On our Radar: Chile and the Tierra Lodges

The family owned and run boutique lodges are inspired by Chile’s amazing nature. Tierra Hotels offer tailor-made excursions and authentic gastronomy in journeys which combine active adventure with relaxation in their spas. Discover Tierra Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama, Tierra Chiloé on the Island of Chiloé and Tierra Patagonia, in Torres del Paine National Park.

Chile Terra Lodges

Escape to a world of clear night skies, high altitude lagoons and moon-like valleys at Tierra Atacama. High in the northern desert of Chile, Tierra Atacama lodge encapsulates exquisite design, authentic experiences, and an intimate, home-away-from-home atmosphere, where a sense of both adventure travel and pure relaxation lingers in the air.

The essence of this unforgettable desert landscape is at the heart of Tierra Atacama. The property was designed by some of Chile’s most renowned architects, with regional sensibilities, eco-friendly design, and boutique comforts firmly in mind. One should visit Tierra Atacama for experiences that will leave you feeling fully restored by the time you leave. Your experiences at Tierra Atacama adventure & spa hotel is made all the more special through a personalized excursion plan, offering a huge array of activities from horseback riding to volcano hiking, as well as soothing sessions in the Uma Spa, complete with a menu of treatments influenced by the desert climate, native flora and ancient therapies.

All rooms have views of the Atacama Desert & Licancabur Volcano. The dining experience makes the most of local produce, filling the menu with innovative twists on north Chilean cuisine. You will be able to enjoy a wide range of excursions and activities around the Atacama Desert, which are included in the all-inclusive programs. Unwind in the spa or gaze out at the stunning scenery while relaxing in the outdoor pool after your desert adventures.

Atacama hotels - Desert adventure with Tierra Atacama Hotel & spa
Tierra Atacama

How many days should you stay in San Pedro de Atacama? We generally recommend that you stay at least 3 or 4 nights at Tierra Atacama. This will give you time to unwind, relax and take in several Atacama Desert Highlights.  However, you can easily spend a week in this stunningly beautiful, stark desert environment without getting bored. If you are interested in climbing the Lascar volcano you should plan on staying at least 5 nights, since you will need to acclimatize and do some practice hikes in the preceding days.

Paradise in the south of Chile. The archipelago of Chiloé is an enchanting place in many ways.  In addition to its stunning and diverse natural landscapes, just steps away from Tierra Chiloe, you’ll find what many believe to be the island’s best spot for birdwatching: the Pullao wetlands. The wetlands stretch for about one kilometer and serve as a seasonal home to thousands of species migrating from the northern hemisphere, such as the Hudsonian godwit, the whimbrel and the Rhynchops niger, among others.

Known for its rich gastronomy, the farm to table restaurant at Tierra Chiloé indulges in the rich produce of the local fishing community, which surrounds the hotel. As such, guests are treated to a plethora of seafood dishes, where mussels, sea urchins and other ocean treats fresh from the daily catch await. In addition to close ties with the local fishermen and farmers, our chef makes homemade breads and pastries, and the local specialty, the traditional Chilean cuisine dish “curanto”. This celebratory preparation is done in a hole, in contact with mother earth. It cooks slowly on hot rocks stacked with choritos (a local bivalve), meat, native potatoes, and sausages.  Chapaleles and milcaos (types of potato bread) must also be added and, on top, nalca leaves are placed, allowing the ingredients to steam cook. The thousand-year-old culture celebrates its traditions. Each year, the Mapuche people celebrate We Tripantu, an important ancient tradition which, between June 21 and 24, marks a new beginning – a change of cycle propelled by nature’s constantly renewing energy.  This date coincides with the winter solstice, an astronomical phenomenon interpreted by this ancestral culture as the “rebirth of life”.

To be exact, this event occurs when our planet reaches its maximum distance from the sun.  This is the longest night of the year and the days that follow are also longer.

We Tripantu

At the start of the We Tripantu, the sun “begins to return” and nature experiences multiple changes: the rains arrive which will bring new sprouts, the rivers renew their waters, the birds rise early, the animals shed their coats.  All the Earth’s energies are renewed.

There is something more profound that its visitors value and treasure: the warmth and kindness of its people. This is a characteristic that catches the attention of both resident and foreign tourists. Visitors who have stayed at Tierra Chiloé return home enamored with the warm friendliness the locals. 

