Description
With just 8 stunning cottages, superb cuisine, the finest private excursions and a highly personalized service, Awasi ranks with South America’s best retreats. It is located only a few blocks from San Pedro’s historic Central Plaza. This boutique hotel has been exquisitely designed, mixing local materials including stone, adobe and wood with a chic bar, wide outdoor lounges and a swimming pool with comfortable chaise lounges for relaxing.
The rooms are spacious with private patios, solariums, outdoor showers, reading armchairs, beautiful wooden floors, fine linen sheets and traditional alpaca blankets. The in-house chef has designed a varied menu, using many ingredients native to the area, such as purple potatoes, patasca, quinoa and chañar.
Each room at Awasi is assigned a private guide and a comfortable and modern 4WD vehicle to embark on special outings to the numerous volcanoes, dry salt lakes, and other natural attractions that make the Atacama experience unforgettable. The 4WD vehicles are equipped with both communication and GPS system, allowing guests to reach places that are not easily accessible. There are plenty of options to choose from: Visits to El Tatio Geysers, Salar de Atacama to see flamingos, the Moon Valley, Chiu Chiu, Toconao and Quebrada de Jerez, Plateau of Turi, Pukara Lasana and the highland lakes of Miscanti and Miñiques. Hiking tours, mountain biking tours, horseback riding tours and cultural tours to the surroundings are also offered.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Awasi comprises 8 luxurious and spacious cottages made of stone, adobe and wood, in an authentic Atacameñan style. The bedrooms have king-sized beds, wicker chairs, elegant writing tables, chaise longues, outdoor showers and private patios. Bathrooms are decked out with a bath, indoor shower, and Awasi's own brand toiletries.
Childcare
Children are welcomed at Awasi and cots and extra bedding can be provided on request in some of the cottages. There are many child-friendly activities on offer including star gazing, visits to local craftsman and the opportunity to learn about the local flora and fauna. It is important to note that small children may not always adapt easily to the high altitude.
Facilities
Awasi has an outdoor pool, spacious outdoor lounge areas warmed by open fireplaces, a library and chess tables, open air bar and restaurant serving a fusion of Chilean and international cuisine, featuring lots of regional organic produce supplied by local farming communities. There is also an outdoor grill for barbecues and an open kitchen with seating for cookery classes.
Activities
Activities on offer at Awasi include art classes, bird watching, astronomy, cycling, sand boarding, cooking classes, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, private guided tours into the surrounding desert landscapes, swimming, trekking and photography classes.
When to travel
Day time temperatures are luminous and agreeable all year round. A characteristic of the desert climate is the marked fluctuation in temperature between day and night. In winter (June, July and August) the average temperature is 22ºC during the day and at night it goes down to around 4ºC; temperatures can occasionally go below freezing. In summer (December to February) the temperature varies between 28ºC during the day and 16ºC at night. During these months the temperature can reach 32ºC. January-March can sometimes receive a little rainfall and cloudy skies.
On February 2, the biggest festival in San Pedro, Festival de la Candelaria, features a large parade of bands and dancers.
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Location and directions
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Awasi is located in San Pedro de Atacama in the North of Chile, suronded by the Atacama desert, about 8000ft above sea level and 1,670km north from Santiago.
How to get there
17-hour flight from London to Santiago, via Madrid, Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires, 2-hour domestic flight to Calama and 1-hour car transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Private charter flights can also be arranged directly to Calama.
