Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats to Chile’s Atacama: A Desert Expedition
Journey across the spectacular scenery of the Bolivian Altiplano, Uyuni salt flats and the driest desert on earth, Chile’s Atacama, on the ultimate road trip.
Traversing the region by car is the best way to take in the incredible, ever-changing scenery. Wide plateaus give way to deep rivers and canyons, rock formations and ten-metre-high cacti tower in the desert, and flamingos wade through emerald-green lagoons.
With a private guide and 4×4, enjoy an unprecedented level of luxury in the region, with a menu of adventures that allows you to experience this wilderness like never before: think hot-air balloon rides at sunrise; fat-tire biking through deep canyons; plunging into high-altitude hot-springs, and countless other adventures and discoveries on each day of the expedition.
Enquire NowHIGHLIGHTS
- Spend two days hiking, riding and stargazing at a luxury lodge in the Atacama Desert
- Discover the geysers, brightly-coloured lakes, remote villages and native wildlife of the Bolivian Altiplano
- Explore the landscapes of the Uyuni Salt Flats
ATACAMA
The adventure begins in the Atacama Desert, a realm of extremes where the landscape shifts from dunes to salt flats, from mineral-rich lakes to high-altitude wetlands. Upon landing at Calama Airport, a private transfer takes you to San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis set at 2,407 metres above sea level; here, you’ll be staying at Explora Atacama.
Spend the next couple of days exploring the world’s driest desert on your terms. Traverse its valleys and rock formations, hike through deep canyons or ride across the dunes at sunrise. For those drawn to the stars, Atacama’s night sky offers one of the world’s most extraordinary astronomical experiences.
Discover the Atacama Desert
CROSSING THE BOLIVIAN ALTIPLANO
Leaving behind the oasis, drive towards the border crossing at Hito Cajón, where a new landscape and altitude await.
Entering Bolivia, the route passes the Sol de la Mañana geysers, then reaches the bright-red waters of Laguna Colorada. Here, thousands of flamingos can be seen wading through its shallows. Lunch is served in this remote wilderness before continuing towards Ramaditas, where you can watch the sun sink behind the mountains and settle in for the night.
The following day, press on along a route dotted with abandoned mining towns and colourful lakes teeming with birdlife. Take lunch at Turquiri Lagoon and spend the afternoon exploring, then continue on to tonight’s mountain lodge.
UYUNI SALT FLATS
As the journey continues, the shimmering expanse of the Uyuni Salt Flats reveals itself. This white desert skews perspective, kindling the imagination and providing incredible displays of light as reflections change throughout the day according to the position of the sun. At night, the flats shine bright white beneath a glittering blanket of stars.
Here, adventure opportunities proliferate – explore Fish Island, hike the slopes of Tunupa Volcano, bike across the salt flats, or visit remote villages along the Altiplano. The sheer scale and silence of Uyuni make for an experience unlike any other.
STAY A LITTLE LONGER
After crossing Uyuni, continue your adventures in Bolivia – sail across the floating islands of Lake Titicaca or venture into the Amazon. Alternatively, extend your time in Chile before your expedition north with a few days on the Pacific Coast or exploring its wine regions.
Explore the Uyuni Salt FlatsIntrigued by this adventure? Reach out to our travel specialists about designing your own itinerary – all of our journeys are created in conversation with you and are fully bespoke.
