Bolivia's geographic location is such that it can claim to be one of the most diverse nations in Latin America. It is a country where the lofty Andes fall away to the lowland majestic jungle. Lake Titicaca, the world's highest lake is certainly a highlight of trip here, while to the west lie the Andean mountains, rich in culture and beauty and offering some of South America's most dramatic landscapes.
Day 1 & 2 - London/La Paz
Fly from London to Madrid and take an overnight flight to Lima to connect to your onwards flight to La Paz. Arrive in this city surrounded by the lofty peaks of the Andes and transfer to your hotel.
Day 3 - La Paz
Discover the ruins of one of the oldest civilisations in the Americas at Tiwanaku. Delve into the mysteries of Bolivian traditions at the witches' market and admire the dramatic rock formations of the Moon Valley.
Day 4 - Lake Titicaca
Depart your hotel this morning to drive to Lake Titicaca and explore the lakeside town of Copacabana with its cathedral and local artisan market. Board your hydrofoil to cross the lake to Isla del Sol (Sun Island) for a short trek with llamas and their handlers to the simple but charming Posada del Inca. The gardens of the hotel offer panoramic sunset views over the lake.
Day 5 - Lake Titicaca/La Paz
Continue by hydrofoil across the Lake to the Urus-Iruitos floating reed islands. Visit the indigenous community there and enjoy crossing the serene waters of the Lake to Huatajata to explore the small Altiplano Museum. Return to La Paz to overnight.
Day 6 - La Paz / Sucre
Transfer from your hotel in La Paz to the airport for a short domestic flight to Sucre and transfer to your hotel. Sucre, founded in 1538, is the capital city of Bolivia. It is a colonial city bursting with history containing centuries-old churches, ancient buildings and museums filled with priceless colonial paintings, furniture and religious figures. Your accommodation for the next two nights is the Parador Santa Maria La Real, a delightful 18th century colonial mansion and boutique hotel in the heart of this historic city.
Day 7 - Sucre
Take a tour of Sucre visiting the Recoleta Mirador viewpoint and the San Felipe monastery. Also explore the House of Liberty where Simon Bolivar signed the Independence of Bolivia treaty, as well as Bolivar Park and the Ethnic Textile Museum ASUR, whose aim is to showcase historic and current indigenous art - traditional ethnic textiles that are still made in cultural areas close to the city of Sucre, especially the areas of Tarabuco and Jalq'a.
Day 8 - Sucre/Potosi/Uyuni
Depart Sucre by road to the silver mining town of Potosi. Visit the Casa de la Moneda (the Royal Mint) conserving the unique wooden machinery brought in 17th Century from Spain, Optional visit to a local co-operative mine where you can enter into the underground world of the mining community and their Mystic traditions. After lunch continue by road to Uyuni to your simple but unique hotel overlooking the Salar de Uyuni and constructed almost entirely of rock salt, the Hotel Luna Salada.
Day 9 - Uyuni Salt Flats/Ojo de Perdiz
Start your visit to the Salar de Uyuni, the highest and largest Salt Lake in the world (10,000 sq km) surrounded by a unique and impressive panorama of high altitude peaks and vast expanses of white salt crust interspersed by islands of giant cacti. Drive across the salt flat to Isla Pescado where you can find unique fauna and flora completely isolated for thousands of years by a vast white plain of salt, including its famous giant cacti. After lunch, leave the white expanse of the Salt Flats towards the red sands of the Siloli Desert via Soniquera where you will pass by spectacular rock formations such as the Stone Tree and alongside the small lagoons of Cañapa, Hedionda and Chiarcota arriving in the very remote desert location of Ojo de Perdiz in Bolivia's Sud Lipez region. Dinner and overnight at your rustic hotel.
Day 10 - Ojo de Perdiz/San Pedro de Atacama
Depart today by 4WD vehicle with your private driver and guide to arrive at the starkly beautiful scenery of the Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) where you will have chance to see several species of flamingos including the rare James flamingos. Continue to the Sol de Mañana fumaroles as well as the Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde (White and Green Lagoons respectively) at the foot of the impressive Llicancabur Volcano, whose lofty peak is reflected in the clear lake surface. Cross the border from Bolivia into Chile at Hito Cajon, where you will then take your private transfer down the highway into San Pedro de Atacama to a beautiful hotel and spa, Alto Atacama.
Day 11/12 - Atacama Desert
Discover this dramatic region on days of adventure with your experienced guides who offer you a selection of tours from which to choose during your stay. Explore archaeological sites, volcanoes, vivid mineral lakes and dramatic lunar landscapes by four wheel drive, on foot or by bicycle. You may like to spend a day relaxing in the hot springs or by the salt lagoons - however you choose to spend your time here, your guides will ensure you get the most out of this truly spectacular destination.
Day 13 - Calama/Santiago/London
Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama airport for your flight to Santiago. Continue on to fly from Santiago via Madrid to London, arriving UK Day 14.
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 13 day suggested journey in Bolivia & Chile will cost from £4,195 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There are no roads across the Salar de Uyuni and as far as the Bolivia / Chile border, so you will be travelling in modern 4WD vehicles on uneven terrain during these two days of explorations. The drives between Uyuni, Ojo de Perdiz and San Pedro de Atacama are long days driving on rough terrain but the unique and ever changing remote landscapes you encounter reward those with an adventurous spirit and these days culminate in your arrival at a comfortable oasis hotel in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.
Accommodation at the Salar de Uyuni and at Ojo de Perdiz in the desert is reasonably comfortable with ensuite facilities and hot water but is also rustic due to its remote location. We have selected the best accommodation available in the area and it has been chosen also for its charm, unique decor and most especially the spectacular locations but you should not expect a luxurious hotel of international standards.
First experience with A&K. Intended to ask various travel companies for quotes but Vicky (Agnew) was so good with her suggestions that we did not seek alternative quotations the suggested itinerary was excellent and helped us decide on a balanced and interesting holiday.
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