Andean sports and adventures

Airport reception and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free. You will visit, at your choice, either downtown La Paz, the watchtowers, the historic center or the markets, etc. You will discover the lively streets of the highest capital in the world and you will acclimatize slowly but surely.

Another free day to discover the city of La Paz, you could do a short acclimatization walk, for example at the Muela del Diablo or in the Valley of the Animas.

Pick up at the meeting place in La Paz in the early morning (meeting place to be defined). About 3 hours of paved road before arriving in Huarina. From here you will start your little bike trip. Your driver will give you some directions and you will agree on some meeting points, for a picnic, for example. First of all, you will have to follow the main road, you will pass by small villages bordering the lake like Huatajata. Arrived in the village of Janko Amaya, you will leave the main road and you will branch off on a small hilly country road. You can meet the driver at the top of the first climb to have a picnic with a magnificent view of the lake. Then a descent, a second climb and then a long descent to the community of Tajo Kachi, a few more kilometers and you will be in Chuquiñapi.

We leave to join one of the two catamarans located on the other side of the bay. Then sail with our local crew in the sandstone of the wind in this pretty bay to enjoy the breathtaking views of the imposing glacial massifs of the Cordillera Royal. Return to the monastery at the end of the morning. After lunch, short walk to Sunata Island, a peninsula accessible on foot.

Departure in the morning after breakfast from the community of Chuquiñapi, you will continue your journey on the same road as yesterday, pleasant, almost no traffic and magnificent viewpoints. You will drive for nearly 40 kilometers on this road until you reach the town of Achacachi. You could meet your driver in the main square, and enjoy a picnic, or wait until you are out of town before eating. Then, direction the village of Peñas, at the foot of the Royal Cordillera, another 30 kilometers approximately, you will spend the night in this village.

Day in the community of Peñas, you can try climbing on the cliffs of the region, but also fill up on thrills in the brand-new adventure park of the community.

In the morning, after breakfast, let's go for the climb in the mythical Cordillera Royal, you can agree, at your choice, with your driver, up to where you want to climb. 2 lagoons, Khotia and Khota Thya, or even, for the strongest, up to the Mullu pass, at 5,000 meters above sea level. Then, descent to the community of Qala Uta and its pretty stone refuge.

Depart in the morning for a magnificent day hike, starting directly at walk from the refuge and in a loop. We will pass by some of the magnificent lagoons of the region including the Tres Picos lagoon, and through exceptional landscapes.

In the morning, climbing in the cliffs near the Santos refuge, the community has equipped several routes of different levels, you can also practice bouldering. After lunch at the refuge, we go to visit the Fabulosa mine, a tin mine that supports the community, then return to La Paz after the visit. Arrival in the early evening in the capital.

Pick up at the meeting place in La Paz in the early morning (meeting place to be defined). About 7 hours drive before arriving at Jayu Khota crater. Possible to stop on the road to stretch your legs a bit, for example in Quillacas, where you can climb Calvary and admire the view of the region. Night in a tent near the crater. Another option, sleep in Challapata in a hotel.

Departure in the morning by bike for a little warm-up, about 4 hours of cycling on a rather flat asphalt road, with very little traffic. You will gradually approach the imposing Tunupa volcano but also the Salar de Uyuni. Some nice views of the Salar and the Bolivian Altiplano. Arriving in Salinas, the quinoa capital of the world, you will have lunch and then set off for Alcaya by car. The afternoon will be spent visiting one of the prettiest archaeological sites in Bolivia, the ruins of Alcaya, of the Chullpa civilization. A local guide will take you to the top of the lost city, where the view of the region is magnificent. After visiting the small community museum, return to Salinas, meal and night.

Departure in the morning for a rather quiet day on the dirt roads of the region, from Salinas you will reach the community of Tahua, located on the banks of the Salar … The road goes through land, west of the Tunupa volcano, other slightly longer option, by the east of the volcano and passing by the communities of Jirira, Coquesa… At the edge of the Salar de Uyuni. Overnight in Tahua at the community-run Hotel Tayka de Sal, overlooking the Salar and Tunupa.

Departure in the morning for a nice loop in the region. We take the road of the previous day for a bit before branching off into a pretty valley, the road will take you through the beautiful cliffs of the region before rejoining the Salar again. From there, a few kilometers along the edge of the Salar and you will reach the small cave of Chiquini. After the visit to the cave and the picnic, return to Tahua, either along the Salar, a magnificent road passing through the community of Caquena borders the Salar for about twenty kilometers and ends in Tahua… The other option, it is to cut directly by the Salar, however, this part of the Salar is often flooded until late in the year. Return to Tahua and another night at the hotel in Sal.

Day without a bike, but sporty all the same! We leave by car for the community of Coquesa, located not far from Tahua, then we begin the climb in 4x4. This hike will allow you to reach one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Salar de Uyuni but also on the Tunupa crater. After the hike, return by vehicle to Tahua.

Departure in the morning for the long-awaited crossing of the Salar de Uyuni … After spending several days on these banks, having contemplated it from various points of view, it is finally time to embark on its crossing! So we start today with the easiest part, only 40km separate Tahua from Incahuasi Island. However, the crossing can be difficult depending on the state of the Salar. Depending on the season or the year, the Salar can indeed be wet, slightly unstable and full of holes, or sometimes completely flat and rolling… Upon arrival in Incahuasi, we will of course go to the top of the island to have one of the best views of this wonder of nature. Night in a tent on the island.

Last day, today we finish crossing the Salar … A little harder than yesterday, it is indeed about 75km that separates the island of Colchani. The Salar is however in better condition on this part and the wind often blows at your back… A few kilometers before arriving at Colchani, you will pass by the monuments of the Dakar and that of the flags...

First, an asphalt road passing through San Cristobal and its famous mine. The path continues along the “1001 Lagoons” route, a succession of several magnificent lagoons (Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa) some of which are home to colonies of pink flamingos…amazing. Arrival at the Desert Hotel in the afternoon.

Depart for the stunning Laguna Colorada. Along the way, stop at the Siloli Desert and its famous “stone tree”. Passage of a pass flirting with 5000 meters before reaching the site of “Sol de Mañana” (4850 masl), an area characterized by significant geothermal activity with numerous geysers, fumaroles or mud pools . The track then extends to the thermal baths of Polques (4000 m). The bravest can take advantage of a bath with a view of the Laguna Chalviri and crossing the “Dali desert”. Arrival at the end of the morning at the Laguna Verde (el. 4300 masl) at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. Possibility to bathe in thermal waters and walk around the lagoons.

Departure very early in the night to reach the starting point of the ascent of the Licancabur volcano located at 4,625 m in a 4x4 vehicle (about 30 minutes of transport). Ascent with a Park guide. First quiet climb to the foot of the volcano. Then very long ascent on a very steep and stony path directly on the slopes of the Volcano. About six hours are needed to reach the summit and its beautiful crater containing a small frozen lagoon. Stunning view of Lagunas Blanca and Verde. Descent by the same path in 2 to 3 hours. We leave in the afternoon for Villamar. Arriving late in the day.

Discovery of the Rocks Valley where erosion has created strange shapes of several meters placed on the sandy ground as if by magic. Ascent due north to the village of San Cristobal. Village relocated following the arrival of a mining company. Little anecdote, its church was rebuilt stone by stone and the cost of this operation amounts to almost half a million dollars. Before arriving in Uyuni, visit the train cemetery located on the outskirts of the city.

Flight between Uyuni and La Paz, end of the day free arriving in La Paz.

Sniff sniff, it's time to go! Departure from the hotel for a transfer to La Paz airport (3 hours before the international departure time).