The Atacama Desert hosts a diverse array of terrain, including drifting sand dunes, hissing geothermal wonders, immense canyons and surreal turquoise lagoons amid vast white salt flats. Glowing sunrises and mind-blowing sunsets are a daily delight, and when night descends, pristine skies reveal an awe-inspiring celestial spectacle.
The Atacama Desert’s diverse and spectacular landscapes offer a world of adventure and discovery at any time of year. A tailor-made itinerary offers guests a wide range of guided excursions catering to individual interests and preferences.
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Float effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters of Cejar Lagoon, a crystalline oasis on the edge of the Atacama Salt Flat, where afternoon light paints the desert in shifting hues and the vast horizon invites stillness and wonder.
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Explore the surreal Valley of the Moon, where sculpted formations, shifting light and profound desert silence create an otherworldly landscape. Morning walks reveal the vast beauty of the Atacama, shaped over millennia by wind, water and time.
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Set out before dawn to witness El Tatio’s extraordinary geothermal field, where steam columns rise into the morning light and more than eighty active geysers animate the high-altitude landscape, revealing the Atacama Desert’s raw power and luminous beauty.
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Saddle up with our expert baqueanos, whose deep knowledge of Atacama’s trails brings each ride to life - from a gentle one-hour amble through San Pedro to a half-day journey toward the sculpted Salt Mountains.
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Discover a wide array of desert flora in this hidden oasis, wandering along rocky trails through a forest of giant cacti, alongside meandering waterways and past trickling waterfalls.
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Experience the surreal beauty of Piedras Rojas Lagoon, where vivid red rocks frame turquoise waters and the horizon glows with color-shifting mountain ranges, revealing one of the Atacama’s most captivating high-altitude settings.
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The region provides a rich habitat for a vast array of fauna, including flamingos, llamas, vicuñas and vizcachas, all perfectly adapted to thrive in the high altitude. Vegetation is surprisingly plentiful for such an extreme climate, including the impressive cardones (giant cactus) that can grow to a towering 30 feet (9 meters) tall!
San Pedro de Atacama has a rich anthropological history dating back 10,000 years and the people of the High Andean plateau are descendants of the Incas and Aymarás. For centuries, they have prospered in this unyielding landscape, forging a culture, livelihood and set of traditions unique to the region. An inherent respect for nature, sense of community and close connections to the earth and cosmos is evident. Delve deeper into the fascinating culture and traditions of the region on a vast array of excursions with Tierra Atacama’s expert guides.
We source as much locally-grown produce as possible, including Peruvian corn, fresh seafood from the coast, indigenous produce found on the high plains and some from just feet away in the hotel’s own garden, ensuring dishes full of High Andean flavor. We celebrate the best of North Chilean cuisine through our menu, using innovative techniques while honoring traditional recipes and seasonal ingredients.
Chile’s Atacama Desert offers a climate of stark contrasts. Days are warm to hot and sunny, yet as night falls, the temperature drops significantly, providing cool relief. Rainfall is exceptionally rare, making the region one of Earth’s driest spots. Chile's Atacama Desert offers a climate of stark contrasts. Days are warm to hot and sunny, yet as night descends, the temperature plunges dramatically, occasionally dropping below freezing in winter. Rainfall is exceptionally rare, making the region one of Earth's driest spots.
(DECEMBER – FEBRUARY)
Summer provides the best conditions for spotting huge flocks of pink flamingos in their salt flat habitats. Hot and sunny days call for early excursions, followed by an afternoon siesta and refreshing sunset dip in the outdoor infinity pool.
Daytime temperatures range from 27-32°C(81-90°F) in summer.
(MARCH – MAY)
Fall is a great time to visit, with pleasantly warm temperatures during the day creating the perfect conditions for full day excursions around the altiplano. The end of peak season also results in fewer visitors at the more popular local attractions.
Daytime temperatures range from 22-27°C (72–81°F) in fall.
(JUNE – AUGUST)
Winter transforms the surrounding mountain ranges into a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and days grow shorter and cooler, perfect for more active adventures. Nights are chilly at this time of year, and it's the best time of year for stargazing.
Daytime temperatures range from 16-22°C (61-72°F) in winter.
(SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER)
Temperatures gradually rise and the days grow longer during spring, making for comfortable conditions for any outdoor actvity. It’s breeding season for a number of bird and animal species so a great time to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
Daytime temperatures range from 16-20°C (61-68°F) in spring.
Tierra Atacama is situated on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama, a small village in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. LATAM, Jetsmart and Sky Airlines operate regular daily two-hour flights between Santiago and Calama. The hotel offers complimentary road transfers from Calama Airport to the hotel, taking around one hour.
Tierra Atacama was built on the site of a long-abandoned cattle corral. The design cleverly blends traditional and modern materials, blending in with the surrounding landscape while maximizing its impact via expansive windows capturing ever-changing views.
Step Inside
With Tierra Atacama as a luxury base, explore the wonders of the altiplano and witness towering volcanoes and kaleidoscopic mountain ranges overlooking epic canyons, drifting sand dunes, vast salt flats, shimmering lagoons and energetic geysers.
Explore the wonders
A sublime sanctuary with views to match, Uma Spa is the perfect place to rest, reflect and recover after a day of discovery, promising guests a physical and spiritual refuge and a menu of signature treatments to revitalise body and soul.
Heaven awaits