Spa and gastronomy in Chiloé, a true pleasure. The impressive nature that surrounds Tierra Chiloé creates the ideal ambience to recharge and enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation.  A healthy experience can be further boosted with the natural therapies and massages offered by Uma Spa.  Uma Spa at Tierra Chiloé Spa & Wellness Hotel – a place of blissful tranquility with locally sourced materials and all-natural ingredients – encourages you to unwind and rejuvenate far away from your everyday life.

After a day of active exploration around the island, slip into one of the two soothing, heated pools. Another option is the intricately constructed and calming sauna, guaranteed to help you to relax. Make time in your itinerary for one of the Uma Spa’s unique treatments, which include shiatsu, reflexology, and deep-tissue massages. The relaxation spa itself is warm and inviting, with local wood and heated stone floors, creating a cozy refuge from the often-rainy weather outside. Enjoy the steam room or sauna, treat yourself to an indulgent massage, or just press pause and gaze out at the wildlife rich Pullao wetland from the outdoor heated infinity pool. Its exquisite, heated pool with views of the Pullao wetlands, refreshes the body and mind, and then relax in the indoor hydromassage pool.  It is a gift to give yourself time to disconnect. 

Tierra Chiloé

The gastronomy at Tierra Chiloé is characterized by its emphasis on local flavors, with fresh and organic ingredients, as well as innovation in its textures.  The sought-after curanto, with its delightful ritual of opening it in front of the guests is a full experience.  Just as such are the sinfully delicious desserts.

Excursions to connect with nature. The excursions with Tierra Chiloé’s all-encompassing portfolio of guided tours, include hiking, biking, kayaking or sailing your way through the charming landscapes of Chiloé.  At Tierra Chiloé, they also offer private guides and transfers for the bespoke experience.  Hiking and biking Tierra Chiloé is an excellent way to explore the natural beauty of this marvelous archipelago in the south of Chile, as well as its traditions and culture.  The team of guides can prepare a varied selection of activities, with different levels of difficulty, which combine adventures both by sea and through the native forests. Along with horseback riding, trekking, or biking, there’s also the alternative to sail on the Williche, a wooden yacht built in the chilote style which moves around the islands just as the local inhabitants have done for centuries.  This season, sail among dolphins, penguins, and sea lions, on sunny days. It is bewitching!

Best patagonia hotels: Tierra hotels recognised by T&L World's best award
Tierra Patagonia

Tierra Patagonia…Emerging beside craggy mountains and the glistening Lake Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park, the Tierra Patagonia hotel weaves itself into the landscape with subtle style, blending into the magnificence of the region. Here in this untamed part of the world, the perfect spot for an adventure vacation, what you see at our Patagonia adventure spa hotel is emerald lakes, fantastic mountain ranges and abundant wildlife. At Tierra Patagonia, an award-winning eco-luxury Torres del Paine hotel, we invite you to forge your own relationship with the famous Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. While staying at this sustainable luxury eco-lodge, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wilderness, and you can enjoy an endless array of outdoor excursions and Torres del Paine tours. The architecture of the lodge is beautifully integrated with the landscape and offers stunning views of the park. The hotel’s design is purely Patagonian with locally sourced materials and artworks. These split-level, wood-paneled suites measure 51sq m, with an upstairs living-room and a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with a bath tub and separate shower downstairs. The neutral decor lets the views – over the lake and the mountains of Torres del Paine – do the talking.

Suites at Tierra Patagonia - Rooms with a view of Torres del Paine
Suite at Tierra Patagonia – Rooms with a view of Torres del Paine

Every day is a new adventure. Choose from a varied range of guided tours and excursions to explore the park your way. One day you might decide to go sailing on Lake Grey to see the glacier and icebergs up close. The next day you could go horse-riding on a Patagonian Estancia with the local Chilean cowboys known as “huasos”. If you like hiking, then you’ll be able to choose from hiking trips which explore every corner of Torres del Paine national park. Whether you prefer to explore on foot, horseback, bike, or boat, our all-encompassing portfolio of tours and activities delves into every corner of the park.

