Hotel Terrantai, Atacama Desert

Hotel Terrantai, located on the main square of San Pedro de Atacama, has been built by a renowned architect using the traditions of the region and local materials. The walls and walkways are made of lacustrine rocks that were specially selected to restore an old dwelling into the Hotel Terrantai. The intimate hotel lends an air of familiarity and comfort. Winding passages have views of the old adobe white washed church and look upon the vast blue sky.

Large windows in the rooms allow you to see small terraces for growing vegetables, a legacy from the old Andean traditions. Rooms have modern conveniences such as atelephone and hot water. The seeds of Algarrobo, Chañar and Tamarugo Trees embellish Hotel Terrantai's outdoor restaurant. Ideal for sharing stories of the day's excursions with new friends or a romantic dinner for two, the outside dining area is a hidden gem.

Daily excursions depart to the various areas of the desert and allow for a variety of activity levels. The archeology and natural history Museum is a short walk away. All meals and daily excursions are included.

While at Terrantai, you can choose daily guided excursions from the following menu:

El TATIO
Early morning departure for an excursion to El Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field flanked by soaring Andean peaks. At just under 14,000', this is the highest geyser field in the world. At dawn, powerful spurts of steam erupt out of the ground through various blowholes, and the vision of the steaming geysers against the deep blue desert sky may be one of your most enduring memories of your visit here. Short hikes through the geothermal field. Full-day tour.

MISCANTI AND MEÑIQUES LAGOONS
Located at over 14,600', these lagoons are surrounded by impressive volcanoes originated from the rising of the Andes in ancient geological times. They get their underground waters from snowmelt. You will also visit Cocaire, town of Atacama peasants. Full-day tour.

PAKANA'S SENTINELS
Located approximately 80 miles from San Pedro, Pakana is a group of rocks structured in columns that have remained since geological times, As a result of volcanic activity during the Tertiary era, it is a wonderful landscape whose background is the extraordinary ecosystem of the Tara salt flat located at an altitude of 4500 m. Full-day tour.

SALT LAKE OF ATACAMA/TOCONAO
Today you will visit Toconao, a village devoted to the manufacture of white volcanic stone sculptures. You will also visit the huge Atacama Salt Lake, an inland sea dating back millions of years. After a short hike through the Jeri Valley, you will visit Chaxa Lagoon in the middle of the salt flat, a habitat for pink flamingoes. The flatness and emptiness of this region are truly overwhelming and for the rest of the day you will journey with your group and local guide through this region along the often bumpy road that leads towards to border with Argentina. Half-day tour.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR AND MUSEUM
Guided tour of the San Pedro Archaeological Museum, where there is an important anthropological collection of the Atacama culture. You will also visit the local markets for a sample of national and international crafts, the municipal large house, the church and the house of Pedro de Valdivia. Half-day tour.

MARS VALLEY-CATARPE
Also know as "Death Valley" it is located in the salt mountain range, whose most important attractions are the strange rock shapes and the unusual atmosphere. Going along the San Pedro river, we could see an archaeological site that belongs to the Inca Period.

SEJAR LAGOON
This natural environment with its marvelous beauty and turquoise waters is surrounded by salt crystals in various shapes. Their geomorphological constitution is a very particular case in the Atacama Salt Flat, since it is due to the dissolution of karstic structures. Pink flamingoes are often spotted here. Half-day tour.

HIERBAS BUENAS PETROGLYPHS
Going back to the main road to Calama, we take a detour to get to the Hierbas Buenas gorge. Impressive collection of carved rock designs that let us know about the former social groups in the Atacama. Full day tour.

MOON VALLEY
Located in the salt mountain range, 90% salt and 10% other minerals, unusual landscapes are treasured at the bottom. Made up by attractive and impressive geological formations of diverse shapes and colors, the Moon Valley has been attracting the attention not only of frequent travelers but also from scientists. Giant dunes and beautiful salt crystal on the crouching ground make you feel like in another planet or the moon itself and it turns more attractive during sunset. Half day tour.

QUEBRADA DE GUATIN & PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS
You will begin this long walk in the Gorge of Guatin, where it is possible to see the amazing flora and fauna. Located on the bottom of a small canyon, the volcanic hot springs of Puritama are known for their healing properties. The temperature of the waters is about 33 degrees C. Full day tour.

TREKKING CORDILLERA DE LA SAL
It is a moderate walk by the Cordillera de la Sal that will allow us to feel the direct bonding with the dessert, like a personal experience. The place is of a total calm and solitude to the dusk. Half day tour.

ATACAMA'S RUINS
Visit to the Ayllus (Atacama's villages) and the archeological village of Tulor, that is made up of connected, circular rooms. The village has been covered by the sand, without signs of its inhabitants until today. You will also visit the indigenous Pukara of Quitor. Half day tour.

Contact us to include Hotel Terrantai in the Atacama Desert in a customized itinerary of travel in Chile.