Uyuni Salt lakes and Volcanoes

25 de septiembre de 2010 - 09:27 - Bolivia Treks & Expeditions

BOLIVIA SALT LAKES AND VOLCANOES
A journey beyond the time....

14 days - 13 nights
Cultural and 4x4 Adventure Tour
Departure: La Paz
Finish: La Paz
Transport: Bus-train – 4wd - boats
Hotel Accommodation:

“ The Salar de Uyuni, or salt flat,will provide you with an unfogettable visual experience as well as an album of photographs friends will envy you for.
However, the experience is not for those who love luxury, pampering or comfortable temperatures.
Suffice to say that god did not design the huge and barren salar, located at 3,660 meters above see level, with the tourist in mind, and that in the eons since creation humanity has done little to improve on the Creator´s work. So get ready for stunning visual experience- but also climatically bracing one.
The Salar is part of the Altiplano ( High Plain), the huge flat plain stretching betweeen the east and west ranges of the Andes mountains. The Altiplano has been made flat and smooth by the silt deposited by innumerable eons of water rushing off the mountainsides into the inter-range valley, which has no natural outlet except evaporation. The water has carried in salts and other minerals, leaving the Altiplano soil saline and some of its smaller lakes extremely saline. The same plate tectonics which have pushed up the Andes mountain range also raised the altiplano to an altitude nearly equaling the summit of the Matternhorn”. Mike Ceaser.....

Program:
Day 1 .- La Paz - Arrival
Airport pick up and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel

Day 2.- Bus-Train Oruro Uyuni.
A fabulous journey through the Altiplano, the Salar de Uyuni and geographical wonders of volcanoes. We start the long north to south crossing of the altiplano to Uyuni, small town on the edge of the Salar (12 -hours trip). Hotel, Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 3.- Uyuni-San Juan.
Today enjoy a tour to the Salar de Uyuni and the vast plain of salt until you reach the Inca Huasi island, famous for the presence of giant cacti. This island of volcanic origin is covered with stromatolites (fossilized bacteria representing the first traces of life on earth).In the afternoon we drive toward the edge of the salt plain in San Juan. Lodge basic comfort (7 hours trip) . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4 .- San Juan - Laguna Colorada
We head south for Laguna Colorada. . This laguna owes its intense red-brick color to the presence in its water of millions of shellfish Artemia, well-studied by scientists for their incredible adaptability in saline areas.Laguna Colorada ( 4270m) is the largest of all lagoons in Sud Lipez and is sorrounded by three volcanoes. Interesting day to observe vicunas and flamingos. Lodge basic comfort . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5.- Laguna Colorada- Laguna Verde – Villamar
Ever to the south to road continues at an elevation of about 5000 m with polichrome landscapes. We keep heading to the Sol de Mañana Geysers (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and volcanic magma. Later the Dali plain, a recent name given to this place for the fanciful resemblance to some works of the painter.

Then on through the same canyon ones comes on to Laguna verde, at the foot of volcanoes Juriques and Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) Return to Laguna Colorada and Villamar. Lodge basic comfort. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6. Villamar - Uyuni - Tarapaya
We start our journey towards Tarapaya ; on the way we will visit the train cemetery in Pulacayo Mine. including hot springs. Camping in Tarapaya. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7.- Tarapaya – Potosí- Mint House
Potosí at the foot of one of the world’s richest ore mountains. In the cold, bleak, high Andes at an altitude of c.13,780 ft (4,200 m), Potosí is one of the highest cities in the world. Potosí was founded in 1545 and during its first 50 years was the most fabulous source of silver the world had ever known. Because of isolation, living discomfort, and a series of disasters, such as the flood of 1626, the mines proved unable to compete with those of Peru and Mexico. Improved technology and communications, however, have made possible the exploitation of silver, as well as tin, lead, and copper, and the revival of commercial life The city’s colonial landmarks include the Mint House, a replica of Spain’s Escorial. colonial landmarks. . Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8 .- Cerro Rico tour the mine.
At night Potosi - La Paz – by bus 8 hours.

Day 9 Arrive La Paz.
Leissure day in La Paz. Hotel

Day 10 .- La Paz – Tiwanaku - Copacabana
Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in our private vehicle for the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (1h30). The great period of Tiwanaku lasted for over 2.500 years, until the collapse of the culture in 1.200 AD. There are temples and stone constructions which weight over 130 ton. Inside the area of the ruins we find places as: Kantataita, Akapana, Subterranean temple, The kalasasaya temple, The gateway of the sun and Tiwanaku archaeological museum.
In the afternoon, we drive along the shores of Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real to Copacabana. Visit of the most interesting sites in the town.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***

Day 11 .- Copacabana – trekking -Isla Del Sol Chinkana. Hiking time: 4/5 h.
Departure by private boat to Isla del Sol (1h30) with magnificent view of the lake and Inca terraces.
The trek starts along the crest of the Island . We cross the village of Yumani, challapampa till Chinkana temple 4/5-hour walk. A boat takes us from this place to the old Inca Palace of Pilkokaina. Lodge Isla del Sol. Breakfast- Lunch and dinner included.

Day 12.- Isla del Sol – Copacabana – La Paz.
Hotel

Day 13.- Optional City tour
Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel

Day 14.- Trasfer to the airport.
Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport.

Included:
• All transfers from airport- La Paz- Airport
• Private transport 4x4, train, buses and boat.
• Bilingual tour guide
• Hotel ***, lodges or camping during the tour.
• tents and sleeping pads
• All meals described in the tour.

Not included:

• Sleeping bag (Can be hired in La Paz ).
• Bottled drinks except water.
• Internacional fligths, airport taxes and visa costs.
Prices:
Pax $us /Pax
2 Pax 1560
3 Pax 1406
4 Pax 1260
5 Pax 1137
6 Pax 1023
7 up 921