Journeys: Discover Bolivia & Chile — G Adventures | TripFinder.ca
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Journeys: Discover Bolivia & Chile
From
CAD 4,449
Duration
8 days
Countries
Chile, Bolivia
Activity
moderate
The adventure
From the sky-high energy of La Paz to the vast expanse of the Uyuni salt flats, this journey crosses the wild plateaus of South America. Share meals cooked with regional grains, cross high-altitude deserts by 4x4 alongside local hosts, and watch the sun set over otherworldly volcanic landscapes. Discover the deep-rooted traditions and natural wonders of Bolivia and Chile together.
◆Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
◆Set out on foot, by van, and on the city's famous aerial cable cars to explore La Paz alongside a local guide. Gliding over the colourful rooftops, watch the city's unique geography unfold below before stepping into lively plazas and traditional markets brimming with textiles and regional herbs. The afternoon is yours to explore independent art galleries or relax at a café. Later, gather at a popular restaurant for an interactive culinary experience. Guided by a local chef, discover how ancestral foods like quinoa are woven into contemporary dishes, sampling a tasting menu while discussing La Paz's rise as a culinary destination.
◆
Board an early morning flight from La Paz to Uyuni, landing near the vast, open plains of the high Altiplano. Head straight onto the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on Earth, where the white horizon stretches endlessly under the blue sky. Learn how salt is harvested using age-old techniques, then gather for a picnic lunch set directly on the blindingly white expanse. Check into your hotel in the early afternoon to rest and settle in. As evening approaches, take a brief drive back out onto the flats to watch the sky shift through shades of pink and orange as the light fades into evening.
◆Climb into 4x4 vehicles to begin a two-day journey across the mountain desert, where towering volcanoes and sculpted rock formations frame the horizon. Stop at the Jukil community, a G Adventures-supported project, to share a meal and learn about daily life in this remote environment. Continue through dramatic landscapes, pausing at viewpoints near San Juan, the Chiguana salt flat, the snow-draped Ollague volcano, and Laguna Cañapa. Keep an eye out for high-altitude wildlife and flamingos gathering along the shores of mineral-rich lakes. Arrive by late afternoon at your lodge set right beside Laguna Hedionda, settling in for a dinner surrounded by the stillness of the high plateau.
◆Resume your 4x4 crossing through the desert, navigating through the surreal sandstone formations of the Valley of the Rocks and stopping to marvel at the Árbol de Piedra, a stone tree carved by centuries of wind. Enjoy lunch together, then continue past multi-coloured lakes, including the bright red waters of Laguna Colorada, before driving through steaming geyser fields and natural hot springs. Near the foot of the towering Licancabur Volcano and the emerald waters of Laguna Verde, cross the border into Chile. Descend into the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, where the warm desert air welcomes you for a free evening to dine at your leisure.
◆Spend a free day in San Pedro de Atacama at your own pace. Choose to rent a bicycle to ride through nearby desert canyons, visit local archaeological ruins, or relax under the trees in the town plaza. In the late afternoon, gather to travel into the Valle de la Luna. Walk across rippled sand dunes and sculpted salt caverns as the afternoon light transforms the Valley of the Moon into deep shades of red and gold. Find a quiet vantage point to watch the sun dip below the horizon, casting the Andes in brilliant light before returning to town for the evening.
◆Travel to Calama for a morning flight to Chile's bustling capital, Santiago. Upon landing, see some of the sights on the way to the hotel, taking in the contrast of historical plazas, leafy neighbourhoods, and the dramatic backdrop of the snow-topped Andes mountains rising just beyond the city limits. Take a bit of downtime at the hotel or explore the surrounding area before joining your group in the evening for an optional dinner to toast the unforgettable landscapes and shared moments of the trip.
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2Set out on footLa Paz
La Paz
Set out on foot, by van, and on the city's famous aerial cable cars to explore La Paz alongside a local guide. Gliding over the colourful rooftops, watch the city's unique geography unfold below before stepping into lively plazas and traditional markets brimming with textiles and regional herbs. The afternoon is yours to explore independent art galleries or relax at a café. Later, gather at a popular restaurant for an interactive culinary experience. Guided by a local chef, discover how ancestral foods like quinoa are woven into contemporary dishes, sampling a tasting menu while discussing La Paz's rise as a culinary destination.
Day 3Board an early morning flight from La Paz…
La Paz
Board an early morning flight from La Paz to Uyuni, landing near the vast, open plains of the high Altiplano. Head straight onto the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on Earth, where the white horizon stretches endlessly under the blue sky. Learn how salt is harvested using age-old techniques, then gather for a picnic lunch set directly on the blindingly white expanse. Check into your hotel in the early afternoon to rest and settle in. As evening approaches, take a brief drive back out onto the flats to watch the sky shift through shades of pink and orange as the light fades into evening.
Day 4Climb into 4x4 vehicles to begin a two-day…
Climb into 4x4 vehicles to begin a two-day journey across the mountain desert, where towering volcanoes and sculpted rock formations frame the horizon. Stop at the Jukil community, a G Adventures-supported project, to share a meal and learn about daily life in this remote environment. Continue through dramatic landscapes, pausing at viewpoints near San Juan, the Chiguana salt flat, the snow-draped Ollague volcano, and Laguna Cañapa. Keep an eye out for high-altitude wildlife and flamingos gathering along the shores of mineral-rich lakes. Arrive by late afternoon at your lodge set right beside Laguna Hedionda, settling in for a dinner surrounded by the stillness of the high plateau.
Day 5Resume your 4x4 crossing through the desert
Resume your 4x4 crossing through the desert, navigating through the surreal sandstone formations of the Valley of the Rocks and stopping to marvel at the Árbol de Piedra, a stone tree carved by centuries of wind. Enjoy lunch together, then continue past multi-coloured lakes, including the bright red waters of Laguna Colorada, before driving through steaming geyser fields and natural hot springs. Near the foot of the towering Licancabur Volcano and the emerald waters of Laguna Verde, cross the border into Chile. Descend into the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, where the warm desert air welcomes you for a free evening to dine at your leisure.
Day 6Spend a free day in San Pedro de…
Spend a free day in San Pedro de Atacama at your own pace. Choose to rent a bicycle to ride through nearby desert canyons, visit local archaeological ruins, or relax under the trees in the town plaza. In the late afternoon, gather to travel into the Valle de la Luna. Walk across rippled sand dunes and sculpted salt caverns as the afternoon light transforms the Valley of the Moon into deep shades of red and gold. Find a quiet vantage point to watch the sun dip below the horizon, casting the Andes in brilliant light before returning to town for the evening.
Day 7Travel to Calama for a morning flight…Santiago
Santiago
Travel to Calama for a morning flight to Chile's bustling capital, Santiago. Upon landing, see some of the sights on the way to the hotel, taking in the contrast of historical plazas, leafy neighbourhoods, and the dramatic backdrop of the snow-topped Andes mountains rising just beyond the city limits. Take a bit of downtime at the hotel or explore the surrounding area before joining your group in the evening for an optional dinner to toast the unforgettable landscapes and shared moments of the trip.
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