6-Days Discovering 2 of the World's Largest Salt Flats, Atacama & Uyuni

Day 1 · Welcome to Atacama: Moon Valley Landscapes

1. 1

   San Pedro de Atacama

   1 h 30 min

   Reception at Calama Airport and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

2. 2

   Valle De La Luna

   4 hours Admission included

   In the afternoon, departure from the hotel to the Moon Valley., declared a Nature Sanctuary and Monument and protected by the uniqueness of its beauty. It consists of a depression surrounded by small hills with impressively sharp peaks. We will see the Dinosaur Valley and Death Valley, where there is a spectacular panoramic view of the area. We continue to the Moon Valley, where we will find geological formations that are the result of successive foldings of the earth's crust. In the valley is possible to appreciate the salt sculptures known as Las Tres Marias, formed by wind erosion. Continuing with the tour we will walk through the interior of the caves that remain from the old deposits, to get closer to valley where is the Big Dune. After a break, we will climb this dune, which impresses with its size and is used for extreme sports as snowboarding At sunset, a bold palette of golds and reds appear, touching the soul and sensibilities of the visitor. Return to hotel.

Overnight at a Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (breakfast and taxes included)

Day 2 · Rainbow Valley & Atacama Salt Flat Exploration

1. 1

   Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs

   4 hours Admission included

   After breakfast, we depart from San Pedro de Atacama and travel westward to find the Domeyko mountain range and reach Yerbas Buenas. This sector is of great historical and archaeological importance, since we will see one of the most significant rock art expressions of the region, depicted in several panels of petroglyphs. It is believed that in this sector used to be a lagoon that was used as a resting place by ancient caravans of native peoples and camelids. This place will take us back to the Atacameño indigenous past. Next, after crossing the Matancilla Valley, we will reach the Valle del Arcoíris (Rainbow Valley), which is named after the different colors that minerals give to the mountains. Green, purple, white and red colors will catch the attention of visitors. There are very few sites such as this in the world. We will walk around to take it all in, recording it in our memory and photographs. Afterwards, we will take the highway to return to San Pedro de Atacama.

2. 2

   Salar de Atacama

   4 hours Admission included

   Late afternoon, we depart from San Pedro de Atacama. During our journey we will be accompanied at all times by the beauty of the Andes Mountain Range and its volcanoes, as well as trees such as carobs, chañares and tamarugos. We will reach Toconao, a town built with pumice stone: visit its square full of history and its bell tower built in 1750 with adobe and cactus wood. .

   Finally, heading south we find the Soncor sector of the large Atacama Salt Flat, one of the seven sites that make up Los Flamencos National Reserve. At Chaxa Lagoon, we will be able to enjoy watching a variety of bird species, including the three types of flamingos that inhabit Chile -Andean, Chilean and James’- and the pink color of their feathers. The deep blue of the Atacama sky, the altitudes of the Andean volcanoes and the red sunset will bid us farewell before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

Overnight at a Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (breakfast and taxes included)

Day 3 · Colors of the Bolivian Altiplano

1. 1

   Laguna Blanca

   Passing by

   Pick up from San Pedro de Atacama hotel and transfer to Hito Cajon (border line Chile-Bolivia),Meet at the Hito Cajón border, where a vehicle change will take place before starting the journey across the Bolivian Altiplano. Visit Laguna Blanca and the Licancabur Volcano viewpoint to admire the striking colors of Laguna Verde. Continue to the unique Salvador Dalí Stone Formations, followed by a stop at the Polques Hot Springs, with naturally heated waters of approximately 38°C.

2. 2

   Geiser Sol de la Manana

   2 hours Admission included

   The route then leads to the Sol de Mañana geysers, located at 5,770 meters above sea level, before continuing to Laguna Colorada, home to three species of flamingos. The day concludes with visits to the Siloli Desert and the iconic Stone Tree, before heading to the lodge for overnight accommodation.

Overnight in a 3 star hotel (Breakfast and taxes included)

Day 4 · Altiplanic Lagoons & Ollagüe Volcano

1. 1

   Stop 1

   10 hours

   After breakfast, travel across the Bolivian Altiplano to visit the high-altitude lagoons of Cañapa, Hedionda, Honda, Chiarcota, and Ramaditas, important feeding and resting sites for flamingos. Continue to the Ollagüe Volcano viewpoint, a semi-active volcano at 5,865 meters above sea level, where fumarolic activity can be observed. The day concludes with the transfer to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Overnight in a 3 star hotel (Breakfast and taxes included)

Day 5 · Uyuni Salt Flat & Incahuasi Island

1. 1

   Uyuni

   10 hours

   After breakfast, visit Uyuni’s Train Cemetery and the village of Colchani to discover traditional salt processing and local handicrafts. Continue onto the Uyuni Salt Flat, passing salt mounds, saline water eyes, the Dakar Rally Monument, the Flags Plaza, and the former Salt Hotel, now a museum and restaurant, where lunch or a picnic on the salt flat will be enjoyed, weather permitting.

   In the afternoon, visit the iconic salt sculptures and Incahuasi Island, known for its giant cacti. A short walk to the summit offers panoramic views of the vast white landscape, followed by scenic stops for perspective photos before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in a 3 star hotel (Breakfast and taxes included)

Day 6 · Final Andean Crossing & Departure

1. 1

   San Pedro de Atacama

   8 hours

   Departure at 08:30 a.m. towards the Hito Cajón border, where the corresponding transfer and vehicle change will take place, marking the continuation of the journey across the Andean landscapes.After the vehicle change at the border, continue the journey towards the destination, arriving at Calama Airport for your onward travel.

   And that’s a wrap! We hope you had an amazing time exploring Chile & Bolivia and created unforgettable memories along the way. From all of us at Trip to South America, thanks for being part of our traveler community! See you on your next adventure!