Expan Experience: San Pedro with everything included at Explora Atacama

There are destinations that never lose their magnetism over time. San Pedro de Atacama is one of them: a landscape that challenges the senses, where aridity coexists with unexpected biodiversity, and where the darkness of the night sky remains, according to all experts, one of the clearest on the planet.

With a hotel sector that has grown significantly in recent decades, northern Chile has successfully combined the authenticity of its Atacama culture with world-class service standards. Among the names that define this commitment to excellence is Hotel Explora Atacama , recommended by Héctor Gatica , National Area Supervisor for Expan Tours, who shares the details of his most recent trip.

Two northern landmarks: The desert and Explora Atacama

As part of a FAM trip, the journey to San Pedro served to learn in depth about the Explora Atacama proposal.

" The Atacama Desert remains an important landmark and highly sought-after tourist destination in Chile , with all its natural attractions and excellent selection of hotels. It is a destination that delights all the tourists who manage to visit it ."

The key to Explora 's model is its all-inclusive system, a concept that in this case goes far beyond full board: excursions are also included in the rate .

" The hotel allows two half-day excursions per night of stay , or one full-day excursion if the guest prefers to delve deeper into a single area. I participated in four experiences, a pace that in another context would have been exhausting, but here flowed naturally ."

Excursions in San Pedro de Atacama

The four experiences covered some of the most emblematic attractions of northern Chile : the steaming columns of the Tatio Geyser , the vast white mirror of the Atacama Salt Flat , the Puritama hot springs and, as night fell, astronomical observation from the hotel's own observatory.

What distinguished these experiences was not only the quality of the destinations, but also the way Explora organizes each outing. The hotel has its own unique style, a particular way of guiding that transforms the familiar into something new.

" Although I was already familiar with the destination and the excursions, each hotel has its own unique style and gives the excursions their own characteristics. The Explora brand, with its expert guides , makes each excursion an enriching experience with excellent service ."

The Puritama Hot Springs were one of the most rewarding experiences of the trip. Located about 60 kilometers north of San Pedro de Atacama, these natural sulfurous hot springs emerge from the ravines of the high plateau, forming a series of stepped pools where the heat of the water contrasts with the fresh mountain air.

" The Tatio Geysers , on the other hand, are enjoyed at a different pace: unlike traditional tourism, the excursion leaves around 7:00 am , already in daylight. This allows you to arrive when the fumaroles are still displaying their maximum expression — driven by the cold at more than 4,300 meters of altitude — but with the great advantage of experiencing them almost without tourists due to the timing ."

The Atacama Salt Flat , meanwhile, offers a different scale: the immensity of the salt basin, with its pink flamingos and its uninterrupted horizon, invites a contemplation that is hard to find anywhere else in the world.

And when the sun disappears, the hotel has its most powerful card up its sleeve: the Atacama sky : " Explora's own observatory allows guests to access a guided astronomical experience, with professional telescopes and the expert explanation of those who know that sky like few others ."

What to see in Explora Atacama

Between excursions, the hotel also has plenty to offer. Explora Atacama is known for its architecture that blends seamlessly with the landscape and for its high-level cuisine that uses local ingredients with contemporary techniques.

In their free time, travelers can enjoy the swimming pools and spa , facilities that invite recovery and rest after outings into the countryside.

" There was also time for a short stroll through the town of San Pedro de Atacama, located just minutes from the hotel, with its lively main street, handicrafts and traditional atmosphere ."

Recommendations for traveling to San Pedro de Atacama with Explora

From the perspective of someone who has visited the destination multiple times, there is one specific recommendation for those who want to live this experience: take advantage of the low season .

" It is during these months that hotels offer their most attractive rates and special discounts for Chileans , a window of opportunity that many travelers overlook due to lack of awareness or the inertia of traveling during peak demand dates ."

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