Arrival in Santiago de Chile. Private transfer to hostel or hotel. Check in
Itinerary
Explore the stark beauty of Northern Chile and Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats on this unforgettable adventure. Starting in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth, you'll encounter surreal landscapes, geysers, and high-altitude lagoons. Cross into Bolivia to witness the expansive Uyuni Salt Flats, where the horizon seems to stretch endlessly, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The journey concludes in La Paz, Bolivia’s high-altitude capital, where modern life meets indigenous traditions amidst dramatic mountain scenery. This trip offers a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences, showcasing the best of both countries.
Age range: 3-70 years old
Counties visited: Bolivia– Chile
Travel Style: Independent - All our trips are independent style (not group tours)
This is an Independent Tour. You will be sharing services with other passengers.
Trip Level: Moderate
Beware of visa needs (Bolivia and Chile)
Tour program
Santiago
Start point
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Santiago
Breakfast. At 9.30 am, Santiago Bike Tour:
This Tour shows you the popular culture and everyday life in Santiago. Multiculturalism, urban art and diverse religions in Patronato. Fruits and vegetables in La Vega Market. History in the Plaza de Armas. All part of the many experiences on this unforgettable Tour of Santiago.
Featured Stops: Bellavista Neighborhood, La Chascona: Pablo Neruda´s House, Metropolitan Park, Patronato Neighborhood, La Vega Market, Mapocho Station, Central Market, Plaza de Armas, Bellas Artes Museum, Forestal Park
Valparaiso
Breakfast. Check out and make your own way to the bus station to take the bus to Valparaiso. Arrival and make your own way to the accommodation.
Valparaiso
Free day to explore the city.
Overnight Travel
Check out and make your own way to the bus station. Take the night bus to Calama (about 20 hours ride)
San Pedro de Atacama
Arrival at Calama Bus Station and take the connecting bus to Atacama. Arrival to the bus station and make your own way to hostel. Free day
San Pedro de Atacama
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
San Pedro de Atacama
Free day to relax or taking optional tours like Moon Valley or Altiplanic Lagoons.
Villamar Mallcu
San Pedro – Uyuni Overland 1st day
6.30 am - 7 am pick up at your hostel for the beginning of the San Pedro to Uyuni Overland. There is a stop at the border to go through Chilean immigration before departing San Pedro. After a short but nice ride the minibus reaches Hito Cajon, the border with Bolivia and in the foothills of the Licancabur Volcano. There you will change to the Jeep 4WD you are going to use until the end of the overland and have breakfast meeting 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. 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. The night will be spent at Huaylajara or Villamar at a family or communal hostel. Basic but clean and enough to sleep and eat to be ready for next day! Attention, this 1st day you will reach 4.500 meters above sea level, so take into account the many tips to avoid “soroche”.
Chuvica
San Pedro - Uyuni Overland 2nd day:
Breakfast, a bit relax before everyone is ready and off you go to learn a bit more about life in the Altiplano. The second day, the road is less dramatic and lonely and you will see more signs of civilization. You will visit the Siloli desert where the wind and sun and a bit rain carved strange volcanic rock formations. By lunch time you will be at Laguna Escondida (Hidden Lagoon, also called Laguna Negra) and in the afternoon you will see the canyon of river Anaconda. In the evening, arrival at Salt Hotel in the shores of the Uyuni Salt Flat for a comforting 2nd night in the desert.
Overnight Travel, Salar de Uyuni
San Pedro - Uyuni 3rd day (Salt Flat) – La Paz:
4 or 5 am departure to cross the biggest and highest salt flat in the world. If weather helps, you will be able to see the sunrise in the middle of the salt flat, one of the most beautiful experiences the Altiplano has to offer…and being at the salt flat is already breathtaking! Breakfast in the salt flat.
The driver has to drive slowly and you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy and be amazed by an “out if this world” landscape. You will never forget this day.
At midday there is a stop to have lunch at a sat hotel and restaurant in close to Colchani village, the gate way to the flats. So after lunch you will go out and arrive to Uyuni at about 1 or 2 pm. You will have time to relax, grab a coffee, eat something, charge your mobile devices and connect with your friends and family to tell them about your adventures. But Uyuni town is not a really nice place to be so, at 8 pm, cama night bus to La Paz!
Enf of itinerary
Arrival to La Paz Bus Station to continue your travels on your own. End of trip
End point
La Paz, Bolivia
Tour Details
accommodation
2 nights accommodation with breakfast at selected room in Santiago
2 nights accommodation with breakfast at selected room in Valparaiso
3 nights Accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
guide
Santiago Bike Tour
Geysers del Tatio Day Trip (4.30 am to 12.30 pm)
others
San Pedro to Uyuni Overland including:
3 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
2 Dinners
Transportation in shared Jeep 4WD for 6 customers from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni
1 night accommodation in Family Hostel Dorm or private DBL room
1 night accommodation in Salt Hostel in Dorm or private DBL room.
Spanish speaking guide/driver
Meals not described in itinerary
Towels in case of hostel dorm
Entrance fee to any National Park or site (Avaroa National Park, to be paid in Bolivian currency)
English speaking guide during overland.
Bus stations pick up and drop offs
Any Flight
transport
Santiago Airport Pick up
Bus from Santiago to Valparaiso
Night Bus from Valparaiso to Calama
Bus from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama
Bus from Uyuni to La Paz
Good to know
Currency
Chilean Peso
Chile
Plugs and adapters
