The Atacama Desert in Chile is an area of extraordinary geologic wonder with stunning visual qualities. Crowned by 20,000-foot volcanoes at the top of the Andes, it includes a vast high altiplano sculpted by lava and glaciers. Beautiful alpine lagunas collect some of the water that drains from the peaks. Salars (saltpans), with exotic crusted surfaces, and turquoise water are striking in the vivid light. Geysers send columns of steam high into the early morning sun. And wind-blown sand shapes the eerie landscape in the Valle de Luna and Valle de la Muerte.