El Tatio Geysers & Machuca from San Pedro de Atacama

Discover one of the highest-elevation geyser fields in the world! Watch all around you as over 100 geysers huff and puff, spewing explosive streams of water and gas into the frigid air. The El Tatio Geyser Field stands just over 14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile and getting there is half the fun. You’ll travel up windy scenic mountain roads surrounded by snow covered active and dormant volcanic peaks along the way. Magma beneath the surface acts to heat an underground source of water resulting in an explosive release of pressure.

As you walk through the fields, steam rising all around, the ethereal environment will have you feeling like you’re on another planet. The local animal life of the geyser field are awe-inspiring as well, demonstrating that beauty can thrive even in such harsh conditions. Geyser field run off empties into emerald green, geothermal ponds and small streams that trickle down toward lower altitudes. A trip to the third largest geyser field in the world is an experience you won’t soon forget!