From Stargazing to Volcano Hikes: Checking into Tierra Atacama, Chile’s Newest Ultra-Luxe Adventure Lodge
Once a trading and caravan hub turned backpacker haunt, now a world-renowned stargazing destination, the adobe village of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile has always been a remote outpost at the edge of the world—one where the roads were rough, the beds basic, but the rewards cosmic. Today, backpackers still arrive with dust on their boots, although a new kind of traveler is also being drawn here: ones seeking adventure paired with design-forward, eco-comforts.
Enter Tierra Atacama, perched on the edge of town and recently reopened after a year-long, $20 million transformation and now part of the Baillie Lodges collection—the group behind Australia’s Longitude 131° and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in British Columbia—it provides a fresh take on experiencing one of Chile’s most captivating landscapes. From flamingo spotting at sunset and stargazing under the world’s clearest skies to desert-inspired spa rituals, prepare for an extraordinary stay in the Atacama.
A Masterclass in Sustainable Design
Built on the site of a former cattle corral, Tierra Atacama is a masterclass in sustainable design and cultural storytelling. Architect Matías González and interior designer Carolina Delpiano beautifully preserved the property's soul while infusing it with warmth and intention. Locally sourced materials and an earthy, elemental color palette creates a subtle yet powerful sense of place: travertine marble echoes the shimmer of nearby salt flats, while deep midnight-blue accents evoke the star-filled desert skies.
The lobby, restaurant, and spa were entirely redesigned, while four new suites–that feature private plunge pools, hanging fireplaces, and spacious bathrooms with free-standing soaking tubs and outdoor showers, plus access to a personal guide–bring the total number of rooms to just 28. Rounding out the categories and equally lovely are the Oriente and Poniente rooms, while two bi-level apartments are ideal for families or groups.
Elements of storytelling and Atacama culture are woven throughout—from textiles and rugs made with alpaca and llama wool to original artworks, sculptures, and framed gallery prints by Chilean photographers. There are no TVs, but none are needed. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase views of the Licancabur Volcano or Cordillera de la Sal, inviting you to slow down and savor the silence–perhaps with a glass of wine or some Amarula cream liqueur in your coffee from the generously stocked minibar.
Moving away from single-use plastics, each guest receives a reusable Tierra-branded water bottle—perfect for desert excursions, they can be refilled at a station beside the lobby bar and taken home as a keepsake. At turndown, glass canisters filled with filtered water are placed bedside along with nightly gifts, including a handy Tierra-branded neck buff and lovely handknitted socks. A solar panel and battery hybrid system supplies around 60 percent of the lodge's energy needs, while water is pumped from a private supply and purified by reverse osmosis.
Flavors of the Altiplano
The culinary experience at Tierra Atacama is every bit as refined as the design and setting, thanks to executive chef Andrés Donoso Cancino who crafts menus that reflect the richness of Chilean ingredients and respect for sustainability. He sources almost exclusively from local producers and supplements the kitchen with fruits and herbs grown on the property—figs, pomegranates with plans underway to add an orchard. Mornings begin with a breakfast buffet and à la carte hot dishes, but the rotating three-course lunch and dinner menus really shine.
Fresh seafood from Chile’s Pacific coast—rockfish and yellowtail—arrives daily, spotlighted in inventive, seasonal preparations. For dessert, don’t miss the house-made ice cream infused with chañar, a native fruit with a caramel-like flavor. Several cocktails and mocktails incorporate local botanicals, such as ayrampo syrup from the cactus of the same name. Held twice a week, during Fire Night, a range of meats, including lamb and Chilean beef, are prepared on an enormous outdoor grill and served buffet-style. A new wine cellar features an impressive collection of Chilean vintages—enjoying a glass fireside in the sunken lobby lounge before dinner highly recommended.
