Explora Atacama Desert Lodge
Location
The lodge’s oasis location gives it the distinct advantage of access to water in this parched region while serving as a base to experience the dramatic salt flats, steaming geysers, wind-sculpted landscapes, and ancient archaeological sites of the Atacama Desert.
It’s also a great starting point for a unique ‘travesia’ journey over the border with Bolivia to the Uyuni salt flats.
Accommodation
There are 50 rooms and suites at the lodge, with eight of the interconnecting Tulur rooms ideal for families. All are spacious, but for those who want 50% more room, the Catur suites are the pick of the bunch and also come with balconies.
Around the communal areas, you’ll find similarly calming, minimalist spaces, with clean blonde wood floors, low-slung coffee tables and deco chairs to sink into. The large and stylish dining room has the air of a cafeteria – appropriate for guests whose priorities are adventurous – but the haute cuisine food is anything but standard.
Restful and cool lounge areas, along with a tranquil spa with steam baths and outdoor hot tubs, might seem like the full complement of this piece of paradise, but there’s more. The lodge has its own astronomical observatory featuring a Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced RD telescope.
Experiences
Each experience is led by expert local guides who not only know the land intimately but are also passionate advocates for its preservation. Their deep knowledge of the region’s landscapes, wildlife and traditions makes every outing as enriching as it is exciting. Here are just a few of the many experiences we can arrange for you:
- For those who aren’t venturing to Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, Chile’s own huge salt flat – Salar de Atacama – is a phenomenal excursion.
- Hikes in the Vilama River Canyon, carved by the waters that feed the oasis of San Pedro, take you to waterfalls and slopes adorned with giant cardons cacti, some of which are 1,000 years old.
- Surrounded by swaying fountain grasses, the Puritama hot springs are a pure and natural indulgence for those who want to soak away their cares.
- An excursion to Quebrada de Nacimiento will allow you to see the fascinating stone pillars of Monjes de la Pakana, visit a salt works, and spot flamingos and vicuñas on the shores of Laguna de Tara.
- Get some altitude under your belt with a hike up Cerro Toco volcano. At about 5,600 metres above sea level, its summit zone is home to the Atacama Cosmology Telescope.
- The Quebrada del Diablo (Devil’s Ravine), a deep and dramatic cleft in the Sal Mountains, is ideal for an adventure on horseback, though there are dozens of other possible equine destinations.
- Near to the lodge is the pre-Columbian Pukará de Quitor archaeological site, a settlement dating from the 12th century that resisted the Spanish conquistadors for more than 20 years.
A Travesia Journey
Looking out over the largest high-altitude salt flat on the planet, Explora’s Uyuni Lodge on the slopes of Tunapa volcano is a worthy destination. In between the Chilean overture and the Bolivian finale, your journey can take in two more of Explora’s mountain lodges, along with the remote and spectacular environments that surround them.
For more details, read our trip idea: Journey through Chile and Bolivia.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
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