Atacama
Gorge of Guatín (Quebrada de Guatín)
Continuing towards San Pedro de Atacama, once you leave Machuca, we follow the path that
leads to the gorge Guatín which is 20 km from San Pedro de Atacama. The scenery is spectacular
no longer have the mountains of Tatio and Machuca dryness, and the passage reminiscent of the
films of the American West.
In Guatin the river Purify
gather, a river with icy
waters, which in summer
is appreciated due to high
temperatures. And the
Puritama thermal water,
which
at
low
temperatures is ideal, plus
it contains healing
properties.
These two rivers originate
the Vilama river, hence
the Valley of the Cactus,
whose species echinopsis
atacamensis or San Pedro,
popularly named as they
are known to tall cactus
begins. All the creek is full
of these cactus.
You get there by car and
once in the gorge trek
begins through the forest
of cactus, down to a
canyon of rock formation
and numerous waterfalls.
Walking is an oasis in the
desert, thanks to the
stream.
You walk along a path that
historically was crossed
by caravans of Llamas
transporting goods, for
the same trails where
today walk shepherds
with their sheep.