Tierra Atacama

ATACAMA, CHILE

THE PERSONALITIES

Desert dreamers. Stargazers. Photographers. Adventure seekers. Quiet contemplatives.

MOMENTS

Landscapes that make you emotional. Unobstructed views of Licancabur Volcano. Moon-like valleys. Clear night skies. Millions of stars.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

The Atacama is at its best from March to May and September to November—shoulder seasons when temperatures are mild, skies are clear, and the desert feels endless. Winter nights are crisp but unforgettable; summer days are dry, bright, and perfect for adventure.

COST

WHY STAY

Tierra Atacama is a boutique desert hotel located 2,407 metres above sea level in Northern Chile. Enjoy views of the Andes, nearby volcanoes, and the infinite desert. The architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape, using local stone, volcanic rock, and natural wood to create a home that feels rooted yet refined. Interiors are minimal but warm: stone floors, handwoven textiles, and terraces that frame sunrise and sunset alike.

All rooms are inspired by Atacama landscapes, with nude and cocoa accents, Tierra’s signature outdoor showers, and private terraces boasting stunning views of Licancabur Volcano or the Cordillera de Sal. The scenery is reflected throughout, indoors and out, for a true nature-inspired experience. Visit the Uma Spa for unique treatments, like Reiki and Crystal Massage, complemented by rica rica herbal tea or chilled cucumber water. Or spend the afternoon in a wicker hammock under ancient desert trees. Indulge in meals crafted from local ingredients, slow mornings watching flamingos skim salt lakes, and starlit nights that invite deep contemplation.

WHY WANDER

The Atacama Desert is every explorer’s dream, where you can wander on foot, horseback, bike, or 4x4. Hike the Cordillera de la Sal through surreal, moon-like landscapes, or climb the sand dunes of Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley). Take a rewarding soak in the hot springs of Puritama, or discover the colourful Rainbow Valley (Valle Arcoiris). Hike Licancabur Volcano and encounter flamingos or llamas along the way. Have lunch at the striking salt flats of Salar de Tala. End your days with unique stargazing experiences in one of the clearest skies on Earth. Each journey is a mix of awe, adventure, and quiet reflection.

INDULGE IN

Enjoy the flavours of the Atacama with locally inspired Chilean cuisine, crafted from ingredients sourced from the surrounding desert and Andes foothills. Enjoy handmade empanadas filled with seasonal ingredients, or treat yourself to a slice of sweet kuchen cake paired with a perfectly brewed coffee. Toast to your desert adventures with a glass of Chilean wine, each sip reflecting the unique terroir of this high-altitude region. Don’t miss Tierra Atacama’s signature Rica Rica Sour cocktail: a refreshing, herbal creation that captures the essence of the desert in a glass.

GETTING THERE

Begin your journey by flying into Santiago, Chile, where the city’s energy contrasts with the quiet of the desert ahead. From Santiago, take a two-hour domestic flight to Calama, the gateway to the Atacama. Upon arrival, Tierra Atacama arranges a private transfer through the dramatic desert landscapes, winding past salt flats, volcanoes, and desert plains.

WILD INITIATIVES

Tierra Atacama was the first hotel in South America to produce solar-powered electricity. This stunning desert retreat, nestled within the rugged beauty of the Atacama Desert, places a strong emphasis on minimizing its environmental impact and fostering a deep connection to the natural surroundings. The hotel's architecture integrates seamlessly with the desert landscape, using local materials and eco-friendly design elements. It's powered by solar panels, reducing its carbon footprint and reliance on conventional energy sources. Tierra Atacama also focuses on conserving water, a precious resource in this arid region, and employs various eco-friendly practices in waste management and recycling. Furthermore, the hotel engages in local community initiatives, supports local artisans, and offers cultural experiences that celebrate the heritage of the Atacama region. Visitors to Tierra Atacama have the opportunity to connect with the desert's unique ecosystem while knowing they are treading lightly in this fragile and beautiful environment.

*Images property of Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa

AWASI ATACAMA

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

THE PERSONALITIES

Adventurers. Stargazers. Quiet seekers. Photographers. Desert dreamers.

MOMENTS

Steam rising at dawn from El Tatio geysers. Stars blanketing the desert night. Flamingos mirrored in salt flats. Silence echoing in Moon Valley.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

The Atacama Desert is a year-round destination, with each season casting a different spell. From December to February, warm days and clear skies make it ideal for stargazing. March to May brings cooler air and golden desert light, perfect for hiking and photography. Winter (June to August) sees crisp nights and surreal clarity in the skies, with fewer crowds. September to November is a sweet spot for pleasant temperatures, flamingo sightings, and vibrant desert blooms after rare rains.

COST

WHY STAY

Awasi Atacama is a desert sanctuary where luxury and authenticity meet in one of the world’s most otherworldly landscapes. Set in the heart of San Pedro, the retreat is defined by its deep connection to land, culture, and ecology. Each villa, crafted from adobe, stone, and wood, blends seamlessly into the desert terrain, offering privacy, stillness, and sweeping views of mountains and skies ablaze with stars. The experience is intimate and highly personal, with every detail rooted in honoring place.

The architecture here is an ode to the desert itself. Inspired by traditional Atacameño dwellings, the villas and common spaces echo the earthy tones of sand and clay, designed to merge into the landscape rather than stand apart. Rounded walls soften corners into curves, open-air courtyards channel desert breezes, and natural materials ground the interiors in authenticity. It is a design language of humility and harmony, proving that luxury can be found in simplicity and in respect for the land.

