Explora en Atacama - All Inclusive

This was probably the best trekking and lodge experience that I’ve had in my years of travel. I have visited over 55 countries that have not had an experience this class ever. I call it the four seasons or Ritz Carlton of South America. Extremely highly recommended as well as, accommodating to your needs

Simply amazing! Piedras Rojas truly stood out for me during my time in the Altiplano. And let me tell you, don't miss out on the stargazing experience—it's truly unforgettable! Traveling with Explora was an incredible experience. The attention to detail, from the comfortable accommodations, the amazing cuisine of Virgilio Martínez, and the personalized service, exceeded all my expectations. Thanks once again!

In many ways our trip to Atacama was magical. We loved the different areas of the desert and it was great to be somewhere all inclusive where everything was taken care of so you could focus on the most important item, the excursions. Explora misses out on 5 bubbles from us because it wasn't perfect but it was very good. On arrival from Calama we were collected from the airport with some other guests and arrived at Explora mid-afternoon. We were keen to maximise our stay and wanted to do a half-day excursion shortly after arrival. To their credit the staff at Explora, after greeting us with a Pisco sour, were also keen to arrange an excursion. Before that first excursion they wanted us to sit down with a staff member and set out our excursions over the duration of our stay. One improvement I would suggest would be that once the activities are agreed, a summary should be provided to guests confirming the excursions, also with details of what clothing and equipment is necessary. It was only by chance when we were talking to a guide one evening that we realised the staff member who arranged our excursions had made an error and booked us onto the wrong one the following day. Fortunately we were able to correct the error. The guides were generally very good, although if you couldn't keep up at the front, you were likely to miss out on conversation and information as you hiked along. The transportation was at times difficult in terms of terrain and suspension, perhaps the transport requires some upgrading. We thought the accommodation was disappointing, especially in the context of the cost of our stay. It's great that the accommodation is simple and traditional but it was tired, dark and not as clean as it could be. The ceiling fan needed to be on during the night, but this was right above the bed and essentially blowing in your face all night! The biggest disappointment was the star gazing activity, the event we were looking forward to the most. Sadly for us it was a little cloudy, clearly not in the control of the staff, but the group was far too big which meant you were standing around in the observatory doing nothing as people took their turns. They need to have a rethink about this activity because it doesn't compare well to the various excursions that take place during the day. Food was generally good and always available. And the staff were friendly and helpful. They were also able to arrange return transport in line with our flight time. All in all, although not perfect, we would consider using Explora again for further South American exploration.

We had very high expectations for this visit -and actually planned our trip around staying here in December 2024. The staff tried hard and some were excellent but not all. First, the excursions were top rate and the guides (except for one) were superb. They were all amazingly knowledgeable and eager to share. The star gazing was a huge disappointment. They do not let you book until you get there and once we checked in - the only availability was the last night of our 4-night stay and we were given the earlier of the two slots. That guide was in a rush - skipped the outside viewing, and then after showing our (rather large group) four stars/planets rushed out saying he had another group. He actually left our group of 4 in the planetarium questioning how to find our way back to the lodge. Second, the meals were also very disappointing. The chef tried too hard to be fancy and failed in many of the dishes, which were mediocre at best. The simple grilled trout we had one night at dinner was the best meal. Another night, a new waiter served the wrong dishes and gave the vegetarian in our group a stew with meat. Finally, while they do provide shuttle service to the airport - the schedules do not necessarily coincide with flight times. So while the management made out like they were going to help accommodate our flight - that did not happen. Nor did our request for a later checkout. It's a lovely place to spend a number of days, particularly because of the wonderful guides and excursions - but there should be a better effort to maintain the 5-star rating the hotel seems to enjoy, particularly given the price!

An extraordinary experience. Very interesting and well organized tours, with well informed guides. We learned a lot about the region, geology, history and local communities, Excellent food, very nice and helpful employees. 100% recommended.

My third Explora brings some mixed feelings. I still love the business model. Show up with some version of a wish list and they will sort things out with you. Daily excursions were great and spanned a variety of skill levels. Most trips are half-day (8-11a & 4-7p +/-) to avoid the midday heat. My favorite hikes were slot canyons (Domeyko), walking along the small river beds (Punta del Inca), and the White Volcano (with geysers). Elevation can be extreme and you should manage your trips to work up higher if you want. My last hike was ＞18,000’. The rooms are modern and spotless. Bed very comfortable. Humidifiers available on request. Explora doesn’t seem to attract a young party crowd, but they could still use more sound insulation. The lodge feels remote, but it is in the town with sometimes noisy neighbors. Staff was generally very friendly and helpful. Some clearly enjoy chatting with guests and/or showing off Atacama’s plants and wildlife. There were a few standouts that I hope to see at future Exploras, but also a few that seemed ready to move on. The food is mediocre. Good enough that I wasn’t compelled to leave the lodge … but I did consider it. Dinner was chronically under seasoned, the menu was repetitive, and there were execution errors. Lunch and breakfast are primarily a buffet. Food at Explora Peru was spectacular so the food here, from the same executive chef, really hit hard. Food pulls the overall rating down.