Itineraries

Essentials of Atacama & Uyuni

Atacama is where it all begins. The body starts to settle into the new environment of exploration, passing through the San Pedro oasis, roaring sand dunes and salt esplanades, freshly hued lagoons, and the curious bofedales crowned by silent mountains. Soon enough, we cross the border into Bolivia, finally digging deep into the grand, awe-inspiring Andes.

After days of discoveries and revelations, we reach the Uyuni salt flat and revel in the unequalled landscape of the largest salt flat in the world.

Day 1 - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

We pick you up at the Calama airport and transfer you to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, located at 2,407 meters above sea level/ 7,897 feets above sea level. It is a 1-hour drive to the explora Atacama hotel, where your arrival sparks an immersion in the essence of the remote. After your welcome, we introduce you to the region with a talk either just before lunch, or after your first exploration, depending on the time you arrive. In the end of the day, you and a guide discuss and decide where and what you will be exploring in the next few days.

We do recommend you start off by exploring the oasis, the La Sal and Domeyko mountain ranges, the Atacama salt flat and the unparalleled canyons, landscapes and ecosystems. After that, adventuring yourself over the Altiplano’s 4,000 m.a.s.l/ 13,123 f.a.s.l. is an experience you will not regret. But above all, experiencing the Puritama hot springs with your own senses is a must.
This is the perfect start for the transforming journey ahead of you. Warm up body and mind by unravelling the many charms that astonishingly bloom in the Atacama desert.

DAY 2 - DAY 3 ATACAMA DESERT

Delve into the world’s driest desert and feel its inextricable aura in every landscape. The plan you and your guide have idealised together begins to unfold at your own pace in this private programme.

The activities range from light to difficulty levels, short to long durations, and multiple exploration methods: hiking, horseback, bike rides, drives and short walks, and even mountain climbing, for the adventurous-spirited. And remember: any weather makes a perfect day for exploring. But if the skies happen to be clear, dive into the fresh desert night clear, dive into the fresh desert night sky in an astronomy session in the observatory at our hotel.

DAY 4: CROSSING THE BORDER TO BOLIVIA

Time to get back on the move. As sunlight cracks the deep blue sky, we depart from San Pedro de Atacama early in the morning and leave behind the oasis – but all we have lived and learned
these first few days remains with us for life. We begin the trip through the Andes and reach the border at Hito Cajón, 47 km/ 29 miles away from our starting point. We are now in Bolivia.
Along with an explora guide, we switch vehicles and carry on our journey through the captivating entrails of the Altiplano.

The exploration continues as we go. We visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a myriad of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. The Colorada lagoon is the perfect spot to sight flamingos in their
natural habitat, and is also where we savour lunch as we gaze at the colours of the Altiplano vividly mingling. We then proceed until we reach Ramaditas Mountain home, where we watch the sun set into the horizon and finally rest for a new day. As we close our eyes, we can feel and listen to the vast silence, the lonely beauty of the territory we have just started to unearth.

DAY 5: FROM RAMADITAS TO CHITUCA

The wondrous landscapes are never-ending as we approach the Uyuni salt flat. In the morning, we set off to Chituca, where we will spend the next night. On the way, we get to walk through ancient mines and valleys.

The Turquiri lagoon, with its great diversity of birds and rock formations, is the perfect setting for a restoring lunch. It is then time to explore the region in greater depth: choose between hiking or alternating drives and short walks. After the exploration is done, we continue the drive towards Chituca, where we will learn about the culture and way of life of the locals.

DAY 6: FROM CHITUCA TO UYUNI

After a fulfilling breakfast, we set off to one of the explorations of your choice. Explore the mountain home’s surroundings, roaming the cactus forest and the ancient agricultural terraces nearby. Or visit the village of San Pedro de Quemes, a former Spanish settlement with bewildering panoramic views of the Altiplano and the salt flat. We then continue our journey towards the Gruta de Las Galaxias, an astonishing cave with rare geological formations where you will discover and experience a fascinating part of Andean history.

Resuming our trip, 10,000 km²/ 3,861 mi2 of pure white majestically emerge out of thin air before us – we arrive at the Uyuni salt flat. This is the salt flat with the greatest area and the
highest altitude on Earth, located at 3,665 m.a.s.l./ 12,024 f.a.s.l. We stop for lunch at the salt flat, where your next exploration sets off: an explorative hike at the Pescado Island or an overland journey to it. Once complete, we drive to Uyuni lodge, settled on the slopes
of the Tunupa volcano.