Awasi’s philosophy is built around balance: ecological responsibility, cultural respect, and wellbeing. Stargazing becomes meditation. Silence becomes wellness. Nights here dissolve into constellations, and days unfold in rhythm with the desert.

WHY WANDER

Every journey here is tailor-made. From the moment you arrive, a private guide and 4x4 vehicle are assigned to you, ensuring that your itinerary mirrors your curiosities. This means freedom: to bike across vast plains, to climb dunes and try sandboarding, to sit in the glow of Moon Valley or Death Valley as light transforms stone into fire.

Soak in the thermal pools of Puritama, watch geysers erupt at dawn at El Tatio, or share a picnic at Salar de Tara as flamingos drift across the salt flats. Trace the hues of Rainbow Valley, wander ancient lava fields, or circle the shadow of the Licancabur Volcano. Every outing feels expansive yet personal, balancing adrenaline with awe.

INDULGE IN

Dining at Awasi Atacama is a celebration of the desert’s hidden abundance. Menus are crafted with ingredients sourced from local producers and infused with Andean traditions, reinterpreted through contemporary techniques. Expect vibrant flavors born of quinoa, corn, purple potatoes, chañar (a meaty, sweet fruit). Meals are intimate and memorable, whether enjoyed in the shade of an adobe courtyard or beneath a canopy of stars and paired with Chilean wines from across the valleys and mountains.

GETTING THERE

Fly into Calama Airport (CJC), about a 90-minute drive from San Pedro de Atacama. From there, Awasi arranges private transfers through desert roads, leading you into the heart of the Atacama.

GREEN FACTOR

Awasi is a leader in conservation-focused hospitality. The property offsets the carbon footprint of each stay and protects over 300 hectares of native forest in Patagonia, creating wildlife corridors for endangered species like the puma. Locally, the hotel sources building materials, crafts, and cuisine from the Atacameño community, ensuring that cultural heritage and ecological balance remain at the heart of the guest experience.

*Images property of Awasi Atacama

EXPLORA Atacama

ATACAMA, CHILE

The Personalities

Desert explorers. Stargazers. High-altitude hikers. Photographers. Adventure seekers. Reflective travellers.

Moments

"A place so vast, that time and direction seem to have no meaning". Deep desert silence. Feeling small and significant at the same time. Salt flats stretching to the horizon. Flamingos wading in turquoise lagoons. Hot springs steaming under a cobalt sky. Bicycle rides across volcanic valleys. Night skies so clear they feel infinite.

Best Visiting Months

The best time to visit is from March to May and September to November, when temperatures are mild, skies are clear, and the desert feels boundless. Summer days are bright and dry, while winter nights bring crisp, starlit clarity, perfect for celestial exploration.

Cost

Why stay

Rising from the Pacific Ocean to the base of the Andes, Explora Atacama sits in the Ayllu de Larache near the village of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the middle of the desert at 2,500 metres above sea level. Choose from 50 beautifully designed rooms with views of the Salt Mountains, rolling desert plains, or the surrounding countryside. Nestled within otherworldly landscapes, the hotel offers a gateway to one of the most arid yet mesmerizing environments on Earth. Its architecture blends seamlessly with the natural terrain, framing uninterrupted views of volcanic peaks, desert valleys, and salt flats from every corner.

Relax in one of the hotel’s four interconnected pools, surrounded by lush native vegetation. During the cooler months, warm up in the sauna or steam room, or unwind in the open-air jacuzzi after a long hike. With some of the clearest skies in the world overhead, the hotel’s Observatory invites celestial exploration and stargazing that feels truly infinite. Every detail—from materials to layout—is designed to immerse you fully in the desert, making Explora not just a place to stay, but a portal into the Atacama itself.

Why wander

The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth, a land of stark contrasts, endless horizons, and surreal landscapes that feel lifted from a National Geographic spread. Explora Atacama offers 37 different guided explorations, allowing you to tailor your adventure to your preferred pace and difficulty. Wander on foot, horseback, or bicycle, and embrace both physical and inner journeys alike.

Recommended excursions include the Puritama hot springs, Guatín-Puritama (half-day hike), and Quebrada de Nacimiento (full-day hike). For high-altitude thrill, climb Cerro Toco (half-day ascent). Horseback riders will thrill to Quebrada del Diablo, while cyclists can traverse Piedra de la Coca. Don’t miss Salar de Atacama—the largest salt flat in Chile—where the vast Altiplano opens up with wetlands, salt lakes, and geysers. Each exploration is a mix of wonder, discovery, and unforgettable desert magic.

Indulge in

Chilean wine over meals inspired by local tradition. Traditional BBQ in the old adobe house, featuring spit-roasted lamb, beef, and fish. Every meal celebrates the desert’s local flavours and centuries of Andean culinary heritage.

Getting There

Fly into Santiago, Chile, then take a two-hour connecting flight to Calama. From there, an Explora team member will drive you approximately one hour through desert vistas to reach the hotel, where your Atacama adventure begins.

WILD INITIATIVES

The hotel's dedication to sustainable practices, including solar power generation and efficient water management, ensures that your exploration of this extraordinary landscape is done with the utmost respect for nature.

“Atacama Andean student residence: Internado Andino. The Puritama hot springs highlight any Explora Atacama trip, but they are much more than just that. For ten years, Explora has supported the Andean Student Residence in Calama, for young Lickan Antay students from rural areas where high school education is not available. With the support of Explora and other organizations, the managing body (the Atacamenian Peoples Council) has been able to keep the boarding school open, giving accommodation and catering to 25 local and regional students per year.”

*Photos property of EXPLORA ATACAMA