About this hotel
General information
Nayara Alto Atacama is a lodge set in a natural oasis in the Atacama Desert, fed by rainwater running down from the surrounding mountains. Its low adobe buildings and terraces sit among terracotta rock, a cactus garden, an Andean vegetable garden and a llama corral. The architecture takes its cue from the desert, with colours, textures and materials that reflect local history; buildings are oriented so that sun and breeze do the work of heating and cooling, and treated water from the lodge’s own well is recycled to irrigate the gardens. It belongs to the Nayara Resorts collection and The Leading Hotels of the World, and holds Chile’s government “S” certification for sustainable tourism.
Stays are sold on three programmes. Dream is room and breakfast, with a naturalist guide on hand to plan outings if wanted. Full Experience covers the room, all three meals, one full-day guided excursion for each night of the stay, an astronomy lesson at the private observatory, airport transfers and use of the Puri Spa facilities. Private Guided Experience adds daily outings with a private vehicle and a dedicated guide. There is no minimum stay, though the lodge recommends at least three nights.
Location
The lodge lies in an oasis 3 km from San Pedro de Atacama, at about 2,500 m above sea level, looking out over the Catarpe Valley and the Cordillera de la Sal, with the San Pedro River audible as it runs down from the Andes. The city of Calama is 1 hour 15 minutes away. Private and shared transfers run from Calama El Loa Airport (CJC), timed to each guest’s flight, and the lodge can arrange onward transfers to the Bolivian and Argentine borders.
Spa
Puri Spa, named after the Kunza word for water, has open-air treatment pavilions, outdoor pools and hot tubs, a dry sauna, a wet sauna, a steam room and an outdoor relaxation room lined with natural stone. Treatments are grouped around the four elements of fire, water, earth and air and use local, artisanal organic products. Signatures include the 90-minute Puri Spa Trilogy for back, head and feet, Scottish showers and mineral baths overlooking the Catarpe Valley, alongside massages, scrubs, wraps and facials.
Sports & leisure
Each evening the guiding team plans the next day’s outing with guests according to the weather and their fitness; some excursions climb above 4,300 m. An instructor-led yoga class is held every morning at no charge. Options include:
- walks through the Valle de la Luna, across mesas and through slot canyons
- the Salar de Atacama and its flamingos, the Tara salt flat, geothermal fields and sunsets at high lagoons
- bike rides through canyons and dunes, and volcano hikes
- petroglyphs of the ancient Licanantay culture, the hilltop fortress of Pukará de Quitor and a stroll around San Pedro de Atacama
- stargazing through a professional telescope at the Ckepi viewpoint, Kunza for “eye”
- the llama corral, cactus garden and Andean vegetable garden on site
For children
The lodge suits families well: children can meet the llamas, wander the cactus garden, swim in the heated outdoor pools and join the nightly stargazing sessions, while the dunes of the Valle de la Luna make an outing of their own. Connecting rooms can be booked, though they are limited in number.
Restaurants & bars
Cooking draws on the lodge’s own Andean garden and local growers, pairing the staples of northern Chile — corn, wheat and meat — with root vegetables, wild greens and grains.
- Ckelar Restaurant — the fine-dining room, with a four-course tasting menu, regional dishes such as charquicán and corn cake with goat’s cheese and chañar, and a list of leading Chilean wines
- Quincho — an open-air barbecue pavilion serving asado with views of the Andes and the desert; booking required
- Bar Puri — an intimate bar for wine-pairing dinners, tastings, cocktails and freshly squeezed juices
Swimming
Set in the desert, the lodge has no beach; instead there are heated outdoor pools in the oasis, plus open-air pools, hot tubs and mineral baths at Puri Spa.
Pets
Pets are not allowed; certified guide dogs are the only exception.
Rooms
The adobe accommodation comes in two categories, Catarpe Room and Suite Tilo, finished with San Pedro de Atacama craftspeople in warm sand and terracotta tones, with wood, clay-textured walls and woven textiles; every room has its own terrace.
Every room has a king-size bed, a terrace, a minibar with complimentary drinks and mineral water, two yoga mats, free Wi-Fi and twice-daily housekeeping.
Catarpe Room
A room with a king-size bed and a large terrace facing the lodge’s inner gardens, the Catarpe Valley or the Cordillera de la Sal, a few steps from the restaurant and spa.
Suite Tilo
A suite with a king-size bed, a private heated plunge pool, a patio with an outdoor shower and a broad terrace looking towards the Cordillera de la Sal and the Andes, plus motorised curtains and individual climate control.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.