Chapitre 14:
We visited two very different parts of Chili: the desert and the mountains.
The first part was in the desert of Atacama for 3 days where we horse ridden the cordillera. The desert is the oldest and the driest in the world. It expands on 1000 km on the pacific coast, located in the west of the Andes mountain. It is composed mainly of salt, lava and sand.
This area was under control of Bolivia, Chili and Peru during the Spanish occupation in the 16th, 17th and 18th century. Coast cities became major shipping ports when silver was produced mainly in Potosi, Bolivia. Chile claimed the desert of Atacama and won it after the War of the Pacific.
The second one was in Patagonia on Chile’s side, in Torres del Paine, 3rd biggest national park but most visited. The park mesures 242,242 hectares. Around 150 000 visitors come every year with 60% of foreigners. We trekked the most visited itinerary called W, for its shape, during 5 days. It was beautiful.
Tour Du Monde 