Bolivia & Chile Deserts

14 Days

HIGHLIGHTS

Bolivia:

Not a day, not a second without an adventure in Bolivia. Not to mention peaks and rivers, countless opportunities for hiking, jungle and vertiginous downhill mountain biking on the backdrop of huge and impenetrable wilderness. Walking for days along the Inca paved road that plunges from the Andes to the edge of the Amazon is among the most beautiful treks in the world.

Chile:

Chile has a whole range of wonders to offer: the driest desert in the world, millennia-old glaciers in the most southern areas of the planet, forests and magical lakes deployed at the feet of imposing volcanoes. Islands with a thousand legends, wine traditions, climbing challenges, etc … During these discoveries, you will be pleasantly surprised by the local culture and the kindness and hospitality of the Chileans.

PICTURES OF THIS TOUR

PROGRAM

Arrival in South America for your first destination: Bolivia and its capital La Paz. Then transfer to your hotel 2-star hotel.

Free morning and a guided tour of the city: the main square with an exterior sight of the Cathedral, government palaces, national congresses. Visit of the Market of Sorcerer and the Handicraft District. Afternoon, guided tour of the Natural Park Valley of the Moon. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Drive to the village of Copacabana, known for its church and crafts, located on Lake Titicaca. Exploration of the El Alto’s city and of the mountain villages of Batallas, Huarina, Huatajata, and Strait of Tiquina. Visit of the Basilica Church of Copacabana. Dinner at a local restaurant. Then short transfer to Sun Island. A short hike and visit of the temple Inca Pilkokaina. Beautiful landscapes sight of Lake Titicaca and the Royal Montain Range. Arrived at the Yumani community. Dinner and overnight in a community inn.

Transfer to the port and view over the archeological site the source of the 3 waters. Transfer by boat to Moon Island. Visit of the Temple of “Virgins of the Sun“ and return to Copacabana. Road back to La Paz and transfer to the airport. Flight to the colonial city: Sucre. Lunch included and dinner free. Overnight in a hotel.

Visit of the charming historic city of Sucre, located in the inter-Andean valleys of Bolivia. Visit of its “Main Square“ and sight of “The Cathedral“, the “Palace of the Provincial Government“ and the “House of the freedom“. Then the panoramic view from the Belvedere of the convent of La Recoleta. Visit of Bolivar Park. Free lunch. Free time to visit the ASUR museum (U$ 4 p.p.) and / or the Recoleta Monastery (U$ 3 p.p.). Dinner free. Overnight in the same hotel.

Guided tour of the indigenous fair of Tarabuco, a colonial village located 40 miles from the city of Sucre. It is a fair or traditional market (which takes place on Sundays only) where the natives of the region meet to do their trade. Lunch at a local restaurant in Tarabuco. Then drive to Potosi. Dinner free. Overnight in the hotel.

Visit of mine of colonial origin in the famous Cerro Rico de Potosi and meeting with its miners. For the visit, the equipment is provided. On the way, visit of the miners market, where they buy all the items they need (coca leaves, black cigarettes, alcohol, dynamite, …). Climb to the top of the mountain and panoramic view of the city. Back in the city. Walking tour in Potosi . Visit of its main square, the Cathedral and the Palace of Justice and the regional government. Then outside view on the Baroque facades of the Omist Theater, the Tower of the Company of Jesus and the Church of San Lorenzo. Visit of the convent of Saint Therese. Dinner free. Overight in the same hotel.

