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Viajes explora
explora in Atacama & Uyuni Salt Flat in the Bolivian Altiplano

Located in the South-East of Bolivia, the Salar the Uyuni is one of the highest and largest salt flat in the world. The scenery in the Chilean and Bolivian altiplano, with its impressive colourful lagoons, Atacama Desert and Salt Flats, volcanoes and impressive Andes Mountain Range is truly impressive and is an unforgettable experience.

Season: April to December

Departure dates in 2010: On request

Duration: 11 days/10 nights

EXPLORA FROM UYUNI

Day 1 - From Potosí to the Uyuni Salt Flat
Morning departure from Potosí for your 4-hour journey towards the town of Uyuni where you will have the opportunity to visit its market.

Later, enter the Salar de Uyuni, which, with a surface area of over 10,000 Km² and located at 3,665 metres above sea level, is the world's largest. Surrounded by absolute solitude and silence, you will have the opportunity to trek across the surface, later climbing to the salt flat's highest 'island' where you will enjoy panoramic views of the landscape which seems to go on forever.

Continuing on your journey arrive at Tahua, a small town on the shores of the salt flat, where you will find your first campsite.

Day 2 - Around the Tunupa Volcano
Early start of your 3-4 hour trek to reach the foot of the Tunupa volcano. You can choose either to climb the volcano and enjoy views from the peak or visit any of the interesting sites in the surrounding area, an option which requires less time.

In the late afternoon, visit the small towns bordering the salt flat: Coquesa, Jirira and Tahua. Later return to your campsite in Tahua for overnight.

Day 3 - From Tahua to Chituca
Early in the morning continue your journey towards the Bolivian altiplano. In the morning you will explore geological formations and caves containing archaeological remains.

Lunch will be at Chituca, your second campsite, located at 3,750 metres. In the afternoon you will trek in the surrounding area where you will be able to see cultivated terraces, one of the most ancient ways of life in the altiplano's towns and the distinctive cactus forest which surrounds the campsite.

Day 4 - To Cañapa
In the morning set out on foot towards Cañapa and trek to the Turquiri Lagoon. In the afternoon continue the travesía until reaching Cañapa, your third and at 4,300 metres, highest-altitude campsite where you will spend the night. If there is enough daylight left, you will have the possibility to go on a trek to see some of the native fauna, including flamingos and vicuñas.

Day 5 - Crossing to Chile
After breakfast set out on a trek in the areas around Cañapa. Later you will come upon a series of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons, including the Colorada lagoon, an excellent location for viewing flamingos.

Then you will travel through the Sol de Mañana geothermal plain located at 4,700 metres, eventually reaching the Hito Cajón border pass at the extreme southeast corner of Bolivia. Cross over to Chile, arriving at the Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama) in San Pedro de Atacama.

Days 6 & 7 - in San Pedro de Atacama
While staying at Hotel de Larache, you can choose every day from a variety of different explorations. On foot, by bicycle, or on horseback; a couple of hours or a full day; relaxed or physically demanding. On these explorations, you will get to know the complex geography of Atacama, along with its wildlife and its ancient local cultures.

Day 8 - to Calama
Morning transfer to Calama airport on time for your outbound flight.

Lodging and Meals

Throughout the journey through the Bolivian altiplano, travellers sleep at campsites which are specially adapted for explora. The campsites have double rooms and separate bathrooms, with hot and cold water. Each room has campbeds cots with comfortable mattresses as well as sleeping bags and bed linen appropriate for the climate in the altiplano.

In addition to the sleeping quarters, each campsite has a kitchen and dining area.

The campsite construction varies, as each was built to be appropriate to its setting. Some are constructed out of insulated 40 foot steel shipping containers. Others have been reconstructed from stone and wood buildings which are hundreds of years old.

The last few days of the travesía will be spent in the Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama) in San Pedro.

Among the explora staff who accompany the travellers on the travesía there is a chef and kitchen assistants. The menu for the travesía was designed with the highest standards of quality and includes elaborate recipes with specially selected ingredients. Many of the ingredients we use are local, and the menu also includes some dishes which are typical to the areas explored in the travesía.

EXPLORA TO UYUNI

Day 1 - Arrival at San Pedro de Atacama
Upon arrival in Calama you will be met and taken to San Pedro de Atacama for a stay of four nights at the Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama) in San Pedro de Atacama.

