La Paz to Santiago holiday
| country: | Bolivia, Chile |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 20 Dec |
| price: | From £720 (15 days) including domestic flight only, as per itinerary. Local payment US $220. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our journey takes us through the wild and barren landscapes of southern Bolivia and northern Chile, stopping in remote settlements and making our way past lagoons full of flamingos, spectacular geysers and hot springs, heading for a small oasis in the heart of the Atacama Desert. We follow the Chilean coastline, enjoying the beaches, the clear southern skies and the unforgettable scenery.
Our groups have a maximum of 18 people, escorted by a tour leader. Accommodation is usually twin share but occasionally multi share in simple hotels (10 nights), basic lodges (2 nights) & overnight bus (2 nights), and transport is by public bus, 4WD jeep & plane. Entrance fees & most meals are not included.
Our groups have a maximum of 18 people, escorted by a tour leader. Accommodation is usually twin share but occasionally multi share in simple hotels (10 nights), basic lodges (2 nights) & overnight bus (2 nights), and transport is by public bus, 4WD jeep & plane. Entrance fees & most meals are not included.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive La Paz. |
| Day 2: | La Paz. Free day in La Paz. |
| Day 3: | La Paz to Sucre. Fly to Sucre then free afternoon to explore the elegant streets & lively markets. |
| Day 4: | Sucre to Potosi. Free morning in Sucre, one of Latin America’s colonial gems. Afternoon bus to Potosi. |
| Day 5: | Potosi. Free day in Potosi. There is the chance to visit one of the silver mines that were the source of the city’s wealth & which are still used to this day. |
| Day 6: | Potosi to Uyuni. Travel to the remote town of Uyuni, our base for exploring the salt flats of southern Bolivia. |
| Day 7: | Slat flats. 4WD jeeps from Uyuni in Bolivia to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. The Salar de Uyuni sits at 3,666m above sea level, making it the largest and highest salt flat in the world; an awe-inspiring sight. (L,D) |
| Day 8: | High Andes. We continue our journey, reaching 5,000m in altitude, with the only company being wild vicunas and guanacos that gallop away on our approach. The destination is the striking Laguna Colorada, with its population of more than 30,000 flamingos. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9: | Atacama desert. The dramatic sight of Licancabur Volcano tells us that we are leaving Bolivia behind and crossing the border back into Chile. We make for the small but lively oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. (B) |
| Day 10: | Atacama desert. Afternoon visit to the Moon Valley, a dramatic lunar landscape of wind-eroded hills surrounding the valley floor. We hike along the crest of 'The Great Sand Dune’ to watch the sunset from the top. |
| Day 11: | Calama to La Serena. Afternoon bus to the nearby town of Calama, where we board our overnight bus to La Serena. |
| Day 12: | La Serena to Pisco Elqui Valley. Free day to relax on the nearby beach or to take an optional excursion to the beautiful Pisco Elqui Valley, a beautiful grape-growing area with plenty of hiking options. We also have the opportunity to visit Chile’s biggest Pisco distillery. |
| Day 13: | La Serena. A full day to explore this carefully restored colonial town. Evening overnight bus to Santiago. |
| Day 14: | Santiago. Early in the morning we arrive at Santiago, the Chilean capital, a cosmopolitan city of wide boulevards and landscaped parks set against a stunning backdrop of Andean peaks. |
| Day 15: | Santiago. Departure. |
| Note: | Itinerary may vary during rainy season (Jan-Mar) due to high water levels in the salt flats (days 7-9). |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and unfortunately it does not enjoy the tourist boom that Peru and most of its neighbours do. As a poor country, the lack of infrastructure is a handicap, but at the same time it makes Bolivia an amazing country to visit, where the contact with the local people is more frequent, honest and real than in any of the more touristy countries in the area. The money that tourists bring is much needed by local communities.
Throughout the tour you will stay at small hotels which are privately owned by families or small local entrepreneurs. They are all simple but nice and clean, and you will feel welcome from the moment you arrive. During the three days crossing the Andean high plateau from the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, we stay overnight in small basic lodges. These are run by local families and provide a very important source of income in such a challenging and inhospitable place. A big problem in Potosi (Bolivia) is the mines, or to be more specific the working conditions in the mines. Most boys have no alternative but to follow their fathers into the mines. They start work there from the age of seven as assistant miners earning 20 Bolivianos per day – around $2.5… We support the Cerro Rico Foundation, a foundation set up by the owners of our local partner in Potosi with the aim of providing an education for these children so they are able to seek alternative employment. The Foundation bought a piece of land in Potosi and started to build a school. Unfortunately because of lack of money they had to halt the project, and in 2005 the building work that they had already completed was destroyed by bad weather. Donations from travellers to restart the project are matched by us and presented to the Foundation on an annual basis. Travellers are given information about the working conditions in the local mines and encouraged to donate left over currency. Those who wish can even visit the mine to fully understand the magnitude of the problem. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |