The Atacama Desert occupies a large part of the Chilean
territory north of the 29th parallel. The coastal area,
between Arica and Antofagasta, appears in the Guinness Book
of World Records as the driest place on earth. Nevertheless,
to the south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the desert becomes kinder
towards living beings. The coastal mists, "camanchacas", are more
abundant and bring the humidity necessary for
the maintenance of the coastal scenic vegetation.
Many plants mainly survive because of the "camanchaca", and the harsh
savings of water, in normal dry years, that causes them to delay
important functions such as growth, to favour survival and
reproduction.
When the Pacific Anticyclone, the artificer of the desert,
is displaced to the north by the El Niño current, the miracle
occurs: it starts to rain. Abundant herb and plant life blooms,
revealing the incredible spectacle of the 'flowering desert', covering
the sand with a short lived floral show. This unusual natural phenomena,
which paints a myriad of colours to this arid territory, exposes its
beauty to us from August until, at times, the end of the year, is unique in the world.
Those having experienced the 'flowering desert' know of this miracle, where from night
to dawn, extensive arid zones change into a sea of flowers.
It is not just one type of flower that blooms in the desert. Ephemerids
survive in the form of seeds. Permanently dormant during the dry season,
they germinate, bloom, seed and die over a period of weeks as soon as rain
and temperature allow. They produce the true 'flowering desert', short-lived by definition,
but enough to ensure propagation and preservation of the species.
The great majority of plants in the Atacama Desert are endemic to Chile.
About sixty five million years ago, when the Andean Mountains were lower,
northern Chile enjoyed a tropical and humid climate just as
the rest of South America. About five million years ago,
the gradual growth of the Andean Mountains ended; the Pacific
Anticyclone brings drought to coastal Chile and profoundly modified the vegetation.
Many species disappeared and many species that exist today
appeared. New species appeared and became confined to this unique region, such as
the "Lion's Claw" (Leonthochir Ovallei), found only in a very small area
in the coastal gorges of the provinces of Copiapo and Huasco.
This program is just an example and can only be operated a couple of time per decades when the driest desert of the world is blooming
DAY 1: Santiago - Bahia Inglesa
We meet you at Santiago´s airport and fly to Copiapo.
From here, we drive to Bahia Inglesa for a get
together lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day, we
relax or discover this beautiful Desert Sea Resort. Overnight in hotel (L D).
DAY 2: Pan de Azucar National Park
Today we visit the Pan de Azucar National Park, discovering
several species of cacti and the coastal desert flora and, with some luck,
some of the guanacos and foxes that inhabit the park. Overnight at Bahía Inglesa (B L D).
DAY 3-4: Bahia Salada
We head south to our deluxe camp at Bahia Salada. Bahia Salada is one of
the most remarkable areas with a rich diversity of flora and landscapes,
dominated by the Copiapoa Cactus. It is also the only place where one can find the
beautiful "Lion's Claw" (Leonthochir Ovallei). Overnight at camp (B L D).
DAY 5: Bahia Salada - Vallenar
Along the road to the city of Vallenar we find beautiful
floral gardens, where hundreds of varieties mix together to create
beautiful areas accented by the contrasts in shape and colour with the
Alstroemerias, Añañuncas, Terciopelos, Huillis and many others. Overnight
in hotel (B L D).
DAY 6: Vallenar - Tongoy
Through a land covered with yellow Senecio and purple blankets of Pata de
Guanaco, we drive to the resort of Tongoy. Overnight in hotel in Tongoy. (B L D)
DAY 7: Tongoy
A day to rest, walk and discover the delicious seafood in town.
Overnight in hotel (B L D).
DAY 8: Tongoy - Fray Jorge National Park
Thanks to the "camanchaca", this National park has a remnant forest of
quaternaries, an extremely diverse vegetation and a wide variety of ecosystems.
Overnight in camp (B L D).
DAY 9: Fray Jorge National Park - Los Molles - Pichidangui
Along the road to Los Molles, we observe large fields of indigo and blue
huille. This area hosts several endemic flowers and plants. We continue
to the hotel in Pichidangui (B L D).
DAY 10: Pichidangui - Santiago
On route to Santiago, we enjoy a farewell lunch and arrive in Santiago on
time for your evening departure flight or to continue your journey (B L).
Of particular interest amongst the hundreds of blooming plants
are: the Alstroemerias (the multicoloured Irises); Rhodophilias
(the red and yellow Añañuncas); Nolanas (three coloured Pansies);
Leucocorymnes (spring onions, huilles); Calandrinias (Guanaco Foot)
and Argylias (velvet and cartuchos). In addition, in the southern
extreme of the Atacaman desert, 204 native species bloom, such as:
Garra de León (Leonthochir Ovallei), Pata de Guanaco (Calandrinia
Logiscapa), Don Diego de la Noche (Oenothera Coquimbensis), Retamo,
San Alatodo (Caesalpinia Angulicaules), Flor de Pajarito (Corolla
Violácea), Añañucas (Rhodophialas), La Flor del Minero (Centauria
Chilensis), Los Cuernos de Cabra (Skytanthus Acutus), Cactus
Copiapoa and Huillis (Leucocoryne)
The 'flowering desert' is defined as a
sporadic and limited phenomena. It occurs periodically every
certain number of years and the duration is difficult to predict.
Not all species flower at the same time. If you visit
the area in the middle of September, you find the area dominated by
Huillis, red Añañunca and yellow, orange and dark brown Terciopelos.
At the end of September and the beginning of October, Alstroemerias in
various colours, white and yellow Añañuncas, and the beautiful Garra de
Leon abound.
Available only in September and October.
Rated: Easy
Oriented to avid wild flower watchers,
scientific parties, wildlife photographers and general nature lovers.
No physical demands but soft walks and drives over bad dirty roads.
Included: all transport, flight Santiago-Copiapo, naturalist guide, park fees,
hotels and deluxe camping, specified meals.
Not included : Other meals.
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