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Explora Uyuni
Altiplano, Bolivia · Explora · High Luxury
Chilean architect Max Núñez dropped a six-room, fully prefabricated lodge at 3,681 meters on the north shore of the world's largest salt flat, at the foot of Tunupa Volcano, then designed it to be taken apart. Explora opened the Jirira Mountain Lodge around 2023 as one of three reversible Altiplano camps, run with local families. From here you climb Tunupa, cross to the cactus islands, and eat menus by La Paz chefs Sebastián Giménez and Mauricio López of Ancestral.
- 6 rooms
- Opened 2023
- Neighborhood: Jirira / northern Salar de Uyuni
- Architect: Max Núñez
About Explora Uyuni
- The Jirira Mountain Lodge sits at 3,681 meters at the foot of Tunupa Volcano on the northern edge of Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat.
- Chilean architect Max Núñez designed it as 100 percent prefabricated, fully reversible construction so the camp can leave the high desert with almost no trace.
- Explora, founded in 1993 by Pedro Ibáñez, runs the six-room lodge with local families. Sister Altiplano camps Ramaditas and Chituca have four rooms each.
History
Explora's presence at the Uyuni Salt Flats is anchored by the Jirira Mountain Lodge, set at 3,681 metres at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano on the northern edge of the world's largest salt flat. Designed by Chilean architect Max Núñez, the lodge is one of three Explora built in the Bolivian Altiplano using 100-percent prefabricated, fully reversible construction intended to leave minimal impact on the fragile high-desert landscape.
Explora, the pioneering Chilean adventure-lodge company founded in 1993 by Pedro Ibáñez, extended its remote-exploration model to Bolivia with these lodges, operated in partnership with local families. The intimate six-room Jirira lodge serves as a base for climbing Tunupa, visiting the salt flat's cactus islands and discovering Andean villages, wetlands and archaeological sites.
Experiences
- Explorations (hikes, overland trips, bike rides) — Daily guided choices: climb the volcano to 5,432 m, bike across part of the salt flat, or cruise the volcano slopes.
- Exclusive private 4x4 salt flat experience — Private 4x4 tour of the Uyuni Salt Flat, led by an Explora guide and a local driver.
- Climbing Tunupa Volcano — Climb the colorful slopes of Tunupa from the lodge at the foot of the volcano.
- Salt flat island visits — Visits to the islands of the Uyuni Salt Flats, reached from the lodge.
- Local village and archaeological site visits — Visits to local villages, wetlands and nearby archaeological sites around the lodge.
Amenities
- Toiletries
- Bathrobes
- Slippers
- Safe deposit box
- Heating
- Hairdryer
- Wake up call
- Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited
- Private service
- Private pick-up service at Uyuni Airport and hotels in Uyuni
- Observatory (Explora Atacama)
- Cozy lounge and dining area (Explora Chituca)
- Comfortable common areas (Explora Ramaditas)
- Begins with an all-inclusive experience (three nights at Explora Atacama)
- Locally sourced meals at every lodge
- Explorations (guided excursions) across the Atacama Desert from Explora Atacama
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