Days 2, 3 & 4 - in San Pedro
Whilst staying at Hotel de Larache, each day you can choose from a variety of different explorations. On foot, by bicycle, on horseback; a couple of hours or a full day; relaxed or physically demanding.

These explorations will allow your body to adjust to the altitude and prepare you for the travesía to the Bolivian altiplano. You will also have the opportunity to experience the complex geography of Atacama, its wildlife and its ancient culture.

Day 5 - Crossing to Bolivia
Early morning departure to cross into Bolivia through the Hito Cajón pass in the extreme southeastern corner of this country, first passing by the volcanic mountain range where the Licancabur volcano is located.

You will have the possibility to trek through the geothermal plains of Sol de Mañana at 4,700 meters above sea level and later discover a series of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons. Especially interesting is the Colorada lagoon, an excellent location for viewing flamingos.

From there continue the travesía arriving at noon at Cañapa inn, your first campsite, located at 4,300 metres.

Day 6 - From Cañapa to Chicuta

The morning will be spent trekking around the area, and later on you will continue your journey towards the Bolivian altiplano at altitudes that range between 3,600 and 4,300 metres.

You will pass by former mining camps and take a 2-hour trek around a lagoon, home to a number of native animal species. In the mid-afternoon you will arrive at Chituca, your second campsite, located at 3,750 metres above sea level.

Day 7 - Arrival at Uyuni
Time to trek in the surrounding area taking in the old cultivated terraces and the cactus forests that surround the campsite. Continuing your journey, you will visit some geological formations.

Arrive at the Salar de Uyuni, which with a surface area of over 10,000 Km² is the world's largest. Surrounded by complete and absolute solitude and silence, continue on your Salt Flats travel by trekking along its surface, later climbing the salt flat's highest "island" where you will be able to enjoy views of the seemingly never-ending landscape.

Continuing on your journey arrive at Tahua, a small town on the shores of the salt flat, where your third campsite is located.

Day 8 - Around the Tunupa Volcano
Early morning 3-4 hour trek to reach the foot of the Tunupa volcano, at an altitude of 5,432 metres. At this point you can choose to visit any of the many interesting sites in the surrounding area or climb the volcano and enjoy the views from the peak, which would take a little more time.

In the late afternoon visit the small towns bordering the salt flat: Tahua, Coquesa and Jirira. Then return to the campsite for overnight.

Day 9 - Crossing to Chile
Set out early, heading towards the Chilean border. On the way you will pass through the town of Llica, where you will stop to try some “salteñas”, a traditional Bolivian empanada.

At lunchtime, you will picnic at the Irpa ranch on the shores of the Coipasa Salt Flat located at 3,600 metres above sea level. Continue towards Pisiga on the Bolivian border and eventually reach Colchane, on the Chilean side.

From there, you will follow the banks of the Isluga river, reaching a wetland which is home to many species of wildlife. In the late afternoon, reach the Isluga National Park in Aravilla, where your fourth campsite is located at 4,020 metres.

Day 10 - Descent to the Pacific
In the morning start out on a trek in the wetlands area. Stop at a hill close to the small town of Mauque to see the stone ceremonial ruins and eat a picnic lunch.

After lunch, begin the descent down from the altiplano, from an altitude of 4,000 metres back to sea level at Iquique, a Chilean port on the Pacific Ocean.

Day 11 - Departure from Iquique
In the morning you will be transferred to Iquique airport on time for your outbound flight (not included).

Lodging and Meals

The first few nights of the travesía will be spent at our Hotel de Larache (explora Atacama) in San Pedro de Atacama.

Throughout the journey through the Bolivian altiplano, travellers sleep at campsites which are specially adapted for explora. The campsites have double rooms with separate bathrooms, each with hot and cold water. Each room has campbeds with comfortable mattresses, as well as sleeping bags and bed linen appropriate for the climate in the altiplano. In addition to the sleeping quarters, each campsite has a kitchen and dining area.

The campsite construction varies, as each was built to be appropriate to its setting. Some were constructed using insulated 40 foot steel shipping containers. Others have been reconstructed from old stone and wood buildings which are hundreds of years old. The final night of the travesía is spent in a hotel in the city of Iquique.

Among the explora staff who accompany the travellers on the travesía there is a chef and kitchen assistants. The menu for the travesía was designed with the highest standards of quality and includes elaborate recipes with specially selected ingredients. Many of the ingredients we use are local, and the menu also includes some dishes which are typical to the areas explored in the travesía.

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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