Things to do in Altiplano

Your adventure begins bright and early, gathering at the designated meeting point, setting the stage for a journey to Nevado Charquini, an emblematic mountain in the Andes standing at 5390 meters above sea level. From here, your guide leads you on a travel filled with captivating vistas, unfolding over approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route is dotted with charming stops, allowing you to marvel at the spectacular views of Huayna Potosi, Chacaltaya, Lake Titicaca, alongside glimpses of a mining cemetery and the rich biodiversity of the area. Upon arrival at Charquini, you embark on the heart of your expedition, a trek that spans roughly 3 hours, with the duration tailored to the group’s pace and size. This path guides you through the rugged beauty of the Andes, drawing you closer to the day’s zenith, the mesmerizing Laguna Esmeralda. Known for its mineral-rich, crystal-clear waters, the lagoon mirrors the vast blue sky and the encircling mountains, creating a breathtaking tableau of natural splendor. It's here, at the shores of Laguna Esmeralda, that you pause, immersing yourself in the tranquil beauty and serene landscapes that define this region. The adventure, while challenging, does not include an ascent to the snow-capped summit but focuses on the journey to the lagoon itself, offering a rewarding experience of hiking and contemplation amid stunning landscapes. As the day unfolds, the trek back to the starting point marks the conclusion of your journey, aiming for a return by approximately 4:00 p.m., enriched by the unforgettable sights and experiences of Nevado Charquini and Laguna Esmeralda.

Pick up time from your hotel at 06:00 for your transfer to Bolivian border. The ascent from San Pedro de Atacama towards Hito Cajones in Bolivia will be the beginning of an adventure towards the Andean deserts with enormous volcanoes and beautiful rock formations sculpted by the wind. Hot springs, geysers and many lakes of different colors. Laguna Colorada is surprising for the presence of hundreds of Flamingos; Here they reproduce and coexist with other species of birds. But this immense desert will take us to the largest salt flat in the world with 10,000 km. In the middle of the salt flat, there is Incahuasi Island with giant cacti and coral fossils from the ancient sea that covered the Altiplano. Get ready to take beautiful photos and unique and multicolored sunsets. Day 1 San Pedro Atacama - Green Lagoon -Red Lagoon- Siloli desert- San Juan 07:30 Departure by car from San Pedro Atacama to Bolivian Border Hito Cajones. Immigration. Now in Bolivia, On the way we will cross the ‘Rocks of Dali,’ so named because the wind-sculptured forms suggest the creations of the famous Spanish surrealist painter, are found in this and some other valleys Today will be a tour along the lagoons, whose waters are colored deep shades of red, blue and even white. The most famous is Laguna Colorada, whose waters are made a deep red by the flagellate algae Dunaliellasalina and a high ocher level. Magia de San Juan Hotel L.D Day 2 .- San Juan- Uyuni Salt flats- Isla Incahuasi - Uyuni Considered as the world largest deposit of salt, Uyuni lies majestically at a height of 3600 metersa.s.l. this salt flat is enormous and stunning to the visitor. Today You will visit "islaIncahuasi. Despite the island’s inhospitability, a unique fauna, including viscachas (long-tailed Andean rabbits), colibris (green hummingbirds which feed off of the giant cacti and which tire quickly in the thin air), as well as lizards and insects survive here. Huge cacti, reaching seven or eight meters in height, also grow on the island. In the afternoon we will cross the salt flats, till we will arrive to the shore where we will see the sunset. Hotel Toñito. B.L Day 3 Uyuni – Villa Mar- Hito Cajones-San Pedro Atacama Early departure with our private four-wheel drive car, which take us to the train cemetery, later three hours by car to Lake Catal, We will hike to this inmense area with Volcanoes and hundreds of llamas; from here we have an spectacular trip along the Altiplano and the main range of volcanoes, arriving at the end of the day to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.

