About Tyler
Fueled by a passion for photography, travel, and cultural diversity, Tyler Branco has adventured over 50 countries, collecting memorable experiences along the way. After a decade as a global marketer for leading luxury brands in New York, Paris, and Milan, he chose to merge his luxury background with his love for travel. In 2020, Tyler and his partner launched Luxefarer Travel, an independent affiliate of Valerie Wilson Travel, focused on showcasing the world’s finest hotels and destinations. Their media channels quickly captured the attention of luxury travelers, garnering three million views. This success inspired Tyler to leverage his travel expertise as a travel advisor, dedicated to helping others elevate their travels and explore the world with ease.
As a travel advisor and photographer, I am drawn to surreal landscapes and authentic cultures that transcend the ordinary. In June, the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on earth, emerged as my latest muse, where I spent a week exploring its natural wonders.
The region is blessed with incredible lodging options to fit varying travel styles. As a private traveler who loves intimate and personalized service, choosing the Relais & Châteaux property, Awasi Atacama for our 6-night stay was a deliberate decision for our week-long exploration. Touching down at Calama Airport, enveloped by otherworldly vistas, I was immediately enchanted. The drive from the airport to Awasi, about an hour away, was a journey through Martian-like terrain, ancient volcanoes, and expansive salt flats, setting the stage for the experiences that awaited us.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a refreshing lemonade crafted with rica rica, an herb endemic to the Atacama known for promoting nervous system health and combating altitude sickness. The general manager and the hotel experience team greeted us warmly, and we later met for a journey briefing to plan our itinerary. This meeting was pivotal; together, we crafted an itinerary designed to immerse me in the desert’s natural wonders while fueling my passion for photography and culture.
Awasi Atacama seamlessly incorporates distinctive architecture inspired by the region’s pre-Inca heritage with a commitment to sustainable practices, setting an example in environmental stewardship within the fragile desert ecosystem. With only 12 rooms, the lodge maintains a small environmental footprint, minimizing its impact on the surrounding environment. The property is carbon neutral, employing initiatives such as energy-efficient systems, waste reduction measures, and responsible water usage practices. By supporting local communities and preserving the natural landscapes of Atacama, Awasi Atacama ensures future generations can also experience and appreciate this pristine environment.
Awasi Atacama offers more than just accommodation; it provides an all-inclusive experience that ensures every aspect of your stay is taken care of. From private and personalized excursions guided by experts to seamless transportation between destinations and a culinary journey that celebrates local flavors and international influences alike, every detail is meticulously curated to enhance your Atacama adventure. The inclusive package even includes one load of laundry per stay, ensuring convenience and comfort throughout your journey.
Superior Round Suite at Awasi Atacama
During our stay, we enjoyed the luxury of the Superior Round Suite at Awasi Atacama. This spacious suite featured a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with a traditional thatched roof adding to its charm. The suite offered a choice of either a king or twin beds, ensuring comfort and relaxation after a day of exploration. The suite was equipped with a full minibar stocked with a selection of beverages and locally crafted delicacies, replenished daily. Each evening, we were delighted to find these treats accompanied by personalized notes from the attentive staff, enhancing our sense of being welcomed and cared for. A highlight of the suite was the private outdoor area, complete with a shower, providing a serene space to unwind amidst the tranquility of the desert surroundings. Additionally, requested amenities such as a humidifier, which was prepared ahead of our arrival, ensuring a comfortable stay in Atacama’s unique climate.
Gastronomic Excellence by Chef Sebastián Pietro
Gastronomy is an integral part of any destination and at Awasi, dining was an experience of its own. With a menu that changes daily Chez Chef Sebastián Pietro Awasi brings a passion for local flavors and sustainable practices to every dish. His culinary creations embrace Atacama’s bounty, incorporating locally sourced ingredients and a well curated list of Chilean wine pairings that enhance the experience for wine lovers like myself.
“In crafting our menus,” says Chef Sebastián, “we aim to not only tantalize the taste buds but also deepen our guests’ connection to Atacama’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Our culinary journey is a celebration of sustainability, ensuring that every ingredient we use has a purpose and a story.”
