On the road between the Argentinea Northeast and the Salar de Atacama in Chile, why not make a detour to the Lipez area? It is in this forsaken part of Bolivia that are hidden the most beautiful gems of the Altiplano: high-altitude lagunas, deserts, omnipresent volcanoes and let’s not forget the salar de Uyuni, the largest salt lake in the world.

This very unique tour alternates between treks and 4WD expedition. For seasoned open-space lovers.

We meet our 4WD at the Argentinean – Bolivia border. Transfer to the pleasant town of Tupiza (3 hours on a dirt road).
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **..

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 (of volcanic origin, covered with stromatolites and giant cacti). In the afternoon, we cross 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.) can’t be attempted because of the potential danger due to the necessity of climbing over 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

In the morning we visit Coquesa, little village on the shores of the salar, famous for its Chipayas mummies. We then cross the salar from north to south to reach the village of San Pedro de Quemez (3/4h). On the way we stop at “Devil’s Cave”. After crossing the small salar de Chiguana, the track climbs from 3600 m to about 4200 m of elevation. We skirt the base of the volcanoes Tomasamil (el.5900 m.a.s.l.) and Ollague (still active), on the Chilean border. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive at Laguna Hedionda, real paradise for pink flamingoes.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in Ecolodge ****.

We head south, along the Chilean border. We follow the “jewels route”: lagunas Ch’arkota, Honda, Ramaditas, sanctuary to 3 varieties of pink flamingoes. The track then crosses the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli desert before arriving at the laguna Colorada. We keep on going towards the South for an excursion to the geysers Sol de Mañana (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and heavy water. We then skirt the laguna Salada before crossing the Dali Desert (named after the scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings). We reach the laguna Verde, at the foot of volcano Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) at the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (Basic comfort).

In the morning, we cross the Bolivian border in Hito Cajon, on the slopes of the volcano Licancabur. After an hour descent, we enter San Pedro de Atacama (Chilean border).
In the afternoon, our vehicle takes us to the Cordillera de Sal and to the Valley of the Moon, where we walk through an impressive panorama of dunes and sculpted limestone mountains.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.