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1. The ALTIPLANO: LAKES, SALT FLATS & VOLCANOES (5 days) Tour
Code: 4WD-ALT-5 Rating: Moderate
2. The ALTIPLANO: Lakes, Salt Flats, Volcanoes & Colonial Cities
(10 days) Tour Code: 4WD-ALT-10 Rating:
Moderate
The 4wd overland journeys across Bolivia's famed Altiplano are what overland
journeys should be about - great open spaces, abundant ancient history,
unique flora and fauna and landscapes that will leave you breathless.
Depending on the season some of these journeys can be easy until you traqvel
to the world's largest Salt Flat - Salar de Uyuni and then head further
south to the Sud Lipez region and visit Laguna Colorada in Eduardo Abaroa
National Reserve of Andean Fauna and see literally thousands of pink flamingos!
We like to combine way-off places with visits to the colonial cities in
order to truly appreciate the kind of desolation the Spaniards experienced
here while they were plundering Bolivia of it's gold and silver. That
is why a visit to the colonial city of Potosi is a must! From Potosi one
can visit the capital of Bolivia and learn about the turbulent history
of Bolivia and appreciate the times of leisure and arts and accepted customs
that make Bolivia so special.
1. The ALTIPLANO: LAKES, SALT FLATS & VOLCANOES (5 days) Tour
Code: 4WD-ALT-5 Rating: Moderate
This quick getaway tour is designed for those that don’t have a
lot of time but want to experience one of the most impressive regions
that Bolivia offers - the Altiplano. We head south to the world’s
biggest Salt Flat; Salar de Uyuni and we camp on ancient islands and visit
villages and train graveyards as well as travel across the expansive Altiplano
region from north to south and back to La Paz. A quick but impressive
tour.
 DAILY ITINERARY
We recommend at least two days of acclimatization in La Paz before
beginning this tour as you will be travelling at altitudes between 10
- 13,000' asl. Please read the altitude information for details.
Day 1: La Paz - Oruro - Jirira
A very early departure from the lofty city of La Paz heading south on
the Altiplano (av. height 3,600 mts.). Our first destination is the old
mining city of Oruro. On the way we will visit some “Chullpas",
the ancient funerary structures from the Aymara kingdoms which were constructed
of adobe and woven straw. After a short visit to this city we continue
south along Lake Poopo and arrive in the village of Jirira at the northern
end of the Salar de Uyuni and strategically located below the ancient
volcano named Thunupa. Accommodations are in a family-run bed and breakfast.
(B,L,D)
Day 2: Jirira - Salar de Uyuni - Isla Pescado
After a tour of this quaint village we head into the Uyuni Salt Flat.
This is one of the most impressive landcapes in South America, bar none.
The blinding spectacle is hard to imagine and the immensity of it is only
realized when we arrive at our campsite, Fish Island. This island sits
in the central portion of the flat and has a 360 degree summit view of
volcanoes, deserts and mountains. Camp on the island. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Isla Pescado - Llica
After breakfast and a walk around the island, we head northwest to one
of the few exits out of the salt flat. On the way we will see the splendor
of the Salar de Uyuni as we head towards the volcanoes that border with
Chile. Our destination is the village of Llica, a quaint little village
that sits on the border of the salt flat and is a main center for the
commerce that passes through that region and where a teachers college
is located. We will get a chance to visit the village and have lunch.
We will find a suitable site for our camp site and camp for the night.
(B,L,D)
Day 4: Llica - Jirira
After breakfast we will return across the Salar de Uyuni and head to the
desolate town of Uyuni which sits on the eastern edge of the salt flat.
We will visit the old train graveyard and re-fuel four our continued trip
north to Jirira once again. We will arrive in Jirira in the late afternoon
in time to catch the sunset. Accommodations in a bed & breakfast.
(B,L,D)
Day 5: Jirira - Oruro - La Paz
An early departure north will take us across the Altiplano once again
as we return to La Paz. Lunch en route. We will arrive in La Paz in the
early evening.* (B,L) Hotel in La Paz is not included in itinerary.
*********
2. The ALTIPLANO: Lakes, Salt Flats, Volcanoes &
Colonial Cities (10 days) Tour Code:
4WD-ALT-10 Rating: Moderate
This tour is designed to incorporate travel along the length of the Altiplano
and to include some of the famous cities of Oruro, Potosi and Sucre as
well. After acclimatizing on Lake Titicaca we head south and camp in the
Salar de Uyuni. We continue to the Red Lagoon and return via Uyuni to
Potosi and Sucre where we get to learn about the colonial cities of Spain
and our ties with the Old World. A complete trip with adventure, panoramic
vistas and history as well. A wonderful introduction into what the Bolivian
highlands and Altiplano are all about.
DAILY ITINERARY
DEPART U.S.: Flights to Bolivia depart late in the evening from
Miami. Please contact our ticketing agent GEO Travel 1-800-938-7285 for
reservations. International air is not included in this itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in La Paz - PM city tour
Arrive at El Alto International Airport in La Paz in the early morning.
