The Atacama Desert in 4 days

Over 80 active vents on a plateau at 4,320 metres, the southern hemisphere's largest geyser field, at their most spectacular in the freezing dawn.

Eight natural pools stepped down a gorge at 3,500 metres, fed by a warm river and linked by wooden walkways through the reeds.

A 12th-century Atacameño fortress on a rocky slope 3 km from San Pedro, its stone enclosures stepped above the river and the oasis.

Ridges, craters and dunes carved by wind in the Cordillera de la Sal, where the ground crackles as salt crystals expand in the sun.

Dry air, altitude and no light pollution give one of the world's best night skies, viewed through several telescopes at a site outside the village.

A brine lagoon in the salt flat so salty that you float without effort, leaving a crust of salt on your skin as it dries.

A shallow lagoon in the Los Flamencos reserve where three flamingo species feed: Andean, Chilean and the rarest, James's flamingo.

Two dark blue lakes above 4,100 metres ringed by ochre peaks, reached by track from the village of Socaire, with vicuñas crossing the road.