Awasi Atacama

Since its launch in 2006, Awasi Atacama always aimed to offer its guests an entirely unique Atacama experience. A walled oasis in the center of San Pedro de Atacama, with just eight beautifully-decorated adobe rooms, it is designed to be as private and relaxing as possible. Cultural references grace the property, adding a special local charm, and the cuisine incorporates local ingredients into the dishes, which are tweaked to accommodate guests’ specific dietary requirements. What really sets Awasi apart is the tailor-made nature of its excursions. A guide and 4×4 vehicle is assigned to each guestroom, and the program is designed exclusively according to the guests’ interests and physical condition, which makes it possible to explore the area at one’s own pace. A wide range of activities is available, both half-day and full-day, and after a day of exploration, the hotel’s fire pit is the perfect venue to share experiences with the other guests, whilst enjoying the stunning starry skies of the desert. Awasi Atacama is as close to the African safari lodge experience as you will find in South America.

Awasi is situated inside an ancient site surrounded by a historic wall, which for years housed shepherds and herders. Its privileged location just a stone’s throw from the center of town makes it possible to combine the privacy of the lodge with a touch of “town life”. The lodge has 8 guestrooms, built of stone, adobe and wood, with thatched roofs. Their ample spaces of more than 646 sq. ft. are truly unique, designed for relaxation, privacy and a well-deserved rest, complete with comfortable lounge chairs, and large bathrooms that open out onto private open-air patios with solarium and showers. Four guestrooms are located within the area of the public spaces (restaurant, pool, fire pit), while the other four are located across the road.

Awasi suggests a series of excursions so you can enjoy the magic of the Atacama geography, the silence of its landscape and the warmth of its people. Each couple can program their outings according to their own rhythm and particular interests with sole use of a private vehicle, and will be accompanied by an experienced guide willing to share their knowledge of the place and his own experiences. From active full-day adventures hiking, biking and horseback riding to easy-going half-day cultural visits and cooking classes, each guest at Awasi will find a private tour to suit their interests.

The sheer starkness of the Atacama Desert is one of awe-inspiring beauty. A landmark of the El Norte Grande, this region boasts an incredible landscape of ragged, rocky mountains, hills and ravines that are interspersed by a striking white salt pan and surrounded by towering volcanoes. As the world’s driest desert, the Atacama lives up to its name, with not a single raindrop recorded in over 150 years in some areas of this vast high plateau desert. Sitting at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the Atacama Desert boasts clear, unpolluted skies that allow for the most incredible, unforgettable stargazing. Amongst the desolate landscapes you will find the quaint town of San Pedro de Atacama, which serves as a gateway to the desert’s main attractions such as the Cejar Ponds (which contain more salt than the Dead Sea and will allow you to float with no effort), the Toconao Village, the Valley of the Moon and the Flamingos National Reserve.