We will travel into the interior of the desert where nature and history blend. We will walk inside an incredible and gigantic canyon, an arm eroded by the water of the San Pedro River that flows within it. We will arrive at a sector with a great quantity of petroglyphs, as the place was a refuge for caravans. For most of the hike, we will be walking through water.
*It is recommended to bring two pairs of shoes.
We will travel into the interior of the desert where nature and history blend. We will walk inside an incredible and gigantic canyon, an arm eroded by the water of the San Pedro River that flows within it. We will arrive at a sector with a great quantity of petroglyphs, as the place was a refuge for caravans. For most of the hike, we will be walking through water.
*It is recommended to bring two pairs of shoes.
Gatchi
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
We will begin our exploration in the Vilama sector, where we can see ancient grazing refuges. We will continue walking along the top of a ravine, appreciating the transition of vegetation and geology between the first and second ecological floors, as well as other refuges of the ancient caravans. Always bordering the river, we will have panoramic views until we descend to the feet of the Vilama river.
We will begin our exploration in the Vilama sector, where we can see ancient grazing refuges. We will continue walking along the top of a ravine, appreciating the transition of vegetation and geology between the first and second ecological floors, as well as other refuges of the ancient caravans. Always bordering the river, we will have panoramic views until we descend to the feet of the Vilama river.
233 m
764 ft
-76,5 m
-251 ft
2932 m
9617 ft
2773 m
2515 ft
Elevation Profile
Puribeter
Cuenca del salar
Horseback Ride
Advanced
Full-day
We will leave the hotel on horseback to head to the Beter ayllu, to the south of the oasis, where we will learn about its history and archaeological ruins. Then we will continue towards the Puribeter reserve, a site that preserves the nature and culture of the San Pedro de Atacama oasis area. We will enjoy lunch and a walk in the park and then continue our horseback ride to the Solor Ayllu and back to the hotel.
We will leave the hotel on horseback to head to the Beter ayllu, to the south of the oasis, where we will learn about its history and archaeological ruins. Then we will continue towards the Puribeter reserve, a site that preserves the nature and culture of the San Pedro de Atacama oasis area. We will enjoy lunch and a walk in the park and then continue our horseback ride to the Solor Ayllu and back to the hotel.
133 m
436 ft
-132,7 m
-435 ft
2431 m
7974 ft
2384 m
7820 ft
Elevation Profile
Quebrada de Chulacao
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
At the foot of the Salt mountains, we come to the Catarpe Valley, which receives the San Pedro river that feeds the oasis and the salt marsh. In the valley, we will begin our hike in the Quebrada Chulaco, a great canyon with high walls, with curves and serpentine shapes formed by moldable minerals and water erosion. Upon leaving the canyon we will hike up to a viewpoint with 360° views of the desert and its mountain ranges. We return along the same trail.
At the foot of the Salt mountains, we come to the Catarpe Valley, which receives the San Pedro river that feeds the oasis and the salt marsh. In the valley, we will begin our hike in the Quebrada Chulaco, a great canyon with high walls, with curves and serpentine shapes formed by moldable minerals and water erosion. Upon leaving the canyon we will hike up to a viewpoint with 360° views of the desert and its mountain ranges. We return along the same trail.
156 m
512 ft
-156 m
-512 ft
2582 m
8469 ft
2515 m
8249 ft
Elevation Profile
Ronque
Quebradas Intermedias
Hike
Moderate
Full-day
The hike begins in the upper part of Quebrada Jorquencal, a sector with large cacti and archaeological ruins. From there we descend to the Puritama hot springs. We will enjoy lunch there, before continuing our hike along the Puritama River, in a beautiful canyon of native vegetation home to dozens of birds. Our hike ends in the town of Guatín, where the Puritama and Purifica Rivers converge and give life to the Vilama River.
The hike begins in the upper part of Quebrada Jorquencal, a sector with large cacti and archaeological ruins. From there we descend to the Puritama hot springs. We will enjoy lunch there, before continuing our hike along the Puritama River, in a beautiful canyon of native vegetation home to dozens of birds. Our hike ends in the town of Guatín, where the Puritama and Purifica Rivers converge and give life to the Vilama River.
161 m
528 ft
-545 m
-1788 ft
3732 m
12241 ft
3269 m
10722 ft
Elevation Profile
Agua vieja
Quebradas Intermedias
Hike
Moderate
Full-day
A hike to get lost in the absolute desert and amid the great walls and canyons of the Domeyko range. We depart by van to a little-explored sector of the Domeyko range, from which we will begin our hike in the middle of a solitary plain overlooking the Andes and the Salt mountains, before going into canyons with unique shapes and colors. We will descend some challenging steps product of the erosion caused by ancient seasonal rivers, and where we will have to use our hands. *Exploration not recommended for people with vertigo or fear of heights.
