Adventure in Chile: Travel in the Atacama Desert

Recent years have seen Chile becoming a hot destination with Patagonia bursting into the hotspot with the opening of the first Explora Hotels deluxe and all-inclusive adventure property in Torrres Del Paine National Park in the early 1990's.

The turn of the century came and the new hotspot for Chile was the Wine Roads of Chile where enhanced wine estates opened their vineyards to guests and attractive new lodging en-route were opened.

Today, the Northern Atacama Desert, an all-seasons destination, is ripe and dry for deluxe adventures. 700 miles long the Atacama Desert used to be right off the beaten path but now there can be found a bevy of stylish hotels and lodges which have brought life to this very remote region.

To reach the gateway of a magical desert landscape which is dotted with salt lakes, geysers, archaeological sites, volcanoes and timeless oasis villages is just a 2- hour flight from Santiago.

The Atacama Desert is the world's driest desert and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Andes. There are occasional rains falls which produce blooms but there are large expanses where nothing grows. The myriad of colors and unusual landscapes are breathtaking.

Moon Valley is an eerie terrain of landscape of salt columns, mines, caves and surrounding volcanoes. To get the best view you need only to take a 45-minute hike to a low mountain ridge. Visitors can then walk the crusty paths around Salar de Atacama where they can see several species of flamingoes congregating in a protected reserve.

At daybreak you can enjoy the spectacle of the steaming geysers at El Tatio. This is a geothermal field of volcanic origin where water and steam spring up violently from deep inside the earth. After that my recommendation would be to enjoy a thermal bath in the Puritama River and then explore the Valle de Muerte on horseback or bicycle.

You can also enjoy the oasis town of San Pedro, one of the oldest settlements in South America. San Pedro was the center of the ancient Atacameno culture before being absorbed into the Inca Empire in the 15^th century. Today San Pedro is a busy place with craft shops, a central market and many cozy cafes and restaurants. Its leading attraction is the hundreds of mummies, mastadoden bones and pre-Columbian artifacts which are all on view in the well-organized archaeological Museum Padre Le Paige.

You will also see the charming 17^th century Inglesia de San Pedro which is an adobe church with cactus -wood decorations and is held together by leather ties instead of nails.

There are many accommodations offered for visitors many of which are high style and offer action packed excursions.

The Alto Atacama is a village hotel close to the ancient ruins of Pukara of Quitor and is located at the base of the Salt Mountains in the Katarpe valley. This hotel offers 32 suites all with private terraces, mini-bar, and digital safe and flat screen TV. The hotel offers a range of 23 different excursions including half day and whole day trips.

A 4-night stay here starts at $1,750 this includes accommodation, three meals daily, all tours and excursions and airport transfers.

Located in the town of San Pedro is the Awasi. This hotel is a masterpiece of stone, adobe and wood. There are only 8 adobe bungalows all offering private patio, reading area, Internet and indoor and outdoor showers.

Each bungalow has a private guide assigned to it and a 4WD vehicle. Rates start at 2 nights for $1,280 which includes all meals, beverages, private outings and airport transfers.

The Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa is Chile's newest desert spa hotel. This is an all-inclusive luxury resort with 32 rooms with their own terraces and view of the volcanic ring surrounding the altiplano. The rates at this hotel, which is a mere 20 minute walk for the town of San Pedro, start at 2 nights for $695 and this includes all meals, open bar, daily excursions and use of the spa facilities and airport transfers.

You will find the days here bright and pleasant all year long but there is a great difference between night and day temperatures. In winter (June/July/August) it is 72 F during the day with night- time sometimes dropping to below freezing. During the summer months the temperatures fluctuates between 82F and 60F but keep in mind that daytime temperatures can reach 90F.