Depart San Pedro de Atacama on an unforgettable 3-day expedition in a 4x4 Toyota land cruiser through the desert of southwest Bolivia and into the vast and blinding-white salt flats of Uyuni. Along the way, visit tiny villages, multi-colored lakes with flamingos, geysers, and thermal hot-springs at 5,000m.
NOTE: You need to arrive to Atacama one day before the trek departs
Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile-Red Lagoon, BoliviaTransfer across into Bolivia, and jump into a 4WD jeep. Spend the day exploring natural wonders like brightly coloured lagoons, the Dali desert, surrealistic landscapes, thermal water pools, the Sol de Mañana geysers and ending at the beautiful Laguna Colorada.
San Pedro de Atacama-Green Lagoon-Dali Desert-Sol de Mañana geysers-Red Lagoon (B/L/D)
Depart San Pedro de Atacama at 6:30 am by minibus for an exciting 3-day excursion. Cross into Bolivia, passing by the Chile and Bolivia immigration offices. Once on the Bolivian side, at 4400m above sea level, we change vehicles to a 4WD Jeep with a maximum capacity of 6 people. We start off in the Bolivian high plains, visiting places like the Green Lagoon (toxic copper water) and Laguna Blanca, located at the foot of the big Licancabur volcano at 6000m. Continue on to Dali Desert, where Salvador Dali found his inspiration from boulders sprinkled in the middle of the desert. There you can admire surrealistic landscapes, thermal water pools, the Sol de Mañana geysers –intermittent springs coming up at a 100º C. Walk carefully next to fumaroles and steaming craters filled with boiling pots of mud at 150-200 Cº. The journey ends up at Laguna Colorada, an intense red-colored lake which acts as the main nesting center for thousands of flamingos of 3 different species.
These places are located at an average height of 4500m above the sea level and it is possible to see endemic flora and fauna such as flamingos, vicunas and some other animals. The night will be spent in rooms of 6 people. It can get very cold especially during the winter months of June and July so bring extra warm clothes along like a scarf and wool hat to keep warm.
NOTE: You need to arrive to Atacama one day before the trek departs
Pass by the Siloli Desert and various coloured lagoons like Laguna Honda, Chiarcota and Cañapa. Arrive at the Chiguana salt flat, and spend tonight at Salt Hotel (a hotel made of salt!)
Siloli Desert-Chiguana Salt Flat (B/L/D)
Have an early breakfast and depart around 8:00 am this morning. Pass by the Siloli Desert at 4,550 meters (the highest and driest in the world) where there are a set of rock formations as a result of wind erosion. Take a photo next to a huge lava rock formation in the shape of a tree. Continue on to high plain lagoons also known as colored lagoons; Laguna Honda, Chiarcota and Cañapa. Then we make our way to Chiguana salt flat, on the south side of Uyuni salt flat and surrounded by volcanoes. The night is spent at the Salt Hotel (a hotel made of salt), in double or triple rooms.
Today you will explore the Uyuni Salt Flats, stopping at Inca Wasy (Fish Island). We will take time to take fun proportion-distorted photos on the blinding white salt flats. Next, visit Colchani village and the town of Uyuni. Overnight in Villa Mar.
Uyuni Salt Flats - Uyuni - Villa Mar (B/L)
Depart early at 8:00am and drive along the vast white expanse of Uyuni Salt Flats today to visit Inca Wasy (Fish Island), located in the middle of the salt flat, with beautiful cactus and rock formations made of petrified coral. Grab your friends and take fun and wacky disproportionate and perspective-distorted photos on the white surface of the salt flats. Pass by the small salt-miners village of Colchani where you can see miners hard at work extracting mounds of salt, en route to the town of Uyuni arriving around 3:00pm. Take a 2-hour break to rest and say goodbye to the rest of your group. Begin your return transfer to San Pedro Atacama this evening stopping at Villa Mar town to spend the night at a hostel.
We will depart early from Villa Mar to head for the Bolivia border, arriving in San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon.
Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama
Depart Villa Mar early at 4:30 am for a 4-hour drive to the Bolivian Border. After completing immigration formalities, you will change to a minibus and continue back to San Pedro de Atacama arriving at about 1:00 pm. Say goodbye to your new friends as your once-in-a-lifetime adventure comes to an end. We hope to see you soon for your next adventure!
