Overland San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni and La Paz - 7 Days

Arrival at Calama airport. Transfer to your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama and check in.

Ready to explore the driest and highest desert in the world? You will be picked up from your accommodation between 04:30 and 05:00 in the morning depending on the season. The road will take you between hills and mountains of the tough Andes mountain range until you reach the geothermal site of the geisers one and a half hours after departure. There you will be able to admire the out-of-this-world geisers, fumaroles and steaming craters that show the volcanic activity of the region. The geisers reserve is located at 89 km from San Pedro and 4,230 meters above sea level. So the temperature is low in summer (-6 degrees Celcius) and even colder during the winter months July and August (-20 degrees Celcius). It is very important to take warm clothes and plenty of water to help your body adapt to such a high altitude. Breakfast is offered viewing the geothermic field and on the way back there is a short stop at Machuca village. We're back in San Pedro at about 12:30.

Spend the day in San Pedro de Atacama as you like with a lot of optional activities to choose from such as tours to Moon Valley or the Altiplanic lagoons.

It's an early morning with pick-up from your accommodation between 06:30 and 07:00 to begin your overlanding journey from San Pedro to the Uyuni salt flats! There is a stop at the border to go through immigration, and after a short ride the minibus reaches Hito Cajon, the border with Bolivia. In the foothills of the Licancabur volcano you will change to a 4WD jeep that is going to be your trusted means of transportation until the end of this overland adventure. You will meet your driver and other staff over breakfast. They speak very little English and even their Spanish is basic, but are friendly and helpful.

This is the beginning of the real adventure. The vehicle will ride along deserted landscapes climbing higher and higher without even noticing it is happening. You will see red and white lagoons with plenty of wildlife, huge white-topped mountains and volcanoes, and altiplanic plains while chatting with your companions and learning about their travels. Lunch is provided at a place of hot springs and after that, the second part of the day takes you to the Sol de Mañana geisers and finally to Laguna Colorada, where more than 30,000 flamingoes nest every year. The night will be spent at Huaylajara at a family or communal hostel. Basic but clean enough to sleep and eat in to be ready for the next day!

Please note that on this first day you will reach 4,500 meters above sea level, so take into account the many tips to avoid 'soroche' (altitude sickness).

Enjoy your breakfast and relax a bit before everyone is ready and off you go to learn a bit more about life in the Altiplano. On the second day, the road is less dramatic and lonely and you will see more signs of civilization. You will visit the Siloli desert where the wind and sun and a bit rain have carved strange volcanic rock formations. By lunch time you will be at Laguna Escondida (Hidden Lagoon) and in the afternoon you will see the canyon of river Anaconda. In the evening, arrival at Salt Hotel in the shores of the Uyuni Salt Flat for your second night in the desert.

It's another early start between 04:00 and 05:00 to cross the biggest and highest salt flat in the world. Weather permitting, you will be able to see the sunrise in the middle of the salt flat, one of the most beautiful experiences the Altiplano has to offer - and simply being on the salt flat is already breathtaking! Having breakfast in this amazing setting will probably be one of the most unforgettable meals you'll ever have.

The driver has to drive slowly so you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy and be amazed by this out-of-this-world landscape. Around midday we'll stop for lunch at a salt hotel and restaurant close to Colchani village, the gateway to the flats. We'll arrive in Uyuni town in the afternoon so you will have time to relax, grab a coffee, charge your mobile devices and connect with your friends and family to tell them about your adventures! In the evening make your own way to the bus station and catch an overnight cama bus to La Paz at 20:00.

Arrival in La Paz, end of services.

Calama airport pick-up
3 nights' accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
Geisers del Tatio excursion
San Pedro to Uyuni Overland including:
* Transportation
* 2 nights' accommodation
* Spanish speaking driver/guide
* 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Overnight bus from Uyuni to La Paz