Chile/Bolivia - Discovery– Self-guided tour – 17 days / 16 nights
Highlights:
• Tatio geysers and sunset over the Moon Valley ;
• The fauna of the National Reserves of Las Vicunas and Los Flamencos;
• 7 days travelling with your vehicle along the Chileans Altiplano to the Pacific coast ;
• Pisagua, a small fishing village on the Pacific.
Nature :
- Culture :

Encounters :

Starting from $ 2210 USD*
Travel from Chile to Bolivia, ascending from 0 to 4900m above sea level, moving through a varied landscape including colourful minerals, geysers, salt lakes, deserts, volcanoes, thermal baths, fertile valleys and white sandy beaches. Discover the wonders of the Salt Lake of Uyuni, the magic of the world’s driest desert and visit the main archaeological sites of San Pedro de Atacama (geoglyphs, mummies, petroglyphs and pukaras). A trip providing intense emotions, incredible landscapes and encounters with flamingos, vicunas, llamas, alpacas, chinchillas, condors, sea lions and pelicans. In complete freedom and at your own pace, you will visit stunning national parks and meet local people.
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ITINERARY
Day 01 – VALPARAISO
Arrival by international flight
On your arrival in Santiago, our driver picks you up at the airport and drives you to your hotel in Valparaiso. This city is a harbour open to the ocean and surrounded by twelve hills upon which many colourful houses have flourished. You will visit the Cerro Alegre area, acknowledged World Heritage Site (UNESCO). This open sky museum will take you to discover narrow streets filled with frescoes painted by the artists of the city.
- Transport : private transfer - 1h45
- Accommodation: Bed & breakfast
- Included meals: none
Day 02 – VALPARAISO – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (2400m high)
Flight Santiago de Chile 4:20pm > Calama 6:30pm
Free morning in Valparaiso. Private transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Calama at midday. On arrival in Calama, transfer by van to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama where you arrive in the late afternoon.
- Transport : private transfer - 1h45 + flight + van 2h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: none
Day 03 – GEYSERS & MOON VALLEY (2400m high)
Early departure to reach the Tatio Geysers before sunrise. An impressive show will then gradually unfold, the temperature of the air will fall, and the water vapour will start spurting out several meters above the ground. Return to San Pedro de Atacama and pass through the small village of Machuca where you can appreciate the traditional architecture of a high altitude village, together with its fauna and flora. Return to San Pedro de Atacama early in the afternoon. Later explore the Moon Valley and its salt caves, the Death Valley and « Las Tres Marias ». Sunset on the salt mountain range before heading back to your hotel.
- Transport : van - 6h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
- Entrance to the sites not included
Day 04 – ALTIPLANIC LAGOONS (2400m high)
Explore the beautiful lagoons of « Miniques and Miscanti » part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Located at an elevation of 4200m above sea level, these lagoons sit at the base of the two volcanos and were separated from each other by a lava flow from an eruption. Admire the stunning views of this breeding ground for flamingos.
- Transport : van - 5h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 05 – SUD LIPEZ – BOLIVIA (3750m high)
Depart for the south of Bolivia at around 8am. Discover the Lipez area with its vast territory of mountains and rock formations sculpted by the wind, with beautiful lakes, lagoons with improbable colours, volcanoes and multi-coloured deserts. Travel at 4000m by 4x4 with 4 other passengers. Cross the border and you arrive at the foot of volcano Licancabur with white and green lagoons, then cross the Dali Desert (named after the scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings) and admire the geysers Sol de Mañana, a geothermal field at an altitude of over 4300 m from which sulphurous fumes escape in the morning light,. By mid-afternoon, you will reach the Laguna Colorada populated by flocks of flamingos that come to feed and breed, wrapped in solitude and silence. Lodging in refuge (basic comfort).
- Transport : van - 2h + 4x4 - 4h
- Accommodation: refuge (basic comfort)
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 06 – UYUNI – BOLIVIA (3500m high)
On the « Road of the Jewels » you will appreciate the impressive valley of rocks sculpted by the wind. The dirty road follows on through the beautiful high altitude scenery of the Siloli desert with black, yellow and green lagoons, before arriving at the stunning Salar of Uyuni. Tonight’s accommodation is unique: stay in a double room in the salt hotel in the village of San Juan.
- Transport : 4x4 - 6-7h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 07 – UYUNI – BOLIVIA (3500m high)
A dramatic drive through the stunning scenery of the Salar de Uyuni, takes you to the heart of the Salar on Fish Island and Inca Huasi. Of volcanic origin, covered with stromatolites and giant cacti, the island was a refuge for Incas. On the way you will visit the salt exploitation of Colchani. Leaving the bright light of the salar behind you finally arrive at Uyuni where you will enjoy a two hour break before returning to San Pedro de Atacama. Night in Villa Mar refuge.
