OVERVIEW
TRIP LENGTH
3 Days / 2 Nights
SEASON
January/December
ADVENTURE TYPE
Nature, Treckking, Culture
DESTINATION
Uyuni / San Pedro de Atacama
MIN.AGE
12 years old (children under 12 must be accompanied by a tutor or parent).
TIME OF DEPARTURE
10 AM
TRIP BEGINS/ENDS
San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) / Uyuni (Bolivia)
The Uyuni Salt Flats –or Salar de Uyuni- is the highlight of any trip to Bolivia, as it represents a unique experience, impossible to equal anywhere else in the world. This legendary prehistoric lake, called Lago Minchín, went dry between 30,000 to 42,000 years ago, leaving behind the most dazzling desert-like landscape of glistening bright-white salt flats, cacti-studded islands and rock formations.
Located in the southwest of Bolivia, the Salt Flats is the largest salt desert in the world. With an altitude of 3653 meters above the sea level, denoting a cold desert climate, the area goes through two distinct seasons: the dry season (between May and October) and the rainy season (between November and April), during which the desert floods creating a natural mirror and a one-of-a-kind scenery.
However, the Salt Flats are not the only treasure this area offers its visitors. This Altiplanic region is also home to Andean lagoons inhabited by pink flamingoes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient coral lands, mythical caves used as sacred burial grounds by pre-Inca civilizations, and active geysers reaching an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level.
At Enhance Travel we have taken great care in building a fulfilling package that will allow you to explore and discover Bolivia’s most outstanding destination, while catering to your every need. Placing you at the frontier of endless natural beauty, this three-day tour will provide you with an unforgettable travel and life experience.
ITINERARY
The tour will start in San Pedro de Atacama at approximately 8:30am (Chilean time). You will be transferred to the border with Bolivia and then start the tour by visiting the White and Green Lagoons and the Salvador Dali Desert. We will then enjoy lunch at the thermal springs, before visiting the geysers “Sol de Mañana” and heading north to see the Colored Lagoon and the Siloli Desert -where we can find the famous stone tree. We will then visit the Andean Lagoons before reaching our accommodation for the night.
After breakfast, we will visit the Andean Lagoons home to pink flamingo populations before entering the Chiguana Salt Flats -a smaller salt desert located south of Uyuni. We will then visit the community of San Juan and the natural viewpoint to the Ollague Volcano (still active). Finally, we will enter the salt deserts of Uyuni to hike through the famous Incahuasi (or “Fisherman”) Island*, an ancient island of volcanic rock located in the middle of the Salt Flats and home to millenary giant cacti. In the evening, we will reach our salt accommodation to spend the night after a warm dinner.
Today, we will finally enter the astonishing Salt Flats of Uyuni, where we will visit the typical landscapes of extraction, the Piles of Salt; the unique “eyes of salt”; and the first salt hotel, now a museum; you will be able to enjoy and wonder around the Salt Flats, take perspective and reflection pictures –simply amazing. We will later take a short trek through the Sajchilla Island*, a largely unexplored site scattered by giant cactuses. Finally, we will reach the Train Cemetery -an immense train graveyard eroded by the salt winds located in the shores of the Salt Flats.
We will finally arrive to the town of Uyuni, where our tour ends, or transfer you back to San Pedro de Atacama, where you will arrive in the evening.
DATES & RATES
Dates
Rates
Supplementary Information
• Smoking is not allowed in any of the hotels.
• Drinks from outside the Hotels are not allowed to be brought inside.
• Buffet breakfast from 6:00am to 9:00am
• Rooms with private bathroom
• Room service, heater and warm water (Only on the hours as informed below)
• Electric energy: Flamencos Altiplano Eco-Hotel hours: from 18:00pm to 22:00pm / Hotel Tambo Coquesa lodge has 24 hours of energy.
Included:
• Transportation on a 4x4 jeep
• Skilled Driver
• 2-night accommodation
• Meals throughout the tour (3 box lunches, 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts)
• Sunset Brindis (cup of wine)
• Oxygen tank and First Aid kit
• 1 bottle of water, per person and per day.
• Private rooms with private bathroom
Not Included:
• Tour guide in foreign language (upon request)
• Transportation from/to La Paz (can be arranged)
• Tips and Extras not mentioned in the Programme
What to bring:
• Warm clothing
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Water
• Camera
• Enough cash (local currency)
Comments:
• Take note that Chilean time (GMT -3) is one hour more than Bolivia (GMT -4)
• Ask to the guide for assistance when you need to change your cash into Bolivianos (BOB).
