Chile to Bolivia-Uyuni Salt Flat

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Calama - San Pedro de Atacama - Valley of the Moon

  Welcome to Calama Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. After a short briefing about the Valley of the Moon tour, we’ll be picked up in the afternoon between 3:00 and 4:00 pm. The Valley of the Moon, located in the heart of the arid Salt Mountain Range, reveals a surreal landscape of salt and clay shaped by wind and water over millions of years. As we explore, we’ll admire the extravagant rock formations that inspire both imagination and a sense of tranquility. Later, we’ll continue to the Valley of Death for one of the best panoramic views of the Andes and its volcanoes, before ending the day with a breathtaking sunset that paints the desert in warm, vivid colours. Return to the hotel for the evening.

• day 2:

  Geysers del Tatio - Pueblo Machua

  Our trip begins very early in the morning (04:30 in summer and 05:00 winter) to reach the most important geothermal fields in the world: Geysers del Tatio, surrounded with water emanations and steam. While we enjoy the beauty of the Andes in its natural stage, we will have breakfast. Continuing with the tour we will visit the Pozon Rustico, where we can bathe in thermal waters that came from the mountain range. On our way back to San Pedro de Atacama, we will stop at the village of Machuca; the people who live here have been shepherds of llamas since ancient times; however, today they are also dedicated to tourism, offering local products such as crafts, Llama’s meat, Sopaipillas and Empanadas. Before we finish our trip, we will visit San Santiago Church, patron saint of the town.

• day 3:

  San Pedro de Atacama - Colorful Lagoons - San Juan

  

  We will be picked up from our hotel at 08:00 am to travel to Hito Cajón, the border between Chile and Bolivia*. Here we will change vehicles to begin our visit to Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the base of the Licancabur Volcano. The journey continues north to the surreal Salvador Dalí Rock Desert, followed by a stop at natural hot spring pools, the Sol de Mañana geysers, and the spectacular Laguna Colorada, where thousands of flamingos can be observed. Our tour then takes us to the Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree) before crossing the Siloli Desert. Along the way, we will stop at several beautiful lagoons, including Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota, Honda, and Ramaditas. After sunset, we will arrive in San Juan. (L, D) *At the Chile–Bolivia border, our driver/guide will assist you as much as possible with immigration; however, the process can sometimes take more than an hour. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control.

• day 4:

  San Juan - Uyuni´s Salt Flat - Tunupa*

  

  Our journey continues toward the Uyuni Salt Flat, crossing Isla Pescado, located almost at the centre of this endless white expanse and offering spectacular panoramic views. We then head to the northern part of the salt flat, where the Tunupa Volcano rises. We will drive to the most accessible slopes of the volcano to enjoy breathtaking views over the Uyuni Salt Flat, before ending the day with a spectacular sunset. (B, L, D) This day is weather-dependent. In the event of bad weather, we will be unable to reach Tunupa and will instead travel to the town of Uyuni.

• day 5:

  Tunupa - Uyuni´s Salt Flats - Villa Mar

  On this day, we will make our way to Villa Mar. The drive passes through the towns of San Cristóbal and Alota, with a stop along the way to visit the Valle de las Rocas (Valley of Rocks). We will arrive in Villa Mar in the mid-afternoon. (B, L, D) Optional: Early morning drive to witness a spectacular sunrise (around 04:30 am). A must for photography enthusiasts. Additional cost applies.

• day 6:

  Villa Mar - San Pedro de Atacama

  Today, we begin our return journey to San Pedro de Atacama, a drive of approximately four hours. We’ll enjoy lunch en route before continuing, with arrival in San Pedro de Atacama scheduled for around 1:00 pm. (B, L)