Some nature aficionados swear by GOD, as in: “Go outside, dummy.” The original phrase was sprinkled around the internet in the 2010s, but I recently spotted it on a t-shirt with a happy bear strolling through a forest while I was in the airport headed to Bolivia. It must have been a sign for my trip to come because I was about to be, once again, outside, in some of the most glorious scenery on the planet.
The world’s largest salt flats, known as Salar de Uyuni, hold some 10 billion tons of salt nearly 12,000 feet about sea level in Bolivia. From December to April, the flats look like an endless mirror due to copious rains, but from May to November, the entire area is completely dry, crackled with surreal, hexagonal shapes right in the salt. I had long wanted to see the stark white surface of Salar de Uyuni amid its flamingos, giant cacti, and culpeos (a wolf like creature referred to as the Andean fox). Fortunately, one of my favorite hotel brands, one that holds “GOD” as its unstated mantra, has a lodge right on the edge of this glorious landscape.
Over the last three decades, Explora has invited hikers, nature lovers, and travelers who simply like luxury in nature to roam some of South America’s most profound natural settings. The group now operates seven lodges and “Travesias,” nomadic overland journeys, from the tip of Patagonia to the oceanic outskirts of Easter Island. I’ve been to several of Explora’s properties, and when I heard that Explora was allowing travelers not on a Travesia to stay at its Jirira Lodge, a six room outpost overlooking the salt flats, I immediately booked my room.
Three aspects make Explora absolutely exceptional, and the Jirira Lodge proved to be no exception. Of course, Explora’s selection of properties is unmatched, but its guides and their enthusiasm to show each guest the great outdoors builds delight. I was giddy to arrive at the lodge, knowing full well that I’d have a roster of hikes and adventures to select from for each day of my stay. My gracious guide nudged me to take on the Tunupa Volcano hike one morning, which will remain one of the most defining hikes of my life. I was gasping for air at the steepest points due to the immense altitude, but the breaks allowed me to marvel at the jagged red rocks that contrasted with the endless white of the salt flats. Go outside, indeed. It was a landscape I’ve never witnessed.
One of the best treats of Explora, and another aspect of the group that makes it such a standout in luxury travel, is its elevated elegance. After that hard volcanic hike, I was looking forward to returning to the lodge where I could sip a latte, sink into a cozy armchair, and take in the white visa of the salt flats from the cherry wood interior of the lodge. Even better was the hot shower in my spacious bathroom with beautiful lighting in warm hues, the warmed robe, and the locally sourced soaps.
Lastly, Explora stands out in its unwavering commitment to preserving the environments and communities it touches. A certified B corporation, Explora meets a high bar of minimal environmental impact along other community, employee, and social commitments. For the group’s three Travesia sites, Explora worked with Max Nunez, an internationally noted Chilean architect. Gonzalo Undurraga, CEO of Explora explained, “ The travesia sites are even ‘reversible’ and can be easily dismantled and removed. The construction and installation are consistent with our philosophy of minimizing impact yet maximizing panoramic views from stunning locations that connect with the immensity of the site and invite calm after a day of exploration.” I could sense the thoughtful placement of the Jirira Lodge per Undurraga’s description. The steel framed lodge sits atop a jagged mountain peppered with sturdy Atacama Desert cacti, some nearly a thousand years old. It feels both grounding yet impermanent, a great reminder, to me, of nature’s delicate beauty.
Now that I’ve been to nearly every Explora, I’m hopeful the group continues to expand. Fortunately, Explora just opened expeditions in Iceland, spanning the Thorsmork Valley, the Highlands, the Vatnajokull Glacier, and the expanse of Landmannalaugar. I asked Undurraga if the GOD trend of travel will ever subside. He remarked, “Since the pandemic, demand for meaningful connections with nature has surged, especially in the luxury segment. Today’s most valued brands are those that not only deliver extraordinary experiences but also stand for something greater. At Explora, our purpose is to explore stunning destinations as a path to conservation—ensuring that the unique ecosystems we operate in are protected for generations to come.” I’m surely here for it.
An external view of Explora's Jirira Lodge
The cracked salt flats.
Hikes, bike rides, and 4X4 are daily options at Explora.
