Southern Divide

Duration: 21 days

Begins: Lima

Ends: Santiago

Trip Code: SMS

From

£3,379 per person

Angebot anfordern

or Call 01273 099433

    For those looking to experience the history, culture, and wilderness of South America, this three-week adventure through Peru, Bolivia, and Chile is packed full of some of the continent’s most iconic and popular highlights. Explore the Sacred Valley and uncover Incan history high in the Andes at legendary Machu Picchu. Explore incredible landscapes at Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert, and encounter vibrant culture at Lake Titicaca. Because we have years of experience and established operational offices in the region, we’ll take care of the hassles so that you can focus on the highlights. Get off the beaten track and embrace the best of this incredible region.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    Classic
    All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
    Service Level
    Standard
    Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Small Group experience; Max 16, avg 12
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your G for Good Moment: Luquina Chico Community Visit, Lake Titicaca Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Cusco Your Discover Moment: Sucre
    • Sacred Valley guided tour
    • Pottery making demonstration
    • Train to Machu Picchu
    • Machu Picchu guided tour
    • Floating islands of Uros visit
    • Lake Titicaca guided tour
    • 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni (3 days)
    • Tour of Valley of the Moon (San Pedro de Atacama)
    • Internal flights
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
    Accommodation

    Hotels/guesthouses (18 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share).

    Meals

    18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

    Allow USD560-730 for meals not included.

    Transportation

    Plane, train, boat, public bus, 4x4 vehicles, hiking.

    Staff & experts

    CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

    Day 1 : Lima

    Arrive at any time.

    There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

    We suggest arriving early to experience everything Lima has to offer. A full day tour will be available to book during your trip check-out process. If you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00. Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Latin America (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.

    Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

    1h

    Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

    Optional Activities - Day 1

    Lima City Tour

    Lima 4h

    Discover Lima’s cultural and culinary highlights on this half-day guided tour. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, walk around Plaza de Armas, marvel at the Bodega y Quadra Museum, and get to know some of Lima's lovely neighbourhoods. Stop to enjoy some authentic Peruvian tapas and be introduced to Pisco Sours during a demonstration and tasting.

    Lima Cooking Class (4hrs)

    Lima

    Get a taste of Peruvian cuisine, visit local markets, sample exotic fruit, select fresh ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes influenced by China, Italy, West Africa, and Japan. Please note that if you are travelling with a family there is no age restriction on this activity and the cooking class is acceptable for children.

    Day 2 : Lima/Cusco

    Hop a flight to Cusco. Enjoy a free day for shopping and exploring the city. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour.

    Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, and getting used to the altitude.

    Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.

    Plane

    Lima - Cusco 1h - 1h30m

    Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

    Free time:

    Cusco

    Spend the day shopping and exploring the city.

    Optional Activities - Day 2

    Cusco City Tour

    Cusco

    Enjoy a half-day tour of Cusco's main sights. Walk around the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore this city steeped in one of the world's most alluring and ancient cultures. Visit Qenqo, Koricancha, the Cathedral, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman.

    Cusco Cooking Class

    Cusco - Cuzco

    Channel your inner chef and get a taste of Peruvian cuisine. Learn all about the essential ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes with a local expert

    Inka Museum

    Cusco

    Get ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 3 : Cusco

    Spend a full day enjoying optional activities in the area.

    Opt to visit and hike the famed Rainbow Mountain, pre-book on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

    Free time:

    Cusco Full day

    Don't waste a minute— head out an explore.

    Optional Activities - Day 3

    Inka Museum

    Cusco

    Get ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.

    Rainbow Mountain Hike - Full-day Trip

    Cusco

    Lookout over these colourful Andean mountains striped with maroon, turquoise, lavender, and gold. The sediment, elevation, and proximity to the ocean create a landscape that has to be seen to be believed. Get started early to drive around 2 hours to the starting point of this challenging, yet rewarding full-day hike. Reaching 5,029m (16,500 ft) this 14km hike is no walk in the park, but these unique mountains do not disappoint.

    Cusco City Tour

    Cusco

    Enjoy a half-day tour of Cusco's main sights. Walk around the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore this city steeped in one of the world's most alluring and ancient cultures. Visit Qenqo, Koricancha, the Cathedral, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 4 : Cusco/Ollantaytambo

    Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

    Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing used in the Ccaccaccollo community. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them. Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.

    Private Vehicle

    Cusco - Ollantaytambo 1h45m Full day 94km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Make stops along the way as you pass through this gorgeous valley – the elevation descends the whole way.

    Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit

    Ccaccaccollo 1h

    Visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which G Adventures travellers' donations helped create in 2005, thereby enabling local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. See local weaving and dyeing techniques used to create garments and souvenirs, and learn how the Planeterra weaving co-operative has impacted the community and those who visit it. This includes the purchase of alpacas to provide a steady supply of wool, looms, and sewing machines as well as several training courses on production, sales and small business management.

    Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley

    Lamay - Ollantaytambo 0h45m - 1h

    Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.

    Cuyo Chico Pottery Making Demonstration

    Pisac - Urubamba

    In the rural village of Cuyo Chico in the Sacred Valley, a group of families joined together to create a small business based on their traditional adobe ceramic crafts. Using clay from their surroundings, they mold bowls, plates, and all manner of decorations. Learn about the ceramics process as well as the traditional adobe brick-making that forms the basis of houses throughout the valley, all while taking in a spectacular view of the Pisac Ruins. After the demonstration, peruse the items for sale directly from the artisans in their shop.

    Visit a community located at the base of the Pisac ruins that specializes in pottery. Interact with the locals while they give a demonstration and later pick up a craft from their shop.

    Optional Activities - Day 4

    Ollantaytambo Storehouse Ruins and Hike

    Ollantaytambo 1h - 1h30m

    Get your blood flowing on a steep hike up to the Pinkuylluna Incan storehouses. Perched on the hill, these ruins provide excellent views of the Sacred Valley and the Ollantaytambo ruins below.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 5 : Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes

    Catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Opt to visit the local hot springs or shop in the local market.

    Board a morning train that winds through the spectacular Sacred Valley to the end of the line: the village of Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled in the hills beneath Machu Picchu. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the butterfly house, botanical gardens or hot springs. Opt for a day hike to Mandor Gardens to see orchids and a waterfall, enjoying the lush, green scenery en route.

    Train

    Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes 1h30m

    Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Optional Activities - Day 5

    1-Day Inca Trail Hike

    Inca Trail 6h - 8h 16km

    Traverse cloud forests while enjoying spectacular views on this '1-day Inca Trail' trek. Start by disembarking the train at km 104. Follow the local guide as the trail rises steeply up into the mountains and winds past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata. Gain insight into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way, and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon. Enjoy free time to explore a bit of Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following day. After, take one of the blue buses from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel in town. Opt to visit nearby hot springs to soak sore muscles, if time permits. **Please note this must be pre-booked as it requires an Inca Trail permit, which is on request and subject to availability. Please speak to your GCO or travel agent for more information.

    1 DAY INCA TRAIL HIKE PERMIT REQUEST Want a taste of the Inca Trail experience without committing to four days on the trail? Our 1 Day Inca Trail hike has you jumping off the train at Km 104 to trek about six hours to the Sun Gate, catching your first glimpse of Machu Picchu that afternoon. After soaking in the views, you'll hike down to the bus, taking you to Aguas Calientes where you'll catch up with the rest of your group. Get some rest because the next day you'll be up early to head back to Machu Picchu to get to know this site a little better with a guided tour around the area and free time to explore. By adding this Permit Request to your booking, you'll be notifying our team that you'd like us to purchase an Inca Trail permit on your behalf. One of our amazing Sales CEOs will contact you shortly after completing this booking process to gather all the required information to apply for a permit. Please have available your full name as it appears on your passport, passport number, expiry date and date of birth. PLEASE NOTE: Permits are limited and selecting this option does not guarantee we will be able to secure you a permit. There are only 500 permits available globally each day but our local Cusco office will do its very best to procure a permit for you. In the event permits are sold out, you will receive a full refund for the price of the permit. Your place on the tour will still be booked and you will take the train to Aguas Calientes with the group as outlined in the regular itinerary.

    Hot Springs Visit

    Aguas Calientes

    Soak your sore muscles in the local hot springs for which the town, Aguas Calientes, was originally named.

    Aguas Calientes, or hot waters, is the perfect place to soak in some natural hot springs.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 6 : Aguas Calientes/Cusco

    Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco in the evening.

    Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins then take a train back to Cusco.

    Local Bus

    Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu 0h15m

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Machu Picchu Guided Tour

    Machu Picchu

    Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.

    Train

    Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo 1h30m - 1h45m 31km

    Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Private Vehicle

    Ollantaytambo - Cusco 1h30m - 1h45m 60km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 7 : Cusco

    Use a free day to explore more of Cusco or relax.