Day 1: This day will start with pick up from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama to head to the border between Chile and Bolivia. After completing the corresponding formalities, we will change vehicles. The first place we will visit will be the Bolivian altiplano, such as Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, which are located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. Then we will visit the Salvador Dali desert and the hot springs of Polques. We will also visit the Sol de Mañana geysers, which are springs of water that gush out at 90 °C. Finally we will visit the Laguna Colorada, where we can see many flamingos. In the afternoon we will go to the hotel in Villamar to rest. Day 2: This day we will start having breakfast, we will go to Tomas Lakha in this place we will be able to see pre-Inca cave paintings. Then we will go to Italia Perdida, a place where the volcanic rock took the shape of an abandoned city. Then we will go to the Vinto and Catal lagoons, where we will be able to see the typical fauna of the Bolivian Altiplano. Afterwards we will visit the Anaconda Canyon and the Sora Canyon, finishing the excursion we will go to our hotel in Colcha K to rest. Day 3: This day we will wake up very early and transfer to the Salar. We will see the sunrise over the white mantle formed by the accumulation of salt and then we will move to Incahuasi Island. In this place we will walk through the limestone rock formation and from where we will have a spectacular view of the salt flat. Then we will visit the Salt Museum and leave through the town of Colchani, where we will make a stop to buy handicrafts. Then we will pass by the train cemetery to take some pictures before arriving in Uyuni. Here we will finish our tour.

ITINERARY START: Day 1 at 07:00 in San Pedro de Atacama. END: Day 4 at 13:00 in the center or bus terminal of San Pedro de Atacama (this end time could be modified due to weather conditions or force majeure, so we recommend leaving San Pedro de Atacama for the day after the end of the tour). DAY 1 We will pick you up at the agreed meeting point and leave by minibus from San Pedro de Atacama to the border with Bolivia, passing by the border offices of Chile and Bolivia. Once at the border, we will change vehicles. On this first day we will visit places in the Bolivian highlands, such as Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. We will continue visiting the Salvador Dalí desert, the Polques hot springs, with time for a bath, and the Sol de Mañana Geysers, intermittent sources of water that spring at a temperature of 90°C. We will end the day at Laguna Colorada, nesting center for more than 30,000 flamingos. Tonight we will stay at the Hostel. DAY 2 We will visit Valle de Rocas, the World Cup, Lost Italy; a place where volcanic rock took the form of what seems to be an abandoned city, then we will visit Camello, Sora where you can see animals from the area. Laguna Misteriosa or Catal where you can walk and see the typical fauna of the Bolivian Altiplano, Laguna Vinto, Mirador; Anaconda Canyon, at the end of the day we will move to the Hotel, where we will rest the second night. DAY 3 Very early in the morning, we will start our last day of the tour with a view of the sunrise at the Salar de Uyuni. After this experience, we will travel to Incahuasi Island, which contains giant cacti and a limestone rock formation located in the center of the salt flat that we can walk around and have another perspective of the salt flat. We will continue to the Salt Museum and the town of Colchani, outside the salt flat. From here we will travel to Uyuni, passing by the train cemetery, where we will make a short stop to take photos. In Uyuni, we will say goodbye to our driver-guide, who accompanied us for the previous three days, and then we will have some free time to have lunch and tour part of the city. Afterwards, we will meet the driver who will take us back, with a stop in Villamar for dinner and rest. DAY 4 We will get up very early to continue our return trip and reach the border of Chile and Bolivia. Once here, and after the corresponding formalities, we will change vehicles to a minibus to return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Itinerary Start: Day 1 at 07:00 at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. End: Day 4 at 13:00 in the center or bus terminal of San Pedro de Atacama (this end time could be modified due to weather conditions or force majeure, so we recommend you to leave your departure from San Pedro de Atacama for the next day after the end date of the tour). Day 