Privately Guided Desert Adventures
And of course, adventures at Tierra Atacama are expertly tailored. Upon arrival, guests are invited to the dedicated Excursion Room to meet with the guide team to chat about interests, fitness levels, and acclimatization needs. Whether you're drawn to high-altitude hikes, cultural outings, or scenic photography, they'll co-create an itinerary that ticks everyone's boxes. Those staying in suites or family apartments enjoy the added luxury of a private guide and driver, allowing for spontaneous detours—pulling over for a photo op or to watch vicuñas grazing in the wild.
One morning might take you deep into Mars Valley on horseback. By afternoon, you could be exploring ancient petroglyphs at Yerbas Buenas or marveling at the Tatio Geysers. Sunset at Laguna Chaxa is a highlight: observing Andean, Chilean, and James's flamingos silhouetted against pastel skies and the volcano-framed horizon is an unforgettable sight. On the return from one such outing, your guides might just surprise you with an impromptu cheese board and chilled Chardonnay beside the car—a reminder that at Tierra, even the transitions between adventures are crafted with care.
Stargazing in the Darkest Skies on Earth
At over 8,000 feet above sea level, free from light pollution and blessed with near-constant clear skies, the Atacama Desert is one of the world’s most revered stargazing destinations. While an off-site visit to a nearby observatory can be arranged, Tierra Atacama brings the cosmos to you, thanks to a partnership with local outfitter Atacama Nightsky.
On clear evenings after dinner, on-site guided astronomy sessions mean there’s no need to leave the lodge. Planning a visit around a new moon for the darkest skies is ideal, but even during the waxing phase (when the moon grows brighter) the experience is mesmerizing. Picture yourself wrapped in a warm wool loaner poncho, peering through a high-powered telescope as a guide traces constellations across the sky including the “Jewel Box,” a dazzling cluster of young stars 20,000 light-years away, and the iconic Southern Cross. Another Southern Hemisphere standout is the celestial llama or yacana—an Incan constellation within the Milky Way, depicting a mother llama with a baby positioned as if nursing; the mother’s eyes marked by stars Alpha and Beta Centauri.
Atacama-Inspired Spa Rituals
Desert adventures demand proper downtime—and at Tierra Atacama, recovery is an art form. After a day spent trekking or a late night under the stars, few places restore body and mind like Uma Spa. Treatments here draw inspiration from the land, blending ancestral rituals with local ingredients like lithium-rich salt and native herbs. The spa’s signature product line features rica rica, a fragrant Atacameño herb known for its invigorating properties, and chañar, that golden fruit with a caramel-like flavor also prized for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Together with almond oil and karité shea butter, they form the base of a nourishing body butter and exfoliating scrub that leaves skin smooth and hydrated.
Curate a DIY wellness circuit with a sauna, steam, and cold plunge in the outdoor pool, or simply soak in the open-air hot tub. For deeper relief, the Licancabur Massage, named for the region’s iconic peak, delivers deep-tissue work ideal for altitude-weary muscles. And for aching feet, the Lantur Ritual combines a soak with local carob tree pods and ancient reflexology techniques to help you feel grounded. Wellness also extends beyond the treatment room. In a guided Shinrin-yoku forest bathing-style nature experience, guests are invited to reconnect with the land through silent observation and slow movement before participating in a Pago a la Tierra ceremony—a soulful offering of gratitude to Pachamama, or Mother Earth.
Chile’s Most Magical New Stay
All-encompassing stays at Tierra Atacama begin the moment you arrive at El Loa Airport in Calama (there are multiple daily, direct two-hour flights from Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez Airport) where a driver will meet you with a Chevy Suburban before setting off for the lodge about 90 minutes away. Packages include daily guided excursions (private or small group), meals, an open bar, and full access to the spa, pool, and gym. Spa treatments and gratuities are additional. Nightly rates for Poniente and Oriente rooms start at $1,870 in low season (May–September), rising to $2,310 in high season (December–February). Suites start at $2,240 in the low season and peak at $3,205. For ideal weather—and fewer crowds—consider planning a visit during the spring shoulder season (September–November).
