Program (short):

Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama – San Pedro de Quemes (- / L / D)
Day 2: San Pedro de Quemes – Tahua (F / L / D)
Day 3: Tahua – Ojito de Perdiz (Siloli Desert) (B / L / A)
Day 4: Ojito de Perdiz – San Pedro de Atacama (B / L / -)

Day by Day

First day

In the morning, transfer from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to the Bolivian border at Hito Cajon. You will be pick up by our Bolivian driver and guide at the Bolivian / Chilean border so-called Hito Cajon. Not far from the frontier, within the Bolivian territory the first highlight of the Nature Reserve Eduardo Avaroa is already waiting for you; the turquoise shiny “Laguna Verde” located at the foot of the majestic volcano “Licancabur”. After a stop you will travel through the Bolivian desert into the valley “Valle de las Damas del Desierto” or also know by the tourists as the “Salvador Dali desert” called so because of the rock formation carved by wind and weather, unique in their shape and scattered in this vast desert. Subsequently, you will pass the ¨Salar de Chalviri¨. Soon, you will reach the heart of Eduardo Avaroa Nature Reserve with their absolute highlight of this southern desert region; the ¨Laguna Colorada¨, with legions of flamingos waiting to be photograph. Passing the little village of Villa Mar with its green pastures for hundreds of Lamas you will reach the ¨Ciudad de Piedra¨ (stone village), a vast region of volcanic rock formations. You will keep travelling, visiting the ¨Cañon de la Cascada¨, and going further to find the small llama herders and quinoa farmers villages of San Augustin and San Juan, and finally to arrive to San Pedro de Quemes. Overnight in San Pedro de Quemes at the hotel Tayka de Piedra. (B / BL / D)

Second day

In the morning there is the possibility to take the optional service of the llama shepherding, because it is a one-hour nonpareil experience, transferring dozens of llamas directed by the shepherd who is interested of making the visitors get to know a small example of the relationship between the man and the llama, so vital for the people’s lives of these distant places. If you are a more active person you can do a short hike through the canyon of Sinalaco, which it is a narrow transverse incision in the mountain range with high cliffs near to the shore of the Salar. With the jeep you will climb a narrow gravel road on the flanks of the towering mountains until you reach the top entry of the Cayon. A 1 to 1.5 hours hike will take you through the narrow zig-zag of the canyon downhill, with a small passage where hand applying is required (but even the most insecure hikers can master this point!). Down the Canyon the landscape offers you a comprehensive view of the foothills of the Salar. After you have been picked up here at the exit of the canyon our vehicle will lead you now to the entrance of the biggest highlight of your tour in Bolivia: the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt desert in the planet with approximately 12,000 km². You will then cross the salt lake, passing the Campanas islands, until you reach the north shore of the salt flat. Here at the foot of the Tunupa volcano you will find a place not visited by the conventional tourism despite the incomparable beauty of its landscape. There is a visit to the ruins know as the “Pucara de Ch’jini” which have several hundred years of history and are testimony of an ancient fortress with residential buildings, storage reservoir, guard posts, etc., you will reach the “Cathedral” top by a light climb of a narrow passage to enjoy an exposed lookout which opens an unforgettable view of the salt lake. Not far from Ch’jini located in Tahua your next accommodation is waiting for you, the Hotel Tayka de Sal (B/L/D).

Third day

Who does not want to miss a very special spectacle, get up early in the morning to admire the unique sunrise over the Salar! You will return to the hotel for breakfast. Enjoying the view at the flanks of the Tunupa volcano you will ascend to visit the cave and the mummies of Coquesa. From here the Salar lies literally at your feet. And because it is so beautiful and hardly to describe, today you will also have the opportunity again to enjoy the landscape of the Salar itself, crossing the Salar de Uyuni from north to east. Here you will visit the Incahuasi Island which is located in Salt Lake and is completely covered by a forest of giant cacti. A short trail takes you across the island where you can admire the centuries-old cactus that rise up to 12 meters into the blue sky. From the peak of the island you have a 360 ° viewpoint of the entire Salt flat. You’ll leave the Salar and a bouquet of colorful highland lagoons are waiting for you!. The colorful mountain lakes: Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramaditas where you can spot a large number of flamingos or other birds of the area will provide you a unique opportunity to relax and enjoy photography. You will leave this valley of lagoons to dive into a sprawling sand and stone desert, the “Siloli desert”, a fantastic and surreal landscape that holds the whole color palette of terracotta and ocher tones. In the middle of this fantastic and unique landscape you will spot your hotel. Overnight at the hotel Tayka del Desierto (B / L / D).

Fourth day

The trip will start pretty early in the morning taking you first to the “Arbol de Piedra”, a tree stone figure created by wind erosion, and then to the red-colored “Laguna Colorada” in the heart of Avaroa Reserve. From a slightly different angle, it is just as impressive as the first day of your travel in Bolivia! From here you will go to the “Sol de Mañana” geyser, a “devilish” spectacle of hissing steam columns where you have also reached the highest point of your journey at 5000 m.a.s.l. Subsequently, you will pass the ¨Salar de Chalviri¨ to reach the hot springs of Polques in which you will enjoy a relaxing bath surrounded by majestic landscapes. The “Salvador Dali desert” can be reached again as same as the “Laguna Verde” at the foot of the majestic “Licancabur” volcano from where it is not far the nearby border with Chile, the Hito Cajon. Here our Bolivian driver will wish you a farewell and will handed you over to our Chilean partner how will drive you to San Pedro de Atacama. (B / L / -).
END OF OUR SERVICES

Prices and Services

List of hotels:
1N: Hotel Tayka de Piedra, San Pedro de Quemes
1N: Hotel Tayka de Sal, Tahua
1N: Hotel Tayka del Desierto, Ojo de Perdiz
Meals included:
3x Breakfast
4x Lunch
3x Dinner
Services included:
1 Logistical support and on call emergency services are available 24hs.
2 Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to the chilenean-bolivian border at the Hito Cajon and back (driver only)
3 Driverguide in Spanish language highly specialized for travel in the region (from/to Hito Cajon)
4 Private Transportation in 4WD, according to the program, equipped with satellite communication (from/to Hito Cajon)
5 3 nights in a double room
6 Meals as described in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
7 Local taxes
8 Statutory taxes and fees
Not included:
1 Beverages
2 Entrance fees
3 Guide in another language other than Spanish
4 Travel insurance, tips or other expenses of personal nature.
5 All services not mentioned in the program