Luxury Adventure Holiday at Tierra Hotels in Chile
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience a luxury adventure holiday?
Alan was invited to Chile at the end of 2017 to experience the newly renovated Tierra Chiloe Hotel.
He says: “When the invitation came through to visit the Tierra Chiloe Hotel in Chile, I jumped at the chance and immediately accepted. I also had the opportunity to visit another of their properties and I chose the Tierra Atacama Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.”
Tierra Hotels offer an all inclusive adventure experience that includes round trip transfers from the nearest airport, a choice of half day and full day excursions from a menu of daily activities, all meals and drinks as well as use of the leisure facilities such as the swimming pool.
Excursions
On arrival to the hotel and once checked in, I had a meeting with one of the guides to plan my activities for my stay. The excursions are of varying levels of difficulty, which might be by vehicle, by boat (in Chiloe), on foot, by bike, on horseback or a combination.
In San Pedro I chose an afternoon half day to the Atacama Salt Flat for sunset, an early morning departure for the Tatio Geyser field, a morning visit and hike in the Valley of the Moon, an afternoon visit to the Puritama hot springs and a morning hike in the Guatin cactus valley. I also signed up for an evening stargazing tour.
My particular favourite was the Guatin trek. It was scrambly and took us through a narrow gorge surrounded by incredible towering cacti. Quite awesome! The sunset over the Atacama Salt Flat was a palette of pastel colours and the Valley of the Moon had great photo opportunities.
In Chiloe I chose a city tour of Castro with the markets, a full day boat ride visiting remote island communities, an off the beaten path trek along the Island’s North West coast from Duhatao to Chepu as well as a moonlight horse ride. A highlight was sipping champagne in a zodiac whilst looking for dolphins on the full day boat ride.
However, my favourite was the trek – walking along this barren coastline for a good 4 hours and not coming across another soul.
Solo travellers
All the excursions are in small groups shared with other guests from the hotel. They are a great way to meet people, especially for the solo traveller. As the hotels are intimate in size it means that you will come across your fellow guests in the common areas and will quickly make acquaintances if you wish to.
The food
All the meals were included as well as snacks or packed lunches on excursions.
At both hotels, lunch and dinner were three course fine dining experiences.
I did find that in San Pedro the menu was more eclectic with venison and alpaca on the menu. However, my preferences did veer to the lamb and fish on offer in Chiloe. Local ingredients where possible were sourced.
All drinks were included as well as an open bar, so that night cap under the stars was mandatory.
All the excursions were well provided with snacks – sandwiches and drinks, with linen and metal silverware as par of the course.
The rooms
In both hotels the rooms were vary spacious. The windows had spectacular views, the beds were large and comfortable, and the bathrooms well equipped with L’Occitaine amenities. In San Pedro each room had a private balcony area with an outdoor shower.
All rooms had wifi and not a TV in sight.
And more
At both hotels I borrowed a bike and helmet and set off on my own. In San Pedro it was great to get into the heart of the town as the hotel is a 20 minute walk from the main square and in Chiloe there is a self guided (hilly!) route.
Before breakfast in Chiloe I would take a plunge in the heated outdoor infinity pool overlooking wetlands and prepare for the day ahead. In San Pedro the pool was a great and cooling finish to the day’s activities.
I didn’t have time for any of the spa treatments on offer at both hotels but then again that is not my sort of thing.
However, I did take the time each evening to sit outside, breathe in the fresh air, take in the sights and sounds of nature around me and count my blessing about how privileged I was for these experiences.
Your experience
There are three Tierra Hotels in iconic destinations in Chile.
Tierra Atacama – located in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama in North Chile. The pastel colours of the desert, incredible natural features sculpted by wind and water, towering volcanoes, wildlife from flamingos to llamas and star studded skies are all part of the experience.
Tierra Chiloe – located on a remote peninsula on the marvellously mystical green island of Chiloe in Chile’s “Green Patagonia”. Local island traditions and legends fuse with lush and virgin scenery to provide a unique experience.
Tierra Patagonia – located in the Torres del Paine National park. Granite spires and spectacularly inspiring countryside surround this architectural gem of a hotel that blends into the countryside. Here the grandeur of Patagonia at the tip of the American continent will bombard one with magnificent trekking opportunities, the fierce reality of what can be four seasons of weather in one day and the blessings of nature be it spotting a condor gliding over head or an elusive puma skulking away in the distance. This can be the ultimate experience.
