Discovering Uyuni and Atacama (9 nights)

This trip offers a fascinating view of the altiplano, the desert and the salt flats, all which enable you to come into contact with the locals and immerse yourself in their culture. The excellent combination of excursions and sites that you’ll visit will enable you to appreciate the spectacular scenery of Uyuni - where the world’s largest salt flats are - and Atacama in Chile.

Day 1: Airport - Salta City

You will be picked up from the airport in Salta and taken to the accommodation provided. For the rest of the day, you will be free to explore this typical northern city.

- Accommodation: hostel in a double or single room
- Meals included: none
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Day 2: Salta - Humahuaca

The tour departs early from the city of Salta to the province of Jujuy, visiting Leon, Tumbaya, Purmamarca and the Mountain of Seven Colours. You will also go to Tilcara, where you can walk amongst the ruins and visit the Archaeological Museum of Uquía, with its ancient church. In Humahuaca you will visit a craft market and the Belgrano monument. Spend the night in Humahuaca.

- Accommodation: hostel in a double or single room
- Meals included: breakfast
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Day 3: Quiaca - Villazón - Uyuni

You will be transported by bus to the city of La Quiaca. After crossing the border, arrive at Villazón, where the guide will take you to the train station to catch the train to Uyuni, where you’ll stay the night.

- Accommodation: hostel in a double or single room
- Meals included: breakfast
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Day 4: Salar de Uyuni

The tour departs in the morning in a 4x4 from Uyuni to Colchani, a small town where salt mining and refining takes place. You will enter the salt flats, walking through the piles of salt and observing how salt blocks are extracted.

You can visit the craft shops, salt hotels and Isla Incahuasi, where you can see huge cacti and check out the panoramic views from the viewpoint. On the island, you’ll have a snack before embarking on a hike and continue towards Chuvica, where you will spend the night in a basic refuge.

- Accommodation: refuge with private bathroom
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Day 5: Salar de Uyuni - Bolivia Highland Lakes

The tour departs after breakfast to the highland lakes of Bolivia: Cañapa, Hedionda and Ramadita, before continuing to the Siloli Desert to see the Árbol de Piedra. Visit Colorada Lagoon, where pink flamingos and Andean fauna, such as the vicuña and rhea. Here you will spend the night in a basic refuge.

- Accommodation: refuge with private bathroom
-Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Day 6: Highland Lakes - San Pedro de Atacama

The tour departs early in the morning to the Geysers (volcanic vents) and hot springs. Throughout the tour, you’ll see unusual rock formations caused by erosion. You will then arrive at Laguna Verde, which changes colour between the hours of 11:00 and 12:00.

Prepare to be amazed by the stunning view of the Licancabur Volcano and the border between Hito and Cajones. Then you will begin the journey back to Uyuni. From there, the tour continues by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, which you’ll arrive the following day at around noon. For the rest of the afternoon, you’ll be free to relax and explore the town of San Pedro.

- Accommodation: hostel in a double or single room
- Meals included: breakfast
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Day 7: Salar de Atacama and Highland Lakes of Chile

In the morning, the first day excursion will begin: Salar de Atacama, Toconao and the highland lakes. Visit Chaxa Lagoon, located in Salar de Atacama, where you can see flamingos and migratory birds.

The tour continues towards the highland lakes Meñiques and Miscanti, formed by the eruption of the Meñiques volcano 1 million years ago, which are rich in flora and fauna. On the way back to San Pedro, there will be a stop in the town of Socaire, where you will have lunch and visit some churches. You'll also get to see the village of Tocona and the famous Quebrada de Jerez, before returning to San Pedro.

- Accommodation: hostel in a double or single room.
- Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
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Day 8: Tatio Geysers - Valley of the Moon

The final tour in Chile, to El Tatio Geysers and Machuca village, begins early in the morning. You'll travel for 2 hours to get to the geothermal field, located 4320 metres above sea level, where the temperature is roughly -15ºC. Here you’ll walk amongst geysers in full action and have breakfast. Afterwards, there will be a stop at the pool, with temperatures ranging between 25ºC and 30ºC.

The journey continues to Bofedal de Putana, where you can observe various migratory birds, before arriving at Machuca, a small picturesque town. On the way back to San Pedro, you’ll see an ancient cactus forest, before reaching the town at noon.

In the evening you will visit the Valley of the Moon, (located 17km from San Pedro) whose name comes from its extraordinary likeness to the lunar surface. From a large dune, you’ll be able to appreciate the setting of this magnificent area.

- Accommodation: hostel in a double or single room
- Meals included: breakfast
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Day 9: San Pedro de Atacama - Salta

Time to say goodbye to San Pedro de Atacama! From here, you’ll cross the Andes on a regular bus to get to Argentina, on an unforgettable journey that will take you via Pass de Jama (4200m) to the magnificent city of Salta.

- Accommodation: hostel
- Meals included: breakfast
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Day 10 : Salta - Salta Airport

After breakfast, you’ll be transported to the airport / bus terminal in Salta, where this incredible Discovering Atacama tour will come to an end.

- Meals included: breakfast

Read our article for more information: The experience of traveling through South America