Module: 4x4 Expedition
Duration: 7 days
Period: All year
Private service
Departing from San Pedro de Atacama, discover the wonders of South Lipez in a 3-day 4x4 expedition in complete autonomy.
This vast desert offers perhaps the most beautiful landscapes in South America, whether it be the multicoloured lagoons or the salt desert. For lovers of wide open spaces.
However, we must inform you that this region offers the traveller only rustic living conditions. Omnipresent dust, few hot showers, cool nights…then we head north towards the Sajama National Park, one of the natural jewels of Bolivia.
We will go to the discovery of an abundant and numerous fauna, in a unique environment composed of majestic volcanoes, trembling waters and geysers, and lost towns where life follows the slow rhythm of the flame...
Day 1: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – BOLIVIA – LAGUNA VERDE – LAGUNA COLORADA
Departure by collective bus at 08:00. Meeting with our driver and 4x4 at the Bolivian border, at the Hito Cajón checkpoint.
Long climb towards the plateau to enter the Lípez region. Arrival at Laguna Verde, at the foot of the Licancabur volcano (5960 m Alt.), in the middle of the morning, to witness its color change.
We then cross the Dalí desert (so called because of the landscapes that remind us of one of the master's paintings) before beginning to border the Salada lagoon.
Finally, we will discover the Sol de Mañana geyser (4850 m Alt.), a volcanic crater with effusions of sulfur vapors and water loaded with minerals, before reaching the imposing Laguna Colorada at the end of the afternoon.
Cold food at midday. All inclusive. Overnight in a shelter (limited comfort).
Day 2: LAGUNA COLORADA – SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ
We head north through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli Desert before reaching the so-called “Route of Jewels”: the lagoons Ramaditas, Honda, Ch'arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa, sanctuary of 3 varieties of flamingo. Then, the road descends from 4200 to 3600 meters of altitude passing at the foot of the volcanoes Ollagüe (still active) and Tomasamil (5900 m alt.). We then cross the Chiguana salt flat before reaching the town of San Pedro de Quemez.
Cold food at midday. All inclusive. Night (limited comfort).
Day 3: SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ - SALAR - JIRIRA
From San Pedro de Quemez, a 2-hour journey allows us to reach the Uyuni salt flat (3,650 m al.). We stop on the way to “the devil's cave” and then in the heart of the salt flat, on the Island of Incahuasi. Of volcanic origin and covered with stromalites and giant cacti, this site is also known as Fish Island. In the afternoon, we cross the salt flat to its northern end, at the foot of the Tunupa volcano.
Cold food at midday. All inclusive. Night in the Aymara town of Jirira (limited comfort).
Day 4: JIRIRA – SABAYA
We head north and leave the Uyuni salt flats on little-travelled roads. We cross the Coipasa salt flats (a marshy and complicated terrain awaits us, which requires the use of precise maps and a GPS). We are now in the very heart of the wild high plateau, in the middle of arid landscapes surrounded by volcanoes that border the Chilean border, all within easy reach…
Arrival at the town of Sabaya in the afternoon (5h).
Cold lunch at midday. All inclusive. Night in a local's house, away from the tourist circuits (limited comfort).
Day 5: SABAYA – SAJAMA
We cross the Urus territory to reach the Sajama National Park in approximately 4 or 5 hours. We will then visit the town of Sajama and then the area of the geysers before taking a comforting bath in the hot springs found at the foot of the Sajama volcano (revered as a God by the local population).
Cold food at midday. All inclusive. Sajama Night (limited comfort).
Day 6: SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK
In the morning, walk through the park.
The fauna is numerous and varied: alpacas, vicuñas and ostriches (if luck smiles on us). Also, the flamingos on the Huayna Khota lagoon that we will border before arriving at the town of Tomarapi. From there, the 4x4 will take us to the hot springs located at the foot of the Sajama volcano (revered as a God by the local population).
Cold lunch at midday. All inclusive. Overnight in Sajama (limited comfort).
Day 7: SAJAMA - LA PAZ
In the morning, return to La Paz (3/4 hour journey) via the small town of Curahuara de Carangas. It has a decorated church (perfectly preserved paintings). On the way, we will discover chullpas, Caranga graves, now empty after the colonial period.
Free afternoon.
Free lunch and dinner. Hotel
INCLUDES
- Trekking guide.
- Chef.
- Food, meals mentioned.
- Transport.
- 2/3 star hotels with breakfast. Locals' houses or shelters.
- Camping equipment for the trek (tents, insulation, etc.)
- Luggage carrying.
NOT INCLUDED
- Individual Team
- Mandatory individual insurance.
- Meals (free, $4 to $7 per person/meal)
- Drinks, tips.
NOTE: The hotels mentioned are indicated subject to availability at the time of booking the tour.
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 when they arrive).