Family

Arrival in La Paz, the world's highest administrative capital! Your driver will take you to your hotel (rooms available from midday). Rest of the day free.

Your guide will collect you from your hotel and take you to the historic city center of La Paz. The tour starts at the central station of the red cable car. In addition to our team of English-speaking guides, a "special" guide will show us around the city in his own way. A "shoeshine boy" will accompany us throughout the morning. After a cable car ride, we're off to visit various markets. Our first stop is the potato market, where we discover the dehydrated potato variety, las tuntas and los chuños, a local species with a very special taste and smell. Next, we enter the fish market, where most of the produce is trout, straight from Lake Titicaca. Fish arrive every morning between 3.30 and 5 a.m., and the cholitas start setting up their stalls. Then it's on to the neighborhood, where you will find all the stores where the cholita paceña buys her uniform: fabrics, clothes, hats and jewelry. Very coquettish, the cholitas go so far as to match their jewelry to the color of their contact lenses. Once you get to know this world, you will understand why it's more profitable for a cholita to pay a bodyguard than risk having an earring stolen. A vicuña jacket, for example, can fetch up to $15,000. A short break is necessary for a Bolivian culinary experience at the Manq'a restaurant. Afternoon devoted to a walking tour of La Paz to soak up the atmosphere of this surprising and endearing city. Discover the colorful traditional markets, the colonial quarter, Plaza Murillo or Calle Jaen, La Paz's most beautiful colonial street.

Departure for the viewpoint K'Illi K'Illi which offers a superb view of the city and the majestic Illimani. Then, we go down to the south area. We start a hike to the Pedregal Canyon (3600 m alt.). Peaceful rise among impressive natural statues to a pass that opens "El Valle Escondido", the Hidden Valley. We continue until the quiet village at the foot of the Devil's Molar. To end this beautiful day, afternoon devoted to the discovery on foot the colorful markets and historic center with its colonial churches.

Morning departure from the hotel by private vehicle to the town of Chuquiñapi, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, far from the tourist trails. Check-in at the José Ferrari monastery, a beautiful building overlooking the lake. After lunch at the monastery, we take the vehicle to Sunata Island, south of Chuquiñapi (20 minutes). From here, we embark on a beautiful hike. After exploring the small island of Sunata, we head north along the shores of the lake. Return on foot to the monastery in the middle of the Andean countryside. Stroll along the shores or enjoy the peace and quiet. Dinner on site.

We leave to join one of the two catamarans on the other side of the bay. Sail with our local crew as the wind blows across this beautiful bay, taking in the breathtaking views of the imposing glacial massifs of the Cordillera Real. Return to the monastery in the late morning. In the afternoon, you can take advantage of this restful and enchanting lakeside setting. Overnight at the monastery.

After breakfast, we set off in a 4x4 vehicle by road and then by track to the Santos refuge (4400 m alt.) in the heart of the Cordillera Real. We climb to the Col Mollo (5000 m alt.) at the foot of the Wila Lluxita glacier (5244m) before descending to the Mina Fabulosa and rejoining the Santos refuge. The "Qala Uta" project was born in 2002, on the initiative of a few families from the communities of Uma Palca and Challana. The members of Qala Uta share their knowledge of the mountains with visitors, introducing them to their Aymara culture and community way of life. In this magnificent valley, the community built this all-stone refuge. The granite cliffs in front of the hut have been equipped with beautiful routes (levels 5 to 7).

We descend to the river below the hut before climbing up into the Wilallojje valley for about 1 hour. Then we climb to the left along a steep path among the rocks to reach a pass at 4740m after another hour's effort. A beautiful view opens over the laguna TresPicos or Kunuijitinta (meaning snow avalanche in Aymara), at the foot of the Trespicos glacier. Continuing a level curve, we reach this beautiful lagoon for lunch. We then descend to the Khota Pata lagoon along a steep path, in about 1 hour. Here we can try our hand at trout fishing. Return to the refuge in 2 hours from the lagoon.

The day will be devoted to rock-climbing initiation. The site is surrounded by granite walls, a climber's paradise. There are 13 equipped routes in the area, from 6 to 69 m in height (up to 3 pitches), from level 4 to 7. You can take advantage of the different climbing sectors for sport climbing, but you can also climb to the top of the granite massif for traditional climbing. It's the perfect place for it! After lunch, we regretfully leave the Santos refuge and our hosts, returning to La Paz. Rest of the day free.

Transfer by private vehicle to El Alto airport. Flight from La Paz to Uyuni (no flights on Saturdays). Expedition by 4x4 vehicle. First, we visit the train cemetery on the outskirts of town. Most of the trains in this cemetery date back to the early 20th century and were imported from England to transport ore to Chile. Drive through the village of San Cristobal, which was relocated following the arrival of a mining company. Discover the Valley of the Rocks, where erosion has created strange shapes several meters high. Some more notable than others, find the resemblance! One of the rocks may be shaped like a soccer world cup or a camel. Overnight at Mallku Cueva Ecolodge.

Drive to the Polques thermal baths (4,000 m), where you will have the chance to take a dip with beautiful views over the Laguna Chalviri. On the way, discover the famous "Dali Desert" with its supernatural landscapes of light ochre tones. Finally, you reach the Laguna Blanca and above all the Laguna Verde (4,300 m) with its emerald hue and the Licancabur volcano in the background. You return by the same route before stopping at the "Sol de Mañana" site (4,850 m alt.), an area characterized by numerous geysers, fumaroles and mud pools. Arrival at Laguna Colorada, home to numerous colonies of pink flamingos strutting their stuff. A short stop at a lookout points for a last look at the Laguna Colorada. The track becomes less tortuous as we pass through the Siloli Desert.This desert features numerous geomorphological formations, including the recognizable "stone tree". The surrounding landscape is not to be outdone, with its multicolored mountains. Arrive at the Desert Hotel in the late afternoon.

Head north along the Jewel Route, a series of magnificent lagoons (Honda, Ch'arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa), some of which are home to colonies of pink flamingos. Perfect time for a selfie with a flamingo! A short break is necessary to contemplate the Ollaguë and Tomasamil volcanoes. You reach the Salar de Chiguana, which brings the day to a close. Arrive at Hotel Tayka de Piedra in the late afternoon.

First, a short detour is necessary to reach the small Galaxy Cave, a rather unique place... Arriving on the Uyuni Salt Flats, even if it had been hoped for, impatiently awaited, even if it had been glimpsed in photos, it is beyond imagination. Its immaculate surface, a virgin land for everyone's dreams. Dotted with rare islands, you will find vantage points from which to observe, photograph, picnic... and, above all, meditate on the beauty of the world. Discover Incahuasi Island with a short walk (approx. 45 minutes) along a small path. The island is home to a number of cacti that have magically appeared here...it's just indescribable. If time permits, visit a small Tahua salt farm and the small Chantani museum. Overnight in Tahua village. Sunset over the Salar.

Morning departure for the nearby village of Coquesa, at the foot of the Tunupa volcano. Discover the site of pre-Columbian mummies dating from around 700 A.D. Gentle, gradual hike to the mirador (approx. 02h00 ascent). Magnificent view of the volcano crater and Uyuni Salt Flats. Descent by the same route in around 1 hour. After this beautiful hike, we head for the village of Jirira for a chance to meet the local community. We will learn about quinoa cultivation and the cultural history of the area. In the late afternoon, we cross the Salar to reach the village of Colchani, on the edge of the Salar.

Transfer to Uyuni airport and flight to La Paz (no flights available on Saturday). Free afternoon in La Paz.