Travelling with Young Explorers: Atacama Desert

Fellow parents can share in the challenges of travelling with young children - the exponential amount of luggage you have to pack, changes in your little one's daily routine, getting used to a new environment, battling jet lag, to name a few. A new one we recently added to the mix was travelling to high altitude.

Our friends were visiting from Singapore and it was on their list to travel to northern Chile to see the stars. The Atacama Desert, thanks to its altitude and the lack of humidity in the air, being the driest place on Earth, is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. This is where many of the most important observatories are located, including ALMA.

We stayed for 3 nights at Explora Atacama, one of the pioneers of in-depth explorations in some of the most beautiful places in Chile. While in-depth exploration is not synonymous with travelling with young children, our families had the best time soaking in the untamed beauty of the desert.

Learning About Native Plants and Animals at Reserva Elemental Puribeter

Spanning over 47 hectares in southern San Pedro de Atacama, this reserve aims to conserve native ecosystems, as well as promote the knowledge of traditional agricultural methods used in this arid environment. We explored the extensive grounds with their resident host, Angela, and the kids fed llamas, alpacas, sheep and donkeys. We also learnt about traditional plants such as algarrobo (carob) and chañar (Chilean palo verde), both which produce sweet edible fruit which are used in desserts. There's also a beautiful chañar forest with an easy walking trail for families to enjoy.

Introductory Horse Riding

We always encourage our clients to try at least one horse ride when staying at any of the Explora properties which has stables. They must have some of the best kept horses in the country, and suited for different levels of riding. For younger kids (minimum riding age here is 4 years old), the explorations team offers a short introductory ride around the property and the horses are on a lead line.

Overland Excursion to the Salt Mountains

We headed towards the Cordillera de la Sal, otherwise known as the Salt Mountains. Amongst moonlike landscapes of jagged red rocks and sand dunes, the 40-minute hike became a treasure hunt for the kids, looking for gypsum and salt crystals. We then had the opportunity to run down a huge sand dune!

Soaking in the Thermal Waters at the Puritama Conservation Reserve

Due to the higher altitude where the thermal pools are situated (3,500 metres above sea level), we recommend doing this on your last day in the Atacama Desert. Soaking in the hot pools and enjoying a small picnic in this scenic ravine is a great way to end the holiday. And if you are up for it, there's a short 1-hour hike which the kids can do to look for vizcachas.

Tips on how to acclimatise, applicable to both adults and children:

• Upon arrival to the hotel, take it easy and keep hydrating. It is important to keep the blood flowing through your body to increase oxygen flow,

• Avoid the consumption of coffee and alcohol for the first few days,

• Eat a light meal on your first day and if possible, a vegetarian meal,

• Walk at an exaggeratedly slower pace than your usual speed. The aim is to keep your heart rate as low as possible (close to what is normal), and

• Make sure that you sleep with your head elevated versus your feet.

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