Day by Day

First day:
Today we will have an unforgettable trip through 12.000 km² of fantastic landscapes of salt. Prepare your photo camera! The blinding white mantle of Salar de Uyuni resembles an immense glacier. In winter (dry season, from May to October), when the surface hardens, geometric figures appeared formed by the particles of salt amassed in polygons. In summer (rainy season, from November to February) the saline desert becomes a gigantic mirror that melts into the purest sky in America. We will enter the salt flat through Colchani, where the salt factories are placed. We will visit one of them, where we will receive an explanation about the economy of the salt that governs the town’s life based on a cooperative organization. Next we will have the privilege of visiting Incahuasi Island that has an ascension path to its peak that turns into an extraordinary 360 degree viewpoint. This island surprises by the quantity of giant cactus (Echinopsis atacamensis) that populate the Island. We will have a box lunch on the island and later we’ll go towards the dominant and magic figure of the Tunupa Volcano to whose foothills is located the village of Coquesa, from where the ascent will begin in our 4×4 to reach an appreciable height from where the views of the Monumental Salt are impressive. Beginning of a brief walk to see the¨chullpares¨ – rock graves, which are old burials sites of ancient mummies. A neighboring village of Coquesa is Tahua, where we arrive to our hotel for the night. Accommodation in the Hotel Tayka de Sal, with private bathroom, hot water and heating (Bx, D).
Second day:
Today we will dedicate us to the part of the Salt Flat ignored by tourism, also called ¨Salar Sensual¨. We will head our 4X4 car towards Ch’jini, a place little visited by the tourism despite of its nonpareil beauty. Here, we will ascend to the “cathedral”, rock formation at the shore of the salt lake of approximately 40 m high where a ¨pucara¨ or ruins are located as a presume remain of an old Tiwanacota civilization. The challenge of ascending to the very crest of the “cathedral” is simple but with the guaranteed means of security, it is an opportunity to distill adrenaline in order to reach one of the most exceptional viewpoints in the world. Next we will visit the cave of Ch’jini, result of a sub aquatic geologic formation. The beauty and fragility of these geologic formations have forced the community to organize the visit in small groups. Continuing our travel, we will have the privilege of crossing from north to south the most beautiful part of the white desert, the ¨Salar Sensual¨, far from the usual route of the tourists. Going towards the Fish Island we will have a brief walk and lunch. We will continue through the bay of the ¨Islas Campanas¨ (Bell Islands) dominated by the image of the Volcano Caltama configuring a nonpareil landscape and environment. We will reach the canyon of Kamancha in Sinalaco, deep fissure in the rock only worked by the canal of a flowing river in rainy season. We will hike the canyon bottom for about 90 minutes in a light walk enjoying the scenery of high lateral walls with formations of figures and rocky textures of mysterious beauty. Arrival to San Pedro de Quemes and accommodation at Hotel Tayka de Piedra. (B, L, D)
Third day:
After the breakfast we will have a little walk enjoying the environment of the hotel: the llama corrals will catch the attention of our camera, the chullpares of the first inhabitants, the burnt village with its stone structures that have inspired the construction of the Hotel. Instead of visiting the burnt village we recommend you to participate in the optional “Llama Shepherding”, a one hour nonpareil experience, transferring dozens of llamas directed by the nice shepherdess Mrs. Marta, who is interested to make the visitors get to know a small example of the relationship between the man and the llama, so vital for the people’s life of these distant places. After that we head towards the part of the village which is called “Pueblo refugio” that was built when people escaped from the burnt village, in a hiding place among volcanic rocks of great size. From here and with the dominant figure of the Volcano Ollagüe that remains active, we will go towards the bouquet of colorful mountain lakes: The lagoons Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramaditas, in which you will enjoy to photograph great quantity of flamingos. On the shore of one of them, we will have a country lunch. We will enter in desert surfaces of sand and stone of enormous extension, without routes, almost without direction. These fantastic deserts owns the whole palette of terracottas, red, oranges, ochers, brasses, browns and beige fighting in every curve of the road for the traveler’s attention. In front of this palette of colors was lifted the Hotel Tayka del Desierto, with private bathrooms, hot water and heating (B, Bx, D).
Fourth day:
We will leave early at dawn towards our first contact with the Andean Flora and Fauna at Eduardo Avaroa Reserve when visiting the ¨arbol de piedra¨ (Stone Tree). Next we will have a visit to the ¨Laguna Colorada¨ (Red Lagoon) to observe its great population of flamingos. We will continue toward the Geisers of Sol de Mañana in order to get surprised by their most active moments. This will be the highest point on the route, near 5000 m.a.s.l. The desert and Salt Flat of Chalviri is scenery of great landscape value that combines the white of the borax, the ocher of the desert, and the blue of the water. In one of its corners we will be able to take a bath in the hot springs of Polques. When leaving we will pass in front the scenery of the desert ¨Las Damas del Desierto¨, masterpieces of rocks carved by wind and the wheater. And once again, now as an excess, we will see the ¨Laguna Verde¨ (the Green Lagoon) at the feet of the Licancabur Volcano, other pearl of the Reserve.
The border crossing will be at Hrs 13:00, for the private transfer to San Pedro de Atacama (B, Box).
End of our services in San Pedro de Atacama.
Uyuni Optional:
From the ¨Laguna Verde¨ (Green Lagoon), we will go back to the ¨Laguna Colorada¨ (Red Lagoon) to arrive at lunchtime, just in time to see how its waters turn from the wood red color to a red blood one. We will say goodbye to the last llamas and vicuñas that have accompanied us from the beginning on of our journey and we will continue looking for the suri or Andean ñandu that is not easy to been seen.
Uyuni was the first place in Bolivia where the whistle of a train was listened. It became the hub of the first railway line of the country in 1890. Today the most important remains of its railroad history (that date from 1890), can be observed at the so called “The train cemetery” located at 3 Km in the outskirts of the city of Uyuni. It consists of steam locomotives and wagons, being one of the most important attractions in its kind worldwide.

