Module: 4x4 Expedition
Duration: 4 days
Period: All year
Service: Private or Group
The wonders of South Lipez in 4 days of 4x4 expedition. A trip with complete autonomy. The high plateau in this region offers us a view of the most bewildering landscapes of South America, including the great sea of salt in Uyuni and the multicoloured lagoons. For lovers of natural spaces. The requirement? A spirit of adventure to the test, since this is a region that offers the traveller nothing but the conditions of a rustic life. Omnipresent dust, rarely hot showers and nights where the cold makes its presence felt...
Day 1: UYUNI – SAN CRISTOBAL - ALOTA
4-day 4x4 expedition from Uyuni to Uyuni – Equipped 4x4 Land Cruiser vehicle.
Departure from the hotel at 09:30 to visit the locomotive cemetery around the town. Cape to the south, on the way visit some small towns, whose urbanization is modeled on Culpina K. Lunch in San Cristobal where we can, if it is open, visit the rich colonial church. Then crossing the Rio Grande, an area of vicuñas and rheas (cousins of the ostrich) and arriving at Alota in the afternoon.
Cold food at midday. All inclusive. Overnight in Alota (limited comfort).
Day 2: ALOTA – GREEN LAGOON – RED LAGOON
We leave in the morning towards the southern tip of the country, before crossing the village of Villa Mar, to Laguna Colorada, which we reach at the end of the morning. We continue south to discover the Sol de Mañana geysers (4850 m alt.), a volcanic crater with effusions of sulphur vapours and waters loaded with minerals.
We then skirt the Laguna Salada before crossing the Dali desert (named after the landscapes that remind us of one of the master's paintings). We will arrive mid-morning at Laguna Verde, at the foot of the Licancabur volcano (5960 m alt.) to attend the ceremony that marks its change of color. Return to Laguna Colorada in the afternoon.
Cold lunch at midday. All included. Night in a refuge (limited comfort).
Day 3: LAGUNA COLORADA – SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ
We head north through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli Desert before reaching the so-called “Route of the 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 lunch at midday. All included. Night in San Pedro de Quemez (limited comfort).
Day 4: SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ – SALT FLATS – UYUNI
From San Pedro de Quemez, a 2-hour drive takes us to the Uyuni salt flat, the largest salt desert in the world. We stop in the heart of the salt flat, on Incahuasi Island. 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.
WALKING OPTION
Day 2: ALOTA – VILLA MAR – WALK – VILLA MAR
From Alota, we head south and the town of Villa Mar (1h30).
At the place called Tomaslaka we left our vehicle at the foot of impressive formations. They mark the end of a lava flow coming from ancient volcanoes, which is about 20 kilometres long.
We entered on foot, accompanied only by an undisturbed silence, into a canyon framed by steep rock walls carved by erosion.
We will discover viscachas and partridges hidden in the rocks, before finding abandoned graves, some of which still contain remains of ceramics and bones.
After a few minutes of walking, we emerge into a vast rocky plain, and enter the heart of the immense mineral and desert expanses of the Altiplano.
We walk through the bofedales, where llamas and vicuñas find a perfect place to graze, in the middle of the ducks and guallatas (wild geese from the Altiplano).
After 5 to 6 hours of walking through slightly rugged terrain, we will have closed the circle and will return to our vehicle.
Cold lunch at midday. All inclusive. We spend the night with a local (limited accommodation).
Day 3: VILLA MAR – LAGUNA VERDE – LAGUNA COLORADA
We leave in the morning for Laguna Colorada, which we reach at the end of the morning. We continue south to discover the Sol de Mañana geysers (4850 m above sea level), a volcanic crater with effusions of sulphur vapours and waters loaded with minerals.
We then skirt the Laguna Salada before crossing the Dali desert (named after the landscapes that remind us of one of the master's paintings). We will arrive mid-morning at Laguna Verde, at the foot of the Licancabur volcano (5960 m alt.) to attend the ceremony that marks its change of color. Return to Laguna Colorada in the afternoon.
Cold lunch at midday. All included. Night in a refuge (limited comfort).
INCLUDES
- Specialized guide.
- Chef.
- Food, meals mentioned.
- Transport.
- 2/3 star hotels with breakfast. Locals' houses or shelters.
- Luggage carrying.
NOT INCLUDED
- Individual Team.
- Mandatory individual insurance.
- Meals (free, 4 to 7 $us 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).