Cycling through the Devil’s Throat – Finding perspective in the Atacama

Recently, Julie Harris and I took on La Garganta del Diablo—The Devil’s Throat—in Chile’s Atacama Desert

What an unforgettable adventure it turned out to be

Armed with mountain bikes and a local guide, we set off into the deep red canyons, their winding paths framed by rock formations sculpted by wind and time

The further we rode, the more surreal it became, like cycling across another planet

Each turn revealed something new: towering cliffs, rippling light, and vast views stretching across one of the driest places on Earth

It wasn’t all smooth riding. In some sections, the terrain was so rugged we had to carry our bikes

And, as a curious detail, bikes in Chile have their brakes reversed compared to those in the UK, so flying down a steep descent required a quick mental adjustment to avoid grabbing the wrong lever!

Then there was the heat, thirty degrees, bone-dry, and relentless

Coming from the UK, where “hot” usually means mild sunshine and drizzle, being out under that desert sky was a shock to the system

You don’t really sweat; it just evaporates instantly

Hydration wasn’t optional, it was survival

But those challenges melted away in moments of awe

Out there, surrounded by silence and space, you’re reminded how small you are and how alive you can feel when you step outside your comfort zone

Conclusion: Cycling through the Devil’s Throat wasn’t just a physical adventure, it was a reminder that the real rewards of travel aren’t the miles you cover, but the moments that change how you see yourself and the world

In the vast stillness of the Atacama, I found both