Hotel Explora Atacama

The Hotel Explora Atacama in Chile where each day you can choose from a wide range of explorations with your bilingual guide.

They may be on foot or horseback, or by bicycle; a couple of hours long or a full day; gentle or more physically demanding.

Between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordillera de los Andes, Atacama is an immense extension of land and mystery. Desert and oasis have been agents of repose and of change for the pre-Columbian Andean cultures of South America. The remains of their past are landmarks in the area; their present shares with other cultures in the maintenance of their traditions, giving life to small villages. Cordilleras, volcanoes, salt flats and hot springs add natural splendor to human culture.

The Atacama culture had an important agricultural development and produced particularly beautiful textiles and metallurgy. Their lands were the commercial crossroads for the peoples of Bolivia, Argentina and the Pacific coast. In Atacama it is possible to appreciate multiple features of this history, expressed in archeological monuments, cemeteries, churches and villages. The traditions still live in religious festivities, in its crafts and in the local folklore.

Hotel Explora is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordillera de Los Andes, Atacama. It is an immense extension of land and mystery. Built on the Ayllu (neighborhood) de Larache in San Pedro de Atacama, the Explora hotel develops along a main building and three patios. Hotel Explora Rooms are lined up with corridors opening to a patio. Corridors meet with the main building.

Since time immemorial, the Atacama oasis has been inhabited. The Atacama culture had an important agricultural development and produced particularly beautiful textiles and metallurgy. In Atacama it is possible to appreciate multiple features of this history, expressed in archaeological monuments, cemeteries, churches and villages. Its traditions still live in religious festivities, in its crafts and in the ocal folklore

The architecture evokes the suggestions made by nature and cultures of the area. The hotel assures hospitable refuge inviting to enjoy in freedom and security. More than a home, the hotel is an experience, an open balcony towards surrounding beauty. The hotel Explora has 50 rooms. There is only one kind of room, each one with a spectacular view, silence and Jacuzzi. You'll find In room hair dryers and phones with national and international dialing service. The Hotel Explora facilities include Restaurant, Bar, Game room/Music Room, Laundry Service, 4 Connected Outdoor Swimming Pools, Sauna, Massage service, Private Stables

Hotel Explora Explorations

We have created a complete program of explorations aiming at experiencing the desert and its cultures. Guests can choose everyday from 8-10 different alternatives, classified according to duration and difficulty. Explorations are conceived for urbanites that need no special training or specific abilities (except for the peaks). You can bike or hike, in a van or horseback.

Every evening Hotel Explora's bilingual guides meet at the lobby of the hotel to talk and discuss the next day's activities. They are all experts and lovers of the places they offer as exploration sites. There are many alternatives, always respecting the freedom, spirit and the curiosity of each guest.

International airfare is NOT included, Go to Chile Airfare for a quote

Hotel Explora Programs Include

• Transfer Calama airport - Hotel - Calama airport
• Lodging
• Full board
• Daily explorations with bilingual guides, including transfers in van, horses, bicycles, trekking. Each van is equipped with radios for direct communication with the hotel and guides.

Daily Optional activities included in your package price

These excursions can be taken from the 1st day onward

Kari

Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours (half-day), 2 to 2.5 hours of walking.
Distance by foot: 4.8 km (3 miles).
Itinerary: Departure by van (20 min.) along the road towards Calama. Trekking along Quebrada Kari, a small canyon formed by water erosion and flanked by its enormous salt walls. Return by van (15 min).
Level: Easy, with the exception of two 8 foot-high vertical descents.

Guatin - Punta del Inca

Duration: Half-day, 2 to 2.5 hours walking.
Distance by foot: 4.2 km (2.6 miles).
Itinerary: Departure from explora by van (35 min.) on the road towards the North-East. The excursion starts out by descending from the Guatín settlement until Punta del Inca, following the river’s course down through the ravine /canyon. Return by van (35 min.)
Level: Easy descent through rocky terrain, with a bit of loose ground.

Cornisas

Duration: Length: 3 to 3.5 hours (half-day), walking for 2 to 2.5 hours.
Distance by foot: 4.2 km (2.6 miles).
Itinerary: Departure by van (30 min.) towards Catarpe Valley. Trekking along the cornices of the Cordillera de la Sal with panoramic views of the oasis, the Salar de Atacama and the Andes, ending at the dunes of Valle de la Muerte. Return by van (15 min.).
Level: Easy.

Kamur

Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours (half-day), walking 2 to 2.5 hours.
Distance by foot: 8.5 km (5.3 miles).
Itinerary: Departure from Hotel de Larache by van (35 min.) towards the Valle de la Luna. From there the trekking will allow visitors to appreciate the variations of sunlight and the spectacular landscapes at Cordillera de la Sal. The highest point at 2,520 mts (8,400 ft) is reached near the end of the walk.
Level: Easy

Atacama Culture

Duration: 3.5 hours by van (half-day).
Distance: 15 km (9.5 miles) approx.
Itinerary: Departure from explora by van to Museo Padre Le Paige. This is a good introductory approach to this area. Then, departure by van towards Pukará de Quitor. Trekking with an optional climbing to the Pukará’s summit. By van we visit Ayllu de Solor with a chance to observe how the Atacama people live nowadays.
Level: Easy.