AN OTHER-WORLDLY EXPERIENCE
HIGHLIGHTS
the beauty of remote
Centuries of untouched beauty. The only way to understand it is to feel it, breathe it, and touch it. Besides the Himalayas, the Altiplano is the only place in the world that offers such a distinctive geographic allure vivid lagoons, steaming geysers, unique rock formations, salt flats, mountains, volcanoes, and deserts.
regional culture
Ancient civilizations thrived here, cultivating potatoes and quinoa while domesticating various species. The Altiplano, at the heart of the Andes, is where Chile and Bolivia merge their histories, beliefs, traditions, colors, and communities.
s afety through experience
Explora has studied the Atacama Desert and the Altiplano extensively. This expertise allows us to ensure the safety of every traveler who embarks on this journey with us. Our vehicles are equipped with satellite communication systems, GPS technology, VHF radios, and oxygen supplies. Additionally, our guides and drivers are highly trained and deeply familiar with the region. Years of preparation have earned us recognition from the World Travel Awards as the “World’s Leading Expedition Company” for multiple consecutive years.
explora guides
Explora guides know and love this region as their own home. They are fluent in English and Spanish, trained and certified by our exclusive Guide School, and hold Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification— ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to assist travelers in remote locations. Above all, they are passionate professionals and curious explorers at heart.
exclusivity
This expedition is a private program throughout the Bolivia portion. You’ll always be accompanied by an Explora guide and driver, who will take you on an indepth exploration of Atacama, Uyuni, and the stunning landscapes in between. Your journey is tailored to your own pace and interests.
AN OTHER-WORLDLY EXPERIENCE
OUR LODGES
A perfect balance of simplicity and comfort, relaxation and exploration, luxury and essentials.
explora in atacama , chile
2,407 m.a.s.l.
Our desert lodge is just steps from San Pedro de Atacama. Every detail, from architecture to cuisine, is designed for maximum comfort and rejuvenation after a day of exploring the remote wilderness. Discover towering sand dunes, mesmerizing salt flats, and monumental volcanoes beneath the clearest skies on Earth—whether on foot, by bike, horseback, or from our observatory.
With 50 rooms, Explora Atacama also features an observatory, stables, a pool and hot tubs, and a traditional adobe house where guests enjoy barbecues with live music and folk dances.
mountain lodge in ramaditas , bolivia
4,075 m.a.s.l.
Set amidst shimmering, multi-colored lagoons and the ancient silence of the Andes, our Mountain Lodge in Ramaditas combines cozy common areas with four double or matrimonial rooms in the heart of the Altiplano. From here, explore geysers, salt flats, lagoons, rock formations, ancient trade routes, and vast Andean valleys. The experience is truly breathtaking.
The architecture of all our lodges is designed to minimize interference with the natural surroundings as much as possible while highlighting the landscapes that embrace each structure.
Mountain Lodge in Ramaditas.
Explora Atacama, Chile
AN OTHER-WORLDLY EXPERIENCE
mountain lodge in chituca , bolivia
3,732 m.a.s.l.
Once a lookout for shepherds, our Mountain Lodge in Chituca offers panoramic views of the Altiplano. The surrounding area is rich with ancient settlements, cultural relics, vibrant quinoa fields, and local villages full of stories waiting to be shared. In the evenings, unwind in the cozy lounge and admire the stunning view from the dining area as you enjoy your final meal of the day. The lodge accommodates up to eight travelers in double or matrimonial rooms.
uyuni lodge , bolivia
3,681 m.a.s.l.
Located on the northern edge of the Uyuni Salt Flat, at the foot of the majestic Tunupa Volcano, our lodge offers a spectacular view of the world’s largest salt flat. The setting is perfect for exploration—climb the colorful slopes of Tunupa, visit the salt flat’s islands, and discover local villages, wetlands, and nearby archaeological sites.
Uyuni Lodge
Uyuni Lodge Rooms
INTRODUCING YOUR NEXT JOURNEY
Once you leave Explora Atacama, an exclusive vehicle, private driver, and your own Explora guide will assist you in every activity and exploration throughout the Travesía. This one-of-a-kind journey sets off in the direction you choose: departing either from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, or from Uyuni, Bolivia. *
8 NIGHTS / 9 DAYS, EXPLORATIONS OF A LIFETIME
This itinerary will show you the path to uncover two of the world’s most fascinating locations in the journey of a lifetime, travelling across one of the remotest regions on Earth: the Altiplano between Chile and Bolivia.
You may choose where to start your journey, whether in the Atacama Desert or Uyuni. The environment in the Atacama desert, however, is easier on the body and mind, making the ideal start in the process of adaptation to the local geographical conditions.*
Our guides, with their years of expertise, will assist your selection of explorations, so you may discover the remote whilst comfortably accustoming to the atypical altitude.
There are countless ways and possibilities to explore the Altiplano. If you wish to go even deeper into the remote, we recommend adding one extra night to your stay – one more full day exploring San Pedro de Atacama’s wondrous landscapes.
This itinerary departs from San Pedro de Atacama. You may, however, opt for starting your Travesía as from Uyuni instead. Your choice.*
*Should your Travesía start from Uyuni, please consider beginning the crossing after spending at least 2 days above 2,500 m.a.s.l/ 8,202 f.a.s.l., so as to give your body time to adapt to local conditions and prepare for the journey ahead.
Bike exploration to Quisquiro salt flat in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Valle de la Luna - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
8 NIGHT / 9 DAY ITINERARY
Your journey begins at Explora Atacama. The body starts to settle into the new environment of exploration, passing through the San Pedro oasis, across sand dunes and salt esplanades, freshly hued lagoons, and the curious bofedales crowned by silent mountains. Soon enough, you cross the border into Bolivia, finally digging deep into the grand, awe-inspiring Andes. After days of discoveries and revelations, we reach the Uyuni salt flat and revel in the unequalled landscape of the largest salt flat in the world.
