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Peregrine Travel Centre

Bolivia Encounter

Bolivia Encounter

From $ 4,745 AUD

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Description

Explore South America’s salt flats, ancient deserts, geysers and valleys on this nine-day adventure from Bolivia to Chile. Ride the teleferico (cable car) over the world’s tallest capital city (La Paz), explore the Andrean Desert and travel across the Uyuni Salt Flats with a local leader by your side. Learn about ancient rock carvings at Yerbas Buenas, soak in the hot springs of Polques and see flamingo-filled lagoons and lunar valleys as you cross into the Atacama Desert – one of the driest places on Earth! Cross the border to Chile, watch the sun rise over Rainbow Canyon and indulge in Bolivian and Chilean cuisine every step of the way.

Trip Name
Bolivia Encounter
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Venture into South America's most surreal landscapes from Bolivia to Chile, where the sky kisses salt-crusted horizons and ancient deserts glow under the stars.
  • Traverse the Uyuni Salt Flats in a 4WD. See the Salt Hotel and Dakar Rally statue, discover the cacti and coral-like structures on the rocky island of Isla Inca Wasi and enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of the flats!
  • Walk along the historic Plaza Murillo and Calle Jaen on an orientation walk through La Paz. Ride the Teleferico (cable car), then visit the Killi Killi viewpoint for panoramic views of the city and the mountains.
  • Explore colourful lakes, volcanoes and arid landscapes throughout the Siloli Desert. Pass the Ollague Volcano, visit the Iglesia San Cristobal Lipez church and stop at Hedionda and Canapa Lagoons – often home to a vibrant group of flamingos!
  • Drive across the driest place on Earth – the Atacama Desert. Along the way, explore the Sol de Manana Geysers, relax in the Polques Hot Springs and watch the sunset over Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon).

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - La Paz
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Bolivia. Your adventure begins in La Paz – the world’s highest capital city. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. At around 3650 m, La Paz feels like the top of the world and competes with Tibet for the title of highest region in the world. If you arrive early, maybe wander through one of the many local markets or visit the Presidential Palace (Palacio Quemado). Tonight, join your local leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner and toast to the trip ahead.
Day 2 - La Paz
After breakfast, set off on a walking tour through La Paz. See the San Francisco Church, the historic Plaza Murillo and Calle Jaen, where interesting museums are clustered together. Then, discover traditional Bolivian crafts and medicinal herbs at the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) before riding the teleferico (cable car) over the city. Stop at the famous Killi Killi viewpoint, then head to Moon Valley – a geological site where erosion has formed a large collection of sandstone monoliths, shaped over thousands of years. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe unwind on a nearby beach or explore the Sopocachi Neighborhood and find a bohemian-style bistro for dinner.
Day 3 - Uyuni
Today’s adventure begins with a scenic journey across the Andean plateaus to the high-altitude frontier town of Uyuni, perched at the edge of the altiplano stretching toward Argentina and Chile. Along the way, stop to stretch your legs and maybe grab some lunch. When you arrive in Uyuni this afternoon, the rest of the day is free. Maybe relax in your hotel or find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations!
Day 4 - Uyuni
This morning, visit the Train Cemetery on the deserted outskirts of Uyuni. The town was once a distribution hub for trains carrying minerals on their way to Pacific Ocean ports but in the 1940s the mining industry collapsed, and many trains were abandoned. Spend the morning walking through the old and rusting antique train carriages and steam engines before heading out into Uyuni’s Salt Flats. Explore the lake by 4WD, first visiting the small town of Colchani, where you'll see how the local farm processes salt from the Salar. Then, see the Salt Hotel – this hotel in the heart of the Salt Flats is built entirely from salt! After, discover the cacti and coral-like structures on the rocky island of Isla Inca Wasi before stopping for a picnic lunch in the middle of the salt flats. After, visit the iconic salt sculpture that rises from the endless white expanse – a striking tribute to Dakar Rally (a cross-county rally in all-terrain vehicles). Tonight, if the weather allows, maybe watch the sunset over the otherworldly landscape before heading back to your hotel for the evening.
Day 5 - Siloli Desert
Today, travel through the Andean Desert to Siloli Desert. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Along the way, you’ll pass the active Ollague Volcano and small colourful lakes. Stop at San Cristobal de Lipez – a small village known for its relocated church (Iglesia San Cristobal Lipez), which was moved stone by stone when the original town was moved due to silver mining. Then, travel to Alota, known for its rock formations before continuing to Hedionda and the Canapa Lagoons – often home to a vibrant group of flamingos! Finish your day at the Siloli Desert, where you’ll see a vast expanse of volcanos and arid terrain. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation in the middle of the desert before heading out to dinner with your group.
Day 6 - San Pedro de Atacama
This morning, visit Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) - a shallow salt lake in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Then, continue your journey to the Sol de Manana Geysers. After spending some time soaking in the hot springs of Polques, travel across the Pampas de Dali Desert to Laguna Verde – a green lagoon at the foot of Licancabur Volcano. Continue to the Bolivian border post (Hito Cajon). Change vehicles and descend along the paved road to the Chile immigration post on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama – a town set on an arid high plateau in the Andres mountains and the gateway to the Atacama Desert (the driest non-polar desert on Earth!). After the immigration procedures, the rest of the night is free.
Day 7 - San Pedro de Atacama
Today is a free day. Maybe see the geothermal activity at El Tatio Geysers, explore the red rock formations and volcanic landscape at Piedras Rojas or walk through the ruins of the ancient fortress at Pukara de Quitor and learn about the pre-Hispanic Lickan Antay culture. This evening perhaps head out for dinner with the group – your leader will have plenty of local recommendations.
Day 8 - San Pedro de Atacama
Travel to Atacama Desert’s most colourful and captivating landscape this morning – the Rainbow Valley, named after the vivid reds, greens, yellows and whites that paint the hills. From a scenic viewpoint, watch the valley’s natural colours come alive as the sun rises over Rainbow Canyon. Then, continue to Yerbas Buenas where you’ll learn about the region’s most important collection of petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) that reveal the lives and beliefs of the area’s earliest inhabitants. This afternoon, travel across the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) - a valley with small but sharp crested hills, created by the wind, which resembles the moon’s surface. Watch as the sun sets over the moon-like landscape. Tonight, maybe join your group at a local restaurant for dinner and celebrate the last night of your trip with some local dishes like pastel de choclo (corn and meat casserole) or empanadas (savoury pastries filled with meat, cheese or seafood).
Day 9 - San Pedro de Atacama
As there are no activities planned, your trip comes to an end today. If you’d like to spend more time here or pre book a departure transfer to Calama airport, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-05-202609-05-2026AUD $ 4,920-
22-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 5,190-
19-06-202627-06-2026AUD $ 5,090-
17-07-202625-07-2026AUD $ 5,190-
07-08-202615-08-2026AUD $ 4,745-
28-08-202605-09-2026AUD $ 4,990-
25-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 4,990-
09-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 5,500-
16-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 5,190-
30-10-202607-11-2026AUD $ 5,190-
20-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 5,190-
18-12-202626-12-2026AUD $ 5,190-
18-06-202726-06-2027AUD $ 5,170-
16-07-202724-07-2027AUD $ 5,170-
27-08-202704-09-2027AUD $ 5,170-
24-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 5,170-
08-10-202716-10-2027AUD $ 5,375-
29-10-202706-11-2027AUD $ 5,375-
19-11-202727-11-2027AUD $ 5,170-
17-12-202725-12-2027AUD $ 5,375-

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Transport

4X4, Private Vehicle

Map

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