Explore Atacama from a Luxury Lodge

This itinerary is an example of how you could spend your time on this all-inclusive experience. Please see the full list of day excursions on the excursions page.

Day 1: Transfer from Calama Airport to San Pedro de Atacama; Walk at Salt Hills

After arriving at Calama Airport, you'll be taken by a private-shared transfer to your luxury hotel on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll pass through incredible rock formations en route to the small oasis town of San Pedro located at 2,440m/8,000ft above sea level.

On your first afternoon you’ll be taken on a relaxing drive, followed by a short walk, to the Salt Hills (Cordillera de Sal), named after the area’s marine geological history. The shapes, sizes and variety of rock colours are impressive and provide some wonderful photographic opportunities. Your lodge guide will recount the region's diverse history.

Length of hike: 30mins
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Explora Atacama

Day 2: Morning hike at Puritama; evening horse ride at Chula sand dunes

Following a hearty breakfast, you’ll drive eastwards, climbing towards the majestic volcanoes that are the backdrop to San Pedro. You’ll arrive at the Puritama creek and gorge; a delightful oasis in such a barren landscape.

From here you’ll hike up the valley, following the creek, which leads you past immense cacti until you reach the small hot springs were you can relax for a short while.

Length of hike: 2hrs, 3.4km/2.1 miles
Hike elevation gain/loss: +231m/-60m
Hike difficulty: Easy

Your vehicle will then take you back to your lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, meet with your horse guides and head off on horseback to the Salt Hills. You’ll cross the San Pedro river, ride across sand dunes and enjoy superb views of the Andes mountains and the oasis. Your return journey follows a dry riverbed to reach Explora across the pampa.

Length of horse ride: 2hrs 30mins, 9.2km/5.7 miles
Horse ride difficulty: Easy
Horse ride elevation gain/loss: +114m/-114m

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Explora Atacama

Day 3: Early morning Tatio Geyser visit; afternoon bike ride to Catarpe

Today will start early as you leave the lodge between 6.30-7am and head across the Andean plateau in order to arrive at the impressive Tatio geysers for sunrise.

You’ll walk through the Tatio reserve to reach the hot springs from where the iconic geysers rise.

Length of hike: 2.4km/1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy

Your vehicle will return you to Explora.

In the afternoon you’ll enjoy a bike ride to Catarpe. Leaving the lodge, you’ll cycle to the San Pedro River and follow it through an old fortress (Quitor Pukará) before zigzagging across the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) - a canyon in the Salt Hills.

From Catarpe we retrace our route back to Explora.

Length of ride: 2hrs 30mins, 18km/11.1 miles
Elevation gain/loss: +244m/-244m
Difficulty: Easy

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Explora Atacama

Day 4: Morning hike to Punta del Inca; afternoon visit Chaxa salt flats

This morning you’ll be driven to Guatín, where the Puritama and Purifica rivers meet and also the source of the Vilama River. You’ll walk through the ‘Valley of the Cacti’ - a canyon filled with stunning, giant cacti.

On your descent through the canyon, you’ll cross the river on several occasions and pass by numerous waterfalls.

Length of hike: 3.8km/2.3 miles
Elevation gain/loss: +84m/-223m
Difficulty: Moderate

Your vehicle will then take you back to your lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon you’ll take a van to Toconao village, located south of San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll explore the village, from the main square and on through vegetable gardens.

The van will then take you to Chaxa Lagoon in the Los Flamencos National Reserve - an perfect place for spotting the birds who make their home on the Atacama salt flats.

Length of excursion: 4hrs 30 mins
Length of walk: 2.3km/1.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Explora Atacama

Day 5: Transfer to Calama Airport

Your private-shared transfer from the lodge will take you back to Calama Airport between 7am and 12:30pm for your flight and onward travel. We recommend a flight departing after 2pm.

If you require a transfer outside of these times it will be considered a private transfer and will be charged for accordingly.

Meals: Breakfast