1: We will pick you up at your hotel and depart in a minibus from San Pedro de Atacama to the border with Bolivia, passing through the border offices of Chile and Bolivia. Once at the border, we will change vehicles to a 4x4 for 6 people. On this first day we will visit places of the Bolivian altiplano, such as Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. We will continue visiting the Salvador Dalí desert, the Polques hot springs, with some time for bathing, and the Sol de Mañana geysers, intermittent springs of water that gush at a temperature of 90 °C. We will end the day at Laguna Colorada, nesting center of more than 30,000 flamingos. Tonight we will stay at the Villamar lodge. Day 2: After breakfast, we will take the route to Tomás Lakha, where you can see some pre-Inca cave paintings. Afterwards, we will visit Italia Perdida, a place where the volcanic rock took the shape of what seems to be an abandoned city. Then, we will go to the Vinto Lagoon and the Catal Lagoon, where you will be able to walk and see the typical fauna of the Bolivian Altiplano. Afterwards, we will visit the Anaconda canyon and also the Sora canyon, before continuing to the Chiguana salt flat and arriving at Colcha K where you will spend the second night. Day 3: Very early in the morning, we will start our last day of the tour with a sunrise view of the Salar de Uyuni. After this experience, we will move to Incahuasi Island, a limestone rock formation located in the center of the salt flat that we will be able to walk around and get another perspective of the salt flat. We will continue to the Salt Museum and the town of Colchani, already outside the salt flat. From here we will move to Uyuni, passing by the train cemetery, where we will make a short stop to take pictures. In Uyuni, we will say goodbye to our driver-guide, who accompanied us during the previous three days, and then we will have some free time to have lunch and walk around part of the city. Afterwards, we will meet the driver who will take us back, stopping in Villamar for dinner and rest. Day 4: We will wake up very early to continue our return trip and reach the border of Chile and Bolivia. Once here, and after the corresponding formalities, we will change vehicles to a minibus to return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 1: We will pick you up at your hotel and depart in a minibus from San Pedro de Atacama to the border with Bolivia, passing through the border offices of Chile and Bolivia. Once at the border, we will change vehicles to a 4x4 for 6 people. On this first day we will visit places of the Bolivian altiplano, such as Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. We will continue visiting the Salvador Dalí desert, the Polques hot springs, with some time for bathing, and the Sol de Mañana geysers, intermittent springs of water that gush at a temperature of 90 °C. We will end the day at Laguna Colorada, nesting center of more than 30,000 flamingos. Tonight we will stay at the Villamar lodge. Day 2: After breakfast, we will take the route to Tomás Lakha, where you can see some pre-Inca cave paintings. Afterwards, we will visit Italia Perdida, a place where the volcanic rock took the shape of what seems to be an abandoned city. Then, we will go to the Vinto Lagoon and the Catal Lagoon, where you will be able to walk and see the typical fauna of the Bolivian Altiplano. Afterwards, we will visit the Anaconda canyon and also the Sora canyon, before continuing to the Chiguana salt flat and arriving at Colcha K where you will spend the second night. Day 3: Very early in the morning, we will start our last day of the tour with a sunrise view of the Salar de Uyuni. After this experience, we will move to Incahuasi Island, a limestone rock formation located in the center of the salt flat that we will be able to walk around and get another perspective of the salt flat. We will continue to the Salt Museum and the town of Colchani, already outside the salt flat. From here we will move to Uyuni, passing by the train cemetery, where we will make a short stop to take pictures. In Uyuni, we will say goodbye to our driver-guide, who accompanied us during the previous three days, and then we will have some free time to have lunch and walk around part of the city. Afterwards, we will meet the driver who will take us back, stopping in Villamar for dinner and rest. Day 4: We will wake up very early to continue our return trip and reach the border of Chile and Bolivia. Once here, and after the corresponding formalities, we will change vehicles to a minibus to return to San Pedro de Atacama.