Tierra Patagonia

Adventure travel and simple luxury, blended into an unforgettable experience. Relaxation and pampering await you after a day of exploring. The Uma Spa restores your mind, body, and soul, as do the warming fires and friendly service. Tierra Patagonia is a true home-from-home Torres del Paine hotel for exploring this bucket-list destination, where adventure travel and luxury are combined.

Best outdoor adventure weather: November to February.

Best crowd-free months: September, October, March, April.

Best months for stargazing: December to February.

Most crowded month: January.

Best months for snow sports: June to August.

Warm Winter Wanderings

When it’s chilly here, it will be HOT in Argentina…time to begin plotting your escapes! Located at the foot of the snow capped Andes – one is instantly impressed and awed by this spectacular wine growing area. There are five different regions within the Province of Mendoza. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, and Malbec grapes are grown. Most of the better Argentine wines come from the province of Mendoza, desert flatlands in the foothills of the Andes that are irrigated from melting snow. While the grape varieties are European, the weather and soil conditions give the Argentine wines a very special quality. Few of us realize that Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world; and there are some spectacularly good Argentine wines. The primary reason Argentine wines are only just beginning to appear on international markets is that, with an average wine consumption of around 60 liters per head annually, there has been little surplus for export! And we thought the Italians and French consumed wine by the barrel full.

Mendoza Argentina

Mendoza is an area of magnificent estancias, marvelous wines, wonderful horseback riding, fishing and birding, rafting in the summer, golf – countless activities for families, all nearby. Or if you are inclined, follow the vineyard trail, taste from the barrel with the wine maker, and explore charming ancient wineries or appealing boutique modern facilities. Wine tasting here is by appointment only, and often includes a leisurely lunch and tasting of 4 – 8 different wines.

Cavas Wine Lodge Mendoza

Empanadas

Lodging options include modern hotels in Mendoza City – or boutique properties in the countryside. Cavas Wine Lodge is a short 20 minutes away, nestled at the base of the snow capped Andes – plopped down in the middle of 35 acres of a working vineyard. Cecilia Diaz Chuit and Martin Rigal have created a splendid, award winning hotel built in a Spanish colonial style and devoted to the joys of wine. In the rooms, the spa and the Arabian feel of the patios, paintings and pottery is a constant reminder to slow down and enjoy solitude, excellent meals and delicious wine. Each room a private cabana with a roof deck with an outdoor fireplace. A small private plunge pool outside your cabana for soaking at the end of a hot day with a view of the Andes, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting. The trip here is a bumpy one on a gravel road, but the journey is worth it. The entrance is impressive, with a view of snow on the mountains beyond and a lobby featuring a twisted grape vine chandelier and commissioned original modern art. A sunny rectangular sitting area is outfitted with designer furniture and enough books to occupy anyone for days. Since Cavas is a bit out of town, the staff offers entertainment every night: a wine tasting class, Tango lessons, cooking classes with the Cavas chef. Actually besides wine tasting excursions, no reason to leave Cavas.

A car and driver can be arranged for dinner excursions into Mendoza, again marvelous food at very reasonable prices. Francis Mallmann 1884 restaurant recently voted as 7th best restaurant in the world by Restaurant Magazine serves high-end fusion Patagonian ingredients and French technique. Housed in an atmospheric Spanish-style building inside the Bodega Escorihuela, 1884 uses a wood- fired oven in the winery’s courtyard to prepare roasted meats and empanadas. Respecting the seasonality of his ingredients, Mallmann changes the menu every two weeks and prepares dishes with matching wine selections. During the week, you can easily combine a meal at 1884 with a tour of the bodega, which also has an art gallery.

Other Estancias are options, some an hour or two from Mendoza City, each exuding charm and within minutes of vineyards.

Mendoza is home to quite a few internationally known artists, meeting them in their studios is easily arranged. Of course private tours to wineries, dinners or lunches in vineyards or olive groves- You can also savor regional Argentine cuisine amidst olive groves and gardens, and even stargaze from vineyards, wineglass in hand.

Buenos Aires Tango

Begin with a stop in Buenos Aires, mosey to Mendoza – still craving adventure? Then trek to Chile and the beach or to more wine country at the sensational Vina Vik in Chile.

Days are shorter, summer is gradually fading, begin thinking about your winter wanderings!

Vina Vik, Chile

Vina Vik, Chile