For travelers who want more than just a vacation, Alto Atacama is steeped in Andean culture. Over half of the staff is indigenous, and their personal stories enrich guests’ understanding of the region. Outdoor enthusiasts can book two-day trips following old migration routes of the Likanantai and Tiwanaku peoples from the Andean plains or trek across the salt flats of the Cordillera de la Sal and pass the “Three Marys,” rocks sculpted by extreme winds, or pass the ghost towns of Peñaliri on a scenic journey to the Rio Grande.

Expert guides lead a wide variety of excursions. Choose short day trips to Incan ruins and petroglyphs, meet local farmers using traditional techniques, or step onto strange landscapes like the Valley of the Moon, or wade into turquoise waters of the Tebinquinche. Come nightfall, see the stars under the open air observatory back at the lodge.

Alto Atacama is the driest of all deserts, but glacial snow trickles down to fill the spa’s aquifers with crystal clear waters. Solar-heated pools, expert hands, and aromatic scents invigorate after a day of exploring.

Guests are treated to Finnish Saunas, Turkish baths, Scottish showers, indoor & outdoor hot tubs, or simply relax in one of six pools, each surrounded by a rock wall for added privacy. Order from the pool-side bar, fill up on organic, locally-grown foods.