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St. Pedro de Atacama, Chile
56-2-206-6060

COST: $$$$$


The Altitude: 8,015 feet.

The Perch: On a 42-acre oasis in the Atacama Desert—the world’s highest—the explora looks out over volcanic peaks by day, and incredibly clear starscapes by night (even clearer when viewed from the hotel’s on-site observatory).

The Journey: Explora vans will pick you up from the airport in Calama, the closest major town (and a two-hour flight from Santiago); then you’ll take a one-hour drive through stretches of desert and mountain ridges to reach the lodge.

The Best View: No view disappoints, but any room between 35 and 43 overlooks the 19,000-foot Licancabur volcano, on the border where Chile meets Bolivia. Say the word and explora will lead you on a two-day trek to its summit, where you’ll find ancient Incan ruins and Laguna Verde, the world’s highest lagoon.

As Featured In...

From Travel + Leisure, Nov 2008

“On a 42-acre oasis in the Atacama Desert...” MORE>>

“Best High-Altitude Hotels”

From Travel + Leisure, Oct 2003

“Chile's most luxurious hotel, explora en Atacama Lodge, has finally given guests...” MORE>>

“T+L Reports: Desert Oasis”

Last updated November 2008 lastArticle = 11/2008 and lastAward =

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