Uyuni Saltlake Isla Pescado cactus Island The Red Lake Laguna Colorada Locomotive Cemetery
This 4 day itinerary takes in the spellbinding landscapes that straddle Bolivia’s southern border with Chile. From La Paz, you fly to the frontier town of Uyuni where you join a private guided jeep tour to journey through some of South America’s most captivating scenery. From geysers, hotsprings and volcanoes to the multi-coloured lakes of Laguna Colorada and Laguna Blanca, you will also visit the dazzling Salar de Uyuni salt-lake. Each night is spent in basic lodges set deep in the altiplano.
Itinerary Highlights
Drive across the dazzling expanse of the Uyuni Saltlake
Clamber on the extraordinary oasis outcrop of Isla Pescado
Marvel at the coloured lakes Laguna Colorada & Laguna Blanca
Experience geological wonders from geysers to petrified forests
Wander through the graveyard of abandoned locomotives
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities (shared on the vessel)
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
3
Nights
Price Guide
$3150 – $5000 pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
la Paz, Bolivia
Day 2
Uyuni & Isla Pescado
You will be picked up at your hotel in La Paz and driven to the airport for an early flight to Uyuni. There, you will be met by a private driver and 4×4 jeep and driven into the heart of the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt-lake. Driving across the seemingly endless hexagonal salt crystals which stretch out towards the horizon, you will visit the Isla Pescado, a once island and haven of life deep within the salar.
Day 3
Uyuni Highlands – Wildlife & Natural Wonders
Leaving the saltlake, you will head deep into the southern altiplano towards the eerie Dali-esque landscapes of the Siloli Desert. Visits include the Laguna Hedionda, a small sulphate lagoon that harbours a resident flock of flamingos as well as the “petrified forest”, a series of odd, wind-sculptured rock formations that dot the landscape.
Day 4
Eduardo Avaroa National Park
A long yet beautiful day! Entering the Eduardo Avaroa National Park which brushes the border with Chile you will visit a wonderful landscape of volcanoes, snow-capped peaks, thermal springs and smoking geysers. The highlight is the Laguna Colorada, a unique red-hued lake inhabited by 3 species of flamingos. You will then continue to the “Sol de Mañana” Geysers and geothermal field with fumaroles and volcanic craters covering 1 Km2, as well as Laguna Verde, a large emerald lake under the shadow of the Licancabur Volcano. In the evening, you will return to the frontier town of Uyuni.
Day 5
Return to Uyuni & Fly to la Paz
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $3150 – $5000 per person
When to travel
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
In the Andean highlands, the climate is determined largely by altitude. Days can be warm and bright during the day and bitterly cold at night dropping to below zero. The summer months between May to November are drier, colder and arguably the best time to travel. December to March coincides with the rainy season which often causes the great Salar de Uyuni saltlake to flood and makes roads impassable in the south. East of the Andean plateau, the subtropical “yungas” are warm and humid year around, even more so as you drop into the steamy Amazon basin.
Lowlands: The eastern parts of Bolivia, including cities like Santa Cruz, experience warm and humid weather with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C. This is the rainy season in the lowlands. Highlands: The western regions, such as La Paz and Sucre, have milder temperatures ranging from 6°C to 15°C. It's the rainy season in the highlands as well, so expect some rainfall.
Lowlands: The rainy season continues in the eastern regions with temperatures similar to January (23°C to 32°C). Highlands: The western parts experience similar temperatures as well (6°C to 15°C).
Lowlands: The rainy season starts to subside, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 31°C. Highlands: The rainy season also starts to ease up, with temperatures similar to February (6°C to 15°C).
Lowlands: The rainy season ends, and temperatures drop slightly, ranging from 21°C to 30°C. Highlands: The western regions experience a decrease in rainfall and temperatures (5°C to 15°C).
Lowlands: The weather becomes more pleasant with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 28°C. Highlands: Temperatures in the western regions continue to rise but are still relatively cool (2°C to 14°C).
Lowlands: June marks the start of the dry season in the eastern parts, with temperatures from 17°C to 27°C. Highlands: The western regions experience colder temperatures, especially at night (0°C to 13°C).
Lowlands: Dry season continues with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 27°C. Highlands: Temperatures remain similar to June (1°C to 13°C).
Lowlands: Dry season persists, with temperatures from 18°C to 28°C. Highlands: The western regions experience slightly warmer weather (2°C to 14°C).
Lowlands: Dry season continues, with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C. Highlands: The western parts have similar temperatures to August (2°C to 14°C)
Lowlands: The weather remains dry and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 30°C. Highlands: The western regions experience mild temperatures (5°C to 16°C).
Lowlands: The rainy season begins in the eastern parts, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 31°C. Highlands: November is the beginning of the rainy season in the western regions as well, with temperatures from 7°C to 17°C.
Lowlands: The rainy season continues in the eastern regions, with temperatures from 23°C to 31°C. Highlands: The western parts experience the rainy season as well, with temperatures from 7°C to 16°C.
options & Add on’s
Luxury Airstream Camper — As an alternative to staying in basic mountain lodges, what better way to explore the highlands than with your own vintage Airstream Camper? This is the height of style in Bolivia’s far south where you tour the great salt-lake with your private guide, driver and even chef. Please contact us for more information.
Extension into Chile’s Atacama Desert — Bolivia’s breathtaking highlands kiss the border with Chile and rather than returning to Uyuni, it is easy to continue with your 4×4 jeep across the border into Chile’s Atacama, a natural combination that leads nicely onto Santiago and Chile’s far south. Please contact us for details.
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