DAY 1: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE
We pick you up at the Calama airport and transfer you to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, located at 2,407 meters above sea level/ 7,897 feets above sea level. It is a 1-hour drive to the explora in Atacama hotel, where your arrival sparks an immersion in the essence of the remote. After your welcome, we introduce you to the region with a talk either just before lunch, or after your first exploration, depending on the time you arrive. In the end of the day, you and a guide discuss and decide where and what you will be exploring in the next few days.
We recommend you start off by exploring the oasis, the La Sal and Domeyko mountain ranges, the Atacama salt flat and the unparalleled canyons, landscapes and ecosystems. After that, adventuring yourself over the Altiplano’s 4,000 m.a.s.l/ 13,123 f.a.s.l. is an experience you will not regret. But above all, experiencing the Puritama hot springs with your own senses is a must.
This is the perfect start for the transformative journey ahead of you. Warm up body and mind by unravelling the many charms that astonishingly bloom in the Atacama desert.
Dunas de la Chula horseback ride, San Pedro de Atacama
Puritama Hot Springs - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile..
Valle de la Luna - San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
DAY 2 AND 3: ATACAMA DESERT, CHILE
Delve into the world’s driest desert and feel its inextricable aura in every landscape. The plan you and your guide have idealised together begins to unfold at your own pace in this private programme. The activities range from light to difficult, short to long durations, and multiple exploration methods: hiking, horseback, bike rides, drives and short walks, and even mountain climbing, for the adventurous. And remember: any weather makes a perfect day for exploring. But if the skies happen to be clear, dive into the fresh desert night sky in an astronomy session in the observatory at our hotel.
DAY 4: CROSSING THE BORDER
As sunlight cracks the deep blue sky, we depart from San Pedro de Atacama early in the morning and leave behind the oasis.We begin the trip through the Andes and reach the border at Hito Cajón, 47 km/ 29 miles away from our starting point. We are now in Bolivia. Along with an Explora guide, we switch vehicles and carry on our journey through the captivating entrails of the Altiplano.
The exploration continues as we go. We visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a myriad of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. The Colorada lagoon is the perfect spot to sight flamingos in their natural habitat, and is also where we savour lunch and gaze at the colours of the Altiplano vividly mingling.
We proceed until we reach Ramaditas Mountain home, where we watch the sun set into the horizon and finally rest for a new day. As we close our eyes, we can feel and listen to the vast silence, the lonely beauty of the territory we have just started to unearth.
Sol de la Mañana geysers, Bolivia.
Colorada lagoon, Bolivia.
Ramaditas, Bolivia
DAY 5: FROM RAMADITAS TO CHITUCA
The wondrous landscapes are never-ending as we approach the Uyuni salt flat. In the morning, we set off to Chituca, where we will spend the next night. On the way, we get to walk through ancient mines and valleys. The Turquiri lagoon, with its great diversity of birds and rock formations, is the perfect setting for a restoring lunch. It is then time to explore the region in greater depth: choose between hiking or alternating drives and short walks. When our exploration is complete, we continue the drive towards Chituca, where we will learn about the culture and way of life of the locals.
DAY 6: FROM CHITUCA TO UYUNI
After breakfast, we set off to one of the explorations of your choice. Explore the mountain home’s surroundings, roaming the cactus forest and the ancient agricultural terraces nearby. Or visit the village of San Pedro de Quemes, a former Spanish settlement with bewildering panoramic views of the Altiplano and the salt flat. We continue our journey towards the Gruta de Las Galaxias, an astonishing cave with rare geological formations where you will discover and experience a fascinating part of Andean history.
Resuming our trip, 10,000 km²/ 3,861 mi2 of pure white majestically emerge out of thin air before us – we arrive at the Uyuni salt flat. This is the salt flat with the greatest area and highest altitude on Earth, located at 3,665 m.a.s.l./ 12,024 f.a.s.l. We stop for lunch at the salt flat, where your next exploration sets off: an explorative hike at the Pescado Island or an overland journey to it. Once complete, we drive to Uyuni lodge, settled on the slopes of the Tunupa volcano.
Uyuni salt flat, Bolivia
Cactus forest nearby Chituca, Bolivia.
Ramaditas, Bolivia.
DAY 7 AND 8: UYUNI
Take in the astounding view over the Uyuni salt flat from the comfort of our haven. Your guide will help you decide the explorations you would like to go on. You can choose from hikes, overland trips, and bike rides. Climbing the multi-hued slopes of the volcano up to 5,432 m.a.s.l/ 17,835 f.a.s.l., biking across a section of the salt flat, or cruising the slopes of the volcano and stopping by at villages along the way are a few of the possibilities. What you see here will remain imprinted in your heart, soul and fondest memory for the rest of your life.
DAY 9: UYUNI
The last day of the Travesía. After a nourishing breakfast, we drive across the eastern area of the salt flat towards the Uyuni airport, recalling all we have lived for the past days as we gaze off into the rare beauty and enormity of this extraordinary place. A last glance. For now.
** Should your Travesía start from Uyuni, please consider beginning the crossing after spending at least 2 nights above 2,500 m.a.s.l/ 8,202 f.a.s.l., so as to give your body time to adapt to local conditions and prepare for the journey ahead.
EVEN DEEPER: 9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS EXTENSION
Extending your stay is also an option for those who prefer to savour the moment, and to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in our swimming pools or reading in the living room.
Add one more night at explora Atacama to your 8-night itinerary and go even deeper into the remote. You will never regret it.
Tunupa volcano, Bolivia.
Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia.
Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
