LA PAZ – ARRIVAL Airport pick up (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***

LA PAZ – CITY TOUR
At 9 a.m. we meet with our guide in the hotel lobby for a tour of La Paz, a city located at almost 4000 m.a.s.l.: Sagárnaga street and its local handicraft market (one of the most famous of South America), witches’ street, San Pedro's food market, the historical center and the colonial neighborhood. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***

LA PAZ – TOMARAPI - SAJAMA
Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private vehicle for the beautiful traverse of the altiplano until we reach the entrance of Sajama National Park (around 4 hours) via the village of Curahuara de Carangas, with its colonial church known as the Sixteen chapel of the Altiplano (because of its perfectly preserved intricate frescoes). On the way, we stop at the chullpas (carangas sepultures) empty today after their systematic pillaging. We enter the park by a dirt road taking us to the village of Tomarapi. The wildlife is abundant and varied: alpacas, vicuñas and ñandus (a parent of the ostrich) if we are lucky, as well as some flamingoes on Laguna Huaña Khota that we skirt before arriving at the Hot Springs, at the base of the volcano Sajama.
Lunch on the way. All included. Night at Doña Teodora’s near the Hot Springs (Basic comfort)

SAJAMA – CHILE – LAUCA PARK - PUTRE
In the morning, we head to the geysers in our 4WD. This particularly active area offers a unique display of bubbling baths spread over hundreds of square meters. We can try cooking eggs in their slightly sulfuric water.
We then clear the Chilean-Bolivian border to enter Lauca National Park. A short stop at Lake Chungara (el. 4570 m.a.s.l.), dominated by the impressive Volcano Parinacota (el. 6340 m.a.s.l.), allows us to observe Andean gueese and Ducks, flamingoes… typical birds of high-altitude lagunas. We then descend towards the village of Parinacota and its charming colonial church of an interesting Andean style. A pleasant trail takes us to the maze formed by the Lagunas of Cota Cotani, before descending to the village through the bofedals (3 to 4-hour hike). We reach the village of Putre in our 4WD at the end of the day.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel **

PUTRE – SALAR DE SURIRE – ENQUELGA – ISLUGA - COLCHANE
We head south through the Vicuñas national parc. We scroll along the actif volcano Guallatiri (6063 m.a.s.l.) before reaching the Salar of Surire (4245 m.a.s.l.), which name comes from the ñandus (suri in Aymara). We can observe 3 varieties of flamingoes together with numerous lamas, alpagas and vicuñas.
Lunch stop nearby hot water springs. We then get a small trail heading south through the Isluga parc.
We cross the colonial villages of Enquelga (3850 m.a.s.l.) and Isluga (3980 m.a.s.l.). Arrival in Colchane late afternoon.
Cold lunch (included). All included. Night in a shelter (basic comfort).

COLCHANE – HUMBERSTONE - CALAMA
Morning departure for Pozo Almonte before taking the Pan-American Highway connecting Alaska with Tierra de Fuego. Long traverse of the desolate northern Chilean landscape on the way to Calama (7/8h). We stop to visit Humberstone, former saltpeter factory, today a ghost town, and some geoglyphs such as the “giant of Atacama” and if time permits, the geoglyphs of Pintados.
Lunch on the road (included). Dinner open. Hotel **

CALAMA – CHIU-CHIU – LASANA – CASPANA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
In the morning, excursion to the fortress of Lasana (12th century). Then, we descend to the typical small village of Chiu-Chiu before heading towards the village of Caspana, beautifully tucked in the canyon of the same name. The dirt road, once again deserted, takes us before sunset to San Pedro de Atacama, a cool oasis in the middle of the scorching desert of Atacama.
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel **We leave the hotel at 4 A.M. to the Tatio geysers, some of them squirting their boiling waters up to almost 2 meters (2h30 ride). Possible bathing in the thermal pool on-site. Return to San Pedro through Machuca valley in the morning’s end. At 4.30 P.M. excursion to Moon Valley at the end of town. Visit through Death Valley, the viewpoint, and 3 Marias Valley. We’ll watch the sunset and its superb colours over the rugged landscape before returning to San Pedro. When night sets, an astronomer joins us for the San Pedro observatory for discovery session of the Southern sky. After 2 hours sky watching, both with unaided eyes and telescope, we return to the village where we complete explanations, enjoying hot beverages. Note: this excursion is open to other participants (up to 12 persons maximum). Lunch and supper at your leasure. Hotel Takha Takha**

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA / GEYSERS OF TATIO – VALLEY OF THE MOON
We depart at 4 a.m. towards the Tatio where we admire the geysers roaring in the cold air of the Altiplano. The valley looks like a giant pot. Water spurts here and there. This geological curiosity mixes a ground still frozen to clear water springs at more than 70°C. (2 1/2-hour trip). Option to bathe in one of the cooler hot springs. Return before noon to San Pedro by the Valley de Machuca.
At 4:30 p.m., our vehicle takes us to the Cordillera de Sal and the Valley of the Moon, where we walk though impressive landscapes made of dunes and sculpted Sandstone Mountains. We admire the sunset (superb colors over the contorted scenery) before returning to San Pedro, cool oasis in the middle of the scorching Atacama Desert.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.
OPTION : 2 hours of discovery of the austral sky, driven by an astronomer, from the amateur Note : group excursion, up to 12 participants 
- OPTION AUSTRAL SKY: 25 $us / pers.

