13 DAYS SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA TO UYUNI ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

Arrival in Santiago

Upon arrival at Santiago Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may rest or explore the neighbourhood at leisure.

Visit Valparaíso Port & Viña del Mar Vineyards (Full-Day)
After breakfast, we drive ~1 hour and 45 minutes to the breezy coastal city of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The port city is also known as the jewel of the Pacific, with colourful houses, antique funiculars, and multiple panoramic viewpoints. Continue to the rolling countryside and vineyards of Viña del Mar, also known as the Garden City, to enjoy its beautiful gardens, parks, and beaches. 

To finish the day, we explore the nearby Casablanca Wine Valley and visit the Casas del Bosque Winery to taste some of the finest wines in the region. 

Santiago City Tour (Half-Day)
Visit the Plaza de la Constitución, where the Government Palace (“La Moneda”) is located. We explore Plaza de Armas, the historical centre – where the Cathedral of Santiago, the Post Office, and the National Museum can be found.

Thereafter, discover Santiago’s trendiest neighbourhod – Lastarria, and scenic Santa Lucia hill (open Tues to Sun), before we continue along the most modern sector of Santiago. Explore San Cristóbal Hill (open Tues to Sun), with a funicular ride to the peak and the Blessed Virgin Mary statue. You may also visit Club Hipico and Cousiño Palace (entrance fee not included).

Transfer: Hotel to Airport
You would be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Atacama region.

Flight: Santiago to Calama
Take a ~2 hours 10 minutes flight from Santiago to Calama Airport, the closest airport to the town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Explora Travesia: 8D7N from Atacama to Uyuni (All Inclusive)

Day 1: Arrive at San Pedro de Atacama
Upon arrival at Calama Airport, you will be transferred ~1 hour 15 minutes to the Explora Atacama lodge, from which you will explore Atacama’s unique landscapes. Meet your guide and enjoy a short introduction to the region.

Days 2-3: Atacama Excursions
Discover the Atacama Desert through Explora’s private programme at your own pace, from hiking to horseback riding, bike rides, 4WD land excursions, and even mountain climbing for the adventurous-spirited.

Highly recommended excursions include to the otherworldly and magnificent Valley of the Moon, the Cordillera de la Sal and Domeyko mountain ranges, the Atacama Salt Flats, and the Puritama Hot Springs. Top off the unique experience with an astronomy session in the observatory, stargazing under the desert’s expansive clear skies at night.

Day 4: Crossing the Border & Bolivian Altiplano
We traverse ~1 hour (~47km) to reach the Chile – Bolivia border at Hito Cajón. Along with an Explora guide, switch vehicles and enter Bolivia, continuing our overland adventure through the stunning Altiplano (Andean Plateau).

In Bolivia, visit the Sol de la Mañana geysers and a myriad of strikingly unique landscapes, from active volcanos (Licancabur, Sairecabur) and wetlands to lagoons (Green Lagoon and Coloured Lagoon). At Laguna Colorada, we then enjoy the peaceful and picturesque sight of flocks of flamingos feeding in their natural habitat before tucking into a delicious lunch. End the day at Explora’s mountain lodge in Ramaditas (Elevation: ~4,075m) as the sun sets over the horizon.

Total travel time: ~4 hours

Day 5: Overland Drive from Ramaditas to Chituca
After breakfast, set off to Chituca, passing through ancient mines, valleys, and pristine Altiplano lagoons (Honda, Char Kota, Hedionda) along the way.

Stop for lunch at Turquiri lagoon, which features a large concentration of birds surrounded by impressive rock formations, before we explore the region in further depth – through hiking or alternating drives and short walks. We end the day in the mountain lodge at Chituca (Elevation: ~3,732m), where we learn about the culture and way of life of the locals.

Total travel time: ~6 hours

Day 6: Overland Drive from Chituca to Uyuni
In the morning, explore the mountain lodge’s unique surroundings or visit San Pedro de Quemes village, a former Spanish settlement with panoramic views of the Altiplano.

Then, we continue to the Gruta de Las Galaxias, a mysterious cave filled with fossilised algae and rare geological rock formations, offering fascinating insight into a part of Andean history.

Then comes the highlight: the striking Uyuni Salt Flats, the largest salt flat in the world spanning nearly 11,000 km². We explore the Isla Pescado – a stunning island located in the middle of the flats filled with giant cacti and petrified rock formations – and stop to have lunch. Head to our base for the next 2 nights – Explora Uyuni (Elevation: ~3,681m) – which lies on the slopes of the colourful, dormant Tunupa volcano.

Total travel time: ~2 hours

Day 7: Explore the Uyuni Salt Flat
Together with your guide, decide on the explorations you would like to embark on within the expansive salt flats: from scenic hikes to overland trips, bike rides, sunrise and sunset viewing, and cultural visits to small villages nearby. After a day of exploration, relax from the comfort of your luxurious abode as you take in spectacular views of the pristine Salar

Day 8: Depart from Uyuni
After breakfast, we drive across the eastern area of the salt flat towards Uyuni airport for your flight to La Paz. Bid farewell to the Uyuni Salt Flats for now!

Flight: Uyuni to La Paz
Take a ~1 hour flight from Uyuni to La Paz airport.

Tiwanaku Ruins
Upon arrival at La Paz (Elevation: ~3,640m), drive ~1½ hours to Tiwanaku, believed to be the “Cradle of American Civilisation”. Tiwanaku was one of the most significant Andean civilisations in the past and is said to be the most important archaeological site in Bolivia.

La Paz City Tour & Moon Valley
In the morning, drive to Moon Valley located just 10km from downtown La Paz, a unique area featuring lunar landscapes and bizarre geological formations.

Then, head back to La Paz for a walking tour, during which we’ll visit the famous Plaza Murillo and stroll along the most colonial street Calle Jaén. Try a local Salteña snack and visit Mirador Killi Killi for scenic city views, before visiting the Museum of Folklore and Ethnography and the Witches Market, where you can browse local handicrafts and eclectic traditional remedies. Ride the world’s highest cable car to El Alto, where you can enjoy an architectural tour about the area’s colourful and flamboyant Cholets buildings.

Explore Lake Titicaca (Bolivia Side)
In the morning, drive ~3½ hours to Copacabana, a quaint town on the shores of Lake Titicaca, before we take a private ~1½ hour motorboat ride to tranquil Isla del Sol (Sun Island). At an elevation of ~3,812m, Lake Titicaca is also known as the highest navigable lake in the world.

Lunch & Hike to Palla Khasa
For a taste of the serene and slow-paced island life, staying overnight at the remote and picturesque Isla del Sol (Elevation: ~3,976m) is a must. The peaceful island sits on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca and offers stunning views of the lake.

Upon arrival, take a ~1½ hour stroll to your lodge for a highland Apthapi lunch, before embarking on a short, scenic hike to Palla Khasa for magnificent sunset views of Inca terraces and the deep blue of Lake Titicaca all around. 

Sun Island & Moon Island Tour
Tour Isla del Sol, which enchants with its quiet charm and slow-paced lifestyle. Visit the Incan ruins Pilko Kaina Palace and the Great Inca Stairway, as well as the underground Sacred Spring, said to grant youth and eternal happiness. Then, board a private boat to Moon Island to further explore its Incan ruin treasures, such as the well-preserved Temple of the Virgins of the Sun (Iñak Uyu).

Transfer: Hotel to Airport
After lunch at Copacabana, you would be transferred back to La Paz for your flight home.