San Pedro de Atacama is located in the north of Chile, 100 km / 62 mi south-east of the city of Calama in the middle of the driest desert in the world. It is a unique destination - a green oasis amidst a hostile moonscape, lonesome, serene, majestic and not to be missed. The scenery is out of this world - towering volcanos mirrored in shallow salt flats, hot springs, canyons, ancient pre-Inca ruins and so much more! This humble village has served as an oasis settlement for hundreds of years. San Pedro de Atacama is regarded as the archeological capital of Chile. In addition, it is surrounded by a spectacular natural environment, with gems like the Tatio Geysers, the Atacama Salt Lake, the Valley of the Moon and the longest ring of volcanos on the planet.

Hotel Alto Atacama

Alto Atacama is a village hotel near the ancient ruins of Pukara de Quitor, just three kilometres from the famous oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. The village enjoys a unique location at the base of the breathtaking Salt Mountains in the beautiful and fertile Katarpe valley. Combining raw nature with comfort and convenience, Alto Atacama offers guests the perfect sanctuary to rejuvenate body and soul.

Alto Atacama has been built in the style of a traditional adobe settlement, complete with llamas and crops typical to the area. Its architecture, its gardens and its interior design, is reminiscent of a typical Andean Altiplano village.

Alto Atacama provides an all-inclusive service. Guests can enjoy everything the Atacama Desert has to offer. Our highly trained, bilingual guides make the excursions unforgettable; their knowledge of the local history and culture, flora and fauna, geology and archaeology is unparalleled. More than just a tour guide, each one will become a partner in your excursions into the remarkable landscapes surrounding the hotel.

The state of the art hotel's architecture is modern and minimalist with grand open spaces which allow our guests to enjoy the full beauty of the Katarpe valley and its hills. Every detail of the hotel has been designed to make your stay completely unforgettable. Alto Atacama offers the best of all worlds. After a day trekking or biking, guests can return to the village to relax in the spa, take a nap or simply enjoy a well aperitif on the terrace.

The bedrooms:

Alto Atacama has 32 suites, each one with a private terrace. Equipped with mini bar, internet connection, flat screen TV (optional), digital safe, laundry service and direct access to national and international telephone services.

Bar and restaurant:

Located in the main building, our well-stocked bar offers drinks and a selection of fine Chilean wines to enjoy on the terrace or by the open fire in the living room. The restaurant offers a chilean fusion menu for lunch and dinner as well as the buffet breakfast to start the day.

The Spa:

The Spa has six outdoor swimming pools (one heated and five at ambient temperature), two Jacuzzis, two saunas (wet and dry), hot springs and a variety of massage treatments. A visit to the spa provides the perfect way to unwind and soothe aching limbs after a day of strenuous excursion.

Other services:

Fax, business center and Wifi conexion.

Excursions

Alto Atacama offers 23 different excursions to guests so they may enjoy as much as possible of the stunning surrounding area. Every night, guests meet with the guides in the bar to co-ordinate excursions for the following day. Guests can choose from a menu of up to eight alternative excursions each day which are classified according to length, difficulty and type.

The excursions have been designed to suit everyone and no specific physical training is required. However, we do recommend that guests bring the following clothing and equipment:

• rucksack (20 to 35 litres)
• various layers of clothing: thermals, fleeces etc
• detachable trousers
• windbreak
• sun protection, sun hat and UV sun glasses
• gloves, hat and good quality parka for excursions above 5000m.

View full list of excursions with details of each

Rates per person - from May 1 - Dec 31, 2010

Rates per person - from January 1st, 2011 - April 30, 2011

Programs:

Alto Atacama programs include:

• transfers (without guide) between Calama airport and Alto Atacama
• accommodation-full board: á-la-carte with wine (house wine), drinks or soft drinks
• open bar
• daily explorations (one half day excursion per day) with driver and Spanish / English speaking guides and lunchbox
• use of all hotel facilities (except massages)
• Complimentary transfer service between the hotel and San Pedro de Atacama (from 8:30 to 23:30)

Not included:

• Spa treatments (massage, reflexology, Reiki, etc)
• laundry service
• telephoen calls
• premium wines and spirits

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.