FIXED DEPARTURE
LA PAZ | UYUNI SALT FLAT | SOUTH LIPEZ
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA | SANTIAGO DE CHILE
JANUARY – NOVEMBER 2023
Guaranteed Departure: minimum 2 persons – maximum 16 persons per group
Day 1: LA PAZ: Arrival & Briefing with Your Guide. (Optional excursions include La Paz city tour)
Land at El Alto International Airport (La Paz-Bolivia) and transfer to the hotel on your own (see “Extra Supplements). Afternoon at leisure. Briefing with your guide about upcoming activities and destinations. Meals not included. Overnight at your hotel in La Paz. Optional: La Paz City Tour La Paz a stunning city that is spread out over a natural basin and descends from the altiplano towards the high valleys of the Andes. Depart for Plaza Murillo, La Paz’s main square for governmental and legislative functions. Visit the Witches Market (Mercado de las Brujas), then visit the Church of San Francisco. Depart for Moon Valley (about 5 Km from central La Paz), which famously receives its name from Neil Armstrong’s visit in 1969 after he played golf nearby. Arrive at Moon Valley and choose one of two trails: one is 30-45 min long and the other is 1.5-2 hours. Meals not included. Depart for La Paz in a private vehicle.
Day 2: LA PAZ (✈) / UYUNI: Afternoon at LeisureBreakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Uyuni (flight not included). Arrival to Uyuni and transfer to the hotel, afternoon at leisure. Meals not included. Overnight at your hotel in Uyuni.
Day 3: UYUNI / SALT FLATS: Visit Incahuasi Island / SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZBreakfast at the hotel. Depart for the renowned Uyuni Salt Flats. The Salt Flats of Uyuni were once part of a prehistoric inland sea called Lake Minchin, which included most of southwestern Bolivia. With more than 12,000 km2 in land area, it’s considered the largest salt desert in the world. Observe the process of extraction and refinement of salt. Visit Incahuasi Island (home of the Inca in Quechua). Lunch included. Depart for San Pedro de Quemez (194 km). Arrive at the hotel. Diner included. Overnight in San Pedro de Quemez.
Day 4: SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ / NORTH LIPEZ: Visit Jewels of the Andes / SILOLI DESERTBreakfast at the hotel. Visit Pueblo Quemado (burned village). Depart for Salar de Chiguana and visit Mirador de Ollague Volcano, which stands at 5868 meters above sea level. Depart for Jewels of the Andes, in which the lagoons are named Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiari Khota, and Honda. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your excursion. Depart for Paseo del Leon (Pass of the Lion) and Siloli Desert. Transfer to your hotel where dinner is included. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: SOUTH LIPEZ: Visit Red and Green Lagoons / HITO CAJON / SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA Moon Valley ExcursionBreakfast at the hotel. Depart for the Eduardo Abaroa National Reserve in South Lipez, then visit the Red Lagoon, located at an altitude of 4,278 meters above sea level. Visit Sol de Mañana (Sun of Tomorrow), a geothermal area dotted with geysers and fumaroles. See the thermal waters of Polkes, then visit the Salvador Dali Desert. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your excursion. Depart for the Green Lagoon, then to the Hito Cajon border. Private transfer from Hito Cajon to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Moon Valley excursion (shared service). In the late afternoon, depart for Moon Valley to observe the lunar-like patterns formed by erosion, which are covered with a thin layer of salt. These curious formations were caused by the existence of an ancient lake and by erosion from the wind and water. In the silence of the desert, you’ll experience one of the most beautiful sunsets ever seen. Diner not included. Overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 6: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA: Full Day Altiplanic Lagoons and Salt FlatBreakfast at the hotel. Altiplanic Lagoons and Salt Flat Excursion (shared service). Morning departure to Atacama Salt Flat with views of the Licancabur Volcano. Visit the village of Toconao and the Chaxa Lagoon, where a large variety of flora has adapted to the desert climate. Then see the Miscanti and Meñiques Lagoons situated at 4300 meters (2671 feet) above sea level, where you’ll have a spectacular view over the high plateaus. Lunch in a local restaurant along the way and return to San Pedro de Atacama. Local lunch included. Dinner not included. Overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 7: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA: Half Day Tatio Geysers / CALAMA (✈) / SANTIAGOTatio Geysers Excursion (shared service). Depart early this morning (around 5 a.m.) for Tatio Geysers, which are situated at 14,100 feet (4300m) above sea level, and arrive at sunrise, a time when the geysers are most spectacular. El Tatio is the largest place of this kind in the southern hemisphere. The eruption of the highest geyser reaches about 20 feet (6m). Picnic breakfast in the middle of the geysers. Return to San Pedro de Atacama around noon. Transfer from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport (shared service). Assistance at Santiago Airport to get to your hotel in Santiago (in front of the airport building) Meals not included. Overnight at your hotel at Santiago Airport.
Day 8: SANTIAGO: Free Day (options for city tour or Valparaiso/winery)Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Optional Activity (shared service): SANTIAGO CITY TOUR Pick-up at your hotel and tour Santiago, a mix of modern and historic architecture. You’ll visit Santa Lucía Hill, the place where Santiago was founded, the Constitución Square, and the Government Palace called La Moneda. Nearby you’ll discover the Errázuriz Palace, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Central Market. Finally, you’ll climb San Cristobal Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Return to your hotel. Meals not included. Optional Activity (shared service): VALPARAÍSO & VIÑA DEL MAR Pick-up at your hotel and depart for Valparaiso and Viña del Mar for a full-day tour. Valparaiso is located 120 km from the capital city and you’ll learn its history as a 2003 UNESCO declared World Human Heritage destination. Visit places like the National Congress, Prat Pier, historic elevators like “Artillería”, Sotomayor Square, and 21 de Mayo promenade. Finally, visit Viña del Mar, also known locally as La Ciudad Jardín (The Garden City), which is best known as a tourist and beach destination. Return to your hotel. Meals not included. Optional Activity (shared service): WINERY TOUR (MAIPO or CASABLANCA VALLEY) Pick-up at your hotel and depart for a half-day winery tour in Maipo or Valparaíso, where you’ll get to taste wines and grape varieties like Carmenere, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Return to your hotel. Meals not included. Meals not included. Overnight at your hotel in Santiago.
Day 9: SANTIAGO (✈) Flight Back HomeBreakfast at the hotel. On your own, transfer to the airport to take your international flight.
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