Arrival to La Paz Airport, transfer your accommodation and check in. Free day to relax and take it easy, maybe explore a little this high city.
Note: La Paz is really high so it is best to do everything slow the first days. Drink a lot of water, eat light, avoid alcohol and don´t rush!
At 8 am, Tiwanaku Day Trip
After 1 hour and a half ride you will reach this pre Columbian ruins, surrounded by beautiful nature. The ancient city and culture of Tiwanacu is supposed to be one of the most important in the American continent. It is believed that they were even more advanced in pottery, astronomy and math than the neighboring Incas. If you are traveling further north you will see Tiwanacu influence in the archaeological sites of Peru. After a visit to the uncovered ruins (there is a lot that is being uncovered but is not open to the public), the tour returns to La Paz and will leave you at you hostel or hotel at about 4 pm. You will be amazed to learn how this ancient people used to live and what they believed, so different from us nowadays.
Free day in La Paz to visit the old town.
Check out, go on your own to the bus station to take the bus to Copacabana, a small town at the shores of Lake Titicaca. After 3 hours ride, arrival to town and check in.
At 2.30 pm, you will go for a light hike to Kasanani Hill, beautiful and ancient astronomical observation site built by the Incas to follow the movement of the sun and the moon and calculate eclypses and follow the change of seasons. 200 m from there you will find the Intikala temple, or Stone of the Sun, a series of big seats carved in stone. Then you will visit the Cathedral of the Virgen de Copacabana, that holds inside the image of the Holy Mary carved by an Inka in 1583. After that, you will reach the summit of the hill so see great views of the Titicaca lake and surroundings. Back to hotel and dinner.
At 8 am you will take a boat to the northern part of the Isla del Sol, arriving at 10.30 am to the comunity of Challapampa. You will visit the Gold Museum and then you will walk for half an hour to the Inca Chincana Ruins, to later reach the Table of Stone. Along the island many archaeological sites can be seen with one highlight: the Sacred Rock or the Rock of the Origins where according to the legend, Manco Capac and Mama Occlo departed to stablish the city of Cusco later on. At mid day, back to the Port to have lunch.
At 2 pm you will board the boat to begin the trip to the south of the island, stopping at Yumani port to see the boats made of "totora" (cattail in english). From the port, you will hike up to the village of Yumani at the south end of the Isla del Sol, passing by a series of inca ruins and 3 sacred springs of water. Yumani is an aymara comunity that built its town on top of an inca site with streets and walls made of stone. At the summit you will see the sunset, back to hotel and dinner.
After breakfast, walk down to the port through another route to pass by the ruins of the palace of Polkokaina and the Temple of the Sun. Back to Copacabana at 11.30 am with time to catch the bus to La Paz. The bus to La Paz takes about 3 hours. From La Paz you will take an overnight bus to Uyuni town.
Arrival to Uyuni from la Paz. Breakfast before the Overland begins. After mid day, departure to the village of Colchani, the entrance of the most beautiful salt flat in the world (and the biggest and the highest! ) . You will board the Jeep 4WD you are going to use until the end of the overland and meet your driver and other staff. They almost don´t speak English and even their Spanish is basic but are normally very friendly and helpful. This is the beginning of the real adventure.
Salt flat crossing to be amazed by the feeling and the colours of the "out of this planet " landscape.
The driver has to drive slowly and you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy and be amazed by this wonder. You will never forget this day.
In the end of the day you will get to a Salt Hostel to spend the night. Salt Hostel means that the walls and some beds are built with salt bricks.
Note: the itinerary can be changed en route if the driver sees any change in weather conditons or in the roads or any reason they judge the itinerary needs to be different. But the atractions keep the same
After the night by the salt flat, the tours heads towards the desert and the High Plateau also called Puna or Altiplano. In the morning you will see how the landscape is changing while you climb higher and higher and in the afternoon you will go past the Siloli desert, where the wind and sun and rain carved strange volcanic rock formations. By lunch time you will probably be at Laguna Escondida (Hidden Lagoon, also called Laguna Negra), but itinerary can change. Arrival at the comunal hostel and dinner. The communal hostels are very basic but clean and a part of the Altiplanic experience
San Pedro to Uyuni Overland Tour
To read before travelling.
This San Pedro to Uyuni overland is a true adventure, one you won´t forget. But if you are looking for a comfortable air conditioned seat, smooth paved roads, swiss punctuality and perfect information in your mother language, you may re think your destination.
The landscapes are incredible and unique but also extreme and rough.
