The Atacama Adventure

Stunning and surreal

View Trip: PB91

A seven day adventure starting in La Paz, Bolivia and ending in Calama, Chile, from where we fly South to Santiago to catch our international connection back to Auckland. This tour covers great distances, mostly by 4x4 jeep safari, through spectacular, isolated, altiplano terrain.

The scenery is stunning and also surreal; you will feel you have walked into a Salvador Dali landscape. Photographers will have a field day with contrasting colours and countryside and certainly the sunsets on the Salt Plains are incredibly beautiful.

Although you will have the sense of being the first living being to encounter this unique landscape for some time, other animals such as vizcachas (a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel) and guanacos (the llama’s larger cousin) and birds such as flamingos and rheas (from the ostrich family) do live here. It is interesting to see how they have adapted to the harsh climate extremes.

On the Bolivian side we will stay in small towns in rustic accommodation, but once we get to Chile we will stay in a bed and breakfast in San Pedro de Atacama for the final 2 nights. A brief outline of what we may encounter follows:

Draft Itinerary

Day 1 (B)

Free day in La Paz for last minute shopping. The rest of the Peru group will depart for the airport mid morning. We will catch a night bus to Uyuni after dinner.

Day 2, 3,4 (B, L, D)

Arrive at Uyuni early in the morning. After breakfast, we will head out of town in 4x4 vehicles to visit the nearby train cemetery, then on to Cochani, a small township on the outskirts of the salt flats, that produces salt in a small factory. From here we carry on to the Salt Hotel, where everything is made out of salt, including the furniture and walls.

We will traverse the world’s largest Salt Plains, known as the Salar de Uyuni and arrive at a peculiar piece of land known as Fish Island, because of its shape and the fact that it is surrounded by the white sea of salt. Here, we will hike to the summit, through groves of giant cacti and observe the playful vizcachas. As the sun sets on this magical place you will be amazed at the beautiful colours produced on this solid white lake. We continue across the Salt Plains to stop for the night in the township of San Juan.

The next two days we head Southwest through breathtaking landscapes, that include sandy desert, barren highlands, thermal areas, multihued lakes, as well as passing the active volcano, Ollague. The geological formations, juxtaposing colours, wildlife and isolation of this region are memorable and there will be a chance to do short walks to take it all in. The accommodation for these nights is rustic, and the outside temperature likely to be below freezing, but it is worth it for the amazing landscapes you will visit.

Day 5 (B, L)

An early start takes us through the Siloli Desert, past the impressive geysers and fumeroles of Sol de Mañana (4850m), the stone tree, and the colourful lakes that change their colours depending on whether the wind is blowing.

It is common to observe flamingos in this area even though you are well over 4000m. We cross the Chilean border and eventually arrive at our B & B in San Pedro de Atacama. Mid afternoon we will visit the Archaeological Museum, the Salt Hills, Valley of Death and the Valley of the Moon, each with its unique geological formations.

Day 6 (B,L)

A full day excursion to the Altiplano Lagoons; on the way we shall visit the Altiplano towns of Toconao & Socaire; here we can observe how the local agricultural traditions have been conserved and learn about their daily life.

We will also visit the Atacama Salt Plain and Chaxas Lagoon, a breeding place for flamingos. Three out of the known five species can be observed here in a place where you would think no life is possible.

Finally we will come to the Altiplano sister Lagoons Miscanti and Meñiques. These are located in the middle of the Puna de Atacama, a region where the landscapes will overwhelm you with their immensity. From there we return to San Pedro.

Day 7 (B)

This morning we’ll have a relaxing soak in the Puritama mineral springs. We return to San Pedro for lunch and then depart for the Calama airport. Out flight to Santiago departs Calama at about 6pm and our onward connection to NZ departs the capital just before midnight.

TRIP DATA

Includes: All transportation, entrances, excursions, park fees and accommodation as outlined in the itinerary, plus 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners, as defined B, L and D in the itinerary, accompanied by PB 91 Grassroots Tour Leader

Not included: Tips for local guides, driver and cook (suggested estimate of 40US), unspecified meals and activities, souvenirs and possible border taxes. All airfares

Estimated Price: $2,600NZ, this may decrease according to how many people book.

Minimum to run: 4 people

Dates: July 28 - 3 August, 2010. PB 101 travellers who join this adventure will arriving back in New Zealand on 5 August.

Deposit: A pre-liminary deposit of $200

SPECIAL NOTE: The Atacama Adventure is structured as an extension to the Grassroots Peru/Bolivia PB 101, comencing in La Paz on the day that the PB 101 group departs for New Zealand. However, independent travellers who wish to join us in La Paz for the Atacama Adventure 7 days only are welcome to do so, starting La Paz 27 July and finishing in Calama, Chile 2 August.

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