Itinerary Highlights
- Historic Santiago
- Intriguing La Paz
- Luna Landscape of Atacama Desert
- Unique Lake Titicaca
- Untouched Salar de Uyuni
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
14 nights from £5,695 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Our Chile and Bolivia Adventure takes you to some of South America’s most breathtaking and mesmerizing desert scenery. From modern, bustling Santiago you fly north to the Atacama Desert where you enter a completely different world. One of the driest places on earth, the Atacama feels magical with its towering volcanoes, serene lagoons and inky black night skies that are incredibly clear and perfect for stargazing.
From the Atacama Desert you continue across the Altiplano into Bolivia and the remote Sud Lipez. Distances here are vast and the landscape stunningly beautiful. Experience the different coloured lagoons as you wait in anticipation for your first view of the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on earth. Isla Pescado (Fish Island) is an oasis within the vastness of white and the cacti provide a spectacular photographic backdrop.
You also spend two nights at Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, where the waters shimmer under the clear blue skies and the snowcapped Andean backdrop completes the ‘picture postcard’ scene. Finally, no Bolivia holiday would be complete without experiencing the capital city, La Paz, and its remarkable ‘bowl’ setting, overlooked by the majestic Mount Illimani.
Itinerary
Day 1 London - Santiago
Depart the UK on your chosen flights to Chile today for your overnight flight to Santiago.
Day 2 Santiago
Transfer to downtown and the bohemian area of Lastarria. This part of Santiago has a range of excellent places to eat and stay, and provides easy access to the different neighbourhoods and attractions of the city. You have the day to relax and explore independently after your international flights.
Day 3 Santiago
Today you are collected and taken around the most important cultural, cosmopolitan and artistic areas of Santiago. You are taken through the traditional Plaza de Armas and the impressive surrounding architecture leading to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Historical Museum and the Central Post Office.
Day 4 Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama
Transfer to the airport for the flight north to Calama, gateway to the pretty adobe town of San Pedro de Atacama. Long before the Spanish arrived, the area was the heart of the Atacameno culture and the town oozes history along the shady streets and crumbling walls. In the town the Iglesia de San Pedro, from the 17th century, is supposedly the second oldest in the country and has been heavily but sympathetically restored. Your base for the next three nights is the Alto Atacama, which offers luxurious experiences in a unique location just outside the town.
Day 5 San Pedro de Atacama
You have the next two days to explore the Chilean Altiplano. There are two included excursions out to the Moon Valley, and the Ckari lookout point, as well as then on day to the Tatio Geysers and Machuca Village. There is also an opportunity to organise a star gazing specific tour and experience some of the clearest night skies.
Day 7 San Pedro de Atacama - Sud Lupiz
Cross the border into Southern Bolivia and Laguna Verde. As the name suggests this green lagoon dazzles in the bright sunlight and from here you can enjoy spectacular views of Licancabur Volcano, at 5865m. Visit the 'Sol de Manana' geysers, part of a geothermal field covering around a square kilometre. Continue to Laguna Colorado which is characterized by the red tone of its waters and is inhabited by flocks of flamingos. You can also see vicunas, llamas and vizcachas. Travel through the Siloli desert, where you will see the famous Stone Tree, the inspiration for one of Dali's iconic paintings before staying the night in a hotel on the Bolivian side of the border.
Day 8 Salar de Uyuni
Continue north through the barren landscape visiting some of the smaller lagoons en-route. This lesser visited eastern area of the Sud Lipez is relatively new to the touring circuit in the region but the vistas are just as beautiful and the lagoons just as colourful with their minerals. Spend the next 2 nights at the Luna Salada. Constructed entirely of rock salt this is one of the most unique hotels in the world. Located on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, experience fantastic sunrises and sunsets from the warmth of your salt hotel.
Day 9 Salar de Uyuni
Spend the day exploring the vast Salar de Uyuni, the largest in the world at 12,000 square kilometres. The Bolivian Andes are spectacular and unique - the silence, surreal pentagons of salt and the cloudless blue skies make you feel like you are in another world. At the centre of the salt lake is Isla Pescado (Inka Wasi), shaped like a fish and dotted with cacti makes for great photography, as does the endless horizon. On the northern edge of the salar visit the majestic Tunupa Volcano.
Day 10 Uyuni - La Paz
Early morning flight from Uyuni to La Paz. Descend from El Alto satellite city into the spectacular bowl of La Paz overlooked by the impressive Mt Illimani. Today you are taken for an introductory tour of Bolivia's capital with a chance to see the government buildings flanking Plaza Murillo, wander the quirky, colourful Calle Jean before then heading out to the Moon Valley before returning to your hotel in the city centre.
Day 11 Lake Titicaca
Transfer by land today to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. After a short city tour taking in the Moorish-style cathedral which dominates the town. Inside you find the black Virgen de Candelaria, carved by Inca Tupac Yupanqui's grandson, Francisco Yupanqui, is encased and situated above the alter. The statue is never moved from the cathedral. Embark the hydrofoil which will take you to Moon Island to visit the Sun Virgins Temple before continuing to Sun Island.
Day 12 Lake Titicaca
After a relaxing morning visit the Sacred Fountain, where the water is believed to grant eternal youth and happiness. After lunch at Uma Kollu and a visit to the small handicraft market embark the hydrofoil returning to Huatajata on the mainland. Visit the Andean Roots Eco Village where you will learn about the culture and history of the local people. There is also the opportunity to have your coca leaves read by Tata Benjo who believes that to heal the body you first need to heal the soul. In the evening you have the opportunity to visit the Observatory for star gazing. At such high altitude, with clear skies, this is the ideal location.
Day 13 La Paz
After breakfast, transfer by land to La Paz. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city. The more affluent 'Zona Sur' (south zone) of the city is very modern with a host of restaurants including the new Gustu. Serving only Bolivian cuisine paired with Bolivian wine this is the perfect gastronomic treat and end to your Altiplano adventure.
Day 14 La Paz - London
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK on your chosen route.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
14 nights from £5,695 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Pricing Notes
Includes breakfast throught and many other meals.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
