Day 4 Sunday 25 January Atacama Desert Chile

Bus trip this morning to a high-altitude plateau to visit the Tatio Geysers – all 70 of them!  The snow-capped peaks of the Andes and a stark landscape were the scenery for the journey.

 

On our arrival at altitude, we were advised to move at a slower pace because of the thinner air.  Good advice as it was very easy to feel faint, particularly if bending over.

The geyser field was impressive with swirling clouds of steam rising in the mountain air.

Onward to a picnic lunch overlooking a lagoon where many varies of birds cavorted amongst the vegetation.  A family of vicunas grazed not far from us.  (Vicunas are the smaller, higher-altitude relatives of the llama.)

 

On our return journey, we stopped at a lagoon with elegant flamingos.

A valley of cardons or giant cacti.

Stephen doing his best Indiana Jones impersonation.