Module: 4x4 Expedition
Duration: 6 days
Period: All year round
Private service
This is a double departure circuit since it can start from Potosí or make the trip from Uyuni, in the opposite direction. The effect is the same, the constant admiration after exploring the wonders of Sud Lipez (area of condors and volcanoes), a true exploration circuit. The high plateau offers us in this region a vision of the most disconcerting landscapes in South America, among others, the great sea of salt in Uyuni and the multicolored lagoons. For lovers of natural spaces. The requirement? A foolproof spirit of adventure since it is a region that offers the traveler nothing more than the conditions of a rustic life. Omnipresent dust, rarely hot showers and nights in which the cold makes its presence felt...
Day 1: POTOSÍ - TUPIZA
4x4 expedition to Uyuni – Off the beaten track.
Departure from the hotel at 09:00 in a private 4x4. Heading south, we cross the entire Chichas region, famous for the alcohol of the same name (made from fermented corn). Then, we skirt the Cordillera de los Frailes until we reach the pleasant town of Tupiza (approximately 6 hours on the road).
Lunch on the way (included). Free dinner. Hotel.
Day 2: TUPIZA - SAN PABLO DE LIPEZ
Departure at 08:00 from the hotel in a private 4x4. We literally climb over the plateau and enter a region practically unknown to tourism that shelters condors and ostriches (rheas) that have taken refuge there fleeing the most frequented areas of Sur Lípez. We arrive at the town of San Pablo de Lípez (or the town of San Antonio, depending on the schedule).
Cold lunch at midday. All inclusive. Overnight stay at a local home in San Pablo or at the San Antonio community school (limited accommodation).
Day 3: SAN PABLO DE LIPEZ - QUETENA - GREEN LAGOON
Heading west, we head towards the wonders of the South Lipez. Visit the old town of San Antonio (abandoned by its inhabitants after they believed that the place had been possessed by the devil...). We then cross a pass at 4550 metres high in the massive Soniquera volcano before beginning the descent to the town of Quetena and then continue towards Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano (5960 m alt.).
Cold lunch at midday. All inclusive. Night in a shelter (limited comfort).
Day 4: GREEN LAGOON - RED LAGOON - SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ
Departure at 06:00. We crossed the Dalí desert (so called because of the landscapes that remind us of one of the master's paintings). We then border the Salada lagoon before reaching the Sol de Mañana geysers (4850 m alt.), a volcanic crater with effusions of sulfur vapors and waters loaded with minerals. At the end of the morning, we discover the imposing Laguna Colorada, sanctuary of 3 varieties of flamingos.
The road continues through the magnificent landscapes that the Siloli desert offers us. We will then pass to the foot of the Tomasamil (5900 m altitude) and Ollagüe (still active) volcanoes, on the edges of the Chilean border.
Heading north, we will take the so-called Jewel Route: the Ramaditas, Honda, Ch'arkota, Hedionda, Cañapa lagoons. The track descends from 4,200 meters above sea level to approximately 3,600 meters. Here we cross the Chiguana salt flat before arriving at the town of San Pedro de Quemez.
Cold lunch at midday. All inclusive. Night in the home of a resident of San Pedro de Quemez (limited comfort).
Day 5: SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ – SALT FLATS – UYUNI
From San Pedro de Quemez, a 2-hour drive allows us to reach the Uyuni salt flat, the largest salt desert in the world. Stop in the heart of the salt flat, on the Island of Incahuasi. Of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites and giant cacti, this site is also known as Fish Island.
Next, we cross the salt flat to its eastern end. On the way, we will visit the salt hotels (closed since November 2001) and we will have the opportunity to see the salt exploitation that is done in Colchani. Arrival in Uyuni at the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch at midday (included). Free dinner . Hotel.
Day 6: UYUNI – LA PAZ (one train every two days approximately)
Transfer to the station. Uyuni-Oruro train (first class, 7h). From Oruro, bus to La Paz (3h).
Touristic bus.
Hotel.
INCLUDES
- Specialized guide.
- Chef.
- Food, meals mentioned.
- Transport.
- 2/3 star hotels with breakfast. Locals' house or shelters.
- Camping equipment for the trek (tents, insulation, etc.)
NOT INCLUDED
- Individual Team.
- Mandatory individual insurance.
- Meals (free, 4 to 7 $us per person / meal)
- Drinks, tips.
NOTE: The hotels mentioned are indicated under availability at the time of booking the circuit.
In case of unavailability, hotels of the same category will be proposed. Please note that, for identical categories, the quality of hotels in Bolivia is often lower than that found in Europe or other countries.
IMPORTANT: As a security measure, each traveler will carry photocopies of their passport and individual insurance (to be delivered to us in La Paz upon arrival).