Set in the driest desert in the world, explora Atacama provides a luxury lodge-based explorations within a unique living culture where some ancient traditions still survive which are experienced in carnivals, religious practices, music and in the local communities. It is unique for its remoteness, and its typography, climate, fauna and flora. The, lodge, the Hotel de Larache is located on a plain known as the Ayllu de Larache, once inhabited by an ancient Atacameño community. Great care was taken and respect given to the original layout of the land and the original buildings with many restored and retained as part of the lodge. Opened in 1998, with new facilities and improvements in 2008, the 50-room lodge is situated on 17 hectares of grounds just a few minutes? walk from the town of San Pedro de Atacama. In the area surrounding the lodge, we have maintained the ancient pathways and buildings which form a labyrinth that invites exploration. The views from the lodge?s broad terraces enable you to enjoy Atacama?s vast chain of volcanic mountains. explora provides half day and full day explorations of the surroungings allowing you to discover the ancient culture of Atacama, its flora and fauna, and get to know the natural landscapes of this vast terrain: from the brown of the Andean mountains and volcanos, to the white of the salt flats and the green of the oases. Activities and explorations are planned so our bodies can acclimatize and become accustomed to the altitude, There can then be opportunities to get to the altiplano, to heights of between 4,000 meters and 4,500 meters above sea level, or even further on high-mountain climbs. And for the really adventurous, explora also arranges extended multi-day travesias or exploration journeys. explora Atacama is the only lodge in this region with over one hundred of its own horses, which have been bred and trained specially for our travelers to ride. And with the Atacama sky being one of the clearest in the world and one of the best locations for astronomy, explora also has its own observatory within the lodge that provides an opportunity for some star-gazing. Atacama is unique for its remoteness and there is no better way to experience it than with explora's superb guides. One of the most special things about explora Atacama, as with the other explora properties is their guides. All have undergone rigorous selection and training through explora?s own ground setting Guide School so you are ensured that your explorations will be with someone fully equipped to share with you the art of travel that makes your Atacama experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. The explorations centered around its luxurious lodge and facilities will surely leave you with many amazing memories to treasure.