Itinerary

The following itinerary might have changes from December to March because the Altiplanic winter sometimes floods Uyuni and different routes could be used.

 

 

Day 1, The Altiplanic Adventure Starts!

From San Pedro to Ojo de Perdiz, Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Bolivia.

 

We drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian border Hito Cajones. Once we cross the borderline we will enjoy a very rare scenery dominated by the Licancabur Volcano and at its feet one of the jewels of the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve -the Green Lagoon- which is the first point of our expedition in 4x4. The strange beauty of this laggon is really like no other in the world. In the way out of the Green Lagoon we enter a wide landscape: the Valley of the Desert Ladies. Then we will continue to the Hot Springs of Polque for having a healthy bath before going to the Sol de Mañana Geysers.

 

We continue driving and arrive in the Red Lagoon, another jewel of the Avaroa Reserve. This lagoon is an important home place for different species of flamingoes.  The red color of the lagoon is produced by active algae which react with the sun radiation and wind. The pink color of the feet and feathers of the flamingos is also produced by the same algae. These fabulous deserts own a great variety of colors as red, orange, ochre, brass, browns and beige. As we keep driving the group will meet the Stone Three and the wild Vicuña, with its fine and high figure. We will continue our way towards Ojo de Perdiz, where we will spend the night at the Tayka Desert Hotel, a simple and beautiful place.

 

 

Day 2, Superb Overland through Lagoons and local Wildlife

From Ojo de Perdiz to San Pedro de Quemes, Bolivia.

 

Today we will drive to the chain of lagoons Ramadita, Honda, Chiarkota, Hedionda and Cañapa. In these lagoons there are a large number of Andean, James and Chilean flamingoes, who share the volcanoes and their eternal snow and green sides (paja brava, yareta and thola) with other species of birds, like Andean Seagulls and Wild Ducks. Other colors emerge from impressive formations of sand and rocks shaped by the millenaries winds and borax and sulfur minerals. We will continue towards the Mirador de Ollague, where we will have open air lunch. During the afternoon we head to Pueblo Refugio (refugee village), the place where the people from Pueblo Quemado (burnt village) arrived after a big fire that took place in the locality. We will spend the night at the comfortable Tayka Stone Hotel.

 

 

Day 3, Heaven on Earth: the Unbelievable Whites of Uyuni

From San Pedro de Quemes to Tahua, Bolivia

 

After the breakfast, we will enjoy a walk around the hotel to see the corrals of llamas which will steal the attention of the cameras; then the group will go towards the Galaxy Cave, a cactus sanctuary, and also home for petrified estromatolites and Chullpas (antiques cemetery). The cave has a very strange geological sub-aquatic structure from the time of the Michín and Tauca lakes, dating from approx. 35,000 years ago.

 

We continue our exploration going to the Incahuasi Island which is located at the center of the Uyuni Salt Flat. It is hard to find words for describing the amazing beauty of this place. At the top of the Island we will find an extraordinary point with a 360 degrees overview on the Salt Flat. During the afternoon we will continue to the north towards the feet of the Thunupa Volcano, where the Coquesa Mummies rest. From this high point we will have another fabulous view upon the Salar. As the sunset approaches we will drive towards Tahua, to spend the night at the unique Tayka Salt Hotel.

 

 

Day 4, Last Jewels of the Highlands, Adios!

From Tahua to La Paz City, Bolivia.

 

After enjoying our breakfast, we will go around the Thunupa Volcano for observing its changeable and exiting terracotta’s shot of the crater; then we will take the way to Chillguilla, a place where we will walk a steep path about twenty minutes to reach Pukara Chilguilla, having as reward a beautiful view of Uyuni and Thunupa. This Pukara –an ancient ritual center- is going to be our farewell point and a good place for meditation. Once back on the road we continue to the town Salinas Garci Mendoza, for visiting the altiplanic church that stands in the place.

 

We continue driving and stop at a huge depression caused by a meteorite that fell millions of years ago. This formation, which has a spectacular symmetric size, is called Maracana, name given after the popular and huge Brazilian futbol stadium located in Rio de Janeiro. Our last camping lunch will be in Quillacas, with a splendid view of the lakes and salt flats around. Later on we arrive in Oruro; after resting for a while in this city we continue driving towards our final destination: La Paz, the Bolivian national capital.

 

None of us will forget this amazing connection through the infinite white lands of Uyuni...

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