White Deserts and Coloured Lagoons - Southbound

Highlights / General details

The gigantic, white and unique salt lake of “Uyuni or Tunupa” has around 10,582km2 of area and an elevation of 3,692m. The water of these lakes containing salt from the dissolution of the drain waters of ancient marine salt beds, reached the surface when the Andes were formed. The highland or Altiplano is a closed basin, located between the two branches of the Andes Range in the east and west. Due to this the waters couldn’t drain either the Pacific or Atlantic, and accumulated in the lowest part of the basin in the south, where today are Uyuni and Coipasa saltflats.

The climate during the day is pleasant, it has contrasts from 30ºC (midday) to -25ºC at night. The rainfall is poor (325mm/year in the northern shore side), much less in the center, and limited from late December to early April a period in which part of the salt lake is covered with a 10 to 50cm layer of water.

REA - Eduardo Abaroa National Reserve is in the southern part of Uyuni saltflats, bordering with northern Chile and Argentina, has an altitudinal range from 4,200m to 6,000m, belongs to the Puna region, with special and fragile ecosystems, and natural wonders like Green, Red lagoon (a RAMSAR site), unique to have nesting together around 30,000 Andean flamingos of the 3 species (Jamesi, Andinus and Chilensis) at 4,278 m. Due to the volcanic activity in the western Andes Range, there is geothermal activity like the geysers “Sol de Mañana” and natural hot springs. The high deserts of the area are another great attraction, together with small habitats created by different lagoons and the nice stone formations done by the strong wind erosion in the area.

Inclusion

2 nights' accommodations in Standard Hotel Local guides Meals as indicated in the itinerary Taxes

Exclusion

(optionals) Gratuity One-way flight - La Paz to Uyuni (average coverage $160.00)

Hours of operation

Departures on Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun during 2012 and Daily during 2013

Duration

3 Days / 2 Nights

Itinerary Day 1: Flight from La Paz to Uyuni – Full day Uyuni saltflats Morning flight from La Paz to Uyuni (08.15 – 09.15 am), transfer to Colchani nearby in the shores of the Uyuni saltflats. Visit the village and its surroundings to see locals producing salt, enter this natural wonder of the nature with over 10.000km2 at 3.692m of salt is something really special. Trip through the saltflats crossing to Isla Incahuasi (2 hours), a special habitat of giant cactus and volcanic rocks. Then north to Coquesa to see old mummies at the foothills of the Tunupa volcano. Trip back to Colchani (2 hours). Enjoy a nice sunset and overnight in a unique salt hotel. (Includes: Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Colchani – Uyuni – Alota – Villamar Trip south crossing the town of Uyuni, leaving it to visit the cemetery of old trains and then enter the southern highlands crossing the San Cristobal mine, the village of Culpika K and the rich high Andean valley of Alota (4 hours), continue south with great stone formations done by the erosion, to finally reach Villamar (1 hour), overnight in hotel. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Villamar – REA (Reserve Eduardo Abaroa) – San Pedro de Atacama Early departures to REA reserve, visiting Red lagoon (4,278m – 2 hours), geysers Sol de Mañana, pass alongside Chalviri lagoon with natural hot spring. Then through the Pampas de Dali and to Green lagoon (3 hours), at the foothills of the Licancabur Mountain, cross the border to Chile in Hito Cajon and descend to San Pedro de Atacama (1 hour). (Includes: Breakfast)

*Services from the border points in Bolivia of Hito Cajon provided by the Chilean tour operators.

Redemption instructions Guest must present voucher to driver in exchange for services.

Itinerary

Day 1: Flight from La Paz to Uyuni – Full day Uyuni saltflats Morning flight from La Paz to Uyuni (08.15 – 09.15 am), transfer to Colchani nearby in the shores of the Uyuni saltflats. Visit the village and its surroundings to see locals producing salt, enter this natural wonder of the nature with over 10.000km2 at 3.692m of salt is something really special. Trip through the saltflats crossing to Isla Incahuasi (2 hours), a special habitat of giant cactus and volcanic rocks. Then north to Coquesa to see old mummies at the foothills of the Tunupa volcano. Trip back to Colchani (2 hours). Enjoy a nice sunset and overnight in a unique salt hotel. (Includes: Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2:

Colchani – Uyuni – Alota – Villamar Trip south crossing the town of Uyuni, leaving it to visit the cemetery of old trains and then enter the southern highlands crossing the San Cristobal mine, the village of Culpika K and the rich high Andean valley of Alota (4 hours), continue south with great stone formations done by the erosion, to finally reach Villamar (1 hour), overnight in hotel. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3:

Villamar – REA (Reserve Eduardo Abaroa) – San Pedro de Atacama Early departures to REA reserve, visiting Red lagoon (4,278m – 2 hours), geysers Sol de Mañana, pass alongside Chalviri lagoon with natural hot spring. Then through the Pampas de Dali and to Green lagoon (3 hours), at the foothills of the Licancabur Mountain, cross the border to Chile in Hito Cajon and descend to San Pedro de Atacama (1 hour). (Includes: Breakfast)

*Services from the border points in Bolivia of Hito Cajon provided by the Chilean tour operators.

Redemption instructions Guest must present voucher to driver in exchange for services.

Policies Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation