Overland
trip through the Altiplano Chile and Bolivia, natural history, archaeology
and hiking
This overland tour through Chile's northern desert and the Altiplano
region to Bolivia is a genuine adventure in one of the world's great
wonders. Unique varieties of fauna, small towns dating back to colonial
times and ancient mysterious ruins uncovered by archeologists - all
reveal the presence of an ancient world. Traveling from salt lakes
to hot springs, volcanoes to oases, we will experience an environment
that often does not see any rain for an entire year. Snow capped volcanoes
merge with pastel colored expanses that are interrupted only by the
outlines of the hills that fade into emptiness. The solitude of the
altiplano becomes infinitely powerful in the areas around San Pedro
de Atacama, the bizarre rock formations of the Valley of the Moon,
or the huge Salt Lake of the Atacama, with its slender, stylized,
rose colored flamingoes silhouetted against the clear blue sky.
Archaeology, pre-Columbian villages, abandoned towns, geyser fields,
Uyuni Salt Lake and La Paz amazing scenery - all converge to give
a truly unique experience.
The program in itself does not include any particular sport nor does
it require any special physical aptitude. It is however demanding
and sometimes tiresome because of the local topography. We will travel
at high altitude (3800m-4500m) and with no major comfort (shelters,
sleeping bag, etc).
Flexibility, tolerance and optimism are key factors to undertake this
journey.
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| DAY 1
CALAMA - THE MOON VALLEY - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA |
| Reception
at the airport of Calama and drive to the village of San Pedro de
Atacama. Along the way, we will cross the "Cordillera de la Sal".
Years ago, the area was a lake bottom. When the South American and
Nazca plates collided, pushing up the Andes, the lake bottom too was
thrust higher. Continual folding of the earth's crust, combined with
wind and rain, turned the horizontal lake bottom into a series of
strange vertical shapes. These strange shapes, sculpted by the elements,
have come to be known as The Valley of the Moon. We will visit the
area at sunset. Arriving in San Pedro, we will head to our lodging.
(L) |
| DAY 2
SAN PEDRO - ATACAMA SALT LAKE - MISCANTI & MEÑIQUES LAGOONS |
| Our morning
drive will take us to the oasis town of Toconao, where fields are
cultivated in the small, irregular patches typical of traditional
pre-Hispanic settlements and the fertile valley of Jería Canyon.
From Toconao, we continue towards Atacama Salt Flat, boasting the
world's largest reserve of lithium. From our vantage point, fantastic
Chaxa Lake appears, its shores thickly encrusted with salt. Lake Chaxa
is a flamingo breeding ground. Our route takes us past Socaire, a
succession of terraced fields on a high slope with picturesque stone
houses. Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we enter the High-Plateau
proper. Here, at almost 14.000', volcanoes look like small ice cream
cones, topped with white marshmallow sauce, spaced out along the horizon.
Suddenly, just over a pass, the emerald green waters of Miscanti and
Meñiques Lagoons will appear. In November, the lake shores
are alive with huge flamingo colonies. Drive back to San Pedro. Overnight.
(B,L) |
| DAY 3
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - PURITAMA HOT SPRING |
| In the
morning walk in the salty mountain range. Later we will explore the
village of San Pedro de Atacama and the surrounding area. The history
of the town goes back almost 11.000 years to the arrival of the Atacameños,
and has seen successive intruders including Tihuanacan conquerors
from the Titicaca area to the north; the Incas, who arrived around
1450; and the Spanish, who arrived in 1536. On our walk through town
we will visit the Church of San Pedro, whose origins date from 1641;
the Inca House, oldest in town, and the Archeological Museum, founded
by the Belgian Jesuit priest, Gustavo Le Paige. Near the village and
carved into the side of a cliff is Pukara (fortresses) Quitor, dating
from the 12th century. If faded in importance with the arrival of
the Incas and was destroyed in 1540 by the Spanish. In the afternoon,
we drive northeast of San Pedro de Atacama towards Puritama hot spring
located in the bottom of the canyon of the Rio Puritama, for some
relaxation in the bathing pools. The hot spring emerges from the base
of the andesite lava flow, forming a series of pools that decrease
in temperature as distance increases from the lava flow. Return to
San Pedro for the night. (B,L) |
| DAY 4
SAN PEDRO - TATIO GEYSERS - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA |
| Leaving
very early in the morning, we will drive to one of Chile's most interesting
geothermal phenomena, the Tatio Geysers at 14.107', is the highest
geyser field in the world. To view the steaming fumeroles against
the extraordinary sunrise of the Atacama Desert, with its crystalline
clear sky, is an unforgettable, incredibly beautiful sight. From the
geysers, we will tour some of the desert villages - Caspana, fertile
valley in the middle of the barren desert with an old and new town,
a museum, and craft center; Lasana, a pukara or fortresses village
dating from 12th century that is the best preserved Atacameño
cultural relic, Chiu-Chiu, with its exquisite church and the highest
concentration of natives in the area; and Calama (2250m). Return to
San Pedro for the night. (B,L) |
| Day 5
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - LAGUNA VERDE - LAGUNA COLORADA |
| Today we
begin the trip through the high plateaus. We leave Chile behind and
enter Bolivia, skirting Licancabur Volcano. We visit Laguna Verde
and Laguna Blanca. We then continue our trip to Laguna Colorada and
drive through a breathtaking scenery made of bizarre geological formations,
hot springs, and geysers. Overnight at Laguna Colorada shelter, amidst
flamingos and colored mountains. Refuge (B,L,D) |
| DAY 6
LAGUNA COLORADA - SAN CRISTOBAL |
| We continue
our trip through dramatic landscapes until we reach the small village
of San Cristobal. Refuge. (B,L,D) |
| DAY 7
SAN CRISTOBAL - UYUNI SALT LAKE - UYUNI |
| We drive
across the vast Uyuni Salt Lake and visit Incahuasi Island. No words
can describe this unique experience. Overnight at the hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 8
UYUNI - POTOSI |
| Long traverse
to the legendary city of Potosí. Accommodations at the Hotel.
