explora Chile - Art of Travel

Afternoon

Our team will welcome you at the airport in Calama to take you to explora’s lodge, Hotel de Larache.

We will start our exploration of the area at Pukara de Quitor, an ancient fortified village located to the north-west of San Pedro. Constructed in the 12th century, this was one of the main administrative and defensive centers for the Atacameño community until the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century.

Next we will head for the tambo de Catarpe, which was an administrative and dairy production center strategically located next to the San Pedro River during the Inca Empire.

Morning

We will head for the south-western edge of the oasis of San Pedro to visit the ruins of the village of Tulor. This town, with its circular adobe buildings, is a notable example of sedentary life in Atacama. We will then visit the colonial remains of Beter, where the wind and encroaching sand dunes have completely covered many of the buildings.

In Cúcuter, we will enjoy lunch in the shade of the chañar trees (Geoffroea decorticans). The Atacameño people have traditionally made great use of the chañar seeds and fruit.

Afternoon

We will explore the Río Grande ravine, where Pre-colombian anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures bear witness to the relationship between the first inhabitants of the area and the natural world.

Further on, the town of Río Grande awaits us. This is an agricultural and livestock-grazing area, where we will have the opportunity to spend time with the local people.

Morning

We will begin our exploration at the Puritama reserve, a wildlife conservation area and site of archaeological interest, managed by the explora Foundation. Here we will explore ravines and follow routes which will enable us to understand the complex way in which humans adapted to the land.

Our first stop will be in the area of Quésar, where there are a number of archaeological remains. Then we will continue on towards Turipite, a place characterized by an agricultural and pastoral way of life. Our day will end in Machuca, where we will see what community life is like in the Altiplano. Next, we will enjoy the thermal springs at Puritama and have lunch in the open air.

Afternoon

Before dinner, we will explore the 17 hectares of grounds around Hotel de Larache. This land used to belong to an ancient Atacameño community and, as we will observe, many of the old buildings and roads are still intact.

Morning

We will set out for the highest area of our exploration, the Salar de Tara, a salt flat located 4,400 meters (14,436 feet) above sea level. On the way, we will be able to see how the desert changes as we ascend from the plains to the Altiplano, and we will discover the living desert in all its splendor. The giant rock formations known as the Guardians of the Pacana will welcome us to this place.

At the Salar de Tara, we will be able to observe the different natural habitats and abundant wildlife that coexists in this area.

Afternoon

After we have enjoyed lunch and explored this area, we will return to the lodge. After dinner, we will take advantage of the extraordinary visibility of the night sky in the Atacama Desert and enjoy a guided stargazing session in our observatory.

Morning

Breakfast, goodbyes and transfer to the airport.