- Transport : 4x4 - 6-7h
- Accommodation: refuge
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 08 – BACK TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (2400m high)
Very early departure to make your way back to the Bolivian border; you are scheduled to arrive at the Chilean border around 10am. Arrival back to San Pedro de Atacama scheduled at around 1pm.
- Transport : 4x4 - 6-7h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 09 – CALAMA – IQUIQUE (sea level)
Bus Calama 4pm > 9:45pm Iquique
Take a free morning to relax, walk the charming streets of this village or visit the archaeological museum Le Paige. This will provide you with an insight into the customs and traditions of pre-Hispanic cultures. Take your bus to Iquique where you arrive in the late afternoon.
- Transport : Bus - 7h30
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 10 – IQUIQUE – HUMBERSTONE – COLCHANE (3695m high)
Rental car
Receive your rental car in the morning and drive towards the Andes. On the way you will pass the deserted saltpeter mining towns of Humberstone and Santa Laura. Built in the heart of the desert, these are now ghost towns turned into wonderful museums with the remains of fascinating lost communities.
In Huara take a look at the Atacama Giant. With almost 90 meters, the Giant is one of the largest geoglyphs in the world. Experts estimate that the giant dates from around 900 AD.
At the end of an almost 4000m ascent, close to the Bolivian border, you will find a town called Colchane, full of Aymara culture.
- Transport : rental car 236 km - 3h
- Accommodation: family-run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 11 – COLCHANE - PUTRE (3500m high)
Rental car
Leave Colchane in the early morning for the National Park Isluga; visit the Altiplanic commune of Isluga, another excellent example of Aymara culture. The trip continues reaching the salt lake Surire at 4250 m above sea level. The intense white colour of salt deposits contrasts with the pure blue of the water of the lagoons, a real delight to your eyes. The salt lake of Surire also preserves the existence of valuable species such as ostrich (ñandu), flamingo, vicuña, alpaca, llama, condors…
Arrive at Putre in the evening.
- Transport : rental car – 266km - 6h
- Accommodation: bungalow
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 12 –PARINACOTA – CHUNGARA - PUTRE (3500m high)
Rental car
Visit the Lauca National Park. On your way to Lake Chungara you will cross the humid lowlands of Chucuyo and walk along the Cotacotani Lagoon, surrounded by wetlands and soaring peaks like the volcanoes of Parinacota and Pomerape. We recommend you a visit to the small village of Parinacota (4500m high) of archaeological and historical interest.
To finish the day, guests can go for a swim in the hot springs of Jurasi. Overnight in Putre.
- Transport : rental car – 124km - 3h
- Accommodation: bungalow
- Included meals: breakfast
- Entrance to the hot springs not included (3000 pesos/p.p.)
Day 13 – PUTRE – ARICA (sea level)
Rental car
Drive to Arica, a small town in Chile's far north region. The Chilean port of Arica sits on the Pacific rim of the Atacama Desert, near the border with Peru.
Recommended stops are the Pukara of Copaquilla (fortress), the small and picturesque village of Socoroma, both from the pre-Inca period, and the Archaeological Museum of San Miguel de Azapa.
The afternoon is yours to stroll on the beach, possibly swim and enjoy some seafood in one of the many local restaurants.
- Transport : rental car – 155km - 2h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 14 – FROM DESERT TO OCEAN
Rental car
Head towards the small village of Pisagua. Built on the pacific coast, this small fishing village has a long history and a particular atmosphere. Between Arica and Pisagua, we recommend you a stop in Caleta Camarones, a tiny fishing village with a white sand beach opening to the Pacific. Once in Pisagua, we recommend that you leave on foot along the Pacific coast to reach the seal colonies.
- Transport : rental car – 230km - 3h
- Accommodation: bed & breakfast
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 15 – PISAGUA – A DAY AT SEA
Rental car
Leave early in the morning to enjoy a trip on a fishing boat and discover the local marine wildlife: seals, pelicans, vultures and according to the season, also wales and dolphins if you are lucky. Return to the village for lunch and then visit the old cemetery of Pisagua. This is a sobering site facing the Pacific Ocean, where wind and sand are the only companions…
- Transport : rental car – 10km - 20min
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 16 – PISAGUA - SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Flight Iquique 10:20am > 12:35 Santiago de Chile
Rental car
Leave in the morning to Iquique airport to take your flight to Santiago where you are schedule to arrive at midday. Once in Santiago, a driver will take you to your hotel. Wander around the capital city soaking up the atmosphere or visit some interesting sites: Bellavista, a bohemian neighbourhood, Plaza de Armas and its colonial architecture and Cerro Santa Lucia with its scenic view over the city and the Andes.
- Transport : rental car – 180km - 2h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 17 – FINAL DAY IN CHILE
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport 3 hours before the departure of your flight.
- Transport : private transport - 45min
- Included meals: none
End of your adventure in the north of Chile…