N01 / ATACAMA DESERT & UYUNI SALT FLAT

ATACAMA DESERT & UYUNI SALT FLAT

Nature & Culture in the Andean highlands

Code

N01

Region

Andean Highlands, Chile & Bolivia

Duration

13 Days

Prices

From 3.280 USD

Next trip

07.11.2021

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General
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Itinerary
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Introduction

The Chilean and Bolivian altiplano “high plateau”, is a world full of natural wonders and incomparable beauty. Due to its geographic isolation, this is not a region that is easy to explore, but its singularity and magic reward each visitor. Our trip is carried out in the Atacama Desert and the little known Lípez mountain range, hidden within the Bolivian Andes. SPONDYLUS has been traveling in this remote region for almost two decades, and has found many hidden gems that are off the tourist track. The easy walks that are included in the program allow for an intimate encounter with the unique nature of the regions visited. The optimal infrastructure that has been developed in this remote part of the world over the last few years also facilitates the access for adventurers who do not want to renounce on comfort. A special gift is without a doubt, the exploration of the salt flat of Uyuni, the largest one in the world. Between heaven and earth, a wonderful unique encounter awaits us, full of history about the ancient indigenous cultures. Discover the Atacama Desert and South Lípez together with SPONDYLUS!

Highlights

The Atacama Desert is the most arid place on Earth, but holds many hidden and wonderful surprises.
During our soft hikes through the Atacama Desert and the Lípez mountain range, we will follow in the steps of the forefathers and their culture.
As a nature lover, one must see and experience the Salt flat of Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, at least once in your lifetime.
We will find many sacred volcanos along our journey, which will offer fantastic views over the Chile & Bolivia Andean plateau.
Original and beautiful accommodation in absolutely unique places will complete this trip full of nature & culture.

Level of difficulty

Header	For everybody	Medium	Difficult	For experts
Physical Level		Cell	Cell	Cell
Technical level		Cell	Cell	Cell

Season

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cell	Cell	Cell	Cell	Cell

Code	Start Arrival to Calama	End Out of Calama	Status
N01FD1	07.11.21	19.11.21	Space available
N01FD2	05.06.22	17.06.22	Space available
N01FD3	27.11.22	09.12.22	Space available

5-6 participants	4.150 USD/Person
7-9 participants	3.590 USD/Person
10-12 participants	3.280 USD/Person

Itinerary

DAY 1: CALAMA (IN) – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (2450 M)

In the morning, we will land at the Calama airport, in the heart of the Atacama Desert. Here, we will be met by our local Spondylus guides. Together we will drive (approx. 2 h) to the oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama, and check in to our hotel. After having lunch in a local restaurant, our first excursion will take us to the Salt Mountain Range, where we will experience an unforgettable sunset from the world famous Moon Valley.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: Lunch

DAY 2: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA / MISCANTI & MIÑIQUES LAGOONS (4010 M)

In a full day excursion, today we will visit Chile’s largest salt flat, the Atacama Salt Flat and 2 high mountain lagoons. After breakfast we will drive south. We will pass by the villages of Toconao and Socaire on our way up into the high plateau or “altiplano”. Here we will find the lagoons Miscanti and Miñiques. They are both located a little over 4000 meters above sea level. We will go for a short walk, and enjoy the very impressive scenery that surrounds the lagoons. After this unique scenic gift, we will descend back down into the valley, and visit the Salt flat of Atacama before returning back to San Pedro de Atacama. We will drive directly into a salt world visiting Chaxa Lagoon. With a bit of luck we will be able to observe flamingos and other bird species within their natural habitat.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA / CATARPE VALLEY & PURITAMA

After breakfast we will visit the ruins of Quitor, here we will learn about the history of the Atacameño people. Then, we will be driven to the starting point of our hike (approx. 4 hours) within the beautiful Valley of Catarpe. First, we will follow the course of the San Pedro River towards the north, where we will get an idea of the way of life of the Atacameño families that still live here. We will continue along an old but well marked trail where we will enjoy unforgettable views over the Atacama Salt Flat and the Andes Range. In the deep sand of a dune, we will descend in to the strange world of Death Valley. Here our vehicle will be waiting for us, and we will be driven to the Puritama warm springs where we will take an unforgettable bath in the natural pools of the beautiful outdoor facilities. Here we will relax in a wonderful way after our morning trek.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ (3720 M)

Today we will leave early in the morning and drive to Ollagüe. Crossing salt flats and passing huge volcanos, we will arrive at the Chilean/Bolivian borderline around noon. The altiplano borderline atmosphere reminds us of a town in a far west film. After completing our passport controls into Bolivia, we will drive another 2 hours until we arrive at the small town of San Pedro de Quémez, where we will spend the night at the beautiful “Rock hotel” in the middle of landscapes that have hardly been touched by civilization.

