Description
This journey will take us from the majestic terracotta mountains of the Atacama Desert to the white immensity of the Salar de Uyuni. We will live a unique experience exploring two of the most fascinating and remote destinations in South America, with the excellent level of service provided by Explora Hotels. Read more
The trip seeks a complete immersion in nature, as we cross the desert from Chile to Bolivia in a 4×4 vehicle, accompanied by an expert guide and a local driver.
The lodges are the lodges and hotels of the Explora chain, and have been designed so that travelers can take advantage of the silence and nature that surrounds them, being the perfect place to relax after a day of exploration.
Every day an expert guide helps each traveler select the activity that best suits his or her interests and expectations. The activities, which include hiking, horseback riding, biking, trekking and mountain climbing among others, vary in duration and level of difficulty. The idea is that each person can find the way to enjoy the most of the magical places to visit, and the experience will be unforgettable!
Exit date
Private departures on any date
Route
Día 1: Vuelo a Santiago de Chile
Día 2: Llegada a Santiago
Día 3: Vuelo Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama
Días: 4 y 5 Desierto de Atacama
Día 6: Cruce Frontera - Ramaditas
Día 7: Ramaditas a Chituca
Día 8: Chituca a Uyuni
Día 9: Uyuni
Día 10: Vuelo Uyuni- Santa Cruz
Día 11 Vuelo Santa Cruz - España
Santiago de Chile
Calama
San Pedro de Atacama
Atacama Desert
Chituca
Uyuni
Santa Cruz
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Days 4 and 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Santiago de Chile
Departure by scheduled flight to Santiago de Chile. Overnight on board.
Day 2 – Arrival in Santiago
Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel.
Day 3 – Flight Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama
Pick up at the Calama airport to take you to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, located at an altitude of 2,407 meters above sea level. The trip to the hotel explora Atacama takes approximately one hour. The route will take us gradually into the essence of remoteness. After the welcome, an introductory talk about the destination. Then, you and your guide will define where and what you will explore in the following days.
We recommend that you start exploring the oasis, the Cordilleras de La Sal and Domeyko, the Salar de Atacama and the unique ravines, landscapes and ecosystems of this region. Then, venture above 4,000 m of altitude in the Altiplano. It is an unforgettable experience, so be sure to experience the Puritama Hot Springs with your own senses!
This is the perfect start to the transformative journey that is about to begin. Prepare your body and mind by discovering the many charms that flourish incredibly in the Atacama Desert.
Days 4 and 5 – Atacama Desert
Immerse yourself in the driest desert in the world and feel its impenetrable aura in every landscape. The plan that you and your guide have devised in this unique program begins to unfold at your own pace. Activities range from easy to advanced, with short or long durations and through different methods of exploration: hiking, horseback riding, biking, alternating vehicle and short hikes, and even high mountain climbing for the more adventurous.
Remember: any weather is the perfect day to explore, but if the sky is clear, we will enter the cool desert night to enjoy an astronomical session at the hotel’s observatory.
Day 6 – Border Crossing – Ramaditas
Time to get moving again. When the first rays of the sun break the deep blue sky, we will leave San Pedro de Atacama early in the morning and leave the oasis, but everything we have lived and learned in these days will remain with us forever. We will begin our journey through the Andes and arrive at the border at Hito Cajon, 47 km from our starting point. Now we will be in Bolivia. Together with an Explora guide, we will change vehicles and continue our journey through the captivating bowels of the Altiplano. We will continue exploring as we go.
We will visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a variety of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. Laguna Colorada is the perfect place to spot flamingos in their natural habitat, and also where we have lunch enjoying the intense color combination of the Altiplano.
Then we continue to our Mountain Home in Ramaditas, where we watch the sun set on the horizon and finally, we will rest to face a new day. As we close our eyes to sleep, we can feel and hear the vastness of the silence that surrounds us and the solitary beauty of a territory we have just begun to discover.
Day 7 – Ramaditas to Chituca
The wonderful scenery never seems to end as we approach the Salar Uyuni. In the morning, we will depart for Chituca, where we will spend the next night. En route, we will walk through ancient mines and valleys. The Turquiri Lagoon, with its enormous diversity of birds and rock formations, is the perfect setting for a restorative lunch. Now it is time to explore the region in more detail: we will choose between hiking or alternating short walks and drives. After the exploration, we will continue to Chituca, where we will learn about the culture and ways of life of the local inhabitants.
Day 8 – Chituca to Uyuni
After a restorative breakfast we will set out on an exploration of your choice. We will be able to walk around our Mountain Home and stroll through the cactus forest and ancient agricultural terraces nearby. Another option is to visit the village of San Pedro de Quemes, an ancient Spanish settlement with panoramic views of the altiplano and the salt flat. Then, we will continue our journey to the Grotto of the Galaxies, an amazing cave with unusual geological formations where we will discover and experience a fascinating part of Andean history.
We will continue our journey and suddenly, 10,000 km2 of salt will appear in front of us: the Salar de Uyuni. Located at an altitude of 3,665m, it is the largest and highest salt flat on the planet. We will have lunch in the salt flat, from where the next exploration starts: a land trip to Pescado Island or a hike on the island itself.
Finally, we will arrive at our lodge in Uyuni, on the slopes of the Tunupa volcano.
Day 9 – Uyuni
We will enjoy the wonderful view of the Salar de Uyuni from the comfort of our lodge. Our guide will help you decide the explorations you wish to do. You can choose to hike, travel by vehicle or bicycle. Ascending the multicolored slopes of the Tunupa volcano up to 5,432m, cycling across part of the salt flat or touring the slopes of the volcano visiting the villages along the way are some of the alternatives. What you will see in this place will remain forever imprinted in your memories.
Day 10 – Flight Uyuni- Santa Cruz
Transfer by the Explora team to the Uyuni airport to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation.
Day 11 – Flight Santa Cruz – Spain
Transfer to the airport. Flight back to Spain. Overnight on board.
Prices
| Prices | |
| Price per person | 8.130 € |
What does it include?
Flights
Domestic flights Santiago – Calama and Uyuni – Santa Cruz
Transfers
Meals
All meals and open bar from days 3 to 9
Breakfast in hotels on all other days
Staff
Spanish-speaking local guides
Daily explorations by Explora Hotels
Tickets
Entrance fees to the sites and protected areas to be visited
Insurance
Travel insurance with cancellation. Check here the conditions
Documentation
Sending travel documents via email
24-hour telephone assistance
Lodging
Accommodation indicated in double room with breakfast.
The hotels are special and allow a complete immersion in the nature of the place.
What is NOT included?
Air taxes
Tips
Extras not specified
Practical information
Situation
South America.
Recommended time of year
Although it can be visited all year round, the best time to visit is from May to September, which corresponds to the dry season and clear skies.
Weather
In the north, the climate is mild all year round, with more than 90% of days of sunshine.
In the European winter, the average daytime temperature ranges from 9º C to 24º C. Between January and March, the so-called altiplanic winter brings occasional rains.
Documentation
Magnetic reading passport with at least six months of validity.
Vaccines
None mandatory.
Languages
Currency
Chilean peso.
Boliviano.
Time difference
Electricity
Chile: 220 V – 50Hz. No adapter is required.
Bolivia: 110 and 220 V. The plugs are round or rectangular, so you must bring an adapter.
