After 8 years exploring Andean countries, this itinerary is, according to our team, the most beautiful of the Altiplano.
The city of La Paz, capital nested at an altitude of 4000 meters, gives us a taste of the Adventure awaiting us: a 4WD expedition in total autonomy across the Cordillera de los Andes and the Altiplano of three countries: Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
After a short acclimatization trek on Lake Titicaca, a place loaded with history and myth, we head south to visit Potosí, a city with an incomparable colonial past.
We then reach the cacti covered canyons of Tupiza and of the Argentinean Northwest: Far western atmosphere guaranteed! After crossing the Cordillera we descend into the scorching heat of the Atacama Desert, so arid, that some of its inhabitants have never seen rain. But even in this harsh environment we will find some pleasant oases: Toconao, San Pedro de Atacama…
We return to Bolivia to discover the marvels of the Altiplano: multicolored lagunas inhabited by flamingoes at an altitude close to 5000 meters, highlight of the trip; the world’s largest salt desert, the fantastic Salar de Uyuni.
The diversity and the beauty of the scenery, make this journey an unforgettable experience. For natural, wide open space Lovers!

Airport pick up (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. in our private vehicle, to discover the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located in the “pit” of the Choqueyapu river canyon, with the Royal Mountain Range “Giants” as the background: Huayna Potosi, Mururata and Illimani.
This tour, particularly designed for photo lovers, first takes us to the K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park, on the Northwestern side of the city. Afterwards, we cross the Americas Bridge to go to the “Plaza de España” Mirador, in the colonial neighborhood of Sopocachi. From there, an abrupt descent leads us to the “South Zone”, passing through Llojeta and the “Garden Cemetery”, and finally to the Valley of the Moon, a place where we will be able to walk between psychedelic looking sandstone formations.
Return downtown in the afternoon.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private vehicle. We follow the Cordillera Real until we reach the village of Huatajata (1h), where we can try one of their delicious trout, gastronomic specialty of the lake.
We embark in one of their authentic and colorful fishing boats and navigate the lake at the whim of the winds until we reach one of the small nearby islands: Suriki or Kalahuta known for their handicraft make out of reeds (between 2 and 4 hours depending on the wind’s mood...).
All included. Bivouac.

We cross towards the Tiquina Straits, separating the larger from the smaller part of the Lake. After a 3 to 5-hour crossing (depending on the weather conditions), we land on the South shore, not too far from the village of Tiquina, where our private vehicle awaits us to take us to Copacabana (45 min).
In the afternoon we visit the most interesting sites in town: Horca del Inca, cathedral… We climb the Way of the Cross to view the sunset (remember to bring a headlamp for the descent).
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel ** / lake view.

In the morning, a motorboat takes us to the Northern side of the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), at the Inca site of Chincana. We begin the trek that follows the crests and takes us to the south side of the Island and to the village of Yumani (3 to 4-hour walk).
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging at María and Ismael’s house (basic comfort).
Note: During the 2 following days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the backpacks during the walks.

From Yumani, we descent the beautiful paved staircase to the Fuente del Inca (Fountain of the Inca) and then embark for Copacabana.
Return to La Paz (3 to 4 hours) in the afternoon.
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel ***.
4WD expedition from La Paz to Paz: off beaten tracks

7:30AM Departure from the hotel in a private vehicle for a North to South crossing of the Altiplano. After lunch in the village of Challapata, we head for Potosi. Afternoon arrival in the colonial city registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (9-hour trip).
Lunch included and dinner open. Hotel **.

JWe dedicate this day to the discovery of Potosi, nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
At 9 a.m., we meet in the hotel lobby to visit the mines of Cerro Rico where we can meet miners in their environment. In the afternoon, we visit the Casa de la Moneda (closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays), where the Spanish minted the coins for the crown until the 19th century.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.

Departure from hotel at 9 a.m. in our private 4WD. We cross the Chichas region known for its local fermented corn beer of the same name. Then, we skirt the Frailes Mountain range before arriving in the pleasant town of Tupiza. Red rocks and cactuses alternate with lush valleys and prolific orchards (about 6 hours).
Lunch on the road (included). Dinner open. Hotel **.

5 to 6-hour walk – Good physical condition required This beautiful loop takes us through canyons and interesting geological formations of the mountains West of Tupiza: Puerta del Diablo, Valle de los Machos (rock formations resembling phallic symbols), Canyon of the Inca and Petrified forest of Waykho… View over Tupiza, Río Juan de Oro and the site of the “Sillar”…
The effects of the light on the Quebrada de Palala, when we return to Tupiza in the afternoon, will definitely make photographers happy.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel **.

We enter Argentina via the frontier post of Villazón before entering the Humahuaca Canyon. A small detour takes us to the charming village of Iruya with its beautiful stones houses and its incredible view over the surrounding “Quebradas”. We then follow on to Tilcara, a village dominated by the “Pucara”, pre-Colombian fortress that was renovated by the Archeological school of Buenos Aires
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel **.

