Parque La Huayca

Parque La Huayca's Province of Tamarugal setting is a remote and peaceful location, almost in the centre of Chile and about 90 kilometres from the famed golden beaches of Iquique. Within easy driving distance is the village of La Tirana, known for its Fiesta de la Tirana, the biggest localised religious festival in the country. It's a Catholic festival celebrating Mary and runs for five days in mid-July, attracting up to a quarter of a million people. Also good for day trips is the oasis town of Pica, 25 kilometres away in the very centre of the desert and famed for its lemons and mangos as well as its freshwater springs: do have a dip in the communal spring in the town, as surface temperatures here reach up to 40°C. Further afield are more thermal waters at Mamiña (97 kilometres), the small Andes village 1,700 metres above sea level with many hot springs of up to 70°C; and the golden Pacific Ocean beaches of Iquique (90 kilometres), including the popular swimming and bodyboarding spot of Cavancha. (Take a colectivo [local bus] from downtown Cavancha or have a stroll south to get to the sunbathing beach of Brava.) Closer to home, the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve a short drive from base covers over 100,000 hectares including a desert forest.