Llanos de Challe National Park

Llanos de Challe protects a stretch of coastal desert north of Huasco that is bare ground for most of years and, in the right conditions, becomes the desierto florido - the flowering desert - when winter rain reaches a threshold and dormant bulbs and seeds come up together across whole hillsides. The park's particular species is the garra de leon, a scarlet flower found only in this part of the coast and endangered. Flowering does not happen every year: it depends on rainfall, is loosely associated with El Nino years, and cannot be predicted far ahead, so trips are planned at short notice when the news reports it starting.

What you actually see

• A flowering desert in wet years - hillsides of bulbs coming up together.
• The garra de leon - a scarlet endemic, endangered.
• Bare coastal desert otherwise - most years show nothing.
• A coast with guanaco and foxes - the park's permanent wildlife.

When to go

September to October in a flowering year; the event cannot be predicted far ahead. A full day.

Honest expectations

Most years there is no flowering, and even in good years it is patchy and short. Driving or walking off the tracks destroys the plants and is prohibited. Facilities are minimal and roads are gravel. Water must be carried.

Nearby

Huasco is south; Vallenar and route 5 are inland.