Exploring Atacama’s Unique Landscapes
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we set off to explore Atacama by 9 AM. Our guide, Mauricio, whose expertise and deep knowledge of the region were evident from the start, ensured we acclimatized gradually to the varying elevations. This pacing meant that we saved the higher-elevation destinations for the latter part of our journey, allowing us to fully appreciate each site without feeling rushed or affected by altitude.
Atacama Salt Flats
The salt flats of Atacama are a haven for unique wildlife, including several bird species such as the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus), and James’s flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi). I was fortunate to witness all three types simultaneously, gracefully wading through the shallow waters of the salt flats, their vibrant plumage adding a splash of color to the stark desert landscape.
Atacama’s Wildlife
Our daily excursions through the vast and naturally diverse Atacama Desert, a place unlike anywhere else on Earth, revealed an incredible array of wildlife thriving in this extremely arid landscape. In the high altitudes of the Altiplano, we spotted vicuñas (cousins to the llama) and viscachas—a bunny/chinchilla hybrid often hiding from predators like the elusive Andean puma—expertly camouflaging against the rocky terrain with their bushy tails and large ears. As we descended to the salt flats, we were greeted by a breathtaking sight: three species of flamingos—Chilean, Andean, and St. James—creating a symphony of pinks against the crystalline white backdrop. Nearby, the Andean Avocet, with its elegant and peculiar long black beak, waded gracefully through the shallow waters. It felt like a true safari experience, uninterrupted by mass tourism, allowing us to connect with the wildlife in serene solitude.
Aguas Calientes
Further explorations took me to Aguas Calientes, where geothermal pools nestled amidst the arid landscape offered a tranquil oasis in the desert. The contrast between the stark surroundings and the soothing warmth of the waters provided a serene escape, perfect for reflection and rejuvenation amid Atacama’s rugged beauty.
Lejía National Reserve
One of the highlights of our journey was exploring the Lejía National Reserve. Awasi planned a special breakfast for us, where we enjoyed the scenic landscape while watching the sun rise from behind the volcanoes. Located within the heart of Atacama, Lejía offers panoramic vistas from its vantage points that are truly breathtaking. Standing atop the reserve, I was mesmerized by the expansive views of salt flats stretching to the horizon, where the blinding white of the salt contrasts with the deep blue of the sky. The reserve also provides a sanctuary for wildlife adapted to the extreme conditions of Atacama, including vicuñas and various bird species.
El Tatio Geysers
On our last day, we visited El Tatio, the third largest geothermal field in the world. Here, I was lucky enough to witness very active geysers shooting columns of steam and boiling water into the frigid desert air amidst a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes, creating a surreal and mystical scene.
Valle del Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley)
Venturing into Valle del Arcoiris, known as Rainbow Valley, I was immediately captivated by its vibrant hues—deep purples, fiery reds, and shimmering golds—that painted the desert rock formations. This geological marvel showcases millions of years of history, where the interplay of light and minerals creates a natural masterpiece unlike any other.
Stargazing in the Atacama
One of the most magical experiences Awasi arranged for us was stargazing in the Atacama Desert, known as one of the best places on earth to observe the night sky. After a delightful dinner, we headed out into the pitch-black desert, where the absence of light pollution allows for an unparalleled view of the cosmos. This time of year is particularly favorable for stargazing, and Awasi provided telescopes to enhance our experience. The Atacama is home to advanced astronomical observatories like ALMA, which underscores its reputation as a stargazing haven. As we lay back and gazed at the Milky Way stretching across the sky, the vastness of the universe before our eyes, leaving us in awe.
A Destination to be Revisited
Awasi Atacama surprised me in many ways, offering a vast diversity of experiences—from relaxing in hot springs to trekking volcanoes and indulging in a culinary journey that celebrated local flavors and international influences alike. It became clear that we had only scratched the surface of what Atacama has to offer.
Before we knew it, it was time to leave the desert and head back home to the city. I left the destination longing to return and with an abundance of curiosity for what we hadn’t yet covered. We realized Atacama isn’t a one-time visit; it’s a place to be revisited and explored in different seasons, but more importantly, always with Awasi.