A Desert Hike with a Puritama Hot Springs Finish – in Chile

Not far from the small town of San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, there’s a hike that follows the Rio Puritama. At least they call it a river but it’s not much more than what would be a stream in Canada. Nonetheless over the years it has carved a course through the rock. Now there is a terrific desert hike following the river’s path to the warm water pools and hot springs of Puritama.

For the first 45 minutes or so you hike along the top of the canyon where large saguaro looking cacti stand tall. Then it’s an easy drop down into the canyon. What a difference a little water makes. Suddenly it’s lush and green.

Continue hiking along the canyon bottom for about 40 minutes or until you hit a series of warm pools – the Puritama Hot Springs. These pools are at varying levels – and all have wooden platforms around them. The uppermost pool is reserved for the guests of the Explora Hotel – the company that owns and manages the hot springs. All other pools are available to the native people and to the public on a first come first served basis. The pools are in a natural state, surrounded by big clumps of pampas grass. Water temperatures hover around 33C. The hot springs reputedly have healing properties due to high levels of lithium and other minerals.

You don’t have to hike to the hot springs to enjoy them. In fact most people sign up for a tour in San Pedro de Atacama or visit by car. Then it’s a steep walk down from the parking lot on a dusty road to buildings with change rooms and bathroom facilities. On the day we visited, local families were in abundance – there to enjoy the waters and a picnic.

You can’t help but enjoy this desert hike. It’s not often you get a hot springs finish.

Before you go.

• Don’t enter the pools if you have a heart condition.
• There is an entrance fee of approximately $US10. Take an equivalent amount in Chilean pesos.
• Bring towels.
• Pack scandals as the wooden decking gets uncomfortably hot to walk on.
• If you hike wear long pants so you don’t get scratched up by the grasses.

Leigh McAdam

HikeBikeTravel

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