OVERLAND ATACAMA TO UYUNI SALT FLAT

We will fly to La Serena for reception and transfer to Casa Molle, your home in Elqui Valley for 2 nights, named after the pre-Columbian Molle culture, that inhabited the area. In the evening, you will enjoy a star gazing experience suitable both for novice and expert gazers, who will discover the wonders of the universe in one of the world’s clearest skies and most important astronomical hubs in Chile. The next morning we will enjoy a full day of activities through the Elqui Valley, including picturesque pre-Columbian towns, ancient churches and ‘hacienda’ estates that belonged to first conquerors… and everything surrounded by mineral-rich pyramidal mountains that give life to tropical desert and Mediterranean crops along with wine cellars and the country’s most recognized “pisco” grape spirit distilleries.

We depart from Casa Molle to enjoy a full-day overland experience through Atacama’s coastal desert and some sea-life-watching navigation in Punta de Choros, a rich area with the greatest diversity of species in the Pacific coast near the borders of the Coquimbo “Green North” and the origins of the world’s driest desert: Atacama. We will sail islands Gaviotas, Choros and Damas to visit their beautiful beaches, geomorphology and diversity of plants and cacti, together with their attractive fauna of penguins, dolphins, sea birds, otters and sea lions. Then, we’ll continue our overland drive towards Wara Hotel.

On Day 6, and from Wara hotel home base, we will have the chance to visit Pan de Azucar National Park for a deeper coastal desert local fauna experience, or to explore a sea of dunes for some off-road adventures on 4×4 trucks that will go across the dunes, beaches, desert plains, small rivers and hills. You may also take the wheel and drive through these rough natural terrains, under the close supervision and counsel of our experienced specialist guides.

On the morning of day 7, you will take a flight from Copiapo to Calama, to San Pedro de Atacama. Experience authentic Atacama encounters for the following 3 days. We introduce you to the region with a talk. In the end of the day, you and a guide discuss and decide where and what you will be exploring in the next few days, adventure yourself over the Altiplano’s 4,000 m.a.s.l is an experience you will not regret.
In San Pedro, you may choose from several options of excursions ranging from horseback riding, bicycle riding, bird watching, astronomic tours, visits to archaeological sites, salt flats and geysers, or incredible valleys hidden in the midst of the desert. On the morning of day 9, you will depart towards Hito Cajon Border Pass to cross into Bolivia. There you will meet our Bolivian Team and exchange vehicles before beginning a jeep-ride across the desert into Bolivia to explore the largest salt flat in the world. That day you will explore the colorful lagoons and surreal landscapes of the Bolivian Sud Lipez

Another option is enjoying a visit to the charming village of Coquesa and its mummies, which are sheltered in a cave located 600 m above the village, also granting beautiful views of the salt flat. At about a 1-hour-and-15-minute drive lies the interesting archeological site of Alcaya, an old pre-Columbian city near Salinas. Those who are fit can hike to the lower edge of Tunupa Volcano crater. When operational, a visit to the “salt mines” will help you understand how locals collect the salt from the surface of the salt flat. A daily visit to the quinoa fields or walk to encounter llama farmers amidst their herd are a unique way to understand the local culture – and the dedication needed to fight the extreme climate and make a living in spite of it.

You will fly to La Paz, be received at El Alto Airport and transferred to La Paz (cable car and city tour included). La Paz is the seat of Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is the most important political, cultural and financial center of Bolivia. The city is also the highest administrative capital in the world, located on the plateau of the Andes Highlands at more than 3,500 masl. We will explore this fascinating city. Visit the San Francisco Church and the Witches’ Market, which showcases woven textiles and dried animal parts and llama fetuses (always buried under any new construction as an offering to Pachamama or Mother Earth). You will also visit the nearby Moon Valley. Finally, enjoy your stay at Atix Hotel, which features panoramic views of the mountains and exclusive art and photography decoration made by artist Gastón Ugalde, who will later greet you at his art gallery to give you an art-oriented introduction into Bolivian culture. By night, enjoy a gourmet experience. Our Journey comes to an end on day 15 with your international departure flight.