Surrounded by salt flats, volcanoes, hot springs and sand dunes, Explora Atacama is perfectly located for discovering the desert’s many natural wonders. A host of unique guided experiences are on offer to help you get the most out of your time here, from witnessing the world’s tallest geysers shooting into the air at sunrise to meeting local llama breeders.

Luxury awaits back at the lodge, where every guest room boasts its own jacuzzi and breathtaking views of the mountains and desert. When you’re not out exploring, soothe tired muscles with a pampering spa treatment or take a dip in the private hot spring. As darkness falls, head to the state-of-the-art observatory and prepare to be wowed by a Milky Way so bright it casts a shadow in the dazzlingly clear night sky.

Wake early to watch the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, a line of moai viewed as Polynesia’s most important megalithic monument, before boarding your private jet back to mainland Chile for a private helicopter transfer to Pucón. Your base for the next three nights is &Beyond Vira Vira, a hacienda-style lodge on an organic farm where just 18 suites and villas boast breathtaking vistas of the snow-capped Villarrica volcano.

You’ll spend a thrilling few days exploring the Chilean Lake District. Race over river rapids in a white-water raft and trek to Villarrica’s glacier summit, gazing into the smouldering crater and soaking up 360-degree views. Go stand-up paddleboarding on the crystal-clear Liucura River and admire the scenery from above in the lodge’s helicopter. There’s even a chance to join a local Mapuche family for dinner, learning first-hand about their ancestral culture.

Take a private cruise between Argentina and Chile on the Beagle Canal, looking out for sea lions and penguins. Back on dry land, you’ll fly to Puerto Natales for a two-night stay at Explora Torres del Paine. As the only hotel in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, this lakeside lodge is an exclusive base for exploring the glaciers, mountains and valleys.

Spend the next day trekking through the UNESCO biosphere reserve, admiring its famous cuernos – horn-like granite peaks towering over the lakes – and wildlife including condors, guanaco, nandu and pumas. This evening you’ll have the chance to meet American conservationist Kristine Tompkins*, whose involvement in the creation of five new national parks has helped to protect millions of acres of Patagonian wilderness.

Your next private jet destination is the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni in southwest Bolivia. Formed when a prehistoric lake dried out, this dazzling expanse of bright-white salt is one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes. Get the best view from the cacti-covered island at its centre, looking out for the vivid pink flamingos that live there.

You’ll spend two surreal nights sleeping on the salt flats at Kachi Lodge, an all-inclusive collection of six geodesic domes with comfy beds, cosy fireplaces and private bathrooms. Activities on offer include cycling through the ethereal landscape, learning how the locals collect the salt and hiking to the lower lip of a nearby volcano crater. At nighttime, take advantage of the onsite telescope to observe the starry Altiplano sky.