not very high when I arrived in Santiago having heard it´s a large polluted city which lacks the charm of Buenos Aires or Rio. This is probably the reason why I was positively surprised walking around in the interesting markets, the hipp and bustling neighborhoods of Bellavista and Lastarria with their many cafes, restaurants and bars or the viewpoints at Santa Lucia Hill and San Cristobal Hill which both offer a snow covered mountain scenery just at the doorsteps of Santiago. Luckily the weather condition was favorable too, avoiding the smog cover that often is over Santiago.
This is one of two places of my trip I‘ve been before. The desert area between San Pedro and Uyuni in Bolivia, with its colorfully lagoons and huge salt planes, impressed me so much back in 1998 that I decided to visit again. San Pedro, already a touristy spot in 1998 became even more touristy full of travel agencies selling the same tours, hostels and restaurants. Luckily to some regulations it still managed to preserve a sort of desert town charm with its earthy toned single story buildings. It has a reputation of being an expensive city for Chilien standards and this is probably true, although I found at least the tours fairly priced.
There are a couple of options for tours around S.P. I went on an afternoon tour to the close by Valle de Luna (so so) and did a day tour to the Piedras Rojas. Especially the later one is a good option in case there is not enough time for the classical 3 day tour to Uyuni. Missing out the stunning salt plane (Salar de Uyuni) it gives at least a good impression of the colored lagoons and the flamingos in a similar area. Be prepared for a cold and VERY windy trip and maybe some headache due to the altitude of 4200 meters.
Yes I know there is an inflation of this kind of pictures on the salt plane but it´s a lot of fun.
Think sharply, why would anyone send a band into the desert? Exactly. Maybe not fair but true, they played really, really bad. Completely unsynchronized. But somehow it was funny (covering the ears) seeing them practicing in the middle of nowhere. I hope for them (and anybody else) they improve.
This cemetery close to Uyuni is a perfect playground for photographers. There is a lot to explore.
The appearance has improved compared to 16 years ago but it´s still not a really nice town. Nevertheless it´s the start or end point for all tours to the salt plane but I would´t stay longer as required.
It´ a long an tiring drive back to San Pedro with no stops. If it works out with the itinerary it´s best to use the tour to cross the boarder between Bolivia and Chile avoiding the return trip. It´s probably on of the most scenic border crossing trips in the world.
© 2026 Beyond All Maps - Portraits of our Planet by Thorsten Mehret
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