Itinerary Highlights

  • Explore the otherworldly lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert in Chile
  • Head to the largest salt flat on the planet - the untouched Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
  • Spend time at unique Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world
  • Complete your adventure by experiencing the intriguing capital city of La Paz

What's Included

  • Flights
  • Accommodation Throughout
  • Transfers
14 nights from £5,695 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Uncover some of Latin America’s most breathtaking and mesmerising desert scenery on this spectacular 14-night stargazing adventure from Chile to Bolivia.

From modern, bustling Santiago, you fly north to the Atacama Desert - where you enter a completely different world. One of the driest places on Earth, the Atacama feels magical with its towering volcanoes, serene lagoons and inky black night skies, lending themselves perfectly to stargazing.

From the Atacama, you continue across the Altiplano into Bolivia and the remote Sud Lípez. Distances here are vast and the landscape stunningly beautiful. Experience the different coloured lagoons as you wait in anticipation for your first view of the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet. Isla Pescado (Fish Island) is an oasis within the vastness of white whereas the cacti provide a spectacular photographic backdrop.

You also spend two nights at Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Here, the waters shimmer under clear blue skies and the snow-capped Andean backdrop completes the ‘picture postcard’ scene.

Finally, no Bolivia holiday would be complete without experiencing the capital city, La Paz, and its remarkable ‘bowl’ setting, overlooked by the majestic Mount Illimani.

Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.

Itinerary

Depart the UK on your chosen flights to Santiago, Chile.

Transfer to downtown and the bohemian area of Lastarria.

This part of Santiago has a range of excellent places to eat and stay, while also providing easy access to the different neighbourhoods and attractions of the city.

You have the day to relax and explore independently after your international flights.

Today, you're taken around the most important cultural, cosmopolitan and artistic areas of Santiago.

Discover the traditional Plaza de Armas and the impressive surrounding architecture leading to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Historical Museum and the Central Post Office.

Transfer to the airport for your flight north to Calama, the gateway to the pretty adobe town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Long before the Spanish arrived, the area was the heart of Atacamenian culture, the town oozing history along the shady streets and crumbling walls. The town of Iglesia de San Pedro is supposedly the second oldest in the country (from the 17th century) and has been heavily but sympathetically restored.

Your base for the next three nights is the Terrantai

Staying at   Terrantai

You have the next two days to explore the Chilean Altiplano.

There are two included excursions out to the Moon Valley and the Kari lookout point, as well as a day out to El Tatio Geysers and Machuca Village. You also have an opportunity to organise a stargazing tour and experience some of the world's clearest night skies.

Staying at   Terrantai

Cross the border into Southern Bolivia and Laguna Verde.

As the name suggests, this green lagoon dazzles in the bright sunlight. And, from here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Licancabur Volcano, 5865m high above sea level.

Visit the 'Sol de Manana' geysers, part of a geothermal field covering around a square kilometre.

Then continue to Laguna Colorado, characterised by the red tone of its waters and inhabited by flocks of flamingos. You can also see vicunas, llamas and vizcachas.

Travel through the Siloli desert, where you'll see the famous Stone Tree - the inspiration for one of Dali's iconic paintings - before staying the night in a hotel on the Bolivian side of the border.

Continue north through the barren landscape, visiting some of the smaller lagoons en route.

This lesser-visited eastern area of the Sud Lípez is relatively new to the touring circuit in the region, but the vistas are just as beautiful and the lagoons as colourful with their minerals.

Spend the next two nights at the Luna Salada. Constructed entirely of rock salt, this is one of the most unique hotels in the world. Located on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, experience fantastic sunrises and sunsets from the warmth of your hotel.

Spend the day exploring the vast Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world at 12,000km².

The Bolivian Andes are spectacular and unique - the silence, surreal pentagons of salt and cloudless blue skies make you feel like you're on another planet.

At the centre of the salt lake is Isla Pescado (Inka Wasi), shaped like a fish and dotted with cacti, which makes for great photography - as does the endless horizon. On the northern edge of the salt flat, visit the majestic Tunupa Volcano.

Staying at   Luna Salada Hotel

Take an early morning flight from Uyuni to La Paz.

Then descend from El Alto satellite city into the spectacular bowl of La Paz, overlooked by the impressive Mount Illimani.

Today, you'll enjoy an introductory tour of Bolivia's capital with a chance to see the government buildings flanking Plaza Murillo. Wander the quirky, colourful Calle Jean before heading out to the Moon Valley and returning to your hotel in the city centre.

Staying at   La Casona

Transfer by land to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

After a short city tour, take in the Moorish-style cathedral which dominates the town. Inside, you'll find the black Virgen de Candelaria, carved by Inca Tupac Yupanqui's grandson, Francisco Yupanqui, encased and situated above the altar. The statue is never moved from the cathedral.

Embark the hydrofoil to Moon Island and visit Iñaq Uyu (House of the Virgins of the Sun) before continuing to Sun Island.

After a relaxing morning, visit the Sacred Fountain - where the water is believed to grant eternal youth and happiness.

After lunch at Uma Kollu and a visit to the small handicraft market, embark on the hydrofoil returning to Huatajata on the mainland. Visit the Andean Roots Eco Village, where you'll learn about the culture and history of the local people. There's also the opportunity to have your coca leaves read by Tata Benjo, who believes that to heal the body, you first need to heal the soul.

In the evening, you can visit the observatory for stargazing.

Staying at   Inca Utama

Enjoy breakfast before transferring by land to La Paz.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city.

The more affluent 'Zona Sur' (south zone) of the city is very modern with a host of restaurants, including Gustu. Serving only Bolivian cuisine paired with Bolivian wine, this is the perfect gastronomic treat and end to your Altiplano adventure.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Pricing Information & Dates

14 nights from £5,695 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Price Includes

  • Return International Flights as per the itinerary
  • All airport taxes and security charges
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Transfers as specified
  • Activities and excursions as specified
  • All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional excursions

Pricing Notes

Includes breakfast and many other meals throughout.

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

  • We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
  • Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
  • We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

  • You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
  • We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
  • Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

  • We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
  • For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
  • We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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