Tierra Atacama - Chile
An Adventure Spa Where Being High and Dry is a Good Thing
by Dave Shultz
 In a
luxury resort hotel, you would expect a cheerful staff that attends to every
need, inspired architecture, dining that features exceptionally prepared
cuisine made with fresh local food, and a plush bed with 600 thread-count
Egyptian cotton sheets. Tierra
Atacama, a recently-built resort and spa in Chile’s Atacama Desert, has all
that. But
 what makes it truly
luxurious is this: at night, you can step outside into a silent landscape to
see a billion stars in the sky as the moon rises over a perfect cone-shaped
volcano. At sunrise, the desert sun
casts an exquisite light on the audacious flowers that grow in the garden.
And by day, a guest can partake of
dozens of different adventures of discovery, learning the secrets of
geography, of biology, and of culture in this sparsely-populated land that
has been a cross-road of culture stretching back 12,000 years.
 
 It is
this sense of place, this integration with the sky, the land, and the people
of the Atacama region that makes Tierra Atacama a worthy place. Long after
you forget the  sweetness of
a chocolate placed on the pillow, you will remember finding and holding,
briefly, a shard of pottery fashioned by ancient people more than 6,000
years ago. Long after the comfort of soothing hands in the spa ebbs, a woman
will recall watching hundreds of flamingos settling onto a briny lake as the
last rays of sun illuminate an immense salt flat. Experiences that enhance
your life and endure as lovely memories – those are the luxuries that we can
take home from such a place.
 Tierra
Atacama nestles up against the village of San Pedro de Atacoma, an oasis of
green in the driest desert on earth.
The green is more than a welcome sight after the drive from Calama to
San Pedro. It’s a sign that not
only is there life in this desert but its thriving and has been for
thousands of years. The village
shows its age in the narrow crooked streets and ancient adobe walled houses
 but the faces are youthful
and carefree. San Pedro is
something of a commune and attracts transient youth from all over the world.
How the word gets out is a mystery but somehow the young wanderers
with their sandals, colorful backpacks and bandanas find their way here.
The town square has a constantly changing mosaic of international
youth lounging in the shade in their advertising laden t-shirts making
connections for tonight’s lodging or passing on tips for finding the best
meals at the lowest prices.
Life here is relaxed and orderly and there is a surprising absence of
panhandlers.
 If you
think being in such a remote place would be boring, think again.
There are more things to see and do in the Atacama than one visit
will allow. Tierra Atacama
offers an all inclusive rate that covers not just your room and meals but
excursions that will delight and amaze you as you discover the diversity of
this high desert landscape.
 Choose your
adventure from four wheel, hiking and walking, biking, volcano climbing,
horseback riding, cultural and flora and fauna excursions.
In each one of these categories there are a variety of adventures to
suite any level of experience and any age.
Visit
http://www.tierraatacama.com/excursions/default_eng.asp for details on
all the day trips available.
  The
topography of the region is unique and diverse.
This 20 million year old desert is 50 times drier than California’s
Death Valley and is over 40,000 square miles.
It is virtually sterile because of the dryness and the salt content
of the soil. You can walk
through the Valle de la Muerte (Death
Valley) or the Valle de la Luna (Moon
Valley) and hear nothing but the cracking of the salt
 and clay as it contracts or
expands from the heat of the passing sun.
There are no insects or animals living in this hauntingly beautiful
environment. On the other hand,
the salt flats are home to three different varieties of flamingoes and in
most of the area there is a variety of wildlife well adapted to life in the
Atacama. There are plenty of
opportunities to observe and photograph the vicunas and llamas but bring
binoculars for the birds and smaller varieties of mammals like the culpeo
fox and vizcacha, the rabbit like rodents seen hopping around the hillside
vegetation.
 The
Atacama is a high altitude desert.
There can be abrupt changes in temperature in the summer (December to
March) from 86 to 61 degrees and in the winter (June to August) from 72 to
39 degrees and it can drop below freezing.
Because of the altitude, the sun is intense and skin protection is
very important. You can also
experience strong winds accompanied in some areas by blowing sand.
Dress in layers for extended excursions but leave your rain gear at
home.
  The
Uma Spa at Tierra Atacama offers all the traditional amenities but in an
atmosphere designed to complement the location and enhance your enjoyment
while refreshing your spirit.
There is an outdoor pool with an unparalleled view of the Licancabur
Volcano, Jacuzzi, heated indoor pool, steam room, Turkish bath and dry
Finnish sauna to refresh your body and spirit.
There are also spaces set aside just for meditative relaxation where
rica rica herbal tea and cold cucumber water are served.
The tranquil rooms for massage, facials and body treatments are quiet
and inviting and offers refuge from adventurous days.
 The dining experience at
Tierra Atacama emphasizes the quality you would expect from this level
resort. The meals are prepared
with fresh ingredients locally grown such as quinoa, Andean potatoes and
fresh herbs and the best beef, Chilean lamb, fish and seafood.
 Enjoy seasonal
fruits and vegetables including those grown from gardens on the property.
Every meal is a delight to the eye as well as the palate and offers a
unique menu with dishes beautifully prepared and presented and the cuisine
seems to compliment the locale whether it is sensible or decadent.
If you lounged around the pool you might choose the fresh fruit for
dessert or if you were really adventurous and went sand boarding you might
have the rich chocolate ice cream.
The choice is yours.
You'll also sample the finest in Chilean wines with your meals.
Each one offers surprises and delights that complement the cuisine
perfectly.
 The
Chilean architecture of the resort utilizes lots of natural resources and
offers lots of indoor and outdoor areas for
 lounging and relaxing and
every room has a spectacular view of the volcano which really puts on its
best face at sunset. Relaxing
with a drink before dinner on the patio is a favorite pastime for guests.
The Tierra Atacama Resort is a venture of the Purcell
family who has a long history in the service industry and run the Portillo
Hotel and Ski Resort in Chile.
They promote Comfort, Entertainment, Nature and Relaxation here in this
Adventure Spa concept where you can experience different adventures every
day and then come home to the luxury of the spay every evening.
 
Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa
Calle
Séquitor s/n, Ayllú de Yaye
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Telephone:
(56-2) 263 0606
Toll Free USA: 1-800-829-5325
Toll Free Canada:
1-800-514-2579
http://www.tierraatacama.com
General Information:
info@tierraatacama.com
Turismo Chile
http://www.tourismchile.com/
Photos by Dave Shultz
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