OVERLAND CHILE-BOLIVIA

Amazon Adventures

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

OVERLAND CHILE-BOLIVIA

The Chilean and Bolivian high plateau is a world of immense natural beauty and hidden treasures. This remote area, situated at high altitude, is not easy to visit but its beauty and mystique is well worth any sacrifice. The purpose of this trip is to discover the main tourist and natural attractions situated between San Pedro de Atacama, Uyuni Salt lake and La Paz making this unique overland one of the last grand trips on the planet.We feel it deserves to be discovered by everybody. 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).We believe that this is a most beautiful and complete program and that the effort is well worthwhile. Flexibility, tolerance and optimism are key factors to undertake this journey.

DAY 1: (SANTIAGO) - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Reception at Calama airport. Drive to San Pedro de Atacama. Excursion to the Moon Valley at sunset. Arrival at San Pedro. Transfer to the hotel. (L)

DAY 2: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Excursion to the Atacama Salt Lake where we can see pink flamingoes. Visit of Toconao and the fertile Jerez Canyon. We go up to the Miscanti Lagoon where we have a spectacular view on the high plateaus. Drive back to San Pedro. Transfer to the hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 3: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Walk in the salty mountain range. Back to San Pedro. Visit of the archaeological museum and the archaeological site of Quitor. In the afternoon, we go up to Puritama hot springs where we have an unforgettable bath. Transfer back to the hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 4: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - TATIO GEYSERS - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA*
We get up very early to go to the Tatio Geysers where we have breakfast. Pictures of the geysers . Then we drive down to Calama. On the way, we visit Caspana, Chiu-Chiu and Lasana. Arrival at Calama (2250m), and transfer back to San Pedro. Hotel. (CB,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 flamencos and colored mountains. Refuge (CB,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. (CB,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 in Uyuni. Hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 8: UYUNI - POTOSI
Long transfer to the legendary city of Potosí. Hotel. (CB,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-colombian art, and the Cerro Rico silver mine. Hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 10: POTOSI - ORURO
Long drive through the Bolivian high plateau. Hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 11: ORURO - LA PAZ
Transfer to La Paz. Free afternoon to explore the city and its colorful streets. Hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 12: LA PAZ - TIWANAKU - COPACABANA
Visit of the Tiwanaku ruins and transfer to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Hotel. (CB,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. Hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 14: LA PAZ - LAKE CHNGARA - PUTRE
We drive back into Chile. We visit Lake Chungarà, the highest one in the world (4500m). We cross the Lauca National Park (declared as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO) and visit Parinacota village before being transported to Putre. Hotel. (CB,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. Transfer Arica. On the way, we visit Lluta valley and its cactus. Transfer to the hotel. (CB,L)

DAY 16: ARICA - (SANTIAGO)
City tour and visit of the fertile Azapa Valley where we see geoglyphs. Transfer to Arica airport. Flight back to Santiago. (CB)

OTHER INFORMATION:
This program ends on day 16 at approx. 2PM. Please make sure to book an afternoon flight back to Santiago. If required, the program can be ended a little earlier.

* It is possible to adapt the program in the following ways:
First option: Clients may choose to end the program on day 4 in Calama.
Second option: Clients may choose to end the program on day 13 in La Paz for 85% of the total price + eventual transfers and additional services.

Fixed Departure Dates: 2007 - Jan. 13, Feb. 3 & 24, March 17, April 7 & 28, May 19, June 9

Fixed Departure Prices: US$3750 each for 2, US$2850 each for 3-5, US$2570 each for 6-12. Single supplement is $380.

Private departures are available

15% discount for trips departing April 1-June 30