Explora Atacama

There are a range of half- and full-day hikes available for all fitness levels. Walk at your own pace and immerse yourself in the natural and cultural landscapes through which you pass.

Hike through areas of large cacti and archaeological ruins, through canyons, wetlands and to geysers. There's no end of unique walking experiences to be had in this region.

Bike excursions allow you to cover a greater distance than hiking. There are options for half- and full-day and from beginner to advanced riders. Some excursions start right from the lodge, whereas others require transport by van to a start point.

Places to visit by bike include the Salt Mountain Range, Moon Valley and Mars Valley and along the San Pedro River.

An excursion on horseback gives a very different perspective on the region. The horses are specially bred and trained by Explora and riders of all abilities are catered for, from absolute beginners to advanced.

Half-day horserides available wioth routes that pass through oases, farming communities, across the San Pedro river and over sand dunes.

On these excursions you’ll be taken by van to numerous locations from where you’ll undertake short-duration hikes. This allows you to access various sites on one trip and experience best of this region.

There are opportunities to visit geysers, the iconic salt-flats, archaeological sites with petroglyphs, to the border with Argentina and lagoons for birdwatching.

Explora is located in Lickan Antay territory, very near the village of San Pedro de Atacama. It's just 10 minutes walk.

The 17-hectare (42-acre) grounds comprise 20 original parcels, some with timeworn pathways and buildings that Explora is committed to preserving out of a profound respect for the area’s original inhabitants.

San Pedro de Atacama boasts some of the world’s clearest skies and is, therefore, one of the best places to practice astronomy.

In 2008 Explora Atacama opened Explora’s observatory, which has since become one of the best private observatories in Chile.

The dome houses a potent and advanced optics telescope - a Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced RD. The main mirror is 40cm in diameter which provides extraordinary resolution and sharpness.

Unfortunately, as of April 2023, the telescope is temporarily out of use.

Dishes at Explora have been designed so that guests can enjoy the best cuisine while still remaining agile and healthy on their excursions.

The best of each product is brought out in the preparation of the food with only high quality ingredients used.

We have a superb collection of Chilean wines to accompany our food and also stock a menu of premium wines should you wish to try an alternative.

Surrounded by pampas grass and other local flora, the pools at the Explora are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the quiet of the desert after a day of exploring.

The temperature of one of the pools ranges from 25-28°C (77-82°F).

Close to the pools are the sauna, steam baths and outdoor hot-tubs.