    Free time:

    Cusco Full day

    Don't waste a minute—get out and explore the landscape on horseback, mountain bike, or explore some of the city's landmarks.

    Optional Activities - Day 7

    Inka Museum

    Cusco

    Get ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.

    Cusco City Tour

    Cusco

    Enjoy a half-day tour of Cusco's main sights. Walk around the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore this city steeped in one of the world's most alluring and ancient cultures. Visit Qenqo, Koricancha, the Cathedral, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 8 : Cusco/Puno

    Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.

    Travel through the high Altiplano region from Cusco to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is also the largest lake in the world above 3800m, and the views from both Amantaní and Taquile Islands are stunning. The trip takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route.

    Local Bus

    Cusco - Puno 7h30m 389km

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 9 : Puno

    Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca including a visit to Uros and Taquile islands.

    Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit to Sillustani burial site.

    Day Trip to Lake Titicaca

    Lake Titicaca

    Head out for a day on beautiful Lake Titicaca. Travel to Taquile Island to visit the community and check out the spectacular views. Do some shopping at the local weaving cooperatives and learn about the Taquileños, known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing. Continue on to the floating islands of Uros. Learn about the totora reeds that grow in the shallows of Lake Titicaca used to make everything from the islands themselves to the boats the islanders use for transportation (if constructed well, they last up to six months). Find out from locals how the islands are constructed; as the layers closest to the water start to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top.

    Optional Activities - Day 9

    Sillustani Burial Towers Entrance

    Puno

    Take a guided tour of the Sillustani burial towers known as "chullpas." Be awed by these fantastic ruins located outside Puno – their remarkable towers stretch up to 12m (39 ft) in height.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 10 : Puno/La Paz

    Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.

    Enjoy the full-day drive around the lake and through the altiplano to La Paz. Bolivia is filled with spectacular views of the countryside. La Paz is at nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, so be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.

    Local Bus

    Puno - Yunguyo 2h30m

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Border Crossing (Peru - Bolivia)

    Yunguyo - Copacabana 0h30m - 1h

    Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

    Local Bus

    Copacabana - La Paz 3h

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 11 : La Paz

    Enjoy a free day in La Paz. Opt to visit the Witches' Market, the city's museums or the Valley of the Moon.

    Explore the city’s many fine museums or its historic structures, like the Iglesia de San Francisco. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market). With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience. To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand. Thrill seekers can pre book a Death Road mountain biking adventure.

    Free time:

    La Paz Full day

    The day is yours— make the most of it.

    Optional Activities - Day 11

    Valley of the Moon Tour

    La Paz

    Tour the lunar landscape of the Valley of the Moon, observe the clay formations carved into the landscape by years of erosion.

    Witches' Market Visit

    La Paz

    Learn more about the pre-Columbian Aymara beliefs at the Witches' Market. You can witness locals buying products such as dried frogs, potions, and talismans for use in rituals and offerings.

    Death Road Biking Adventure

    La Paz

    Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar down the 'world's most dangerous road.' Start high up in the Andes at 4,700m (15,420 ft) and wind your way down this steep, narrow road on the mountainside into the depths of the Bolivian jungle. This is not one for the faint of heart, adrenaline junkies only! Please note that the entrance fee of 53 Bolivianos (not included in this activity) must be paid directly to the National Park prior to biking, only local currency is accepted. We are unable to pre-pay this fee in advance, due to the park policy.

    La Paz City Tour

    La Paz

    Explore the city on a guided tour. Check out stunning cathedrals, impressive museums, and lively markets, learning more about the history of this fascinating city. Look for majestic Mt Illimani in the background.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 12 : La Paz/Sucre

    Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.

    Optional activities include mountain biking, hiking, and searching for dinosaur footprints.

    Plane

    La Paz - Sucre 1h

    Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

    Free time:

    Sucre Afternoon

    Don't waste a minute, head out and explore.

    Optional Activities - Day 12

    Hiking

    Sucre

    Head out of town, take in some fresh air, and explore this scenic area by foot.

    Mountain Biking

    Sucre

    Take a guided mountain biking trip on the outskirts of Sucre and explore more of this beautiful region.

    Sucre Dinosaur Tracks Excursion

    Sucre

    Get ready to get up close and personal with the prehistoric times: Sucre is home to one of the world's largest collections of dinosaur footprints made some 68 million years ago. Discover more than 5,000 footprints perfectly preserved footprints in the Cal Orck’o cliff just outside the city centre. See the world's longest trail -- 347m (1138 ft) -- left by a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex now affectionately known as 'Johnny Walker'.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 13 : Sucre

    Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.

