
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
06.06.2021
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General
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Dates
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Prices
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Services
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Itinerary
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Personal equipment
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Security
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Gallery
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 |
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Physical Level | Cell | Cell | Cell | |
Technical level | Cell | Cell | Cell |
Season
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Cell | Cell | Cell | Cell | Cell |
We offer this trip on FIXED DATES, but also as PRIVATE TRIPS.
Fixed dates - Season 2021/2022
The participants can make reservations freely for fixed date trips. SPONDYLUS will define the starting / ending dates of each service.
Minimum number of participants: 5 persons
Maximum number of participants: 12 persons
If there are less than 5 participants in the group, there will be a small group extra charge.
Code | Start | End | Status |
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N01FD1 | 06.06.21 | 18.06.21 | Space available |
N01FD2 | 07.11.21 | 19.11.21 | Space available |
N01FD3 | 05.06.22 | 17.06.22 | Space available |
Private Trips
The dates for private trips are requested by the participants. In general it is not possible to add external persons to the group. If required, the itinerary can be adapted to the group´s needs and priorities.
Prices
The price depends on the number of participants, and they are based on a double room.
5-6 participants | 4.150 USD/Person |
7-9 participants | 3.590 USD/Person |
10-12 participants | 3.280 USD/Person |
Additional expenses
Single Room Supplement: * 860 USD
* The extra charge for single room will be done at the moment of making a reservation for the single room. If there is no other person found for sharing a room at the moment of making the reservation of a double room, we will charge half of the extra charge.
Small Group Surcharge: If the size of the group is smaller than the minimum number of participants (5 people), a small group fee will be charged. All this depends on the final number of participants.
Included services
- Accommodation in 3-4* hotels (in double room)
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Private transportation during the whole trip. Vehicles are available all the time for the transportation of people and luggage.
- Experienced, bilingual guide(s) (Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, according to availability). The number of guides / assistants is provided according to the number of participants.
- Driver(s) according to the program and depending on the number of participants
- Security and emergency equipment: radios, first aid kit
- Acquisition of all necessary permits
- All entrances, park fees, etc. according to the itinerary
Not included
- International and local flights
- Services in Santiago. We will be very pleased to organize for you: shuttles, accommodation, city tours, etc. Please contact us if required.
- Drinks at restaurants and hotels
- Tips
- Personal international health and accident insurance
- Personal equipment (look at the recommended list of equipment)
- Any other service not included in the program
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
DAY 13: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA / CALAMA (OUT)
In the morning, transfer to the Calama airport. END OF SERVICES.
Accommodation: -
Meals: Breakfast
Recommended equipment
Technical clothing
Breathable windbreaker jacket (Goretex or similar), Light down jacket or similar, Medium weight fleece pullover (Polartec or similar), Hiking trousers, Thermal underware, Hiking socks
Head & Hands
Sun hat, Woolen hat or similar with ear protection, Hiking gloves (Goretex, Windstopper or similar)
Sleeping gear
Not necessary
Shoes
Comfortable hiking shoes, Light trainers or similar
Technical Equipment
Telescopic trekking poles
Additional Equipment
Sun glasses with 100% UV protection, Wide mouth water bottle, Sun block factor 30+, Lip sun protector factor 30+, Watch with alarm, Personal first aid kit, Day pack (30L +), Swimwear, Towel
Security
To guarantee maximum security, all along the trip we always take with us VHF radios, a first aid kit and medicine for emergencies.
Besides this, we strongly recommend every participant to hire a Foreign Health insurance and an Accident insurance for South America.
Climatic conditions and other factors of force majeure can cause changes in the trip program. Responsibility and decision making in this regard rests completely and only with the SPONDYLUS guide in charge. The security of our clients, our mountain guides and the whole expedition team is our highest priority!