Our Lodges
The Atacama Desert stretches from the rugged Pacific coast of northern Chile to the steep Andean slopes of southwestern Bolivia. Famous for its aridity, Atacama is proof of how life can flourish even in the harshest of conditions. We believe luxury is about having all the means necessary to make the most out of the experience.
Perched high on the Andean plateau, the Altiplano could very well be on another planet. Protected by the relentless hostility of geography and guarded by the Atacama Desert, it remains one of the world’s most remote territories, reserved for well-seasoned travelers in search of unusual beauty.
We have been exploring the Desert & Altiplano for over 20 years, perfecting routes and learning to truly dimension its vastness in every journey. In doing so, we have become part of the landscapes through the knowledge of local men and women, who have in turn become a quintessential part of the Explora family. It is through their vision that we have been able to design explorations suited for the territory’s essence.
ABOUT DESERT & ALTIPLANO
The territories we explore and protect haven’t been chosen at random. Instead, they each respond to a conscientious dialogue between nature and culture, collectively articulating a transcontinental constellation of natural and cultural landscapes in urgent need of safeguarding.
Flora & Fauna
Despite its seemingly inhospitable climate, the Atacama Desert is endowed with a rich variety of flora and fauna, characterized by a high level of adaptation.
In the Desert & Altiplano, life can be found in even the most unlikely places, such as in the Altiplano lakes, some of which are 10 times saltier than the sea and have little oxygen.
History
While evidence of human existence in Atacama desert dates back over 10,000 years, the first signs of an organized society belong to a nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers, who lived approximately 7,000 years ago.
Geography
The Oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is located 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) above sea level in Chile’s Region of Antofagasta, in the middle of the Atacama Desert. The oasis is irrigated with the waters of the San Pedro and Vilama rivers, which have their tributaries in the area mountains.
Flora & Fauna
Despite its seemingly inhospitable climate, the Atacama Desert is endowed with a rich variety of flora and fauna, characterized by a high level of adaptation.
In the Desert & Altiplano, life can be found in even the most unlikely places, such as in the Altiplano lakes, some of which are 10 times saltier than the sea and have little oxygen.
History
While evidence of human existence in Atacama desert dates back over 10,000 years, the first signs of an organized society belong to a nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers, who lived approximately 7,000 years ago.
Learn more >Geography
The Oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is located 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) above sea level in Chile’s Region of Antofagasta, in the middle of the Atacama Desert. The oasis is irrigated with the waters of the San Pedro and Vilama rivers, which have their tributaries in the area mountains.
Learn more >Why Explora
We propose a new kind of journey, where everything is taken care of: accommodation, transportation, meals and beverages. And of course, all explorations in the world’s most fascinating locations.
For over two decades we have dedicated ourselves to mapping Atacama’s most striking exploration routes. Each route has been carefully studied so as to provide travelers with full destination immersion, whilst remaining far from the madding crowds of traditional tourism – thus allowing the territory to speak for itself.
Atacama is anything but obvious. The driest desert on Earth encloses non-verbal secrets told by colors, textures and shapes. To show you these secrets, we have spent almost two decades creating our own map of every salt-flat, mountain and geiser within this fascinating territory.
We believe luxury is about having all the means necessary to make the most out of the experience, such as a cozy, welcoming environment, and authentically local gastronomic experiences. An oasis within an oasis. Our lodge in Atacama has been designed so as to offer relaxation and renewal after a long day of explorations.
Our most far-reaching initiative to date are the Explora Conservation Reserves. In Atacama we have created an 8000 hectare reserve, enclosing one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, home to the extremely elusive and endangered Andean Cat. Through in-depth exploration, we allow our travelers to witness and embrace te urgency of other conservation initiatives around the planet.
The territories we explore and protect haven’t been chosen at random. Instead, they each respond to a conscientious dialogue between nature and culture, collectively articulating a transcontinental constellation of natural and cultural landscapes in urgent need of safeguarding.
-
For over two decades we have dedicated ourselves to mapping Atacama’s most striking exploration routes. Each route has been carefully studied so as to provide travelers with full destination immersion, whilst remaining far from the madding crowds of traditional tourism – thus allowing the territory to speak for itself.
-
Atacama is anything but obvious. The driest desert on Earth encloses non-verbal secrets told by colors, textures and shapes. To show you these secrets, we have spent almost two decades creating our own map of every salt-flat, mountain and geiser within this fascinating territory.
-
We believe luxury is about having all the means necessary to make the most out of the experience, such as a cozy, welcoming environment, and authentically local gastronomic experiences. An oasis within an oasis. Our lodge in Atacama has been designed so as to offer relaxation and renewal after a long day of explorations.
-
Our most far-reaching initiative to date are the Explora Conservation Reserves. In Atacama we have created an 8000 hectare reserve, enclosing one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, home to the extremely elusive and endangered Andean Cat. Through in-depth exploration, we allow our travelers to witness and embrace te urgency of other conservation initiatives around the planet.
-
The territories we explore and protect haven’t been chosen at random. Instead, they each respond to a conscientious dialogue between nature and culture, collectively articulating a transcontinental constellation of natural and cultural landscapes in urgent need of safeguarding.
Discover Our Destinations
Endless revelations and possibilities await.
