Atacama
Desert & Altiplano, Chile
Travel Tips
Pick-up & Drop-off
Depending on the program, we provide arrival and departure transfer services without cost* from the following points:
Transfer on arrival:
- Calama Airport (CJC): Transfers are at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00. The transfer’s departure may vary up to 30 minutes before or after the stipulated time, depending on flight schedules. We will meet at the airport exit after you have picked up your luggage and then head to the lodge.
- Hotels or bus terminal in San Pedro de Atacama and Calama: The precise pickup time will be confirmed the day before. Estimated time between 10:00 and 11:00
- Border crossings: Please consult prices and alternatives at reserve@explora.com
Transfer on departure:
- Calama Airport (CJC): Transfers are at 08:00, 10:00, and 12:00. The transfer’s departure may vary up to 30 minutes before or after the stipulated time, depending on flight schedules. To continue the journey, travelers will be taken to Hotels in Calama, if applicable.
- Border crossings: Please consult prices and alternatives at reserve@explora.com
*Exclusive for programs with transfer included.
Important: If your arrival or departure doesn’t fit our transfer schedule, you can choose a service that operates between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm, and has an additional cost per traveler with a minimum of 2 people. For availability and prices, please contact your reservation executive or reserve@explora.com.
*Last-minute flight changes less than 24 hours before check-in may carry an additional cost for travelers if an exclusive transfer is required to pick them up because of that change.
Check-in & check-out
Check-in: After 13:00
We recommend arriving at noon for an afternoon exploration.
Check-out: 10: 00
We want you to be able to maximize your time during your stay, which is why the possibility of going on a half-day exploration on your check-out day before leaving for the airport (if your flight schedule allows) has been considered.
In this case, you will have to check out at 07:00 before going out to explore, while we watch your bags.
* Lunch service is not included on the day of check-out and is available at an additional charge per person.
**If you want to access to a late check-out for your own convenience, we recommend that you consult availability and rates with our team.
HOW TO GET HERE
After arriving in Santiago, Chile’s capital city (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connecting flight to the city of Calama.
Our team will take you by van from the Calama airport* to Explora in a trip lasting about 1 h. We recommend that you check the schedules of included transfers.
*Exclusive for programs with transfer included.
Pick-up & drop-off
Pick-up & Drop-off
Depending on the program, we provide arrival and departure transfer services without cost* from the following points:
Transfer on arrival:
- Calama Airport (CJC): Transfers are at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00. The transfer’s departure may vary up to 30 minutes before or after the stipulated time, depending on flight schedules. We will meet at the airport exit after you have picked up your luggage and then head to the lodge.
- Hotels or bus terminal in San Pedro de Atacama and Calama: The precise pickup time will be confirmed the day before. Estimated time between 10:00 and 11:00
- Border crossings: Please consult prices and alternatives at reserve@explora.com
Transfer on departure:
- Calama Airport (CJC): Transfers are at 08:00, 10:00, and 12:00. The transfer’s departure may vary up to 30 minutes before or after the stipulated time, depending on flight schedules. To continue the journey, travelers will be taken to Hotels in Calama, if applicable.
- Border crossings: Please consult prices and alternatives at reserve@explora.com
*Exclusive for programs with transfer included.
Important: If your arrival or departure doesn’t fit our transfer schedule, you can choose a service that operates between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm, and has an additional cost per traveler with a minimum of 2 people. For availability and prices, please contact your reservation executive or reserve@explora.com.
*Last-minute flight changes less than 24 hours before check-in may carry an additional cost for travelers if an exclusive transfer is required to pick them up because of that change.
Check-in & check-out
Check-in & check-out
Check-in: After 13:00
We recommend arriving at noon for an afternoon exploration.
Check-out: 10: 00
We want you to be able to maximize your time during your stay, which is why the possibility of going on a half-day exploration on your check-out day before leaving for the airport (if your flight schedule allows) has been considered.
In this case, you will have to check out at 07:00 before going out to explore, while we watch your bags.
* Lunch service is not included on the day of check-out and is available at an additional charge per person.
