(Option to organize of a stay in Cuzco – Machu Picchu – Titicaca – La Paz)

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in our private 4WD for a long stage. The entire Altiplano and deep Bolivia are exposed to our eyes. 3 hours on a paved road take us to Oruro, a town famous for its indigenous carnival, the most important in South America after the one in Rio de Janeiro. An hour and a half later, we find ourselves on the dirt road in the village of Challapata. Arrival in the town of Uyuni in the late afternoon (from Challapata, 4 hours on a dirt road).
For a pleasant evening, we recommend the bar-restaurant La Loco. Hotel in Uyuni.

9 a.m. departure from the Hotel with our 4WD for the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.), the world’s largest salt desert. On the way, we visit the salt exploitation of Colchani and the Salt Hotels (closed since November 2001). We then stop in the heart of the Salar on the Island of Incahuasi. This island is of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites and giant cacti (Stomatolites are fossilized bacterial colonies, first traces of life on earth).
In the afternoon, we traverse the Salar until we reach its Northern extremity at the foot of volcano Tunupa.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging 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 dominating the entire 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.) offering an exceptional panorama. The summit (el. 5400 m.a.s.l.) cannot be attempted because of the potential danger due to the presence of rock bands obstructing the way.
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/loss: +850m/-850m

After leaving San Juan, we cross the Salar de Chiguana. From there, the dirt road climbs from 3600 m to about 4200 m of altitude. We pass at the foot of volcanoes Tomasamil (el. 5900 m.a.s.l.) and Ollague (still active), on the Chilean border. We stop at the mirador of volcano Ollague, still active and sheltering one of the world’s highest sulfur mines. We then skirt the Chilean border going south following the “Road of the jewels”: lagunas Cañapa, Hedionda, Ch’arkota, Honda, sanctuary to three varieties of Flamingos. The track continues on through the beautiful scenery of the Siloli Desert and its famous “Stone Tree” where we can sometimes spot viscachas, before arriving, in the afternoon, at Laguna Colorada. This laguna owes its intense red-brick color to the light sensitive phytoplankton present in its water.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in shelter (basic comfort).

We depart very early in the morning for an excursion to the Sol de Mañana Geysers `(el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and heavy water. We then stop for breakfast in Polques before skirting Laguna Salada and crossing the Dali Desert (named after the scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings). 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.
We cross the Bolivian border in Hito Cajon in the early hours of the afternoon and after an hour-long descent we reach San Pedro de Atacama (Chilean border), a refreshing oasis in the middle of the scorching Atacama Desert.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel.

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA / GEYSERS OF TATIO – VALLEY OF THE MOON We depart 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 mixes a ground still frozen to clear water springs at more than 70°C. (2½-hour trip). Option to bathe in one of the cooler hot springs. Return before noon to San Pedro by the Valley de Machuca.
At 4:30 p.m., our vehicle takes us to the Cordillera de Sal and the Valley of the Moon, where we walk though impressive landscapes made of dunes and sculpted Sandstone Mountains. We admire the sunset (superb colors over the contorted scenery) before returning to San Pedro, cool oasis in the middle of the scorching Atacama Desert.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

We cross the Atacama Salar and then follow a seldom used dirt road (what you have heard about this region takes on its true meaning… It is one of the most arid and isolated places on earth...). We then start our descent towards the Pacific. Camping on the ocean shore near the port town of Antofagasta.

We reach the Pan de Azucar National Park. Option of a boat excursion to see penguins and sea elephants...

Nice scenic drive along the Pacific coast to reach the resort town of La Serena. La Serena is the most famous holiday destination in Chile: superb beaches, clubs, and restaurants...
Camping.

Another long drive (close to 250 miles) to reach the national park of “Valle de la Luna” in Argentina. Camping in San Jose.

Excursion dans le parc national jusqu'au village de San Juan. Camping ou auberge à San Juan.

Option to visit an astrological observatory on the way to Puente del Inca. From there we will be able to take a peak at the famous Aconcagua (highest point of the continent). Camping.

We return towards the Chilean capital, Santiago. End of the day open in Santiago. Night in a hotel.

Another driving day to reach the Lake Region. We are now driving through a more lush area, more humid, with rolling hills. We enter the Conguillo National Park. A striking area that takes us to Puerto Montt, from where will start our trip through Patagonia. Camping at the foot of volcano Llaima, the highest point of the area.

Trekking day before climbing on board our 4WD again in the direction of the town of VILLARICA. Camping.

Morning open on the shores of Lake Villarica (numerous activities available). In the background: the numerous volcanoes of the area. We then drive to Pucòn (1-hour), the tourist center of the region. A pleasant village, offering numerous activities in the surrounding areas (sailing – parachute – rafting – etc...). Camping.

Day open. During our last trip, half of the team chose to do a rafting descent of the Class IV River; the other half chose to climb Volcano Villarica. Camping.

Visit of the other national Park, surely the most known of the area. Camping on the shores of Lake Llanquihue and at the foot of the impressive Volcano Osorno.

Trek on the hillsides or attempt of Volcano Osorno’s ascent (mountaineering equipment and permit required). Then drive to the shores of the gem of the area, Todos los Santos Lakes. Camping on the banks of a river.

The days 21 and 22 are dedicated to the Jesuit’s trek, which makes us cross on foot a virtually untouched area, isolated from the rest of the country (no roads or electric lines). The most beautiful trek of the Lake region.
Crossing of Lake Todos Los Santos to El rincon. 5/6-hour walk to the shelter.

We continue our trek to Lake Rupanco (7-hour walk). Camping at El Poncho or at El Islote.

We leave the Lake region to reach the Island Chiloe, an island not like the others in the Chilean culture. A short crossing by boat takes us to this charming island that will remind you of Ireland. Camping. The visit of Chiloe Island can be cancelled depending on unforeseeable circumstances or in case of technical problems.

Day to visit the island. Camping.

Excursion on Chiloe Island before returning to Puerto Montt, entry way to Patagonia. Hotel.

From Puerto Montt, we embark a ship of the NAVIMAG Company for a three and ½ day cruise through the canals of Patagonia. We spot dolphins, des penguins, and sometimes whales in magnificent sceneries, totally inaccessible, and in the distance we can discern the glaciers dropping in the waters of the Pacific.

The boat arrives in Puerto Natales at around 10 a.m. After lunch in Puerto Natales, we cross the Argentinean border to reach the town of de Calafate, departure of the excursions in LOS GLACIARES National Park. Camping and Argentinean meat!

Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier skirting Lake Argentino (an other wonders Patagonia). We can admire the deep bleu of millennial glacier. Transfer to El Chalten. We arrive in the Park and camp in front of the impressive Fitz Roy to celebrate the New Year…

Trek in the Cerro Torre Range – Fits Roy, the mythical summits. Camping in Chaiten.

On the road again… return to Chile… the journey goes on towards Torres del Paine National Park. We arrive in the Park Laguna Amarga from where we have a general view of the Tores del Paine. This park offers some of the best treks in the world. Camping in the park.

Trek to the Towers of Paine. Camping.

Trek tocampo Italiano. Bivouac.

Trek in the valley of the Frances – campo Britanico and then descent – Crossing of Lake Pehoe by boat. Then in our 4WD, we head to Puerto Natales. Modest hotel.

4WD drive to Argentina. Crossing of the Magellan Detroit. Camping near the Argentinean border.

Crossing of the South of Tierra del Fuego. Magnificent scenery until we reach Ushuaia, the most Austral ton in the world. Charming port and departure point for all excursions in Antarctica...
We made it… Fiesta until down!!!