Puri's overland exploration follows the Vilama and Puritama Rivers, vital lifelines in the Atacama Desert. Stops at scenic viewpoints lead to a short hike into the Puritama Canyon, revealing unique vegetation and ancient human traces, and ending with a relaxing dip in our exclusive pools at the Puritama Hot Springs.
87 m 285 ft
-53 m -174 ft
3540 m 11614 ft
3474 m 11398 ft
Elevation Profile
Caspana
Altiplano
E-Bike
Advanced
Full-day
The E-Bike Caspana exploration traverses the striking contrasts of the Altiplano through ancient caravan routes connecting the Tocorpuri plains with Caspana and the Alto Loa region.
The E-Bike Caspana exploration follows the ancient caravan routes that connected the Tocorpuri plains with Caspana and the Alto Loa region, as cyclists traverse striking contrasts of the Altiplano: towering volcanoes, arid and seasonal waterways.
342 m 1122 ft
-1420 m -4659 ft
4484 m 14711 ft
3248 m 10656 ft
Elevation Profile
Vilama
Cuenca del salar
E-Bike
Expert
Half-day
This exploration leads to the Vilama Pukara viewpoint, where you'll uncover the remains of a Likan Antay fortress, once vital for safeguarding fertile lands and the river delta of the Vilama River
This exploration leads to the Vilama Pukara viewpoint, where you'll uncover the remains of a Likan Antay fortress, once vital for safeguarding fertile lands and the river delta of the Vilama River—offering a glimpse into the region’s ancient defensive strategies.
822 m 2697 ft
-822 m -2697 ft
2727 m 8947 ft
2430 m 7972 ft
Elevation Profile
Tulor
Cuenca del salar
E-Bike
Easy
Half-day
The Tulor E-bike exploration uncovers the ancient settlements of the Licanantay culture in the Atacama Desert.
The Tulor E-bike exploration uncovers the ancient settlements of the Licanantay culture in the Atacama Desert. Discover sites like the Tulor settlement in the Ayllu de Coyo, the Puribeter Elemental Reserve, and the Desert Library, blending history, nature, and local culture.
146 m 479 ft
-145 m -476 ft
2431 m 7976 ft
2376 m 7795 ft
Elevation Profile
Cejar
Cuenca del salar
Overland
Easy
Half-day
The Atacama Salt Flat is an endorheic basin with highly saline water outcrops, one of which is the Cejar Lagoon. We will venture into the northern part of the salt flat, surrounded by the vastness and accompanied by the Andean volcanoes. Once at Cejar, we will be able to enter its waters and float in the middle of the driest desert in the world.
The Atacama Salt Flat is an endorheic basin with highly saline water outcrops, one of which is the Cejar Lagoon. We will venture into the northern part of the salt flat, surrounded by the vastness and accompanied by the Andean volcanoes. Once at Cejar, we will be able to enter its waters and float in the middle of the driest desert in the world.
Camino del agua
Cuenca del salar
Hike
Easy
Half-day
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.
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
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.
244 m 800 ft
-244 m -800 ft
2.546 m 8.351 ft
2.431 m 7.974 ft
Elevation Profile
Lagunas Altiplánicas
Altiplano
Overland
Easy
Full-day
We leave the hotel towards the southern area of the salt flat, from where we will begin to climb towards the slopes of the Andes mountain range. Our first stop will be in the town of Socaire, and then we will continue towards the Piedras Rojas sector in the Aguas Calientes salt flat. Here we will take a short walk with incredible views of the volcanoes and the salt flat. Then we will continue towards the high plateau lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, two large and beautiful bodies of water located at 4,200 meters above sea level. We will enjoy a walk surrounded by contrasts between the blue of the water and the reddish mountains of the high plateau. We continue towards our lunch spot and then return to the hotel.
We leave the hotel towards the southern area of the salt flat, from where we will begin to climb towards the slopes of the Andes mountain range. Our first stop will be in the town of Socaire, and then we will continue towards the Piedras Rojas sector in the Aguas Calientes salt flat. Here we will take a short walk with incredible views of the volcanoes and the salt flat. Then we will continue towards the high plateau lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, two large and beautiful bodies of water located at 4,200 meters above sea level. We will enjoy a walk surrounded by contrasts between the blue of the water and the reddish mountains of the high plateau. We continue towards our lunch spot and then return to the hotel.