Chilean Adventure-Patagonia & Atacama
New Trip Dates for 2024 & 2025 TBA
Join a femme force of adventurers in one of the globe's greatest playgrounds
Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
On this Chilean adventure, we head in three different directions. We kick things off in the capital city of Santiago to absorb all of the European allure: the clean cuisine, the urban art and architecture, and the fabulous Chilean wines, all the while being inspired by a few local women we will meet along the way.
Once in the Atacama, we soak in the desert ambiance, the high-altitude adventure, and the soul-sating silence in the area. We finish things off in one of the world’s top spots and in one of Chile’s most highly lauded properties in the heart of Patagonia. Expect horseback riding, glacier kayaking, hiking, and a sunset soak in the pool on site.
The bespoke level of activity is yours to create, with a vast menu of options available for you to choose from at the two Tierra properties. Each day, you design your adventure destiny with the on-site guides. Options and adventure are endless. The experience is life-changing.
Chilean Adventure
2024 & 2025 Dates TBA
Group size: 12-20
Gallery credits: Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
Adventure Details
About the Trip
There are several places and ways to flex your sense of adventure on this trip to Chile. From the vibrant city streets of Santiago to The Atacama's moon and lunar-like landscapes to the undulating dunes, vast valleys, salt flats, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, and the hot springs in The Atacama to the jagged peaks and glacier fjords of Patagonia. The ambiance is evocative, and the activities run the gamut. It's an adventure lover's dream and a dreamer's oasis.
(This is on a first-come basis. Don't wait until the final deadline to book, as other travelers will be at the two properties in Patagonia and Atacama. If you wait too long to book, rooms may no longer be available at that late date.)
Trip Basics
Dates - 2024 & 2025
New Trip Dates for Chile Trip 2024 TBA
Days - 11 Days/10 Nights
Size - Minimum 12, Maximum 20
Style - Adventure, Wellness & Culture
Needs - 30% deposit is required to hold spots.
(First-come basis. Spots may fill up earlier.)
Treats - Exceptional adventure, stunning settings & spas
Accommodations - Chic Boutique & Luxe City Hotels. Eco-Luxury Lodges in the Atacama & in Patagonia
Host - Karen Loftus
Fees - TBD
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 | 2024
Santiago
Upon arrival in Santiago at the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, you will make your way through Customs and Immigration and exit through the green doors marked 'Meeting Point’. Our representative will be there waiting for you, holding a sign with your name. You will then be taken to Santiago city center and directly to your hotel. Santiago is typically a point of entry into Chile. However, it is well worth taking a day or two to soak in the urban appeal before heading for adventure in the Atacama and Patagonia.
The city has strong European influences in its architecture, people, and lifestyle. Santiago remains a very cosmopolitan city with an abundance of bars, restaurants, cafes, museums, floral shops, food markets, and parks. Like any great city, there are several bohemian hubs and a great mix of neighborhoods, from upmarket to artsy. You can capture it on foot or on a biking tour; the city feels like an urban art gallery, as graffiti art is prevalent throughout the city.
If you opt for a low-key approach upon arrival, your chic boutique hotel is an art deco oasis and a pitch-perfect start to any stay in Santiago. Centrally located in the Barrio Lastarria neighborhood, this creative enclave is known for its hip, high-end restaurants and cafes, theaters, markets, and museums. It’s located across the street from Parque Forestal, their sprawling urban park, and within walking distance to Bellas Artes Museum, Municipal Theatre, Plaza de Armas, Moneda Palace, Plaza Mulato Gil, and Central Market.
If you are up for an eno adventure outside the city, you can experience the local Chilean vines a mere 30 minutes outside of Santiago in Casablanca Valley at the Matetic Winery, Chile’s largest fully organic and biodynamic winery. Bike through their vineyards and experience these cool climate wines at an extensive tasting or over an abundant lunch. Regardless, the day and the night are at your leisure and on your own to rest and recalibrate or to hit the ground running to explore this capital city and cultural hub and its vibrant surrounds.
Day 2 - Day 6 | 2024
Santiago, Sierra de Atacama
If you are up for an early run or a sunrise stroll, you have easy access to the park right across the street from our boutique hotel. If you have yet to take advantage of the Terrazza K or the rooftop, grab a coffee, a book, a journal, or simply yourself and head on up. Soak in the views and the urban ambiance before we head to the Atacama, the driest desert on earth.