**If you want to access to a late check-out for your own convenience, we recommend that you consult availability and rates with our team.
How to get here
HOW TO GET HERE
After arriving in Santiago, Chile’s capital city (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connecting flight to the city of Calama.
Our team will take you by van from the Calama airport* to Explora in a trip lasting about 1 h. We recommend that you check the schedules of included transfers.
*Exclusive for programs with transfer included.
Required
for all activitiesExplora provides travelers with trekking poles, helmets and riding gaiters for horseback rides and give them a bottle of water.
- A hat for the sun
- 1st layer: T-shirts and thermal underwear
- 2nd layer: Fleece
- 3rd layer: Warm jacket
- 4th layer: Waterproof jacket
- Short- and long sleeve t-shirts
- Thin fleece
- Trousers and shorts
- Hiking socks (long)
- Hiking shoes
- Thermal gloves and windproof gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Buff or protective neckwear
- Small backpack (25 liters)
- Bottle of water
Optional
for all activities- Swimsuit
- Sandals
- Camel Back
Climate
San Pedro de Atacama and its surrounding area have a very dry and mild climate year round. The village gradually grew up around an oasis, and is situated on a high plateau, 2,443 meters (8,015 feet) above sea level, and located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Calama, a major city served by El Loa International Airport, or “Calama Airport” (CJC).
During winter (June – September), the average daytime temperature ranges from 9º C (48º F) to 24º C (75º F) – inviting you to soak up the sun in the lodge’s relaxing lounge chairs, on the terraces or in the glassed corridors. During summer (December – March), daytime temperatures fluctuate between 13º C (55º F; early morning) and 25º C (77º F; evening), with a maximum of approximately 32º C (90º F) – a period of the year calling for an afternoon siesta before joining one of the evening explorations.
Ninety percent of the days are clear and sunny. However, between mid-December and the beginning of March, occasional rains and snow in higher areas result in what is called the Altiplano Winter. During these months and due to unstable weather conditions in the area, some of our explorations could be subject to changes or even canceled in order to protect our travelers’ safety.
Acclimatization
It’s important to allow enough time to become properly acclimated to the area’s altitude. Therefore, we recommend that you choose a stay of at least 5 days to have time to adjust and be able to really get to know the area and some of its natural wonders. Ideally, make sure you have at least two full days for exploration activities, and hopefully, a third day to hike up one of the mountains.
Climate
Climate
San Pedro de Atacama and its surrounding area have a very dry and mild climate year round. The village gradually grew up around an oasis, and is situated on a high plateau, 2,443 meters (8,015 feet) above sea level, and located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Calama, a major city served by El Loa International Airport, or “Calama Airport” (CJC).
During winter (June – September), the average daytime temperature ranges from 9º C (48º F) to 24º C (75º F) – inviting you to soak up the sun in the lodge’s relaxing lounge chairs, on the terraces or in the glassed corridors. During summer (December – March), daytime temperatures fluctuate between 13º C (55º F; early morning) and 25º C (77º F; evening), with a maximum of approximately 32º C (90º F) – a period of the year calling for an afternoon siesta before joining one of the evening explorations.
Ninety percent of the days are clear and sunny. However, between mid-December and the beginning of March, occasional rains and snow in higher areas result in what is called the Altiplano Winter. During these months and due to unstable weather conditions in the area, some of our explorations could be subject to changes or even canceled in order to protect our travelers’ safety.
Acclimatization
Acclimatization
It’s important to allow enough time to become properly acclimated to the area’s altitude. Therefore, we recommend that you choose a stay of at least 5 days to have time to adjust and be able to really get to know the area and some of its natural wonders. Ideally, make sure you have at least two full days for exploration activities, and hopefully, a third day to hike up one of the mountains.
Wi-Fi and voltage
- Because we are in remote areas, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited.
- The voltage in Atacama is 220V.
Tips
Tips are voluntary. If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.
Wi-Fi and voltage
Wi-Fi and voltage
- Because we are in remote areas, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited.
- The voltage in Atacama is 220V.
Tips
Tips
Tips are voluntary. If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.
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