Atacama. Vado Putana
Atacama. Geyser Valley El Tatio
Atacama. San Pedro and Laguna Cejar
It was nice to relax and drive around, but we came in the Atacama for acclimatization in the first place, so it was time to climb something.
As a warm-up mountain, we choose Cerro Toco, the stratovolcano in 6 km from the Bolivian border. Technically it is very easy, just simple hike; very close to San Pedro (about an hour drive); the 5000 meters elevation can be reached by car (there is the observatory on the mountain slope). The altitude of the mountain is 5604 meter that is good for acclimatization. Cerro Toco is popular among local guides, who use it for tourists who want to try high altitude without mountaineering training.
In the morning we came to the observatory and left our car. Couple other cars already were there; we outrun those guys later.
Going up.
The desert around us.
The summit ahead.
The trail is definitely used very often.
My companions. The observatory below.
With such trail, it is very difficult to lose the way.
The landscape is a little monotonous.
Passed the guided group.
Ascended on the ridge. Here is Bolivia.
Chile again.
The summit.
We are on the summit.
Waving good-buy to Bolivia.
Going down.
It took half of the day including the driving. The second half we spent near the swimming pool.
To be continued …