End of our services in Uyuni.

Prices and services

List of hotels:
1N: Hotel Tayka de Sal, Tahua
1N: Hotel Tayka de Piedra, San Pedro de Quemes
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 Driverguide in Spanish language highly specialized for travel in the region (from/to Uyuni – opt. to Hito Cajon)
3 Private Transportation in 4WD, according to the program, equipped with satellite communication (from/to Uyuni – opt. to Hito Cajon)
4 (opt. transfer from the bolivian-chilenean border at the Hito Cajon to San Pedro de Atacama – driver only)
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

El viaje al Salar de Uyuni:
This is a circuit of adventure in una district of singular interest, both for its scenery as for its ecology, for those who want to enjoy nature which manifests itself in rather peculiar ways, some of them unique in their genre; bad have to take into account that the infrastructure is scarce. This expedition through the desert in southern Bolivia demand effort. Very worthwhile and your photos and memories are satisfaction guaranteed. For our part we will deal with the journey from beginning to end, with all the safety measures and convenience at our fingertips.
To avoid sorojche or better known “bad height” is recommended not making much effort on the first day, eat light (digestion is very slow at the time), drinking coca tea and try not to smoke nor consume beverages alcoholic. There is a remedy called Sorojchipil for sale in all pharmacies and can be very useful. If you have no medical contraindications, can take as prevention.
Recommendations for La Puna and Salar de Uyuni:
La Puna and the salar of Uyuni has a very cold climate, with high winds and solar radiation. During the day usually is sunny and has pleasant temperatures. It is recommended to bring:
1 A cold blouse.
2 A jacket.
3 Woolen gloves.
4 Wool socks.
5 Hat or cap to the cold.
6 A cap that can protect you from the sun.
7 Shoes or boots closed.
8 Towel.
9 Protector for lips.
10 Sunscreen 30 or more.
11 Dark sunglasses filter ultraviolet con.
12 Flashlight.
13 Between December and April is recommended to take a umbrella or a raincoat.
14 Swimwear (You can bathe in hot springs)

Terms
1 to tour itinerary can be modified according to airline schedules and climatic and social conditions present in each zone to visit.
2 Rates are subject to change without notice due to changes in the rules and policies of local suppliers or for reasons of force majeure.
3 This quotation does not imply any reservation and / or confirmation of the services; getting both itinerary and price, subject to confirmation and / or changes to the booking.