The Atacama Desert stretches 960 kilometers (600 miles) south from the border of Peru and its average width is less than 160 kilometers (100 miles) wide between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. It is basically a rainless plateau that is made up of salt lakes, lava flows and sand. It is noted to be the driest place on earth, with some places where no human has ever recorded a single drop of rain and with dry river beds that have not seen water in 120,000 years. The dryness of the desert and the abundant natural mineral resources provide the perfect environment for preservation. The land offers up relics and artifacts today, evidence of man's inhabitation of the desert for thousands of years. Some of the oldest mummies on earth have been found in the Atacama, one over 9000 years old. Huge geoglyphic paintings adorn the hillsides and ruins of Indian fortresses and sacred Inca sites dot the landscape.

Stage 1 – 41.4km
Starting on a salt flat at approximately 3000m competitors race over the undulating foothills of nearby volcanoes gradually descending through narrow canyons. On their decent competitors will pass ancient rock carvings before the canyons open and the first plateau is traversed. On reaching the far side of the plateau the course winds its way through more canyons passing more ancient rock carvings before reaching the site of the second campsite overlooking a river gorge.

Stage 2 – 41.8km
From the second campsite the course takes competitors through the spectacular gorge and down into the river itself in places before making a slow and painful climb. The breathtaking views quickly easy the pain as competitors snake their way along a ridge from which one can see the open salt flats on one side and the breathtaking volcanoes in the distance on the other. A spectacular dune surprise greets competitors as they drop off the ridge and head in the direction of the infamous salt flats. The finishing point of the day is a simply breathtaking campsite on banks of one of the salt lagoons.

Stage 3 – 40km
Stage 3 takes the course in a new direction through a variety of terrain from loose sand to dense bush. Eventually hugging the foothills of the nearby Alma project the course leads to a plateau overlooking the Salar (salt flats), which is home for the night.

Stage 4 – 42.8km
Stage 4 starts off similar to that of the previous day with the course taking competitors along the foothills before dropping them into a beautiful slot canyon with a small river. Competitors then make their way through a town to be confronted with endless salt flats. Pushing through the razor sharp salt another stunning campsite greets them situated on the banks of the largest lagoon in the Salar.

Stage 5 – 73.6km
Stage 5 takes competitors over the western end of the Salar before heading up and over a spectacular lunar plateau guarded by dunes. After the crossing the course winds its way through the night towards the Moon Valley where it guides competitors through a maze of slot canyons and steep drops before ending on the side of a large gorge.

Stage 6 – 10.4km
The final leg of the of the race is a short 'sprint' through the foothills and through the charming town of San Pedro de Atacama to end in the Town Square.

• Twenty one countries will be represented by Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2008 competitors
• The youngest competitor is 21 and the eldest is 63 years old
• 84% of the competitors are male; 16% are female
• Approximately one third of the competitors hail from the Asia, one third from North America and one third from Europe
• Six continents are represented: Asia, Africa, Australia/New Zealand, North America, South America and Europe
• The largest contingent of competitors hails from the United Kingdom, followed by the United States
• South Africa is fielding its largest contingent ever with seven.
• Three competitors will be attempting to be the first to complete the 4 Deserts in one calendar year: South African Paul H. Liebenberg, Dane Jimmi Olsen, and American Dean N. Karnazes
• Joey Kelly, a well know singer from Germany, will be competing in his second 4 Deserts event (a German television crew will follow Joey)
• Kyoung Tae Song, a blind competitor from Korea, will be participating in his third 4 Deserts event (he has successfully completed the Sahara Race and the Gobi March; a leading Korean television channel, KBS, will follow Kyoung Tae) – Kyoung Tae will be led by his 21-year-old son
• The official team from Chile is Team Brunton/Gerber/Andesgear – the team is sponsored by Fiskars Brands, owner of the highly-respected Brunton and Gerber brands
• Intel will be providing special Classmate laptops for the Cybertent
• Medical Director, Brandee L. Waite, M.D., of the University of California at Davis will be working at her eight 4 Deserts event
• The Atacama Desert is 15 million years old and 50 times more arid than California's Death Valley
• Some of the oldest mummies found on earth come from the Atacama, dating as far back as 9000 years
• Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2008 competitors, volunteer and staff will consume more than 7,000 liters of water over seven days
• The entire race will be held at least one mile (1600m) above sea level and cover the distance required to make a horizontal crossing of the country of Chile (250 kilometers)
• The day time temperatures expected are 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) while night time temperatures may drop to 16 Celsius (61 Fahrenheit) or lower
• The Atacama Desert has the most lunar-like landscape on Earth and is frequently used by NASA to test its Mars rover vehicles
• The Atacama Crossing is the most renowned outdoor event in Chile