When choosing where to study abroad, back in 2007, I opted for Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’d never lived in a big city before (born and raised in a Minneapolis suburb and then Maine for college) and also saw it as a great excuse to brush up on my Spanish. As my parents and I planned my departure, and, of course, their multiple trips to visit, we stumbled upon a hotel group called Explora. Only three existed at the time, one of which was located in a place my mom and I  planned to explore in the weeks leading up to my program. Knowing very little about the company, other than that the hotel looked gorgeous, we booked our stay: 4 days at the Explora in the Atacama Desert.

Explora: Atacama

Flying into the city of Calama, we hopped into an Explora van and set off for our hotel, located in the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama. Pulling in to our home for the next four days, I couldn’t quite believe the scene before me. The single-story hotel blended seamlessly into its surroundings. White, stucco-like walls and tan wooden roofs. It felt quintessentially desert. The gorgeous pools juxtaposed with the dry earth surrounding served to enhance all colors, making the water and sand even more vibrant. And the rooms. Simplistic yet exceptionally plush. We’d participated in zero activities and eaten no meals but I was already in love.

My obsession only continued to grow over the following days, as we ventured out to explore the Atacama Desert itself. Every evening, while gorging on a delicious dinner, the staff presented us with the activities available for the coming day. They provided a short overview of each, as well as whether or not there’d be another opportunity to elect them later in the stay. Fully informed, we could make the best decision for ourselves, with regard to timing, fitness level and duration of the adventure.

There seemed enough to keep us busy for an entire week, let alone four days! We spent one afternoon biking to nearby salt flats where white crusty earth stretched as far as the eye could see. Small pools dotted the landscape, filled with water of the deepest blue. Permitted to swim, I carefully lowered myself into the pools, seven times saltier than the ocean. Refreshing for sure, it proved a much needed break from the hot desert sun and left a thin layer of white coating my skin. We passed groups of flamingos wading in the larger ponds, their pink all the more vibrant when surrounded by salt and sand. The next morning, we set off on a horseback ride through desert canyons. The red walls rose tens of feet above us, permitting us to only narrowly pass through. Up and down we rode, finding different views around every corner. On another day, we walked the dunes of the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna). Jagged stones protruded from the earth and sand whipped around in the wind. Winding through and around the landscape, it felt as though we’d entered a new world, a different planet. No wonder they tested a Mars rover here. Our final day, I ventured forth alone, to hike near the Bolivian border. Surrounded by geysers and vicuña, I found myself standing at 15,000 feet looking out over beautiful mountains. The variety of activities offered gave us a perfect taste of the Atacama and the expert guides taught us more than I could have imagined, certainly more than I could ever possibly retain. And of course between and as part of all of these adventures was food. Such good food.  

Explora: El Chalten

The experience proved so memorable that when thinking through my 21st birthday celebration in Argentina, we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit another Explora location. We had wanted to spend time in Patagonia regardless, so it seemed the perfect fit. Flying into El Calafate, we drove across the border into Chile and wound our way into Torres del Paine National Park. As the only hotel within the park border, the location could not have been more spectacular. Once again, the architecture melded into the surrounding landscape. The flat roofed hotel tucked itself into the hillside, creating an immediate feeling of being one with nature. It felt simultaneously unassuming and exceptional. My bedroom window looked directly out over the lake and the mountains, rising steeply from the otherwise flat ground.

While we knew what to expect, in terms of food, service and other amenities, we could hardly have predicted the wonderful activities that awaited. It was an outdoor adventurer’s dream. We spent a full day hiking to the Towers, the most recognizable and visited spot in the park. The climb, while certainly rigorous, proved well worth it as we finally reached the top, looking out over the almost sage-green lake that sat below the massive rock formations. Another morning we jetted over to Grey Glacier, hiking along the side of it. With every step we gained an even better view of the ice, looking down directly over the blue crevasses below. Back on the lake, icebergs floated all around, the smaller ones bobbing up and down in our boat’s wake. Yet another morning, half asleep, I stuck my camera quickly out the window in an attempt to capture the breathtaking sunrise. The hotel’s location was so immersed in the landscape I could take a stunning photo and simply fall right back asleep. I can’t even begin to fully recount the magic of the place.

Thankfully, this exceptional hotel chain has expanded in the last eleven years, growing from three to eight. I encourage any and everyone to check out if they’re located in a city you plan to visit. Or, even better, I recommend you purposefully plan a trip to one of these hotels, allowing them to show you what the location has to offer. With 5-star meals and spa services, along with thoughtful and engaging activities, this hotel provides you the best opportunity to explore the beauty housed and, sometimes hidden, in South America.