DAY 7 - DAY 8: UYUNI

Take in the astounding view over the Uyuni salt flat from the comfort of our haven. Your guide will help you decide the explorations you would like to go on. You can choose from hikes, overland trips, and bike rides.

Climbing the multi-hued slopes of the volcano up to 5,432 m.a.s.l/ 17,835 f.a.s.l., biking across a section of the salt flat, or cruising the slopes of the volcano and stopping by at villages along the way are a few of the possibilities. What you see here will remain imprinted in your heart, soul and fondest memory for the rest of your life.

** Should your Travesía start from Uyuni, please consider beginning the crossing after spending at least 2 nights above 2,500 m.a.s.l/ 8,202 f.a.s.l., so as to give your body time to adapt to local conditions and prepare for the journey ahead.

EVEN DEEPER

We believe San Pedro de Atacama and its surroundings deserve an extra night of your stay for deeper exploration, although time will never seem enough to unravel the essence of the Atacama desert in its entirety.

Extending your stay is also an option for those who prefer to savour the moment in no hurry, and to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in our swimming pools or reading in the living room.
Add one more night at Explora Atacama to your 7-night itinerary and go even deeper into the remote. You will never regret it.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE REMOTENESS

The 10-night/ 11-days itinerary is ideal for those willing to immerse for longer in the rarities of the remote. Crossing through the Altiplano between Chile and Bolivia, discover a region infused with history and breath-taking landscapes.

You choose your starting point, either San Pedro de Atacama or Uyuni. When making your decision, keep in mind the altitude in the Atacama is best for easing the process of your adaptation to the local geographical conditions.*

Our guides will assist your selection of explorations with their knowledge from years of experience, making sure you explore the remote while comfortably getting used to the new surroundings.
The possibilities when discovering the Altiplano are endless. To explore the region as deeply as possible, we advise adding one more night to your stay. An extra full day exploring San Pedro de Atacama’s wondrous landscapes. You’ll never regret it.

This itinerary considers departure from San Pedro de Atacama. You may, however, opt for starting your Travesía as from Uyuni instead. Your choice.* Should your Travesía start from Uyuni, please consider beginning the crossing after spending at least 2 days above 2,500 m.a.s.l/ 8,202 f.a.s.l., so as to give your body time to adapt to local conditions and prepare for
the journey ahead.

Day 1 - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

We pick you up at the Calama airport and transfer you to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, located at 2,407 meters above sea level/ 7,897 feets above sea level. It is a 1-hour drive to the explora Atacama, where your arrival sparks an immersion in the essence of the remote. After your welcome, we introduce you to the region with an opening talk. Next, you and a guide decide together where and what you will be exploring in the next few days.

We do recommend you start off by exploring the oasis, the La Sal and Domeyko mountain ranges, the Atacama salt flat and the unparalleled canyons, landscapes and ecosystems. After that, adventuring yourself over the Altiplano’s 4,000 m.a.s.l/ 13,123 f.a.s.l. is an experience you will not regret. But above all, experiencing the Puritama hot springs with your own senses is a must.

This is the perfect start for the transforming journey ahead of you. Warm up body and mind by unravelling the many charms that astonishingly bloom in the Atacama desert.

Days 2 and 3 – Atacama Desert, Chile

Delve into the world’s driest desert and feel its inextricable aura in every landscape. The plan you and your guide have idealised together begins to unfold at your own pace in this private programme.

The activities range from light to difficulty levels, short to long durations, and multiple exploration methods: hiking, horseback, bike rides, drives and short walks, and even mountain climbing, for the adventurous-spirited. And remember: any weather makes a perfect day for exploring. But if the skies happen to be clear, dive into the fresh desert night sky in an astronomy session in the observatory at our hotel.

Day 4 – Crossing the Border to Bolivia

Time to get back on the move. As sunlight cracks the deep blue sky, we depart from San Pedro de Atacama early in the morning and leave behind the oasis – but all we have lived and learned these first few days remains with us for life. We begin the trip through the Andes and reach the border at Hito Cajón, 47 km/ 29 miles away from our starting point. We are now in Bolivia. Along with an explora guide, we switch vehicles and carry on our journey through the captivating entrails of the Altiplano.

The exploration continues as we go. We visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a myriad of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. The Colorada lagoon is the perfect spot to sight flamingos in their natural habitat, and also where we savour lunch as we gaze at the colours of the Altiplano vividly mingling.

