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Explora Travesía Atacama-Uyuni

Calama, Chile

Private lodge-to-lodge journey from the Atacama Desert of Chile to the largest salt flat in the world.

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Property Overview

Explora Travesía Atacama–Uyuni is a private lodge-to-lodge journey designed for deep immersion across some of South America’s most remote landscapes. Traveling by four-wheel-drive vehicle with an expert guide and local driver, guests move from Chile to Bolivia, exploring the Altiplano along the way. A series of lodges—including Atacama, mountain outposts, and Uyuni—serve as bases for daily exploration, offering insight into the region’s geography, culture, and natural environment. Itineraries range from six to eleven nights, beginning in Calama, Chile, and ending in Uyuni, Bolivia.

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SmartFlyer Exclusives

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD equivalent hotel credit to be used during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

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Agent Tips

  • We recommend the seven- or eight-night itinerary, which gives you three or four days at the start in Atacama to acclimate to the higher altitudes in Bolivia.
  • Riding a bike across the Uyuni Salt flat (available from Explora Uyuni lodge) is a must-do; the hard-packed salt makes for an easy, flat ride. The sound of your wheels crunching over salt is surprisingly satisfying!
  • Get up early to watch the sunrise from your room with a cup of tea from Explora Uyuni. It feels like you are on a ship on a vast sea of salt with striking colors.
Accommodations

An outstanding view of the world's largest salt flat.

The rooms in the lodges you'll stay in are designed to take full advantage of the silence, privacy, and spaciousness of the surrounding landscape, ensuring deep rest after a long day of exploration. The lodge and rooms in Bolivia welcome you with an outstanding view of the world's largest salt flat.
Wellness

A blissful retreat amidst the captivating beauty of the Atacama Desert scenery.

At Explora Atacama, surrounded by pampas grass and other local flora, four outdoor pools—including one heated—are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the quiet of the desert after a demanding exploration. In the nearby area are the sauna, steam baths, and outdoor hot tubs. Massage services are available; choose between relaxation and deep tissue.
Restaurant + Bar

Connection and conversations with like-minded adventurers.

At Explora Atacama, you'll enjoy a menu designed by renowned chef Virgilio Martínez of the Central restaurant in Lima and MIL in Cuzco. With over fifteen years of experience exploring different regions of Peru, Virgilio seeks to reflect the attributes of the Atacama Desert and the territory’s food products with this new gastronomic proposal for Explora.

The menu highlighting local ingredients and native plants from this region is the starting point for developing desert cuisine, as Virgilio calls it. Ingredients such as chañar, carob, cachillullo, and rica rica have been selected, among other local wild plants. In addition, products from other Chilean ecosystems have been incorporated.

The bar is a central meeting place for all Explora travelers and guides. Don't miss the signature Pisco Sour!
  • Vibe
    A modern, minimalist, casual mountain lodge.
  • Who's it for?
    It is ideal for adventurous travelers interested in nature, wildlife, and immersive exploration, including photographers, families, and lifelong learners.
  • Location
    Explora Atacama is located on the outskirts of the town of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in one of the most arid deserts in the world. Transfers in are included, with pick-up and drop-off from Calama, Chile Airport (CJC). The transfer takes one hour and fifteen minutes. Transfer out is provided to Uyuni, Bolivia Airport (UYU) per scheduled flight. In dry seasons, transfer duration is ninety minutes; in the wet season, from December to March, it is three hours. You can also start the program in Uyuni, Bolivia, and end in Atacama, Chile.

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