Arrival in Calama, Chile – Drive to San Pedro de Atacama

Fly to Calama in Chile via Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival, our representatives will pick you up and drive you to charming San Pedro de Atacama (1hr 50 min drive).

San Pedro de Atacama (8000 ft) is the entrance to some of the fascinating landscapes of the World. The majority of its attractions are part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

As soon as you arrive, you will check-in at Desertica Hotel, located in the middle of town. Use the rest of the day to recover from the flights.

Overnight at Desertica Hotel (No meals).

The Moon Valley

San Pedro de Atacama is located in the Atacama desert, the dryest and most beautiful desert in the World.

After a complete pre-departure briefing and geographic orientation, you will explore the Moon Valley, San Pedro’s most
famous destination.

After our complete excursion to the Moon Valley, you will have time to enjoy your hotel and wander around San Pedro de Atacama.

Overnight at Desertica Hotel (B, L).

Tatio Geysers

Even though we start in San Pedro de Atacama, our expedition will take us to lands much higher than that.

The Geysers of Tatio, the third largest geyser field in the World and the largest in South America, offers some of the most breathtaking panoramas and superb wildlife encounters.

Today we will depart early and gently climb up to 14000 feet. Along the way, we will stop to observe wild vicunas, flamencos, incredible rock formations, sights of snow-capped mountains, and volcanoes that will take your breath away without a doubt.

We will then return to our upscale hotel in San Pedro to rest.

Overnight at Desertica Hotel (B, L).

To Bolivia – Hito Cajón – Lagunas de Colores – Villamar

After an early breakfast and already correctly acclimatized to the altitude, we will drive to Hito Cajón, leaving Chile behind and entering Bolivia.

Our first stop will be at the impressive Laguna Verde, located below Licancabur Volcano, one of the highest and most beautiful in the World.

Then, we continue to Laguna Colorada, usually packed with the rare James Flamingos and multiple other high altitude species.

Our day’s ride is mainly in the National Reserve Los Flamencos and includes stops at the Valle de Dalí (Dali’s Valley), the Chalviri thermal waters, and the Geysers Sol de Mañana (Morning Sun).

By the end of the day, we will arrive at our simple but comfortable and warm hotel to enjoy dinner and a restful night.

Overnight at Jardines de Mallku Cueva Hotel (B, L, D).

Villamar – Lagunas Vinto y Catal – Valle de las Rochas – Colchani

Today we continue our way by 4×4 to the Uyuni Salt Lake. Our drive includes stops at the cave paintings and ruins near Tomas Lajas, The Stone Valley, and the Catal and Vinto Lagoons. The villages of Alota, Culpina K and, the church of San Cristobal Church follow until reaching Uyuni town where we’ll visit the trains’ cemetery before continuing to the village of Colchani.

At Colchani, we will check-in at Palacio de Sal Hotel, the first and by far the most upscale hotel in the Uyuni Salt Flatlands area.

This lodging is entirely novel, one of the most distinctive inns on the planet. Investigate yourself and book your excursion to Salar de Uyuni with us, including a stay at Palacio de Sal lodging. Look at our Uyuni salt pads visits; we have a total and fluctuated offer (counting stargazing visits) to meet your desires and itinerary items.

Overnight at Palacio de Sal Hotel (B, L, D).

Colchani – Salar

After breakfast, we will visit Colchani to observe the traditional salt extraction methods and then continue to Incahuasi Island (also known as Fish Island).

Fish Island is an oasis in the middle of the Salt Flatlands. A former Island, it is now an isolated ecosystem mainly populated by giant cacti up to 10 meters high. Much of its flora and insects are endemic. A spectacular picnic lunch will be served in the middle of Salt Lake before continuing to visit the mummies of Pucara Ayque at the foothills of the Sacred Thunupa Volcano.

After enjoying a fantastic sunset – with sundowners, of course, we will return to our beautiful and unique salt hotel.

We have planned this expedition to have no moon tonight. If your energy allows, join your leader for a spectacular stargazing session after dinner.

Overnight at Palacio de Sal Hotel (B, L, D).