After your breakfast at the hotel, we head back out to the Santiago airport to catch our flight onward to San Pedro de Atacama. Upon our arrival in Calama, we will be met and transferred to San Pedro de Atacama.
We will be staying at Tierra Atacama Adventure and Spa Hotel. The title says it all, as this is the place to go for those who like to rev it up as much as they like to wind it down.
It’s rest and relaxation in the absolute idyllic sense with spa treatments done in the sand, by the pool, or under the stars after a day of pure adventure from adrenaline-filled to active and interesting.
Regardless of the activity, the scenery remains otherworldly and surreal. It looks and feels like each landscape is trying to one-up the next. You can expect everything from the moon and lunar-like landscapes to undulating dunes and vast valleys, salt flats, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, and hot springs.
Your bespoke journey begins upon arrival at Tierra Atacama, an esteemed National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World member. Once checked in, it’s nap time. You look at the map with attentive guides on site and peruse your adventure options.
Then, fill in your dance card.
The best part is that this is truly an individualized adventure, as each guest on the trip can choose what they want each day. It is not set by nor necessarily with the group.
Like a safari schedule, you are often up and out at sunrise and sunset and, on rare occasions, on an all-day excursion. They offer several ways to take in the various landscapes, from hiking to biking and horseback riding or sandboarding in Death Valley or Moon Valley.
Other activities are scenic, such as stargazing, which the region is known for.
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Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
There are Chilean flamingos, a salt bed, and a dead sea-like spot, perfect for a reflective float with a chilled Pisco planted in the sand. A big highlight is the early morning excursion to El Tatio, a geyser field located several hours away within the Andes Mountains at 14,190 feet. The altitude on the property at Tierra is 7,900 feet.
With our five-day, four-night itinerary, a few key things that tend to be explored in a window like this are the Atacama Salt Flats, Moon Valley,
The Hot Springs and Atacama Astronomy Tour, Horseback riding in the Atacama Desert, a Full-day Tour of the Tara Salt Flat and the iconic Tatio Geysers. You can look at the options on the Tierra Atacama website site and do some planning in advance.
Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
As far as health and wellness and the spa side of things, there is an impressive spa on site with treatments available inside or out. There’s yoga available for our group on-site on a daily basis. The pool and patio, as well as your veranda, are top spots to dial it down in between excursions or in place of one.
A 15-minute walk into the town of San Pedro de Atacama is essential at some point in your stay. It is a darling little village filled with local charm and character, top shops, many with well-curated clothing, and curiosity as hip, authentic local restaurants and bars.
The food on the property at Tierra Atacama is exceptional. It reflects the clean cuisine that Chile is known for. Plenty of Chilean wines are on pour; a Pisco sour is never far out of reach. You must try if you’ve had a Peruvian Pisco but have never had a Chilean, as they are vastly different. Keep your preference to yourself as it is a big point of pride for both countries.
Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
If you don’t opt for a stargazing excursion, be sure to pop out on your final night as the region draws gazers from across the globe. You can see all, including the Southern Cross, as well as the different Atacameñan constellations, such as the Andean Llama. It’s a good time to count your lucky stars before we depart in the morning.
Image Courtesy of Ritz Carlton Santiago
Day 7 | 2024
Sierra de Atacama, Santiago
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we head back to the airport to fly back to Santiago. We are met at the Santiago airport and transferred to The Ritz Carlton in Santiago for the night. It is located in Las Condes District, otherwise known as 'Sanhattan' as it is in the financial district.
We have a one-day, one-night window back in the Chilean city. After all of the rest, relaxation, and adventure activities in the Atacama, you can get your big city buzz back on by running around the city and catching up on what you may have missed.
You can also dial it down and enjoy The Ritz Carlton’s enclosed glass rooftop pool and spa, an oasis by day and night. The view is expansive and urban, with The Andes Mountains in the backdrop adding to the allure.
This evening, we will be celebrating Chilean women, wine, culinary, and creativity at an event in Santiago city—more details to follow.
(By day, you are on your own to do what you want and at your own expense. The evening’s food, wine, and women’s event is a set group event.)
Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
Day 8 - 11 | 2024
Santiago, Patagonia
Enjoy breakfast at The Ritz Carlton before checking out of the hotel. We’re headed back to Santiago’s airport to catch our flight to Punta Arenas this morning. Once we arrive at the airport, we are transferred to Tierra Patagonia Hotel.
It is a five-hour scenic drive from Punta Arenas to Llanuras de Diana to the Patagonia property, but the vast Patagonia landscape makes it photo-worthy throughout.
You never forget that the Tierra Patagonia Lodge is located in Torres del Paine National Park, as it is set on the shores of Lago Pehoe with spectacular views of the Paine Mountains.
Torres del Paine is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, famous for its striking scenery, fauna, and adventure activities. In 1978, it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and continues to be one of the most magnificent places on Earth. A minute in, and you will see why.
The aesthetics astound inside and out as sustainability reigns supreme at this stunning property. The architecture seamlessly integrates the hotel's structure into the surrounding landscape, providing uninterrupted national park views. From floor to ceiling, this is pure Patagonian design. They utilize locally sourced materials and artwork, which can be seen throughout the property.
Similar to the Tierra Atacama property, once you settle into Tierra Patagonia, you meet with the guides on-site and start to put your plans in place for the following days. You can head in several directions and partake in various levels of adventure and activity.
This is a custom-made adventure at its best. It’s hard to miss hiking in THE ICONIC Torres del Paine Park or an opportunity to horseback ride with Banqueanos and Patagonia cowboys, or going for a glacial kayak. It’s all otherworldly, at times challenging, and always life-changing.
On property, you can pamper yourself by dipping in for a swim, taking a long and lazy look out at the park views all around you, or with a treatment at the Uma spa.
Dinner and drinks on the property are incredible. The convivial vibe extends from the group to the staff and the other guests on the property, as this is a luxe international adventure hub.
Image Courtesy of Tierra Hotels/JamieEnsey
Day 11 | 2024
Patagonia, Santiago
On your final morning at Tierra Patagonia, you’ll have breakfast on the property before we depart for the airport, where we will catch our connecting flights home or to other parts of Chile or South America.
Until we travel together again…
Accommodations
Luciano K
Luciano K is a chic boutique hotel that boasts a blend of period and Art Deco design together with contemporary sensibilities and service. It was once the tallest building in Chile in the 1920s--first with central heating and a lift.
Today, the rooftop terrace and the heated pool remain a big draw to the hotel. The rooftop lounge, with its spectacular view of Parque Forestal and Alameda Avenue, and the relaxed lounge with cocktails and tapas make it an ambient spot day into night for guests and locals alike.
The hotel is centrally located in the Bohemian district in the Lastarria neighborhood. Most things are easily walkable and within ten to fifteen minutes, which is perfect for your first day in town.
Tierra Atacama
This 32-room chic boutique property with stunning views of the majestic Licancabur volcano is within easy reach of the charming rustic village of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile.
The hotel was designed to have minimum impact on the land, preserving the original adobe walls that are part of the history of San Pedro de Atacama. With a welcoming, cozy ambiance, all rooms at Tierra Atacama have private terraces, outdoor showers, and wonderful views of the volcano. The interior decor is casual and elegant, with authentic pieces sourced from local villages.
The food is excellent, the service sublime, the excursions exceptional, and the surrounding beauty otherworldly. Prepare to spoil all of your sensibilities. Also worth noting, the property is one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World and a member of Virtuoso.
Ritz Carlton Santiago
The Ritz Carlton Santiago is a five-star luxury property in the prestigious Las Condes district.
The upmarket ambiance in the neighborhood is reflected throughout the property.
Their four dining venues include farm-to-table Chilean cuisine at Estró, Pisco cocktails that are on point at The Ritz-Carlton Bar, and hand-roasted coffee at Café Ritual.
It’s hard to top the glass-roofed spa and wellness center with an indoor lap pool, fitness center, and extensive spa menu.
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa
The Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa sits on a bluff where the South American pampa meets Lake Sarmiento. The building is immersed in the landscape and emerges seamlessly from the hillside. The award-winning architecture responsible for the property complements the flow of the geology in this privileged location. It showcases the magnificent views of the Torres del Paine National Park, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978.
