Outranked only by Yellowstone, El Tatio is the second largest geyser filed in the Americas. It is also one of the highest. It is located 14,225 feet high in the Chilean Andes, surrounded by active volcanoes. The field contains at least 80 true geysers, and further observation will undoubtedly yield more. The field is notable for having no significantly tall geysers. The tallest eruptions observed have been about six meters high. Regardless of the lack of 'tall' geysers, the large number of geysers and their link to current volcanic activity make it one of the world's largest and unique geyser areas. With the destruction of many of the New Zealand geysers, El Tatio stands as the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere.
The closest town is San Pedro de Atacama, 60 miles to the south, and the safest way to get to the hot springs is to take a guided tour from there. One member of the team (Volker) did just that a couple of years ago.