    Free time:

    Sucre Full day

    Explore the landscape on foot or two wheels.

    Optional Activities - Day 13

    Hiking

    Sucre

    Head out of town, take in some fresh air, and explore this scenic area by foot.

    Mountain Biking

    Sucre

    Take a guided mountain biking trip on the outskirts of Sucre and explore more of this beautiful region.

    Sucre Dinosaur Tracks Excursion

    Sucre

    Get ready to get up close and personal with the prehistoric times: Sucre is home to one of the world's largest collections of dinosaur footprints made some 68 million years ago. Discover more than 5,000 footprints perfectly preserved footprints in the Cal Orck’o cliff just outside the city centre. See the world's longest trail -- 347m (1138 ft) -- left by a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex now affectionately known as 'Johnny Walker'.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 14 : Sucre/Potosí

    Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.

    Local Bus

    Sucre - Potosí 2h30m

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Free time:

    Potosí Afternoon

    Spend free time learning about local mining production or wandering the city and soaking in the cultural atmosphere.

    Optional Activities - Day 14

    Silver Mine Tour

    Potosí

    Take the opportunity to visit a working silver mine and learn more about the process of extraction and working conditions faced by as much as half of the people who live and mine in Potosí. Bring a bandana and wear protective gear (boots, helmet and headlamp) as you head deep into the bowels of Cerro Rico (Rich Hill).

    Casa de la Moneda

    Potosí

    Learn about the first global currency at this renowned National Mint museum.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 15 : Potosí/Uyuni

    Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.

    During the rainy season the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.

    Local Bus

    Potosí - Uyuni 7h 230km

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 16 : Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing

    Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.

    Salt Flats and Desert Crossing Excursion

    Salt Flats

    Spend three days in the stunning landscape between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Enter a world unlike anything else as we drive across the salt flats; the piercing blue sky contrasts against the blinding white of the flat salt beds. Take memorable photos of the unusual landscape complete with mountains and active volcanoes. Visit the coloured lagoon of Laguna Colorada and enjoy the uniqueness of this region.

    Spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. The salt flats now cover a total area of over 12000 square km (7440 square miles) and is one of Bolivia's main salt mining centers. Driving across the salt flats is a fantastic experience, particularly for the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. The area’s unusual landscape of mountains, active volcanoes and geysers is like nowhere on earth. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada. The region's volcanic activity is present as we pass by numerous geysers, boiling mud pools, thermal baths and Licancabúr Volcano. Surprisingly, both wildlife and flora manage to survive and even thrive in the desolate landscape; this includes vizcachas (of the rodent family), flamingos and assorted varieties of cacti.

    Jukil Community Experience & Lodge

    Santiago de Agencha

    Visit the Santiago de Agencha community, located two hours across the salt flats from Uyuni, a rural village surrounded by towering cacti and part of a small desert oasis. The community-owned salt lodge was renovated and expanded through a major project in 2016 funded by G Adventures’ foundation, Planeterra. With many of the village’s younger residences fleeing for economic opportunities, this lodge is seen by the community as a way to rescue their indigenous culture and provide opportunities for the future. Learn about their traditional agricultural practices, including their specialization in quinoa production, and take a guided walk with a community member to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for a beautiful view of the village below and the salt flats beyond. Meals of local ingredients grown in the village are prepared by ladies who were provided culinary training through the project. Leave Jukil Community Lodge knowing your visit is creating opportunities for a whole new generation of people in this community to improve their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 17 : Salt Flats and Desert Crossing

    Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.

    Salt Flats and Desert Crossing Excursion

    Salt Flats

    Spend three days in the stunning landscape between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Enter a world unlike anything else as we drive across the salt flats; the piercing blue sky contrasts against the blinding white of the flat salt beds. Take memorable photos of the unusual landscape complete with mountains and active volcanoes. Visit the coloured lagoon of Laguna Colorada and enjoy the uniqueness of this region.

    Spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. The salt flats now cover a total area of over 12000 square km (7440 square miles) and is one of Bolivia's main salt mining centers. Driving across the salt flats is a fantastic experience, particularly for the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. The area’s unusual landscape of mountains, active volcanoes and geysers is like nowhere on earth. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos. The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada. The region's volcanic activity is present as we pass by numerous geysers, boiling mud pools, thermal baths and Licancabúr Volcano. Surprisingly, both wildlife and flora manage to survive and even thrive in the desolate landscape; this includes vizcachas (of the rodent family), flamingos and assorted varieties of cacti.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 18 : Salt Flats and Desert Crossing/San Pedro de Atacama

    Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.

