TGIF! Today I want to talk about an image that I shot on my most recent trip abroad to the beautiful country of Chile. I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Chile as part of a FAM trip (a.k.a. familiarization trip) hosted by Turismo Chile alongside 8 other travel professionals. I spent 7 days in Chile, visiting the vibrant capital city of Santiago, Colchagua Valley, famous for its wine and vineyards, and the unique and expansive Atacama Desert.
Chile, which is more than 10 times longer than wide and offers some 2,650 miles of coastline, features some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes I’ve ever seen. To be honest, it was not a country that was on my radar. Of course I was familiar with and interested in destinations like Easter Island and Patagonia, but I knew very little about Santiago, Colchagua, or the Atacama. After immersing myself in the landscape and culture of Chile, I would highly recommend a visit. With its friendly and welcoming people, delicious cuisine, wide selection of locally made wine, and tons of attractions ranging from cultural to active to R & R, Chile really has something for everyone.
The true highlight for me was the 4 days that I spent in the Atacama Desert. The Atacama, which is the driest desert in the world, sits between the Andes Mountains and Chilean Coast Range in northern Chile. It’s a truly unique destination featuring a variety of terrain perfect for more active pursuits. I shot this image at a geyser field located within the Andes known as El Tatio, meaning “the oven” in Quechua. El Tatio encompasses over 80 active geysers, which fill the sky with plumes of white-gray steam. Unlike Yellowstone, you can walk within feet of each geyser allowing full 360° viewing opportunities. The field was like a dream. With the Andes as its backdrop, the rising steam played out like a dramatic motion picture. With relatively few visitors at that time, it was possible to really savor the experience and enjoy the quiet and tranquil landscape. With steady streams flowing from each individual geyser, the dry and rocky ground was painted with warm dripping water. I was immediately drawn to the contrast of the steam against the sky and the reflective water that was streaming throughout.
If you ever find yourself interested in traveling to South America, don’t let the popularity of countries such as Brazil, Peru, or Argentina blind you to the amazing opportunities that await in the beautiful country of Chile. You definitely won’t be disappointed. Thanks for reading!
Camera: Nikon D610 – Aperature: f/11 – Shutter Speed: 1/500 – ISO: 200
Katie, Amazing photo.
This is beautifully written. You have really captured Chile. I know. I was standing next to you. Haha.
XO,
Cathy