Inside, wood-clad walls emanate warmth, safety, and protection – a cozy hideaway after a day of adventure exploring the Patagonian outdoors. The essence of the interior decor mirrors the design of their sister hotel, Tierra Atacama. Furnishings and textiles were also hand-made by Chilean craftspeople, using local natural materials, high-quality workmanship, and inspiration from the surrounding estancias as well as the influence of the native Tehuelche people.
Worth noting here, the property was recently awarded Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2018.
Accommodations, Rates, Availability
New Dates, Deadlines, and Prices for WAT's Chile Trips 2024 & 2025 TBA
SHARED ACCOMMODATION AND SINGLE OCCUPANCY ARE AVAILABLE
(Spots may fill up prior as it is on a first-come basis.)
Please note: Payment must be made in full at least 90 days prior to departure.
Availability - This program welcomes a minimum of 12 guests and a maximum of 20.
Email us ASAP to Get on the List to Secure a Spot.
Inclusions
Accommodation for 11 days/10 nights in a double or twin room with single supplement available
Daily excursions with a private guide in small groups (a limit of 8)
Transfers between the hotel and the nearest airport
All meals at Tierra properties – buffet breakfast, three course lunch and dinner menus
Open bar at Tierra properties - includes water, soft drinks, juices, house wines and spirits.·
Breakfast at Luciano K & at The Ritz Carlton Santiago
Use of Uma Spa facilities on Tierra properties
Yoga classes at Tierra Atacama
Exclusions
International and domestic flights to Santiago
Private transfers and excursions
Souvenirs, Tips & Gifts
Incidentals, tips and gifts
Laundry services
Travel Insurance
Passports & visas
Food, drinks and city activity in Santiago (except where noted)
Your Host
Karen Loftus is a well-known and respected luxury travel and lifestyle writer and photographer with a sense of humor, a wicked sense of adventure, and an insatiable appetite for off-the-beaten-path endeavors.
She hit her international stride twenty-plus years ago as an award-winning feminist playwright. She was also a groundbreaking international comedian in the US, Europe, Asia, and The Middle East.
She also ran her nonprofit, Body Comedy, where she used humor to heal. She worked with thousands of survivors of physical and sexual violence, women, and children in many facilities, juvenile halls, prisons, and shelters.
Ten years later, Karen ended up on Hollywood's red carpet, interviewing the celeb set and writing about travel, fashion, beauty, food and wine, and the Hollywood lifestyle. Since then, she has traveled to seven continents and 70+ countries while working as a writer and photographer.
Her compelling and entertaining stories have appeared in Vogue, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Robb Report, American Way, Hemispheres Magazine, The NY Daily News, The Globe & Mail, South China Morning Post, The Gulf News, Huffington Post, and Men's Journal among many others.
This serial entrepreneur has produced comedy tours and theatrical events worldwide through her production company, Goddess Productions, and lifestyle and fashion-driven events through her event company, The Lofty Style Lounge.
Lofty loves hitting the road, sharing her wild stories and entrepreneurial endeavors with other women. She speaks at college campuses, conferences, and corporate events.
In addition to WAT, she arranges well-curated travel for individuals and groups under her travel advisor umbrella, Lofty Traveler. Lofty Traveler is a part of Cloud 10 Travel - An Independent Affiliate of Cadence Travel, a Virtuoso Agency.
Final Notes
If you haven’t been yet, this is the perfect Chilean trip. These incredible, action-packed adventures in the high desert of Atacama and Patagonia’s Torres Del Paine Park are perfect. If you are into the outdoors, you love a ton of adventure amidst striking scenery and appreciate well-appointed and authentic accommodations.
As much group time, as there is with this, there is also much room for you to carve out your own time should you choose. You can get as adventurous as you want on this trip. There are many options and potential directions to head in with the group or on your own, and you can change that level and direction daily. You will have plenty of time between your morning and afternoon activities to take time to yourself or to hang with others at the pool on the property or in town while at the Atacama.
If you are sensitive to altitude changes, you will need to plan for that on this trip. I will share my tried and true tricks for this in a letter to all participants.
If you haven’t been to Chile, this is a beautiful intro. If, like me, you have been, this is a great opportunity to revisit. Chile is such an extraordinary place. I will continue to visit and explore this country for years to come. I hope you will, too!
