What makes this the driest desert in the world?Woman in AtacamaThe primary cause is a global climatic phenomenon that creates deserts at this latitude on the western coasts of all continents in the Southern Hemisphere. Large, stable high-pressure systems - the one here known as the Pacific Anticyclone -- hover just off the coast, creating easterly trade winds and pushing storm systems away. Meanwhile, the Humboldt Current carries cold water from Antarctica north along the Chilean coast, cooling the westerly sea breezes, reducing evaporation, and creating a temperature inversion (cold air immobilized below a ceiling of warm air), which prevents the formation of high rain-bearing clouds. What little moisture is borne onward by these ocean breezes condenses along the steep Pacific slopes of the Coast Range, creating highly endemic coastal ecosystems composed of cacti, succulents, and other xerophytic flora. The final factor contributing to the formation of the desert is the Andean cordillera, which in the north forms a broad, high-altitude volcanic plateau known as the Altiplano. But whereas in the south, the Andes serve to capture moisture blowing in off the Pacific, in the north the Altiplano seals Chile off from storms laden with moisture from the Amazon Basin, just to the northeast.
We worked with Franny initially and then once we booked we worked with Phen. Franny was very patient and not pushy as we considered our choices. They both got back to us immediately when we had questions.
Expedition cruises are very weather dependent, we knew we were going to see Glaciers, Marine Life, Landscapes but just didn't know when and where. We had some rain, sleet and snow then followed by absolutely beautiful weather. The captain and expedition team were very conscientious for our safety as well as providing us with a fulfilling and educational experience.
Misti
1 month ago
Adventure Life made the whole trip process smooth and worry free from planning and throughout the entire trip. Communication was excellent and the trip to Chile and Easter Island was amazing. We were able to customize the entire trip and use the experience of other travelers to ensure each day was amazing.
Quinn Johnson
1 month ago
Erin and Juliane have been very helpful. The planning has been smooth and stress-free. My concerns and questions have been answered on a timely manner. I was referred to a booking agent for flights that made it easier to plan international and local flights. There's also a Trip Planner website that provides good information as well as a single location for documents related to this trip.
Noel Mozo
3 months ago
Very prompt replies and very knowledgeable
Christine Guthrie
3 months ago
Adventure Life planned a stunner of a trip for our family ONCE AGAIN! This is our 7th trip with Adventure Life. We chose the Chile North to South adventure with add-ons of Magdalena Island to see the penguins; Las Torres hotel in Patagonia; Calafate, Argentina to see the Perito Moreno glacier and finally, Buenos Aires. We were active every day! Biking in vineyards, trekking at 14,000 ft above sea level and seeing vicuña and vizcacha everywhere after having almost the entire El Tatio geyser park to ourselves, an evening tour viewing the stars and galaxies in the Atacama Desert, River Rafting and hiking between volcanoes and glacial lakes in the mountain lake region of Peurto Varas, hiking the French Valley, Las Torres and riding horses in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, walking on the glacier and drinking glacial water and hearing those thunderous booms of ice calving at Perito Moreno in Calafate, Argentina and biking 30 miles through Buenos Aires to the suburbs where we kayaked the Tigre River Delta. So much fun!! I even wore my adult children out!!