Visit of the Currency Museum, entry not included to be paid on the spot U$ 6 p.p. (closed Monday). Departure by bus to Uyuni, on the road view of the mining town of Agua de Castilla, the San Juan Gorge and the Pampa de Chaquilla. Crossing of the Tica Tica Valley and stop at Pulacayo, a mining center very important and renowned at the end of the 19th century. Stop at the Locomotives cemetery. Arrival in Uyuni. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

Arrival at the Salt Desert or Salar Uyuni and visit of the Colchani’s village, whose inhabitants work in the artisanal production of salt. Visit of an oven that is used to make odized salt and visit of craft shops and souvenirs made from salt. Visit of a salt extraction site and visit a small salt hotel. Discovery of the extraordinary, Incahuasi Island, covered with giant cactus candelabra; possible walk to the summit and unique panoramic view (admission ticket for Incahuasi Island not included U$ 5 p.p.). Picnic lunch. Continuation to the desert of Lipez and arrival to the community of San Juan Del Rosario. Dinner and overnight in the community refuge “Los Lipez“.

The second day of the expedition in the Desert of Lipez. Crossing of Salar de Chiguana to arrive at the valley of rocks to enjoy the view of the active volcano Ollague. Then continuity of the ascent to the Siloli desert through a region of altiplanic lagoons such as Cañapa, Hedionda, Charkota and Onda and appreciation of a large number of Andean birds (geese, flamingos, …). Crossing of the Siloli desert to see the famous Stone Tree. Then arrive at the Colorada lagoon where lives a colony of flamingos, the largest in the region. Finally, continuation toward the refuge of the native community of Huallajara. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in the shelter. (tickets for Eduardo Abaroa reserve not included U$ 23 p.p.).

Morning departure for this last expedition day in the Lipez desert: visit of Mañana Sol Geysers. These geysers are located on 16000 ft. Then arrive at the Polkes lagoon. If the weather conditions allow it, swim in its natural pool of thermal water (100 °F). Way south to arrive at the Green and White lagoons through the desert of Dali, located below the volcano Licancabur. Continuation to the Bolivia-Chile border: Hito Cajon. After the formalities of migration, continuation in a vehicle or Chilean bus towards San Pedro of Atacama. Welcome by the guide and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, tour in the Moon Valley (admission tickets for the Moon Valley not included U$ 8 p.p.). Visit the Cordillera del Sal and then arrive on the big dune and watch the sunset. Return to Pedro of Atacama. Dinner free. Overnight in the hotel.

Day trip to the Atacama Salar and Miscanti and Miñiques altiplanic lagoons (admission tickets for the region not included U$ 11 p.p.). Visitof the village of Toconao, the Chaxas lagoon and possibility to observe flamingos, alpacas, foxes and perhaps rheas. Return to San Pedro through the Socaire, another native desert village. Dinner free. Overnight in San Pedro in the same hotel.

Very early departure to reach the Tatio located at 13100 ft. to appreciate geysers over 185°F (admission tickets for the region not included U$ 18 p.p.). On the way back to the village of Machuca. Arrival in San Pedro and transfer to the airport. Flight to Santiago and transfer to the hotel. (Optional on request and depending on the flight time, panoramic tour of Santiago). Overnight in the hotel.

Visit of a vineyard of the region with tasting and of the beautiful small town and of the port of Valparaiso, listed as Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Lunch. Or instead, visit of Santiago city. Transfer to Santiago airport and flight back.

The visited sites may change in case of force majeure, depending on the weather and other conditions.

U$ 2015 / person

Based on 4 people

• All transports
• English-speaking guides
• Visits and activities as mentioned
• Entrance to the mentioned sites
• All breakfast and mentioned meals
• Overnight in a 2/3-star hotel and
  refuges in double room
• All taxes

• International air ticket on request
• National flights to book with
  PalmarVoyages
• Other services
• Other meals and beverages
• Entrance ticket to some sites
• Personal expenses and tips
• International bank transfers
• Luggage carriers
• Sleeping bag rental

Based on 2 people                U$ 2645
Based on 3 people                U$ 2320
Based on 4 people                U$ 2015
Single room suppl                  U$ 645

_____________________________________

National flights from              U$ 110

SEND YOUR REQUEST

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE

Peru

Peru

Land of Incas

colombia

Colombia

Land of Passions

Argentina

Patagonia & Iguazu