People with high blood pressure and heart conditions should check with the doctor before coming.
The altitude reached is 4.900 meters above sea level. The lack of oxygen may affect people in some way or another. You need to be prepared to follow some advices to reduce the effect of altitude to the minimum, in order to enjoy the trip. Ref the age, it is not a matter of years but attitude and some minimum fitness.
In the extreme conditions of dirt and stone roads, things can go wrong: a flat tire, a cable burned, a broken battery, so schedules may need to be changed. Drivers have the experience to take you safely to destination but be open to changes in times, accommodation and meals places.
Although it is a desertic high plateau, it can rain and conditions in roads and in the salt flat can change rapidly, so again changes must be expected.
Drivers and other staff in Bolivia have not the education you have. They almost don´t speak English and Spanish is their second language. They speak quechua. Don’t expect a lot of information and communication. But they really know what they do. They look for you, adapt to changing situations, give advices when sick, prepare the food, book accommodation, look for the best times to be at destinations, and generally speaking, always try to help you to have an unforgettable time. Comparing to this, their different education is just another color of the adventure and the cultural immersion.
Accommodation standards: Close to the salt flat, accommodation is in a Salt Hostel or Salt Hotel. Close to the Lagoons and Avaroa National Park accommodation is a communal hostel taken care by village families. Basic but clean and comfortable enough to rest and continue the adventure.
Some useful tips for the overland:
If you are taking the trip from San Pedro to Uyuni, get some Bolivianos before the trip, you will need to pay entrances to National Parks and they only receive national currency. You may change at the entrance of the park but the exchange rate will be horrible.
Bring toilet paper or fresh baby towels with you, toilets are available only in specific places along the road, usually they don´t have paper. In the desert: “inca toilets”!
The night before the beginning of the trip, try to avoid smoking, red meat and alcohol. The 1st day of the San Pedro trip or the 3rd day of the Uyuni – San Pedro direction, the cars get to an altitude of 4.900 meters. During the trip try to eat light and drink a lot of water to help your body to adapt to thin air. If despite the preparation you get “soroche” or “apunamiento”, don´t panic. It can be uncomfortable but your body will finally adapt. Common symptoms are headache, dizziness, nausea, and bad humor. Think positively, do everything slowly, breath calmly and drink lots of water. It is a good idea to buy some “soroche” pills before the beginning of the overland. If you don’t need them maybe a travel companion does!
If you are coming from La Paz or from San Pedro (and visited high places like the Tatio Geisers) your body may be already adapted to altitude and you will feel less its effects.
Try to avoid the last seats. You will end up switching with your companions but be aware that the last seats vibrate more and affect you more.
Accomodation is basic but clean and comfortable. A hot shower costs 10 Bolivianos so mind this money (less than 2 USD) if you want to refresh from dirt road.
Bring clothes for 30 degrees Celcius and 0 degrees Celcius the same day! Depending when you are travelling, weather can be extremely unpredictable. It is normally hot but in the rainy season (DEC-FEB a bit of MAR) storms can appear suddenly. Also take into account that every 180 meters, the temperature reduces 1 degree. Do the math and calculate the temperature when you are between 3.500 m and 4.900 m. So pack your swim suite along with good boots, polar clothes and a good jacket. Use the onion layers technique to adapt to ever changing temperature.
