San Pedro de Atacama
Embark On A Journey To The Driest Desert In The World
The driest and most desolate region in the world is far from inert. Visit San Pedro de Atacama and explore unique landscapes
like salt flats, geysers, and deep blue lagoons, just a few of the sites in this absolutely otherworldly destination,
perfect for unforgettable tours in Chile.
The region boasts stunning geologic formations and has provided scientists with a wealth of research opportunities. The
Atacama is the oldest desert on Earth and has experienced semiarid conditions for roughly the past 150 million years. Nowhere
else in the world will you find epic salt caves, close to vast sand dunes, impressive lagoons, volcanoes, salt flats, and geysers as
well as a wide range of activities for nature and adventure lovers.
Though culinary wonders may not be what you think of when you think of the driest desert in the world, the cuisine might surprise you. Over thousands of years, indigenous people have found a way to cultivate crops in the arid region. A mix of indigenous, Chilean, and Spanish cooking styles, adapted for the desert prevail in this area. Relying on seasonal ingredients, meat from local animals like llamas, and desert herbs and flowers for flavor, a truly unique regional cuisine has grown up over centuries of humans etching a living from this land, and inventive new chefs are taking these building blocks and opening exciting and delicious new restaurants, bistros, and cafes around San Pedro, while many family-run restaurants continue to preserve classic recipes for pure, uncomplicated enjoyment.
Atacama, also called Atacameño, or Cunza, is an extinct South American indigenous culture of the Andean desert oases of northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. The last surviving groups of the Atacama have been assimilated by Spanish and Aymara culture. The descendants of this indigenous group can still be found in the region of Antofagasta, particularly near Calama and San Pedro de Atacama, and form one of the nine recognized indigenous peoples of Chile.
An adventure destination that lends itself well to activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, mountaineering, and incredible exploring and sightseeing, the Atacama Desert is an adventurous place for those travelers who thrive on redefining their idea of adventure with actives that go beyond traditional adventure sports. The unique landscapes from salt flats to volcanoes, mountains to lagoons lend themselves perfectly to adventurous spirits looking to explore the thrilling adventures found in the Atacama Desert.
The nature found in the Atacama Desert is unlike anywhere else in the world. The driest point on Earth makes for a variety of fascinating landscapes like the Valle De Luna or “Moon Valley” which resembles landscapes found on the moon or Mars. Salty lagoons, dramatic geysers, active volcanoes, and the forever magnificent Andes Mountains all come together in this nature-lovers dream destination, in a way only found in the Atacama Desert.
The perfect destination to be still and experience rest and relaxation, the Atacama Desert feels like time no longer exists - where making time for your wellness and health is of the utmost priority. From massage therapists on call to custom treatments, world-class spas, morning yoga, and more, the modern and luxurious resorts in San Pedro De Atacama offer top-of-the-line wellness programs available for those looking to relax, unwind and enjoy the stillness of the desert.
When booking a vacation to Chile, we’ll keep your travel goals in mind. Whether you’re looking to explore the Andean
city of Santiago, sip your way through the wine region of Maipo, or embark on an adventure in Patagonia – browse these
signature itineraries to get some inspiration for your customized luxury tour of Chile.
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Stargazing in the Desert Both amateur and experienced astronomers can rejoice - the Atacama Desert is considered one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. The impossibly clear, forever dazzling night sky in the Atacama desert is one of the desert’s most cherished attractions. The high altitude, lack of moisture, and limited light pollution contribute to the clear starry skies. With the exception of periods of a full moon, stargazing in the Atacama Desert is a year-round activity and there are many astronomers in the region who also serve as guides, helping visitors see the sky’s spectacles such as meteor showers, eclipses, and constellations. The astronomers know the best locations for stargazing and even provide equipment like telescopes, or access to observatories making for a once-in-a-lifetime stargazing experience.
Tierra Atacama Part of the luxe Tierra Atacama Hotel, their innovative restaurant allows visitors to experience a multi-course tasting menu that takes traditional Chilean ingredients and dishes to new heights, featuring succulent meat and seasonally fresh fruits and vegetables. Start with a Rica Rica Sour, similar to a pisco sour but flavored with the native rica rica herb, and then move on to their excellent wine menu to pair with the meal.
Awasi Atacama - Relais & Châteaux The Awasi Atacama lodge gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the history, flora, fauna, and astronomy of the Atacama region, with a multilingual guide assigned to each of the luxurious adobe cabanas of the hotel. In the rooms, guests can find a private furnished patio, solarium with an outdoor shower, alpaca blankets, water bottles, torches, walking sticks, heated floors, and chachacoma tea to help acclimate to the altitude. To get around the area, the hotel offers each cabana a four-wheel drive to use during their stay. Soul food also takes the form of fire-pit-lit cocktails and surprisingly varied desert cuisine: steak and seafood with sweet chañar fruit and Algarrobo paired with Chocalan syrah and other rich reds. Though there is no spa, therapists skilled in all manner of massages, reiki and reflexology are available to make room calls on request.
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Discover the City of Roses while enjoying your tours in Chile, consider traveling to Puerto Varas for a fairytale addition that feels more like a stroll through Europe.
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