Awasi Atacama Hotel

Awasi Atacama opened in 2007 as the original Awasi lodge, built around the idea that experiencing the desert should feel personal, unhurried and deeply connected to place. Its name comes from the Quechua word wasi, meaning “house” — reflecting the philosophy of creating somewhere that feels rooted in its surroundings rather than imposed upon them.

Its architecture looks much further back. The lodge's rounded adobe buildings were inspired by Tulor, an ancient village just south of San Pedro whose ruins date back around 2,000 years. Locally sourced stone, wood, thatch and adobe reinterpret construction methods developed by communities that learned to live within this extraordinarily arid environment.

Today, Awasi carries that relationship with the desert into the way guests explore it. Every room has its own private guide and 4×4, allowing journeys to follow individual interests rather than fixed itineraries — from archaeology and ancient petroglyphs to salt flats, volcanoes and astronomy.

Awasi's approach begins with respecting the architectural knowledge already present in the desert. Its buildings use locally sourced adobe, stone, wood and thatch and draw on construction techniques developed by ancient Atacameño communities, helping traditional forms remain part of the region's contemporary identity.

The lodge works with local producers and artisans, while its small scale and private-guide model allow exploration to be adapted around fragile environments rather than organised through large groups.

Awasi also supports a more conscious model of tourism that recognises the Atacama's ecosystems, archaeological heritage and local traditions as interconnected — and worthy of protection.