We then proceed until we reach the mountain home at Ramaditas, where we watch the sun set into the horizon and finally rest for a new day. As we close our eyes, we can feel and listen to the vast silence, the lonely beauty of the territory we have just started to unearth.

Day 5 - Ramaditas

Fresh exploration possibilities come to life with every inch of the Altiplano illuminated by the new morning. Ahead of you: a day full of discoveries. Choose from hikes, overlands, and mountain climbs to unfold the beauty and spirit within the shimmering lagoons, vast valleys, bewildering salt flats and majestic rocky formations – some of them so grand we call “cathedrals” – surrounding the mountain home. When night starts to fall, we return to the refuge and spend the evening at the heart of the Altiplano, connecting with nature and with ourselves.

Day 6 - From Ramaditas to Chituca

The wondrous landscapes are never-ending as we approach the Uyuni salt flat. In the morning, we set off to Chituca, where we will spend the next night –we get to walk through ancient mines and valleys on the way. The Turquiri lagoon, with its great diversity of birds and rock formations, is the perfect setting for a restoring lunch, followed by the time to explore the region in greater depth: you may choose between hiking or alternating drives and short walks. After the exploration is done, we continue the drive towards Chituca, where we will learn about the culture and lifestyle of local families.

Day 7 - Chituca

Another new day in Chituca allures deeper exploration of this abundant region. You may delve into the wonders of the territory in a full-day exploration, or return for lunch at the mountain home. Trail ancient routes, discover shepherds’ havens, sight the colours of quinoa plantations, decipher petroglyphs and pictoglyphs that depict Andean history, and even climb the mountains to presence the region’s active volcano. At nightfall, the silence of the Altiplano fills the air as we wonder at the starry shimmering sky, which has served as a map for the people in the region for centuries and at which we will be able to have an exceptional look through a astronomy binocular.

Day 8 - From Chituca to Uyuni

After a fulfilling breakfast, we set off to one of the explorations of your choice. Explore the surroundings, roaming the cactus forest and the ancient agricultural terraces nearby. Or visit the village of San Pedro de Quemes, a former Spanish settlement with bewildering panoramic views of the Altiplano and the salt flat. We then continue our journey towards the Gruta de Las Galaxias, an astonishing cave with rare geological formations where you will discover and experience a fascinating part of Andean history.

Resuming our trip, 10,000 km2/ 3,861 mi2 of pure white majestically emerge out of thin air before us – we arrive at the Uyuni salt flat. This is the salt flat with the greatest area and the highest altitude on Earth, located at 3,665 m.a.s.l./ 12,024 f.a.s.l. We stop for lunch at the salt flat, where your next expedition sets off: an explorative hike at the Pescado Island or an overland journey to it. Once complete, we drive to the Uyuni lodge, settled on the slopes of the Tunupa volcano.

Days 9 and 10 - Uyuni

Take in the astounding view over the Uyuni salt flat from the comfort of our lodge, operated in partnership with local families. Your guide will help you decide the explorations you would like to go on. You can choose from hikes, overland trips, and bike rides. Climbing the multi-hued slopes of the volcano up to 5,432 m.a.s.l/ 17,835 f.a.s.l., biking across a section of the salt flat, or cruising the slopes of the volcano and stopping by at villages along the way are a few of the possibilities. What you see here will remain imprinted in your heart, soul and fondest memory for the rest of your life.

Day 11 - Uyuni

The last day of the Travesía. After a nourishing breakfast, we drive across the eastern area of the salt flat towards the Uyuni airport, recalling all we have lived for the past days as we gaze off into the rare beauty and enormity of this extraordinary place. A last glance. For now.

Should your Travesía start from Uyuni, please consider beginning the crossing after spending at least 2 nights above 2,500 m.a.s.l/ 8,202 f.a.s.l., so as to give your body time to adapt to local conditions and prepare for the journey ahead.

Extra Night in Atacama - Extension to 11 Nights

We believe San Pedro de Atacama and its surroundings deserve an extra night of your stay for deeper exploration, although time will never seem enough to unravel the essence of the Atacama desert in its entirety. Extending your stay is also an option for those who prefer to savour the moment in no hurry, and to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in our swimming pools or reading in the living room.

Add one more night at Explora Atacama to your 10-night itinerary and go even deeper into the remote. You will never regret it.