Day 9

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – BOLIVIA – LAGUNA VERDE – LAGUNA COLORADA
A steep ascent to the Altiplano takes us to the border post of Hito Cajón, entry point into the region of Lipez. We reach Laguna Verde, at the foot of volcanoes Juriques and Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) before noon, to witness a curious phenomenon: the wind picks up and the waters of Laguna Verde change to a spectacular emerald color.
Then we cross the Dali Desert (named after its scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings) before skirting Laguna Salada and stopping at the thermal baths of Polques.
Finally we arrive at the Sol de Mañana Geysers (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and heavy water. At the end of the day we reach Laguna Colorada. This laguna owes its intense red-brick color to the presence in its water of millions of shellfish Artemia, well-studied by scientists for their incredible adaptability in saline environment.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in a shelter (basic comfort).

Day 10

LAGUNA COLORADA – “ROUTE OF THE JEWELS” - SAN JUAN
We head north through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli desert and its famous “Arbol de Piedra” (Stone Tree) where we may be able to spot some viscachas. We then skirt the Chilean border following the “Route of the Jewels”: lagoons Ramaditas, Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Canapa, a sanctuary to 3 different types of flamingoes. We stop at the viewpoint of volcano Ollague. This active volcano hosts the world’s highest sulfur mine.
The track then drops from around 4200 meters above sea level to 3600. We cross the small Salar de Chiguana at the foot of volcano Tomasamil (el. 5900 m.a.s.l.) before arriving in the village of San Juan where are located the spectacular mummies of the “Lipez Lords” (1200 B.C.).
Cold lunch. All included. Hotel **

Day 11

SAN JUAN - SALAR D´UYUNI - JIRIRA
A 2-hour trip from San Juan will take us to the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.), the largest salt desert in the world. The atmosphere is special: the horizon seems to not have any limits and the immensity is overwhelming. We head north to the Island of Incahuasi. This Island is of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites (fossilized bacteria representing the first traces of life on earth) and giant cacti.
In the afternoon we cross the Salar to reach its Northern extremity, at the foot of volcano Tunupa. We stop in Coquesa, a small village on the shores of the salar, known for its Chipaya mummies, before arriving at Jirira.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Lupe and Don Carlos in the Aymara village of Jirira (basic comfort).

Day 12

JIRIRA - ASCENT OF TUNUPA (PARTIAL / el.4700 m.a.s.l.) - UYUNI
With guide – No technical difficulty – Good physical condition required
Early departure for the ascent of the volcano dominating the entire Salar (our 4WD drops us off at the end of the dirt road above the village). In about 4 hours, we reach the viewpoint (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.) offering an exceptional panorama. The summit (el. 5400 m.a.s.l.) cannot be attempted because of the potential danger due to the necessity of climbing over cliffs. Return to Jirira in the afternoon and arrival in Uyuni by early evening, after visiting the Salt Hotels and the salt factory of Colchani.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ***.
Ascent time: 7 h; Elevation gain: +850m/-850m.

Day 13

UYUNI – PULACAYO - POTOSÍ
We depart at 8:30 a.m. for Potosí (5 to 6 hours on a dirt road). We traverse the Cordillera Frailes before reaching the Imperial city in the afternoon. Along the way, we stop in Pulacayo, which was during the 17th and 18th century the second most important silver mine on the continent. Today, it is an almost abandoned village, where we find, nonetheless, a museum telling of its past glory. End of the day open (visit of the Santa Teresa Convent recommended).
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel ***

Day 14

POTOSÍ / VISIT - SUCRE
We dedicate this day to the discovery of Potosi, nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
At 9 a.m., we meet in the hotel lobby to visit the mines of Cerro Rico where we see miners at work. In the afternoon, we visit the Casa de la Moneda (closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays), where the Spanish minted the coins for the crown until the 19th century.
At 4 p.m., we leave for Sucre in our private vehicle. We leave the high plateau to descend in the valleys of Chuquisaca. We pass the Río Pilcomayo by the Sucre Bridge, and its interesting architecture (further South, this río separates Argentina from Paraguay) before arriving in Sucre, at the end of the day (3-hour trip on a paved road).
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***

Day 15

SUCRE / CITY TOUR
We meet in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a guided visit of the colonial city registered as a World Heritage city by UNESCO. Amongst others: ethnographic textile museum (ASUR), Casa de la Libertad (closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays), Recoleta convent, cathedral and San Felipe Nery monastery… Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***..

SUCRE – LA PAZ
Private transfer from the hotel to the airport 2 hours before take off. Flight Sucre – La Paz (50-minute flight, see time table). Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***

DEPARTURE
Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.

POSSIBLE EXTENSION : 3 DAYS
 

LA PAZ - COPACABANA
Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. with a private 4WD. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real before descending towards Copacabana (3 ½ hours).
Visit of the most interesting sites of the town: Horca del Inca, cathedral… We climb the Way of the Cross, ancient pilgrimage, for a beautiful sunset over the Lake (don’t forget your headlamp for the descent). Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ** / lake view.

COPACABANA – TREK YAMPUPATA - ISLA DEL SOL - YUMANI
The trek continues along the crest of the Yampupata Peninsula. We cross the village of Zampaya that time seems to have forgotten...
Arrival in Yampupata after a 4/5-hour walk. A boat takes us to the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), where we disembark at the old Inca Palace of Pilkokaina.
A 30/40-minute walk brings us to the village of Yumani, from where there is a magnificent view of the lake. Cold lunch. All included. Lodging at María and Ismael’s house (basic comfort).
Note: During the following 2 days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the gear during the walks. 
Walking time: 5h ; Elevation gain: +100m/-100m

CHA´LLAPAMPA - TREK ISLA DEL SOL – YUMANI – LA PAZ
In the morning, we visit the museum of Marka Pampa. Then we follow the crest level with Chicana ruins to the village of Yumani at the Southern point of the island. Return by boat to Copacabana in the afternoon and to La Paz in the evening
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +100m / -100m

DEPARTURE
Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.