Puno - San Pedro de Atacama - Salta - Overland Bolivia - Chile

From Puno (Peru) to to Copacabana (Bolivia), discover Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake of the World and explore Sun Island, the cradle of the Andean civilization. Visit Copacabana's colonial church famous for its famous Dark Virgin and continue to La Paz, set in the foothills of the Andes Range. Cross the Altiplano and the inmense Uyuni Salt Flats, a natural wonder half the size of Belgium, exploring Abaroa National Reserve, harbouring the awesome Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde (red and green lakes) surrounded by volcanoes and sheltering over 40,000 James flamingos and Andean flamingos living at 4,300m. Finally, reach the pleasant desert town of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.

Both following itineraries can be done separately and the other way round from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama (leaving on Thursday) and from San Pedro to Puno (leaving on Tuesday).

Day 1 (Tuesday):
Drive in bus from Puno to Copacabana (aprox. 3 hours), a nice town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Then we board a private boat to the Sun island. We land near Pilkokaina Ruins and have a typical "aptapi" (communal Andean lunch) before walking for about one hiour to the Ecolodge La Estancia where we overnight. (LD)

Day 2:
DON'T MISS THE SUNRISE! We board a private boat to the Island of the Moon to visit the Inca ruins. Then, back on Sun Island, visit of the well preserved ruins of La Chincana, with two alternatives as follows:
Alternative A (hikers)
Hike across the island to the ecolodge, enjoying great views over the lake and the Andean range in the backdrop; This is alos a good opportunity to discover the local customs. Lunch and short hike across the Garden of the Incas in Yumani before taking the boat back to Copacabana. Visit of the city and meeting with the Dark Virgin. Drive in bus to La Paz. Overnight in Hotel El Dorado 3*. (BL)
Alternative B (non-hikers)
Boat to Yumani and visit the Garden of the Incas. Lunch and sail back to Copacabana. Visit of the city and meeting with the Dark Virgin. Drive in bus to La Paz. Overnight in Hotel El Dorado 3*. (BL)

Day 3:
Day at leisure to discover one of the highest city of the world. Optional excursions available. Overnight in hotel. (BL)

Day 4:
We start the day by a 3 hour drive in bus from La Paz to Oruro (3 hours) and take the train to Uyuni (7 hours), crossing a big portion of the Bolivian Aliplano. Overnight in hotel. (BL)

Day 5:
Drive to Colchani, a village on the shores of Uyuni Salt Flat where locals still extract salt in a traditional way. We then enter this gigantic white salt lake, driving to the village of Coquesa set on the footsteps of Thunupa Volcano and visit a burial area filled with antic mummies. We continue to Incahuasi Island, lost in the middle of the salt flat and covered with giant cactus. We drive along the Western Andes Range south, to the village of San Juan. Overnight in basic lodging. (BLD)

Day 6:
Today, you discover some of Bolivia's most spectacular and most isolated marvels. We cross Chiguana Salt Flats, visit Canapa and Hedionda Lagoons, observe amazing rock formations sculpted by the wind such as Valleys of the Toads and the Rocks, and finally reach Villa Mar where we overnight in basic lodging. (BLD)

Day 7 (Monday):
We enter Abaroa National Reserve, visiting laguna Colorada at 4,300m, the geyser field of Sol de Manana, Pampas de Dali, laguna Blanca and finally the stupendous laguna Verde overlooked by the awesome cone-shapped Licancabur Volcano. We then cross the Chilean border arriving in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Remark : The other way round itinerary San Pedro de Atacama - Uyuni - La Paz - Puno leaves also every Tuesday from San Pedro.

Day 8 (Tuesday):
Very early morning drive to Geysers del Tatio Field at 4500 meters where we enjoy a special breakfast admiring this natural wonder. After a hot bath in the hotsprings, we continue to Calama visiting en route several picturesque Aymara villages such as Caspana, Chiu Chiu as well as the Indian fortress of Lasana and the Inka Coya lagoon. Drive back to San Pedro in the late afternoon. Overnight in hotel (BL)

Day 9:
Morning at leisure to enjoy this picturesque little town and for optional visits to the Moon Valley or to the archaeological museum of father Le Paige, discovering its wide collection of Indian artefacts, textiles, gold pieces and Miss Chile, a very well preserved precolumbian mummy. Before lunch, we board the bus to Salta for a 9 hour drive across the salt flats and through the Jama Pass. Arrive in Salta and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in hotel (B)

Day 10:
Early morning departure northwards to the Humahuaca Canyon visiting en route the city of Jujuy. Inside this stupendous and colourful valley we visit the Indian villages of Tumbaya, Purmamarca, Maimara, Tilcara and its pre-columbian fortress. In the village of Humahuaca, we drop by the Indian market and the local museum. Drive back to Salta in the late afternoon. Overnight in hotel (B)

Day 11:
In the morning head South along the Rio las Conchas to the Calchaquies Valleys, through the Quebrada de las Flechas. We stop in the village of Cafayate set in one of the best Argentinean wine production area. We visit its Indian market. Drive back to Salta in the late afternoon. Overnight in hotel (B)

Day 12 (Saturday):
Transfer out or optional excursions such as the "Train to the Clouds" which runs among Canyons and high mountains in between Indian isolated villages to San Antonio de los Cobres (require one more night in Salta) or to the Calchaquies Valleys.

Remark : The other way round itinerary Salta - San Pedro de Atacama leaves every Thursday from Salta.

Rated: Easy

From day 5 to 7 lodging is really basic and no better hotels exist in the area. Night-time temperatures can drop below -10C.

Guaranteed Fixed departure dates 2006-2007 with minimum 2 persons
Please note we can also do this as a weekly departure at a higher price as of 1 person. Please enquire.

Border Crossing Programs
	Puno - San Pedro
	DBL	SGL SUPP
USD	$ 831	$ 72
EUR	€ 689	€ 59
GBP	£ 465	£ 40

(*) Price last updated on 20 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
Price San Pedro-Salta or Salta-San Pedro upon request

Included in price:
Lodging in 3 star hotel in double room with private facilities in town, in shared accomodation in basic lodging (without private facilities) out of the beaten tracks, transport and transfers, bilingual experienced guides (no guides during bus transfers), shared excursions, meals as specified

Not included:
Meals not stated in itinerary, items of personal nature, sleeping bag, tips, beverages, optional excursions.

Puno - San Pedro de Atacama - Salta Overland

"Puno - Lake Titicaca - La Paz - Salar de Uyuni - Laguna Verde & Colorada - San Pedro de Atacama"

"Peru - Bolivia - Chile - Argentina"