Accommodation: Hotel 3-4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ - TAHUA (3710 M)

We will continue with our journey, and on route we will visit a unique geological phenomenon, the “Cave of the Galaxies”. After this, we will continue to get to our main goal, the largest salt flat on earth, the Uyuni Salt Flat. Travelling on the salt flat, we will lose sight of the horizon and all we can see around us is salt. On route, we will visit an “island” that is located in the middle of the salt flat, the Incahuasi Island. Here we will do a short walk (2 hours), to admire the giant cacti that grow on the rocky island. From here we will continue onto another island called the Pescado Island, completely isolated from all civilization. After this, we will drive to the small town of Tahua, located at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano, a sacred mountain for the local people.

Accommodation: Hotel 3-4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: TAHUA / EXCURSION TO TUNUPA VOLCANO

After a short drive on the salt flat, we will start our hike (approx. 4 hours) up to the view point (4080 m) of the majestic Tunupa volcano. The climb hides a few unexpected surprises. We will follow an old pilgrimage path that is still used by the locals when they perform rituals in honour of the volcano. From here we will be able to admire the full extension of the Uyuni salt flat, and at the same time the multi-coloured crater of the volcano. After this unique hike, we will go back to our comfortable accommodation in Tahua.

Accommodation: Hotel 3-4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: TAHUA – UYUNI (3670 M)

We will continue with our tour driving in a southeast direction, once again driving across the salt flat, finally arriving at the city of Uyuni. This is the province capital. On route, we will be able to see the very basic salt extraction activities. Later on in the day arriving at the small City of Uyuni, we will be surprised by the busy city life that it has. The markets full of products and produce, some exotic to us, and the busy wide streets will catch our attention. We must make use of this opportunity to buy provisions and gasoline. For the next part of our journey we must be well stocked and prepared due to the fact that we will be isolated.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: UYUNI – VILLAMAR (4020 M)

Today we will say good bye to the Uyuni salt flat. The landscape changes gradually, but it does not lose its appeal at all. After driving for about 3 hours, we will arrive at the small traditional village of Alota. Very close to here we will start our trek (approx. 4-5 hours). Starting at a small hidden waterfall, we will follow the course of a small stream that leads us to a huge cliff in a world of rocks and stones, where the erosion has created strange shapes over millions of years. We will let ourselves be enchanted by this rock universe before finally arriving at our vehicle again in the so called “City of Rocks”, to then go to our accommodation in the small village of Villamar.

Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9: VILLAMAR / BOFEDAL DE PLUMA

We will dedicate the morning to archaeology. Many places around the village have drawn the interest of experts from all over the world. So we will propose ourselves to look for hidden rock art paintings and remains of ancient ceramics. We will talk about the history of cultures that disappeared a long time ago, and about the human occupation of this natural area around 11.000 years ago. After this instructive morning and a good lunch, we will be driven to the Bofedal de Pluma, a high plateau wetland. This place is a natural jewel still protected from the mass tourist flow. We will enjoy its beauty and tranquillity, taking care and respect for the environment and nature. On an easy trek of approx. 2 hours, we will visit the “Black Lagoon”, and with a little bit of luck, we will be able to observe very rare bird species in their natural habitat. We will go back to Villamar to spend the night.

Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10: VILLAMAR – COLORADA LAGOON - OJO DE PERDIZ (4.530 M)

The natural spectacle continues. On our way to the Siloli Desert where our accommodation is located, we will visit another one of the highlights of our impressive trip, Colorada Lagoon (4280 m). This lagoon fascinates every visitor for its almost blood-red colour of its water, and its large flamingo colonies. The dazzling white islands of borax look like icebergs making this landscape seem even more unreal. We will have sufficient time to explore on foot and admire this unique environment. But our day is not over yet, the dusty road will take us to our accommodation where we will spend the night under the clearest star studded sky on earth.

Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11: OJO DE PERDIZ – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (2.450 M)

Today we will go back to Chile. But before getting to the border, wonderful surprises will await us. At the geothermal field “Sol de Mañana”, we will get the feeling that we have travelled back in time to when the earth was forming. When we see the so called desert of Dali, we will understand why it got its name. Laguna Verde with it´s amazing colour located at the foot of the sacred Licancabur Volcano, leaves us speechless. Here we are a step away from the Chilean border, where we will have to say good bye to our Bolivian drivers. In the afternoon, we will get back to San Pedro de Atacama, where we will spend the night at the comfortable hotel that we already know.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Free day. The oasis village of San Pedro offers a variety of ways to relax and buy souvenirs. Coffee shops and restaurants will invite us to enjoy. If you are interested on learning more about the ancient history of this area, the local museum known worldwide, is worth a visit. Tonight we will enjoy our last dinner all together and say goodbye to our local team.

Accommodation: Hotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast