Chile and Bolivia's Salt Flats

Itinerary Highlights

Discover the unworldly desert landscapes of the Atacama and the world's largest salt flats of Uyuni in this all-inclusive Travesía (“Crossing”) journey. This 8-night itinerary will show you the path to unravel two of the world's most fascinating locations in the journey of a lifetime, travelling across one of the remotest regions on Earth: the Altiplano between Chile and Bolivia. In such remote areas of the world, you will lodge at Explora's world-renowned property in Atacama and mountain homes and lodges, operated in partnership with local families, during your crossing to Uyuni Salt Flats. 

Cross the desert from Chile to Bolivia in a 4x4 private vehicle, equipped with satellite communication and oxygen equipment, always led by an expert Explora guide and local driver.  The guides – with their expertise of years exploring the region – will assist your selection of explorations, so you may discover the remote while comfortably accustoming to the atypical altitude. Begin your journey by spending three-days in the Atacama Desert (itinerary may begin in Bolivia) and soak up the immense diversity as you experience the salt flats, geysers, snow capped volcanoes and desert valley's. Driving by multicolored lagoons and witnessing striking sunsets, explore Bolivia for the following three days before reaching Uyuni Salt Flats. Throughout your trip, feel and listen to the vast silence and lonely beauty that will be your companion throughout your adventure. 

Detailed Itinerary

You will be met by one of our representatives at the Calama Airport to begin your two-hour drive through the desert before reaching your lodge, located at 2,407 meters above sea level (7,897 feet above sea level). After checking in, you will immediately meet with a guide to discuss your interests as well as the Atacama highlights, in order to plan the excursions for the next few days. Afterwards, this afternoon is yours to rest, enjoy the property, or jump right into an exhilarating half-day adventure!

Overnight at Explora Atacama (Lunch & Dinner)

Delve into the world’s driest desert and feel its inextricable aura in every step and landscape. The plan you and your guide have idealised together begins to unfold at your own pace in this private programme. The activities range from light to difficulty levels, short to long durations, and multiple exploration methods: hiking, horseback, bike rides, drives and short walks, and even mountain climbing, for the adventurous-spirited. And remember: any weather makes a perfect day for exploring. But if the skies happen to be clear, dive into the fresh desert night sky in an astronomy session in the observatory at our hotel. Choose from over 30 excursions offered, which can be reviewed beforehand on the Explorations Menu. 

A few of Craft Trave'l’s favorite excursions is bike riding to the famed Moon Valley or horseback riding through the traditional area of Solar in Atacama. Hiking Social or Corona Volcano is also a great and rewarding challenging. Do not forget to explore the epic salt flats or spend the morning visiting the remarkable Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field with over 80 boiling water sources.  

Overnight at Explora Atacama (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Time to get back on the move. As sunlight cracks the deep blue sky, we depart from San Pedro de Atacama early in the morning and leave behind the oasis – but all we have lived and learned these first few days remains with us for life. We begin the trip through the Andes and reach the border at Hito Cajón, 47 km/ 29 miles away from our starting point. We are now in Bolivia. Along with an explora guide, we switch vehicles and carry on our journey through the captivating entrails of the Altiplano.

The exploration continues as we go. We visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a myriad of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. The Colorada lagoon is the perfect spot to sight flamingos in their natural habitat, and is also where we savour lunch as we gaze at the colours of the Altiplano vividly mingling.

We then proceed until we reach the mountain home at Ramaditas, where we watch the sun set into the horizon and finally rest for a new day. As we close our eyes, we can feel and listen to the vast silence, the lonely beauty of the territory we have just started to unearth.

Vivid multi-coloured lagoons and the centenary silence of the Andean mountains mesh with the mountain home at Ramaditas, a combination of cosy common areas and 4 double or matrimonial rooms in the very heart of the Altiplano. Staying here includes a myriad of exploration possibilities, such as geysers, salt flats, lagoons, rocky formations, ancient commercial routes and extensive Andean valleys. Truly breath-taking.

Overnight at Mountain Home at Ramaditas (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

The wondrous landscapes are never-ending as we approach the Uyuni salt flat. In the morning, we set off to Chituca, where we will spend the next night. On the way, we get to walk through ancient mines and valleys. The Turquiri lagoon, with its great diversity of birds and rock formations, is the perfect setting for a restoring lunch. It is then time to explore the region in greater depth: choose between hiking or alternating drives and short walks. After the exploration is done, we continue the drive towards Chituca, where we will learn about the culture and lifestyle of local families. At nightfall, the silence of the Altiplano fills the air as we wonder at the starry shimmering sky, which has served as a map for the tvillages in the region for centuries and centuries.

The panoramic view of the Altiplano and salt flat that once used to be admired by shepherds from their settlement is today’s view from the mountain home at Chituca. There are many more past settlements and other cultural relics in the region for exploring, besides Andean landscapes, colourful quinoa fields, and local villages full of history waiting to be shared. Once it is time to rest, you may relax in the cosy living room, and appreciate the incredible view from our dining room as your relish the final meal of the day.

Overnight at Mountain Home at Chituca (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After a fulfilling breakfast, we set off to one of the explorations of your choice. Explore the surroundings, roaming the cactus forest and the ancient agricultural terraces nearby. Or visit the village of San Pedro de Quemes, a former Spanish settlement with bewildering panoramic views of the Altiplano and the salt flat. We then continue our journey towards the Gruta de Las Galaxias, an astonishing cave with rare geological formations where you will discover and experience a fascinating part of Andean history.

Resuming our trip, 10,000 km²/ 3,861 mi2 of pure white majestically emerge out of thin air before us – we arrive at the Uyuni salt flat. This is the salt flat with the greatest area and the highest altitude on Earth, located at 3,665 m.a.s.l./ 12,024 f.a.s.l. We stop for lunch at the salt flat, where your next exploration sets off: an explorative hike at the Pescado Island or an overland journey to it. Once complete, we drive to Uyuni lodge, settled on the slopes of the Tunupa volcano.

North of the Uyuni Salt Flat, on the foothills of the impressive Tunupa Volcano, our lodge –operated in partnership with local families– welcomes you with an outstanding view of the vastest salt flat on Earth. The region allures exploration. Climb the polychromous slopes of the Tunupa, travel across the islands of the salt flat, and discover local villages, wetlands and archaeological sites all around us.

Overnight at Uyuni Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy the wonderful view of the Uyuni Salt Flat from the comfort of our lodge, operated in partnership with local families.. Your guide will help you decide the explorations you would like to go on. You can choose from hikes, overland trips, and bike rides. Climbing the multi-hued slopes of the volcano up to 5,432 m.a.s.l/ 17,835 f.a.s.l., biking across a section of the salt flat, or cruising the slopes of the volcano and stopping by at villages along the way are a few of the possibilities. What you see here will remain imprinted in your heart, soul and fondest memory for the rest of your life.

Overnight at Uyuni Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After a nourishing breakfast, we drive across the eastern area of the salt flat towards the Uyuni airport, recalling all we have lived for the past days as we gaze off into the rare beauty and enormity of this extraordinary place. A last glance. For now. You will take your departure flight home via La Paz or Santa Cruz airport.

(Breakfast)

• 8 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)

• All meals, snacks and soft drinks throughout your stay

• All guided excursions and transfers throughout your stay

• All ground transfers between airports and accommodations

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international and internal flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

• This itinerary is described departing from San Pedro de Atacama, but you can decide to start from Uyuni, Bolivia. If you want to depart from Uyuni, you need to have started your acclimation process for at least 2 nights before the journey (above 3,000 m.a.s.l./ 9,842 f.a.s.l. for at least 2 nights).

• This travesía takes place between April and December. We will start operating in April 2021. 

• A 11 day/10 night itinerary is available and ideal for those willing to immerse for longer in the rarities of the remote. Crossing through the Altiplano between Chile and Bolivia, discover a region infused with history and breathtaking landscapes.