A hike to get lost in the absolute desert and amid the great walls and canyons of the Domeyko range. We depart by van to a little-explored sector of the Domeyko range, from which we will begin our hike in the middle of a solitary plain overlooking the Andes and the Salt mountains, before going into canyons with unique shapes and colors. We will descend some challenging steps product of the erosion caused by ancient seasonal rivers, and where we will have to use our hands. *Exploration not recommended for people with vertigo or fear of heights.
121 m
397 ft
-665 m
-2181 ft
3260 m
10693 ft
2715 m
8905 ft
Elevation Profile
Domeyko
Quebradas Intermedias
Hike
Moderate
Half-day
This hike takes place in the Domeyko range, amid great canyons and colors created by the different minerals that make up this mountain range. After getting lost among huge clay walls, we will descend some challenging steps product of the erosion caused by ancient seasonal rivers, and where we will have to use our hands.
*Exploration not recommended for people with vertigo or fear of heights.
This hike takes place in the Domeyko range, amid great canyons and colors created by the different minerals that make up this mountain range. After getting lost among huge clay walls, we will descend some challenging steps product of the erosion caused by ancient seasonal rivers, and where we will have to use our hands.
*Exploration not recommended for people with vertigo or fear of heights.
73 m
239 ft
-292 m
-958 ft
2934 m
9624 ft
2715 m
8905 ft
Elevation Profile
Tambores
Quebradas Intermedias
Hike
Easy
Half-day
This hike explores the center of the Puritama Conservation Reserve, an area characterized by its great variety of cacti. Along the way we will have a view of the beautiful Quebrada Jorquenal from above, a canyon full of contrasts, vegetation, life and archaeological remains. We descend along a rocky terrain until reaching the Puritama hot springs.
This hike explores the center of the Puritama Conservation Reserve, an area characterized by its great variety of cacti. Along the way we will have a view of the beautiful Quebrada Jorquenal from above, a canyon full of contrasts, vegetation, life and archaeological remains. We descend along a rocky terrain until reaching the Puritama hot springs.
118 m
387 ft
-233 m
-764 ft
3732 m
12241 ft
3537 m
11601 ft
Elevation Profile
Caravaneros
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
This hike is a journey through the history of the old caravans and their interaction with the desert. We will cross from the Vilama sector toward the Catarpe Valley along old desert trails until reaching the great canyons in Quebrada Chulaco. This hike gives us broad 360° views that will allow us to understand the desert's different areas and formations.
This hike is a journey through the history of the old caravans and their interaction with the desert. We will cross from the Vilama sector toward the Catarpe Valley along old desert trails until reaching the great canyons in Quebrada Chulaco. This hike gives us broad 360° views that will allow us to understand the desert's different areas and formations.
159 m
522 ft
-183 m
-600 ft
1617 m
5304 ft
2515 m
8249 ft
Elevation Profile
Astronomia Andina
Cielo
Sky
Easy
Half-day
We begin with a briefing of basic concepts under the open sky. We then learn about orientation, distances, and local culture...
It takes place almost every day at Explora. We begin with a briefing of basic concepts under the open sky. We then learn about orientation, distances, and local culture under one the world’s clearest skies. In our own observatory, we get to watch stellar objects in the solar system and deep space. Ask our guides for availability.
*Each traveler has the option to attend one astronomy exploration per stay. A second session will be subject to availability.
**We recommend that you reserve your session at the lodge reception upon check-in, as spaces are limited.
Ckausama
Altiplano
Overland
Easy
Full-day
We take a van to the Tatio Geysers. Along the way, an important part of the Andean Plateau fauna –including vicuñas, flamingos, foxes...
We take a van to the Tatio Geysers. Along the way, an important part of the Andean Plateau fauna –including vicuñas, flamingos, foxes, and others– can be appreciated. We walk across the reserve feeling the inner activity of the land with views to the Andes Mountain Range and the hot water springs from where steam rises. We return by van.
Catarpe
Cuenca del salar
Bike
Easy
Half-day
We bike ride to the San Pedro River and follow its course to Catarpe. We go through the Quitor pukará...
We bike ride to the San Pedro River and follow its course to Catarpe. We go through the Quitor pukará, an old fortress, and cross the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), a canyon inside the Salt Mountain Range with zigzagging paths between striking rock formations. We return through the same road.