Potosí – Sucre

Today we leave the Uyuni salt lake behind and travel to Potosí, passing by the villages of Tika Tika and Chaquilla.

Potosi is of utmost historical importance. Once in Potosí, enjoy a walking tour of the city, admiring the colonial streets, visiting the most important historical and religious monuments.

After lunch, we will visit the local miners’ market to learn about the importance of using coca leaves, alcohol, and dynamite to continue with a visit to one of the current mining cooperatives.

The day will end with a drive to Sucre, where we will enjoy dinner at our excellent boutique hotel.

Overnight at Mi Pueblo Samary Boutique Hotel (B, L, D).

Sucre

Enjoy a half-day tour of the “white city,” including the convent of Recoleta, the museum of textile art of ASUR, the main square, the famous Casa de la Libertad, and the Bolívar Park.

In the afternoon, we change gears entirely and visit the largest fossilized dinosaurs’ footprints deposit in the World. The site is called Cal Ork’ o, in the Quechua language, and is the largest cement quarry in Bolivia, located just 5 km away from Sucre.

At night, and after time to freshen up at our hotel, we will enjoy dinner at Espacio Cultural Origenes. This restaurant has a large stage where they put on a colorful, high-energy dance show featuring traditional dances from Sucre and Bolivia.

Overnight at Mi Pueblo Samary Boutique Hotel (B, L, D).

Fly to La Paz

After breakfast, we will drive to Sucre airport and fly to La Paz.

After our arrival, we will enjoy lunch at a fine local restaurant and later check-in at our La Paz hotel, the most upscale in the city.

We have left this afternoon free for you to relax, or if you prefer to explore the city and try one of its excellent restaurants.

Overnight at Hotel Casa Grande (B, L).

La Paz City Tour

Today enjoy a complete tour of La Paz.

The tour includes visits to the Gold, Murillo, and Costumbrista museums and a stop at “Mirador de Killi Killi” to enjoy magnificent views of the city.

Later we will explore various street markets, including a traditional one dedicated to the commerce of Andean agricultural products such as quinoa, tunta, chuño (dehydrated potato), and oca (sweet tuber).

At night, and after time to rest at your hotel, we will enjoy an 8-course dinner at Gustu Restaurant.

Overnight at Hotel Casa Grande (B, L, D).

Visit Tiwanaku Pre-Inca Remains – Drive to Puno

Today we will drive 1.5 hours towards Titicaca Lake to visit the remains of the Tiwanaku’s capital city to be awed by the Kalasasaya Temple, the Sun Gate, multiple monoliths the Akapana pyramid.

After this fascinating archeological experience, we will drive four hours to Puno, in Peru, a city located at the shores of Titicaca Lake. The drive is quite scenic and includes going through immigration and enjoying the sights of multiple colonial Andean towns.

Once we reach Puno, we will check-in at the Premium Casa Andina Hotel, right in front of the Titicaca Lake Puno bay.

Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Puno (B, L).

Uros and Taquile Island

After an early breakfast, we will board our private speedboat to navigate the Titicaca Lake waters to Taquile Island.

To provide you with a more intimate experience, we have selected a remote corner of the Island for our visit. By visiting this secluded section of the Island, we will avoid the tourist masses and strenuous uphill walks.

Once we reach the Island, we will visit the community of Huayllano, whose members will show you their uses and customs, crafts, farming activities, and traditions. After this time of sharing, you will enjoy a picnic lunch and then sail to the famous Uros Islands, a set of human-made reed islands in the middle of the Lake Titicaca National Reserve.

In the late afternoon, we will be back at our bayside hotel.

Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Puno (B, L).

Diablada demonstration. Sillustani Tour. Drive to Juliaca. Fly back home.

This morning enjoy a demonstration of “Diablada,” a traditional dance named after the devil’s masks colorful costumes used by the performers.

After the unique experience, we will drive to Sillustani cemetery, one of the most enigmatic archeological sites in South America and the World. Located beside a gorgeous Lake, Sillustany is a cluster of Chullpas (Stone build tower-like burial vault tombs). 

Afterward, we will drive to Juliaca airport and fly to Lima, Peru, where you will connect with your flight back home.

(B, Box Lunch)