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Deserts of Sajama, Lauca, Atacama, Uyuni and San Pedro in 4wd

Atacama in Chile and Lipez in Bolivia represent the highest deserts of the world and the salt flat of Uyuni in Bolivia is the biggest in the world. This tour is a compendium of natural beauty, prehistoric remains and folklore. 

Here is our itinerary:

High deserts of Bolivia and Chile (13 days)

Day 1: LA PAZ-SAJAMA.  We start in La Paz-Bolivia in a fully equiped 4WD.    Around Mt. Sajama we discover forests of Kiswaras and Keņuas trees (Andean trees) in an area dominated by snow covered domes. Lodge in Sajama Park.

Day 2: SAJAMA-PARINACOTA. After crossing the border from Bolivia to Chile we walk around Lake Chungara to see some of the great variety of Andean birds. Around the lagoon Cotacotani we enjoy a nice hike of 4 hours to reach the typical hamlet of Parinacota where our car picks us up to drive us to a hotel in Putre.

Day 3: PARINACOTA-SURIRE. Today we enter the Atacama desert looking on the way for herds of wild “vicuņas” and “guanacos” (Andean cameloids) and the smoky crater of Guallatire Volcano (6.063 m high). We are sheltered in a pleasant hut near the salt field of Surire (salt desert). If we are tired, we can bathe in the hot springs of Pollotire and be cured by the medical hot mud in the bottom.

Day 4: SURIRE-COLCHANE: Walk by a forest of Keņuas (Andean trees) watching the  emptiness of the desert. We drive by Isluga and reach Colchane Hamlet. Simple hut.

Day 5. COLCHANE-COQUESA. Passing the border (Colchane/Pisiga) from Chile to Bolivia we continue to the hamlet of Laqueca. This is the extreme remote side of Bolivia and people survive as best they can. Due to that we can see a folklore or a “know-how” very strange for us. Even if we see more animals in the Chilean side; we see more traditions, more strange culture and more archaeology in the Bolivian side. We appreciate en route the banks of the salt field of Coipasa which is the second main salt field of Bolivia. Finally we arrive to the biggest salt desert in the world at 3750 m high, Uyuni. Hut in Coquesa.

Day 6. CLIMB TO THE TUNUPA CRATER. With our car we approach up to 3900 m high and we climb up (3 hours) to 4560 m high. In our return we visit Pre Inka tombs to find mummies. Hut in Coquesa.

Day 7: COQUESA-QUEMES. On the island “Isla Pescado” we recognize the typical vegetation such as giant cactus on unusual volcanic ash. We discover prehistoric remains and karst formations in “Cuevas del Diablo”. Lodge in the hamlet of San Pedro de Quemes.

Day 8: CLIMB TO IRRUPUTUNCU VOLCANO. We use our whole day to visit the   Irruputuncu active volcano(4.700 m high). We climb up for 2 hours to the crater that still boils sulphur.This active volcano is the most spectacular in the region. 

Day 9: QUEMES-QUETENA CHICO. Following the green eastern side of the South Lipez range we see Canyons of  Cascades and Valley of Rocks. Finally we arrive at the hamlet of Quetena Chico. Simple lodge.

Day 10:  CLIMB TO UTURUNCU MOUNTAIN. 1 hour and a half driving up as far as 5750 m high. We prepare our very basic climb equipment (rope , gaiters and ski poles). Walking up along a little glacier in 3 hours we reach the summit !!!.at 6060 m high. It is the easiest 6000 meter peak in South America. Return to Quetena Chico at noon. After lunch we visit the  Rupestrian paintings of Chaquilla. Later on we reach the Colorada lagoon. Hut nearby.

Day 11: LAGOON COLORADA-LAGOON VERDE- SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA. We pass by Sol de Maņana to explore the boiling sulphur and geysers in this giant crater. The desert of Salvador Dali with its giant geoglyphs just like surrealist paintings, the hot springs of Laguna Celeste and Verde. Finally we cross the border (Hito Cajones) from Bolivia to Chile again. We descend 2 hours to reach an altitude of 2500 m high in the little town of San Pedro de Atacama.. Available hotels, restaurants, pubs, discotheques, markets. It’s an oasis.

Day 12. TOUR FORTRESS OF TIBOR AND MOON VALLEY. Morning to visit the archaeological museum Le Paige to understand  Chinchorro Culture which was related with Tiwanaku. In the afternoon, we visit the fortress of Tibor where the Inkas fought against the Spaniards. Valley of Dinosaurs where we find sandy giant formations, Valley of Deaths and Moon Valley which was formed by solid natural salt.

Day 13. ATACAMA-CALAMA-SANTIAGO. You have a transfer by car during 2 hours to the airport of Calama to catch the flight to Santiago. We wait for you in Santiago to assist you to catch your flight home. End of services.