Plus: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, trekking shoes, a hat and again enough water (Note: calculate how much water you will really drink, many people carry big bottles of 6 liters of water and it may be too much and uncomfortable)
Early departure to be able to dive deeper (or higher!) into the desert and the Puna. The vehicle will ride along deserted landscapes, climbing higher and higher without even noticing it is happening. You will see lagoons with plenty of wild life (Red and White lagoons), huge white topped mountains and volcanoes, and altiplanic plains while you talk to your companions and learn about their travels. Lunch is provided at a place of hot springs and after that, the second part of the day takes you to the Sol de Mañana Geysers and finally to Laguna Colorada, where more than 30.000 flamingoes nest every year. Attention, this day you will reach 4.500 meters above sea level, so take into account the many tips to avoid “soroche”. The trip ends in San Pedro de Atacama after crossing border at Hito Cajon. Check in and free day in San Pedro de Atacama
Free day to relax or to visit valle de la Luna
Geysers del Tatio Excursion: You will be picked up at the hostel between 4.30 and 5 am depending on season to be able to admire the driest and highest desert in the world. The road will take you between hills and mountains of the tough Andes range until you reach the geothermal site of the Geysers, 1 hour and a half after departure. There you will be able to admire the out of this world Geysers, fumaroles and steaming craters that show the volcanic activity of the region. The Geysers reserve is located at 89 km from San Pedro and 4.230 meters above sea level. So temperature is low in summer (-6 degrees Celcius) and even colder in winter (july-august) (-20 degrees Celcius). It is very important to take warm clothes and plenty of water to help your body adapt to such a high altitude. Breakfast is offered viewing the geothermic field and on the way back there is a short stop at Machuca Village. Back to San Pedro hostel at about mid day
Check out, go to the bus station to take the bus to Salta. After a long and very interesting ride, arrival in Salta in the afternoon. Find your own way to the hostel. Check in and free evening
Cafayate and Villages Day Tour
We are leaving from Salta to the South, taking the route 68, passing through little towns like Cerrillos, La Merced, El Carril, Cnel. Moldes, La Viña (agricultural area which main production is tobacco). We are passing by the village of Alemanía, and from there we are entering to Cafayate Gorge, where we´ll see in the mountains the erosion of millions of years, created by wind and water (Devil´s Throat, Amphitheater, The Monk, The Castles, Parrot´s House, The Windows and The Toad). After visiting these places, we are arriving to the town of Cafayate to visit a winery and to taste the specialty of the region, torrontés wine. After walking through the town, we are coming back to Salta through the same gorge, which will offer us a different landscape in our way back to the city.
Departure time: 7:30 to 7.50 (there can be variations depending on location of accommodation)
Departure Point: any hotel or hostel in Salta Downtown. Note: there are hotels and hostels away from the city center so before booking please check if the bus reaches the place.
Arrival Point: any hotel or hostel in Salta Downtown
Duration: 10 hours
Frequency: Daily departures. Blackout 25 dec and 1 jan. Guaranteed departures
Transport: Mini-Bus (19 or 24 pax)
No age limit
Cafayate and Villages Day Tour
- Bilingual Guide (English – Spanish)
- Transportation
- Entrances to National or Provincial Parks
- Lunch
Breakfast and check out. In the afternon. find your own way to the Bus Station to take the night bus to Buenos Aires.
Arrival to Buenos Aires and find your own way to your accommodation. Check in and free day
Breakfast. At 9.00 am, Buenos Aires City Tour: You will discover the beauty and wonders of Buenos Aires city, viewing the National Congress, The Metropolitan Cathedral next to the Government House in May Square area among other important buildings. You will catch a glimpse of the Colon Theater, one of the most important opera houses in Latin America and San Telmo, traditional neighborhood where Tango performances can be seen in many bars and restaurants. There is an important stop at La Boca colorful neighborhood, which was seat of immigrants - mainly Italians - and now home of some artists.
Enjoy Palermo, an area that combines its architecture and history with entertainment and amusement in its green spaces. Finally, La Recoleta, an exclusive and elegant neighborhood where the famous cemetery is found. Alternative at no extra cost: Buenos Aires Bike Tour. If you want a more active tour to discover the corners of Buenos Aires with a small group and pedal your way along the city streets, the bike tour is your choice
Buenos Aires City Tour Half Day
Departure time: 9:00 / 14:00 hs (depending on Hotel pick up)
Departure Point: any hotel in Buenos Aires Downtown. Note: there are hotels away from the city center so before booking please check if the city tours reaches the hotel.
Arrival Point: Downtown Buenos Aires, not the hotels, 3 hours – 3 and a half hour later, depending on traffic
Duration: 3:30 hs.
Frequency: Daily departures. Blackout 25 dec and 1 jan. Guaranteed departures
Transport: Mini-Bus (24 pax) or Bus (40 pax)
No age limit
Half Day Buenos Aires Bike Tour
- Bilingual Guide (English – Spanish)
- Transportation
Meals
Free day to explore the streets of Buenos Aires, maybe going to Tigre in the outskirts.
In the late evening: Madero Tango Show and Dinner
The Executive Dinner Show at Madero Tango offers the possibility of enjoying the Best Tango Show tasting the famous Bife de Chorizo Argentino. Diagonally to the Stage, Four Options for each dinner course on the menu and an Additional Gastronomic and International Drinks. A Menu for those who like to taste special flavors in a different night.
Gastronomy: Three course dinner with four options that include the Bife de Chorizo
Seats: 3rd to 5th Lateral and sideways rows to the stage
Tables: Round tables, Shared
Transfer: In + out
Drinks: National label wine varietals or champagne FREE. Water, soda and beer FREE
Check out. Transfer to Ezeiza International airport. End of adventure!
