High and Dry in Atacama

New upscale adventures in the most parched place on Earth.

Three new luxury experiences have landed in the lunar-like expanse of Chile’s Atacama Desert. Leading the way is adventure outfitter Abercrombie & Kent’s (aber​crombiekent.com) overnight camping safari in the appropriately named Moon Valley. Offered in partnership with Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa (altoatacama.com), the trek takes travelers to salt-dusted peaks, giant rock sculptures, and towering dunes before arriving at a secluded campsite where a gourmet asado and pisco sours are served under a blanket of stars. For a high-flying desert discovery, the new Balloons over Atacama (balloonsoveratacama.com) offers sunrise flights over the region’s blazing-white salt flats trimmed with flaming-red mountains and snowcapped volcanoes. Back on land in the town of San Pedro de Atacama, Explora Atacama (explora.com) reopened in December with restyled guest rooms and more excursions, including a new full-day journey on horseback through the boulder-filled Guatin Valley.