A few steps from the main square of San Pedro de Atacama surrounded by dirt streets with little shops and a charming colonial church, the Awasi Atacama stands out among desert accommodations.
At more than 2,500 meters above sea level, Atacama transports us to another world, where volcanoes, dunes, thermal lagoons, salt flats, canyons and a diverse range of animal and plant life welcome us in one of the driest places in the world. Earth.
To elevate the experience, there is nothing better than combining comfort, personalized service, first-class cuisine and exclusive tours, everything that Awasi offers us. But he goes further, as he works with all inclusive rates with programs ranging from three to six nights. And I guarantee: it makes all the difference.
The hotel was one of my bases in the Chilean desert for the recording of the 8th season of CNN Viagem & Gastronomia, in which, with the help of the property, I designed an itinerary outside the obvious that presented me with the best of the region.
Charming stay
Awasi Atacama is part of the range of three Awasi properties, which are also present in the Torres del Paine park, in Chilean Patagonia, and in Puerto Iguazú, in the middle of the Misiones Atlantic Forest, in Argentina.
They all share the same philosophy: they provide stays full of charm, with a reduced number of accommodations, along with haute cuisine and exclusive excursions. The hotels have the seal Relais & Châteaux which attests to quality and commitment to attentive service.
At Awasi Atacama, they are available 12 circular accommodations built in adobe, which follow regional architecture, defined by small houses in stone and wood.
Most accommodations measure 65 m², filled with rustic furniture and sophisticated touches, including a private patio that opens onto starry nights and a large bathroom equipped with a bathtub.
Also worth mentioning is the restaurant, open only to guests from breakfast to dinner, which highlights the local cuisine meaning we delve into raw materials involving native potatoes and corn and Pacific seafood. Ingredients such as chañar , quinoa and mesquite inseparable from Atacama cuisine.
Chile, a fertile land for some of the best wines in the world, also features tastings, ideal for ending the day toasting the wonders of Atacama.
Exclusive itineraries
Even before we land in Atacama, the Awasi team anticipates our needs based on a form in which we indicate preferences, interests, physical condition, dietary restrictions and any other details for a more personalized stay.
Once in the desert, the transfer to the hotel awaits us at Calama airport, the most popular gateway to Atacama. It’s just the beginning of the journey: each accommodation has own guide and one 4×4 vehicle for private tours, which respect our time and disposition.
Trained in the most diverse subjects involving the region, such as history, archaeology, fauna and flora, the guides provide full assistance and speak several languages, upon request, such as English, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese.
We can choose what we like most: excursions that last all day with lunch included, set in some surprising landscape along the way, or two excursions a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, interspersed with lunch in the comfort of the hotel .
Among my discoveries, I explored the wonders of the Salares Route and the Los Flamencos National Reserve, including breakfast at the foot of the Licancabur volcano, as well as being impressed by the Black Lagoon with the Vallecito (an alternative to Vale da Lua) and with a trekking at the confluence of the Rio Salado . As night falls, there is no shortage of stars to count during astronomical tours, the icing on the cake.
The list of activities with the guides is huge and the friendly swimming pool in the center of the hotel helps us relax between one tour and another. Back in the room, our outdoor patio is yet another invitation to look up and be amazed by the Atacama.
Awasi Atacama
Tocopilla 551, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile / More information at website.
Discover the hotels that are classified as palaces in France
The post Awasi Atacama offers luxury and privacy with included tours in the desert appeared first on CNN Brasil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
