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R: Required / O: Optional / (*) Most of the suggested equipment can be found in our lodge stores.
explora provides travelers with trekking poles, helmets, bikes and riding gaiters and give them a water bottle.
| WHAT TO BRING | ATACAMA | ||||
| Hikes | High mountain ascents | Horseback rides | Bike rides | ||
| Head | BASEBALL CAP | R | R | ||
| HAT TO PROTECT FROM THE COLD | R | R | |||
| Hiking clothing | 1st layer: LAYER TOP AND BOTTOM | R | R | R | R |
| 2nd layer: FLEECE | R | R | R | R | |
| 3rd layer:WINDBREAKER JACKET | R | R | R | R | |
| 4th layer: DOWN JACKET | O | R | O | O | |
| T-SHIRTS | R | R | R | R | |
| LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRTS | O | R | O | O | |
| THIN FLEECE | O | O | O | O | |
| TREKKING PANTS | R | R | O | R | |
| TREKKING SHORTS | O | O | O | O | |
| Gloves | LINER OR WIND STOPPER GLOVES | R | R | O | O |
| Feet | TREKKING SOCKS (LONG) | R | R | O | O |
| LINER SOCKS | O | R | O | O | |
| MOUNTAIN BOOTS | O | R | |||
| TREKKING BOOTS | R | R | |||
| Special for horseback riding | RIDING GLOVES | O | |||
| RIDING PANTS | O | ||||
| RIDING BOOTS | O | ||||
| Special for bike riding | BIKING GLOVES | O | |||
| BIKING SHORTS | O | ||||
| BIKING SHOES | O | ||||
| Other accesories | BATHING SUIT | R | R | ||
| SANDALS | R | R | |||
| BUFF OR NECK GAITER | R | R | R | R | |
| SUNGLASSES | R | R | R | R | |
| SUNSCREEN | R | R | R | R | |
| SMALL BACK PACK (25L) | R | R | R | ||
| CAMEL BACK | O | O | O | ||
| HEAD LAMP | R | ||||
| SLEEPING BAG | O | ||||
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.
After arriving in Santiago, Chile’s capital city (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connecting flight to the city of Calama.
At Calama Airport (CJC), a member of our team wll pick you up and drive you to explora Atacama, approximately one-hour away.
Pick-ups
For guests who will not be coming to the lodge from the airport in Calama, we provide daily pick-up service from the following locations:
Hotels in Calama: 9:00 am – schedule confirmed the night before.
Border crossings: Please check out alternatives: reserve@explora.com
San Pedro de Atacama hotels and bus terminal: The exact pick-up hour will be confirmed the day before
Calama Airport (CJC): Departure from the lodge approximately two hours prior to flight departure.
Border crossings: Please check out alternatives: reserve@explora.com
Check-in: We recommend arriving at the hotel by midday to take a half-day exploration during the afternoon and start the acclimatization process.
Check-out: We want you to be able to maximize your exploration on this day too. If you leave the hotel in the morning for a half day exploration, you have to check out before leaving and we will arrange for the safe storage of your luggage. Check-out is by 12:00 (noon).
The Oasis of San Pedro is simply the starting point for myriad mesmerizing excursions.
When you leave San Pedro de Atacama, heading out into the Altiplano (high plains area) toward the volcanoes, you will undoubtedly experience a deep sense of peace and solitude. Here, you are in a truly remote environment – a unique world, untamed and far from civilization.
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.