    From the high Bolivian altiplano descend almost 2000m to the edge of the Atacama Desert, arriving at the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, just across the Chilean border. Said to be one of the driest places on the planet, this little town is an oasis in an otherwise barren, dry landscape.

    4x4

    Salt Flats - Estación Avaroa 1h

    Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.

    Local Bus

    Hito Cajon - San Pedro de Atacama 1h

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Border Crossing (Bolivia - Chile)

    Hito Cajon

    Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch

    Day 19 : San Pedro de Atacama

    Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.

    Enjoy an included excursion to the Valley of the Moon to learn about and appreciate the beautiful uniqueness of the landscape. There are plenty of optional excursions in San Pedro de Atacama, including biking, exploring nearby ruins, and horseback riding. Despite its size, San Pedro offers some great restaurants as well as numerous handicrafts and artisan stores for those looking for souvenirs.

    Valley of the Moon Visit

    San Pedro de Atacama 4h

    The sunset brings out a variety of colours over this majestic valley that experts say is the area on Earth that most closely resembles moon's surface. Explore the incredible formations created by wind and rain over millennia in this unique location between the Andes mountains and one of the world's driest deserts.

    Optional Activities - Day 19

    Sandboarding

    San Pedro de Atacama 4h

    Hit the dunes and experience the rush of surfing down.

    Mountain Biking

    San Pedro de Atacama 1h - 8h

    Work up a sweat while exploring this scenic destination on the seat of a mountain bike.

    Observatory Tour

    San Pedro de Atacama

    Gaze at the impressive desert stars from one of the best places to see them in the world and be guided on a planetary journey with an expert astronomer.

    San Pedro de Atacama Hot Springs

    San Pedro de Atacama

    Relax in large geothermal pools surrounded by stunning desert landscapes and scenery.

    Day 20 : San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago

    Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.

    From the nearby city of Calama, fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The city is surrounded by mountains, and there are both internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts within a couple of hours from the city centre. Explore the city’s many museums and parks and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista with its handicrafts, trendy cafés, and San Cristobal Hill with its views of the city and the surrounding area.

    Local Van

    San Pedro de Atacama - Calama 3h

    Climb aboard, take your seat, and enjoy the ride.

    Plane

    Calama - Santiago 5h

    Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

    Optional Activities - Day 20

    Day Trip to Isla Negra

    Isla Negra

    Take a day trip to Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home. This house was one of the poet and politician’s three homes, while not technically an island the house is near the water and it’s believed that watching the storms on the ocean inspired Neruda to write his famous poem Oda a la Tormenta. The author and his third-wife Matilde Urrutia are both buried on the grounds and the house is now a museum.

    Bellavista Neighbourhood Visit

    Barrio Bellavista

    Head to Barrio Bellavista as the locals call this bohemian neighbourhood to enjoy a delicious meal, check out some art galleries, or have a drink at one of the many bars in the area.

    Day 21 : Santiago

    Depart at any time.

    Departure Day

    Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.

    Optional Activities - Day 21

    Day trip to Valparaiso

    Valparaíso - Santiago

    Take a day trip to the beautiful port town of Valparaiso and wander by the rows of colourful houses. The Historic Quarter is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, explore the examples of 19th century Latin architecture built into the hillside.

    Bellavista Neighbourhood Visit

    Barrio Bellavista

    Head to Barrio Bellavista as the locals call this bohemian neighbourhood to enjoy a delicious meal, check out some art galleries, or have a drink at one of the many bars in the area.

    Day Trip to Isla Negra

    Isla Negra

    Take a day trip to Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home. This house was one of the poet and politician’s three homes, while not technically an island the house is near the water and it’s believed that watching the storms on the ocean inspired Neruda to write his famous poem Oda a la Tormenta. The author and his third-wife Matilde Urrutia are both buried on the grounds and the house is now a museum.

    Santiago City Tour

    Santiago

    Spend the day visiting different neighbourhoods of Santiago, stop at the Museo de la Memoria and learn about the history of Chile. Visit the Central Market and enjoy a traditional Chilean snack before heading to a local bar to try Terremoto (Earthquake) a local drink made with pineapple ice cream, white wine and pisco.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

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