Explora in Atacama Hotel

Located amid countryside surroundings on the outskirts of the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, on the Atacama Salta Flat, Explora in Atacama has been developed as a base for exploration of a remarkable Andean world.  During the day, your guides introduce you to unique, extravagant, inexplicable sights in the Altiplano, amid the ravines and dunes of the Salt Range and Moon Valley, in millenial stone villages of shepherds.  During the night, the hospitality and comfort is fully up to the standard for which Explora has become well known.

Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.

Moderate

These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.

Active

These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.

Strenuous

While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.

Extreme

Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).

 Departures: any day, all year; in/out Calama

2010 Rates, per person:

 Family Discounts Available

Rates include: all meals, transfers between Calama and the lodge; choice of daily guided hikes and excursions

Explora staff meet you on arrival in Calama airport; you depart by hotel van eastward, and within an hour you have traversed the Salt Range and descend into the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, at 8,200 feet above sea level. Your guides welcome you, and begin the visit with an orientation toward the afternoon's excursions.

Each day, in consultation with the guides, you engage in either half-day or full-day explorations.  Some of these are rigorous challenges -- you can climb a volcano to over 18,000 feet.  Horse lovers will appreciate the opportunities to encounter the desert.  Those not comfortable trotting and/or galloping may take lessons.  There are hikes, there are van-supported visits to indigenous villages.  The variety of experiences is exceptional, and Explora guides have imaginatively made the most of their surroundings.

to come

• 3-night, 4-night and 5-night stays
• inclusive package, in/out Calama
• expert guides help you discover the wonders of the Atacama desert
• explore the Altiplano lakes, colonial villages, and archeological sites
• luxurious accommodation