After crossing the northern highlands of Altiplano, head to the base of the mountain Condoriri at 4600 meters. Experience the silence, the colors of the lakes, the blue sky, and the range of mountains of the Andes. Embark on a full-day hiking tour of the Condoriri National Park and Pico Austria. Walk near pristine lakes, llamas, and beautiful mountains. Cross the Condoriri Lake and enter the little-known but magnificent Condoriri mountain range with peaks that exceed 5000 meters. 6-hour walk in the National Park with an immense number of llamas, alpacas, and Andean geese. Enjoy roundtrip private transport, a bilingual guide, and a box lunch. We start the adventure at your Hotel or at the main gate of the Red Cable Cab, Teleferico Rojo at 07:30. From here we will ascend by Cable Cab to El Alto 4000 Mts. Here Our 4x4WD car will be waiting for us for two hours trip in the mountains. We will arrive to La Paz at 18:00. Includes: • Roundtrip private transport, bilingual guide, box Lunch • Best time for the hiking: • From April to December • Altitude from 3600 La Paz to 4600 Mts.Condoriri Lake. Pico Austria 5300 Mts. Please take with you Hiking boots, personal backpack, sun glasses, a good jacket, Sun Cream, a cap and two litters of water.

Discover the third largest geyser field in the world: El Tatio Geysers. You will be picked up from the meeting point very early in the morning (4:30 am) to arrive in time for sunrise at the geyser field. You will visit the field with more than 80 active geysers and then enjoy a wonderful outdoor breakfast in the middle of the Altiplano. You will also visit the Putana and Machuca wetlands and the town of Machuca, famous for its cheese empanadas and llama meat skewers! The town of Machuca is a very small indigenous village, so you will be able to share with the community. You will discover the beauty of the Altiplano, surrounded by volcanoes and wild animals.

We will pick you up at your hotel and take a minibus from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian border, passing through the border offices of Chile and Bolivia. Once at the border, we will change vehicles to a 4x4 for 6 people. On this first day we will visit places in the Bolivian highlands, such as Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. We will continue visiting the Salvador Dalí desert, the Polques hot springs, with some time for a swim, and the Sol de Mañana Geysers, intermittent sources of water that spring up at a temperature of 90 °C. We will end the day at Laguna Colorada, nesting center for more than 30,000 flamingos. Tonight we will stay at the Hostal de Villamar. Day 2 We visit Valle de Rocas, the World Cup, and Lost Italy, a place where volcanic rock took the form of what appears to be an abandoned city. Then we visit Camello, Sora, where you can see local animals. Laguna Misteriosa or Catal, where you can walk and see the typical fauna of the Bolivian Altiplano, Laguna Vinto, Mirador, and Anaconda Canyon. At the end of the day, we move to the Sal hotel in Colcha K, where we will rest the second night. Day 3 Very early in the morning, we will begin our last day of the tour with a view of the sunrise at the Salar de Uyuni. After this experience, we will travel to Incahuasi Island, which contains giant cacti and a limestone rock formation located in the center of the salt flat that we can walk around and have another perspective of the salt flat. We will continue to the Salt Museum and the town of Colchani, outside the salt flat. From here we will travel to Uyuni, passing by the train cemetery, where we will make a short stop to take photos. In Uyuni, we will say goodbye to our driver-guide, who accompanied us during the previous three days, and then we will have some free time to have lunch and tour part of the city. Afterwards, we will meet with the driver who will take us back, with a stop in Villamar for dinner and rest. Day 4 We will get up very early to continue our return trip and reach the border of Chile and Bolivia. Once here, and after the corresponding formalities, we will change vehicles to a minibus to return to San Pedro de Atacama. The included pick-up service does not operate to or from accommodations located outside the urban radius of San Pedro de Atacama, accommodations located in ayllus near San Pedro de Atacama (Quitor, Yaye, Checar, Sequitor, Solor and Coyo) or accommodations in the town of Toconao.

Day 1 We will pick you up at your accommodation and take you in a minibus from San Pedro de Atacama to the border between Chile and Bolivia. After crossing the border, we will change to a 4x4 vehicle for 6 people. On this first day, we will visit places in the Bolivian altiplano, such as Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. We will continue visiting the Salvador Dali desert and the Polques hot springs, where we will have some time for a swim. Also, we will visit the Sol de Mañana geysers, intermittent water springs that gush at 90 °C. Finally, we will visit the Colorada Lagoon, the nesting center of more than 30,000 flamingos. Spend the night in a hostel in Villamar. Day 2 We visit Valle de Rocas, also known as the World Cup or Italia Perdida, the place where the volcanic rock took the shape of what seems to be an abandoned city. Then, visit the Camel, Sora, where you can see wild animals. Stop at a mysterious Lagoon or catal where you can walk and see the typical flora and fauna of the Bolivian Altiplano. See Laguna Vinto, Mirador, and Cañon de la Anaconda. At the end of the day, we will transfer to the Salt Hotel in Colcha K, where we will spend the second night. Day 3 Early in the morning, we will take our vehicle and transfer to the salt flat. We will see the sunrise over the white mantle formed by salt accumulation and then move to Incahuasi Island. Here, we can briefly walk through this limestone rock formation, which contains a giant cactus. Enjoy a stunning view of the salt flat. Afterwards, we will visit the Salt Museum and leave the salt flat through the town of Colchani, where we will make a stop to buy handicrafts. Then, we will pass by the train cemetery to take some pictures before arriving in Uyuni, where we will finish our tour.