Transfer to hotel and free morning to rest and acclimatize. Lunch. We
have a city tour in the afternoon to see the impressive setting where
La Paz sits. There is a group meeting in the early evening with trip leaders
and participants to check plans and prepare for the trip. Dinner on your
own. *To acclimatize better, we recommend plenty of rest, eating lightly
and drinking lots of water and mate de coca (coca tea). (L)
Day 2: La Paz - Tiwanaku - Lake Titicaca
In the morning we head to the city of Tiwanaku to visit the partially
excavated ruins of that ancient culture. Lunch. Afterwards we head to
Lake Titicaca, the jewel of the Andes. Our hotel, situated next to the
lake, is the perfect place to wind down after the day's activities. Overnight
accommodations and dinner for the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Lake Titicaca - Oruro
We head south on the Altiplano to the old mining city of Oruro. On the
way we will visit some "Chullpas", ancient funerary structures
from the Aymara kingdoms which were constructed of adobe and woven straw.
Along the way you will see the great variety of terrain that the Altiplano
actually encompasses - it's not flat by any stretch of the imagination.
We arrive in the afternoon to Oruro and check into our hotel. Dinner and
hotel accommodations in town. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Oruro - Salar de Uyuni
An early morning trip to eat a typical Andean breakfast of api and llauchas.
Afterwards we leave Oruro and head further south into the Altiplano. Along
the way we pass large desolate grasslands, Lake Poopo and many small villages
which are tucked into hillsides and ridges. We are headed into the lowest
part of the Altiplano and see many salt flats, the remnants of a large
inland lake from millennia ago. In the afternoon we finally see the Salar
de Uyuni, the world's biggest salt flat (12,000+ sq. kilometers). Our
destination is the village of Jirira situated at the northern edge of
this ancient lake below Thunupa Volcano. Afterwards we continue south
into the Uyuni Salt flat and camp on a secluded island for the night.
(B,L,D)
Day 5: Salar de Uyuni - Laguna Edionda
Waking up on an island in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni will convince
you that this is one of the most impressive landscapes in South America
- bar none. The blinding spectacle is hard to imagine and the immensity
of it is only realized when we head to the top of the island for a 360
degree view before us volcanoes, deserts and distant mountains. Afterwards
we head south to one of the few exits out of the salt flat. On the way
we will see spectacular cliffs, salt flats, ravines, volcanic landscapes
and ancient burial grounds from past civilizations. The road climbs along
ancient volcanic ridges as we ascend to the high altitude deserts common
to this area, reminiscent of the Tibetan Plateau. Our campsite (4,200
mts.) is next to a lagoon surrounded by volcanoes and the roosting place
for pink flamingos. Our camps will be progressively higher the further
south we go. Camp for the night. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Laguna Edionda - Laguna Colorada
We head south into the desert where weathered volcanoes reveal an infinite
variety of pastel colors across their flanks. The volcanic debris is evident
everywhere and we'll have time to see it up-close. Many lagoons harbor
flamingos and if we're lucky we might spot some Suri (Andean ostrich)
on the plains. In the afternoon we pass through the region where fantastically
eroded rock sentinels are found at around 4,900 mts. and finally rrive
at the famous Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) where hundreds of flamingos
live. In the summer season this in one of the largest breeding colonies
in the Andes. Camp next to Laguna Colorada. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Laguna Colorada - Sud Lipez region
After breakfast we begin our return trip north. Winding our way through
vast open stretches of 'ichu' grass plains and ancient volcanic flows
we will head through canyon lands and arrive at the edge of an immense
volcanic plain. We will see more lagoons and salt flats along the way
and seek a secluded camp in protected canyons. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Sud Lipez region - Uyuni
We will continue north after breakfast following the winding road as it
moulds itself to the irregular landscape of the Sud Lipez region. The
winding dirt road seems to go on forever until we arrive at the beginning
of the Red Desert. hoosing a route through this maze will be important
and we will begin to see the Uyuni Salt Flat off to the west, as we arrive
in the town of Uyuni. We will have basic hotel accommodations for the
evening. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Uyuni - Potosi
In the morning we will head east and head to the imperial colonial city
of Potosi. The terrain and scenery along the way encompasses river canyons,
ridges, and abandoned mining centers. The red earth and weeping willows
are a beautiful contrast to the monochromatic Altiplano we just left.
In the early afternoon you will arrive in the world's highest city, Potosi.
Its setting is nothing short of spectacular and its height will take your
breath away, literally. A visit to some of the museums is a must. Hotel
accommodations for the evening and dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Potosi - Sucre
In the morning we will head to the colonial city of Sucre where we can
enjoy a nice city tour of this very pretty and uaint city. Lunch in the
city. Afterwards we will head to the airport where you will catch your
return flight to La Paz and arrive in the late afternoon.
(Please note: the airfare from Sucre to La Paz is NOT included
in this itinerary. (B,L)
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