(B,L) |
| DAY 9
POTOSI |
| Today we
visit the city and its main attractions: Casa de la Moneda museum
with its important collection of colonial and pre-Columbian art, and
the Cerro Rico silver mine. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 10
POTOSI - ORURO |
| Long drive
through the Bolivian high plateau. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 11
ORURO - LA PAZ |
| Transfer
to La Paz. Afternoon at leisure to explore this colonial Andean city,
markets and its colorful streets. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 12
LA PAZ - TIWANAKU - COPACABANA |
| Visit of
the Tiwanaku ruins on the way to Copacabana town on the shores of
Lake Titicaca. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 13
COPACABANA - ISLA DEL SOL - LA PAZ* |
| Today we
visit the Isla del Sol, a lovely island on Lake Titicaca. We discover
its archeological sites while enjoying an amazing view on the Cordillera
Real. Transfer back to La Paz. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 14
LA PAZ - LAKE CHUNGARA - PUTRE |
| We drive
back into Chile. We will visit the Chungará lake, the highest
one in the world at 14.815'. We cross the Lauca National Park (declared
as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO) and visit Parinacota village
before being transported to Putre village. Overnight at the Hotel.
(B,L) |
| DAY 15
PUTRE - SURIRE SALT LAKE - ARICA |
| Full day
excursion to Surire Salt Lake. "Surire" means ostrich in
the local Aymara language. Actually, it is possible to see ñandus
(Andes ostrich), and other animals like lamas, vicuñas, pink
flamingoes. We have an unforgettable bath in the Surire hot springs,
surrounded by a fantastic Andean landscape. Drive to Arica, the northern
gateway to Chile. On the way, we visit Lluta valley and its cactus.
Arrival to the hotel. (B,L) |
| DAY 16
ARICA |
| In the
morning city tour visiting archaeological sites, geoglyphs, the Sacred
Mountain, and the San Miguel Museum that houses the world's oldest
mummies from the Chinchorro culture and visit of the fertile Azapa
Valley where we see geoglyphs. Transfer to Arica airport. (B) |
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| Note:
This program ends on day 16 at approx. 2 p.m. Please make sure
to book an afternoon flight back to Santiago. If required, the program
can be ended a little earlier. |
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MIN 2 PEOPLE
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US$ 3.750
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MIN 3-5 PEOPLE
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US$ 2.850
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6 UP
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US$ 2.570
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| Single
supplement US$ 380 |
| Note:
This program is also available as private trip from min. 2 people
for unscheduled departures at request. |
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April 2 & 16
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May 1 & 21
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June 4 & 18
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July 8 & 29
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August 19
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September 9 & 30
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October 21
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November 11
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December 2 & 23
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January 13
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February 3 & 24
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March 17
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April 7 & 28
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May 19
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June 9
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INCLUDED :
- All transportation during the whole itinerary
- All accommodations quoted per person based on sharing a double
room
- Meals according to the itinerary: breakfast and lunches
- Park entrance fees
- English speaking guide.
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any kind of insurance
- Tips and extra expenses as laundry, meals and drinks out of
program and other items not mentioned
- Other languages like German, French or Italian speaking guides
- Air local flights.
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| Overland
trip, easy. Hikes are optional. Members are expected to be in good
physical condition. |
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* It
is possible to adapt the program as follows:
Clients may choose to end the program on day 13 in La Paz.
Price: 85% of the total price + eventual transfers and additional
services. |
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