Explora has unveiled a new private guided nomadic journey across the border of Chile and Bolivia. Running seven to 11 nights, “Travesía Atacama & Uyuni” invites travelers to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat and the Atacama Desert, with scenic views and explorations along the way.
Traveling from Atacama to Uyuni, the journey weaves along the Qhapaqnan section of the ancient Inca trail through a highland world dotted with volcanoes, colorful lagoons, flamingos, geysers and rock formations.
Hiking, biking and van excursions will take travelers to local villages, besides locations so remote "even some locals don’t know about them." Highlights include connecting with farmers and experiencing their ancient cultures, with travel along old community trails and opportunities to learn about quinoa cultivation and highlands shepherds. Guests can also savor a culinary experience from Bolivian chef Mauricio López of Ancestral restaurant in La Paz. They can also hike to Tunupa volcano, a sacred protector of local villages, and view sunrises and sunsets, with zero chance of rain.
The “Travesía Atacama & Uyuni” route takes travelers to two new Explora Mountain Homes and, as of March 2023, to one new Explora lodge purpose-built for adventure and set in isolated locations in the Andes. Designed by architect Max Núnez, the two Explora Mountain Homes, Ramaditas and Chituca, are essential spaces of prefabricated, minimalist and light construction to ensure as little interference as possible with the ground beneath and the surrounding territory. Each private Explora Mountain Home can accommodate up to eight travelers in four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. There’s a separate dining area serving indigenous cuisine featuring local ingredients and a lounge pouring local wines. The new Explora Lodge, Explora Uyuni, will have six rooms and can host up to 12 travelers.
Explora offers “Travesía Atacama & Uyuni” with departures available daily from Explora Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, with a one-person minimum per journey. Each traveler (or couple) will travel in their own 4x4 vehicle with a private local driver and a trained, bilingual guide (English and Spanish) from either country. The season runs from August 25 to December 15.
For more information, visit www.explora.com.
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