Cross from Chile's Atacama Desert into Bolivia's high Andean plateau on a 4-day guided 4x4 expedition through the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve and the Uyuni Salt Flat. You travel in a small group of up to 6 people per vehicle with a Spanish-speaking local driver-guide who leads every stop and shares the stories of the altiplano.
Day 1: After pickup in San Pedro de Atacama, head to the Hito Cajón border and board your 4x4. Explore Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, the surreal Dalí Desert and the Polques hot springs. Walk among the steaming Sol de Mañana geysers at 5,000 meters, then watch flamingos feeding in their natural habitat at Laguna Colorada and Laguna Capina. Overnight in Villamar.
Day 2: Discover the wind-sculpted rocks of Copa del Mundo, the Petrified Camel and the Stone City. Continue to Laguna Vinto, the Anaconda Canyon and the Sora wetlands, home to llamas and other Andean wildlife. Stop at the abandoned village of Julaca before a night in a salt hotel in Puerto Chuvica.
Day 3: Wake up to sunrise over the Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world. Hike Incahuasi Island among giant cacti and fossilized coral, see the Ojos del Salar, the Salt Museum and the Flag Monument, and take perspective photos on the endless white surface. Visit the artisan village of Colchani, the Train Cemetery and the town of Uyuni before returning to Villamar.
Day 4: Set off early to Hito Cajón and continue to San Pedro de Atacama, arriving around midday.
This is an adventure in remote high-altitude terrain. Lodging is simple: shared rooms with shared bathrooms in Villamar and a private room with bathroom in the salt hotel. Accommodation has no heating, and electricity, hot water and mobile signal may be limited. Nights drop well below freezing, so bring warm clothing. Good health is required due to altitudes above 4,000 meters.
Included: guided 4x4 tour with a Spanish-speaking driver-guide, 3 nights' lodging, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and round-trip transfer between San Pedro de Atacama and the Bolivian border.
Not included: Eduardo Avaroa Reserve entry (150 BOB), Polques hot springs (30 BOB), Incahuasi Island (30 BOB), border fee (17 BOB), hot showers (approx. 20 BOB), gratuities and travel insurance. Bring at least 350 BOB in cash.
