Traversing Salt Flats & Deserts

Traversing Salt Flats & Deserts Itinerary

 

Day 1: LA PAZ
Upon arrival into La PazAirport you are personally met and transferred to your hotel. After freshening up your guide will brief you on your wonderful journey ahead of you. Following the short briefing you have the option for an evening walk in old La Paz. We recommend Gustu restaurant, a unique gourmet dining experience. We transfer to the southern part of the city riding in the new telegerico (cable car) which affords fantastic views of the city.

Overnight Casa Grande Hotel. (Dinner)

Day 2: LA PAZ / UYUNI SALT FLATS
This morning we set out on a two hour walking tour of the city. La Paz and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner of any street is a hidden treasure from pre-Hispanic times. Observe the traditions, customs, colors, dress and mix of the colonial, indigenous and modern on the city streets. Visit the old downtown area including the Indian Market and Witch Doctor’s Market. At midday, we transfer to the airport and will have great views framed by the majestic Illimani Mountain. We have a short flight from La Paz to Uyuni. Upon arrival you are met by your private vehicle to begin your explorations of the incredible Uyuni Salt Lake and Isla Pescado. Uyuni is the largest salt flat on Earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano and covering 12,000 square kms. The Bolivian Andes offers unparalleled scenery. A unique experience surrounded by the surreal pentagons of crystalline salt, the never-endingsky, colored lagoons, cacti, and flamingoes. In the evening, we visit Isla Pescado (Fish Island) also called ‘Incahuasi’ at sunset. An oasis with formations of algae and fossils. It is covered by thousands of giant columnar cacti, which can be more than a hundred years old, growing to a height of over 12 meters. The landscape against the background of the salt pans extending to the horizon makes it an ideal place for photographs. We make our way to our hotel made of salt, and arrive in time to freshen up before dinner.

Overnight Tayka Hotel de Sal (Salt Hotel) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: UYUNI SALT FLATS
We walk from our hotel following indigenous paths in use from pre Hispanic times. The sides of the Tunupa Volcano are latticed with stone walls, to separate plots belonging to different members of the community. During May, Quinoa is harvested. You stroll through the village, pass the quaint colonial style church. You may encounter local herders with their flocks of llama. With some luck you may catch a glimpse of the wild vicuña–a smaller cousin to the llama and bobbing around you may also observe the rabbit-like vizcachas, the Andean fox or a condor gliding in the distance. We take a lunch in trail today and are rewarded with stunning views at the top. You return to the hotel by early afternoon in time to relax and freshen up before dinner.

Overnight Tayka Hotel de Sal (Salt Hotel) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: UYUNI SALT FLATS/ BOLIVIAN DESERT
Heading south the road leaves the salt surface and enters a landscape designed by volcanoes and wind. The Siloli and Dali deserts characteristic stone formations were created by lava, volcanic ashes and other forms of volcanic expressions. The extreme temperature variations and wind have created unusual natural stone sculptures. Andean fauna such as flamingoes, vicuñas, will be seen while driving in sight of the Ollague Volcano. En route we visit Canapa, Honda, Hedionda, and Ramadita Lakes (known as lagunas menores). We arrive in time to freshen up before dinner at our desert hotel.

Overnight Tayka Hotel del Desierto (Desert Hotel) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5:  BOLIVIAN DESERT / ATACAMA
Our journey continues to Laguna Colorada, which covers an area of 60 square kms at an altitude of 4,278 meters. Its red waters are inhabited by 3 species of flamingo: Tokoko with red plumage, Chururu with whitish plumage, and Jututu with pink plumage. The scenery is exceptionally beautiful and it is considered to be the most important flamingo watching site in the region. Also, vicuñas, llamas and vizcachas can be seen.Continue to the Sol de Manana Geysers, with fumaroles and volcanic craters. The crater’s boiling lava makes the fumaroles spout superheated steam reaching 80 to 100 meters in height. This geothermal field is located at an altitude of 4,900 meters. Your last stop is the Green Lagoon (Laguna Verde) with an impressive view of Licancabur Volcano at an altitude of 5,865 meters behind the emerald lagoon. You take a short hike on this beautiful volcano. From here we transfer to the border of Chile at Hito Cajon and enter into the area of San Pedro de Atacama. You arrive in time to freshen up before dinner at your accommodation.

Overnight Awasi Atacama (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 & 7: ATACAMA
You spend the next few days exploring Atacama Desert. There are a multitude of activities on offer and experiences will be suited to taste. Activities can be half days or full days in the car, hiking, biking, or horseback riding. There are lunar landscapes, hot springs, salt flats, lagoons, villages, canyons, volcano hikes, and cacti valleys. You will be blown away by this incredible desolate landscape of stark contrasts.

Overnight Awasi Atacama (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: DEPART
Transfer to Calama Airport for departures. (Breakfast & End of Services)

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