Short hike to the Pucara located on a hill about a kilometer from the village and to the altitude botanical garden next door. We, then, keep on heading south and past the small village of Purmamarca, entry door to an area called “la Paleta del Pintor”. We drive through colorful rock formations and green orchards before reaching Jujuy and finally Salta, “La Linda”, the Argentinean town which has the most preserved its Colonial and Andean style.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

The road climbs through magnificent scenery, with the cordillera de los Andes as a backdrop. Along the way, the cactuses are slowly replaced by the ichu (grass endemic to the Altiplano). We pass a few villages along the way. A 4900 m.a.s.l. Pass allows us to reach San Antonio de los Cobres and its famous viaduct of la Polvorilla, which seems suspended in the air. We follow on until we reach our destination of the day Susques after crossing the vast white plain of Salinas Grandes contrasting strongly with the pure blue of the sky.
Cold lunch. All included. Hotel **.

We cross the border in Susques … Our passport stamped, we enter Chile! A long deserted dirt road takes us to the Jama Pass (el. 4225 m.a.s.l.) before descending towards the scorching Atacama Desert. In the afternoon, we reach the oasis of San Pedro.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel **.
OPTION: At nightfall, we depart with an astronomer for the observatory of San Pedro, for a “discovery of austral skies”. After 2 hours of observation with the naked eye and with a telescope, we return to the village, where we complete the explanations around a hot drink.
Note: excursion open to other participants (15 persons maximum)
- OPTION AUSTRAL SKY: $ 25 US / person.

Departure At 4 a.m. towards the Tatio where we admire the geysers roaring in the cold air of the Altiplano. The valley looks like a giant pot. Water spurts here and there. This geological curiosity mixed a ground still frozen to clear water springs at more than 70°C. (2h30-trip). Option to bathe in one of the cooler hot springs. Return before noon to San Pedro by the Valley de Machuca.
At 4:30PM, our vehicle takes us to the Cordillera de Sal and the Valley of the Moon, where we walk though imposing scenery made of dunes and sculpted Sandstone Mountains. We admire the sunset (superb colors over the contorted landscape) before returning to San Pedro, cool oasis in the middle of the scorching Atacama Desert.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.

A steep ascent to the Altiplano takes us to the border post of Hito Cajón, entry point into the region of Lipez. We reach Laguna Verde, at the foot of volcanoes Juriques and Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) before noon, to witness a curious phenomenon: the wind picks up and the waters of Laguna Verde change to a spectacular emerald color.
Then we cross the Dali Desert (named after its scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings) before skirting Laguna Salada and stopping at the thermal baths of Polques.
Finally we arrive at the Sol de Mañana Geysers (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and heavy water. At the end of the day we reach Laguna Colorada. This laguna owes its intense red-brick color to the presence in its water of millions of shellfish Artemia, well studied by scientists for their incredible adaptability in saline environment.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in a shelter (basic comfort).

We head north through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli desert and its famous “Arbol de Piedra” (Stone Tree) where we may be able to spot some viscachas. We then skirt the Chilean border following the “Route of the Jewels”: lagoons Ramaditas, Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa, a sanctuary to 3 different types of flamingoes. We stop at the viewpoint of volcano Ollague. This active volcano hosts the world’s highest sulfur mine.
The track then drops from around 4200 meters above sea level to 3600. We cross the small Salar de Chiguana at the foot of volcano Tomasamil (el. 5900 m.a.s.l.) before arriving in the village of San Juan where are located the spectacular mummies of the “Lipez Lords” (1200 A.D.).
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

A 2-hour trip from San Juan will take us to the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.), the largest salt desert in the world. The atmosphere is special: the horizon seems to not have any limits and the immensity is overwhelming. We head north to the Island of Incahuasi. This Island is of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites (fossilized bacteria representing the first traces of life on earth) and giant cactuses.
In the afternoon we cross the Salar to reach its Northern extremity, at the foot of volcano Tunupa. We stop in Coquesa, a small village on the shores of the salar, known for its Chipaya mummies, before arriving at Jirira.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Lupe and Don Carlos in the Aymara village of Jirira (basic comfort).

With guide – No technical difficulty – Good physical condition required
Early departure for the ascent of the volcano that dominates the whole of the Salar (our 4WD drops us off at the end of the dirt road above the village). In about 4 hours, we reach the viewpoint (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.) that offers an exceptional panorama. The summit (el. 5400 m.a.s.l.) can’t be attempted because of the potential danger due to the necessity of climbing over some cliffs. Return to Jirira in the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Lupe and Don Carlos’ (basic comfort).
Ascent time: 7 h; Elevation gain: +850m/-850m

Early departure for our long crossing of the Altiplano (8 to 10-hour journey). At around noon, we arrive in the village of Challapata, where the dirt road ends and the pavement starts.
Lunch on the way (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.

Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.