Day 1 to 1 – Arrive Buenos Aires
The beautiful city of Buenos Aires is known as the „Paris of South America“ due to its lovely green parks, plazas and wide boulevards. Explore the quirky neighbourhoods and artistic markets of the city, where European and Latin American influences have mixed together to create a city like no other. To make sure you see as many of the city’s historic sites as possible in the time available, we suggest taking a sight-seeing bus, which you can hop on and off as you wish. You’ll see Avenida 9 de Julio (the widest avenue in the world), the impressive Teatro Colón, one of the world’s best opera houses, and the famous Casa Rosada, Argentina’s presidential palace, from where Juan and Eva Perón famously addressed the crowds gathered on Plaza de Mayo in 1945.
Buenos Aires has a variety of craft markets, where you may come across live bands, barbecues, make-shift bars and practising tango dancers for a truly atmospheric Latin-American experience. San Telmo is the best market for antiques, while the market at Recoleta has great hand-made crafts. No visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without a stroll around the upmarket boutiques and cafés of the Palermo district, and the contrasting bohemian barrio of La Boca, where poor inhabitants of the area used left-over paint from the nearby shipyards to paint their humble houses made of scrap metal in bright, block colours.
The city is also world-renowned for its incredible nightlife, with many nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas open all night. For a great evening, you could see an authentic tango show in the city where the dance originated, and you can’t leave Buenos Aires without trying some of the best steaks in the world!
Optional Excursions
Tango show & dinner – US$90 • Hop on/hop off bus – US$28 • Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Free
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel TWO or similar
Day 2 to 4 – Mendoza
We head to Mendoza is where General José de San Martín organised the army with which he liberated Chile and Peru from Spanish rule in 1818. Unfortunately, few historic buildings remain after an earthquake devastated the city in 1861. However, the city was rebuilt on a grid system, resulting in the broad tree-lined streets and beautiful green plazas for which the city is famous. There are great views from the top of “Cerro de la Gloria” at Parque San Martín. Situated on the foothills of the Andes, the city is a great base for some optional outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting and rappelling. But of course no trip to Mendoza would be complete without touring the surrounding vineyards. You can hire bikes and cycle the ‘Ruta de los Vinos‘ (wine route), visiting both ancient cellars and working wineries – tasting some of the world’s best Malbecs en route.
Included Excursions
Argentinian Winery
Optional Excursions
White water rafting – from US$40 • Full day wine tour – US$100 • Paragliding – US$106 • Parque San Martin – free
Accommodation
3 night(s) in hotels at Urbana Suites or similar
Meals
2 Breakfast(s)
Day 5 to 7 – Santiago
We enjoy a scenic drive into Santiago.
Santiago is a very clean, modern city with many fountains and parks, but also has its own turbulent history. It is well-known for its fresh markets such as the famous La Vega Central Market, and the Mercado Central, one of the best seafood markets in the world. You can see the changing of the guard most days outside the impressive Palacio de La Moneda, the seat of the President of Chile. In the 1970s, the palace was bombarded during the military coup d’état, ushering in a dark period in Chile’s national history.
Other interesting places to visit are the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, an impressive fine art gallery housed in a colossal neo-classical building, and the Cementerio General, a huge cemetery with large mausoleums including that of the former president Salvador Allende Gossens. Also worth a visit is the Plaza de Armas, the centrepiece of the city, which is bordered on one side by the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, completed in the 19th century.
For the best views of the city, take a funicular railway or hike to the top of San Cristobal, where the Statue of the Virgin overlooks the capital and the distant Andes. Here you can taste some of Chile’s best wines and find some beautifully situated swimming pools.
You may wish to take an optional excursion to the Chilean coast, about two hours’ drive from Santiago. You can wander around the creative port city of Valparaiso, which has a lively tradition of imaginative street art and painted murals, or you can relax in the upmarket beach resort of Viña del Mar, trying exquisite seafood in stylish restaurants that look out onto the Pacific Ocean.
Please note: Due to Winter weather conditions the route from Mendoza to Santiago may be replaced with an included flight instead
Optional Excursions
Tours 4 Tips Walking Tours – Free (tip how much you think the tour is worth) • Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – US$1 • Museo Histórico Nacional – US$1 • Teatro Municipal, with daily shows ranging from opera, ballet, orchestras and concerts – from US$3-12 • Maipo region winery tours – US$18-50
Accommodation
3 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Libertador or similar
Meals
3 Breakfast(s)
Day 8 to 9 – San Pedro de Atacama
We fly along the Pacific coast to the north of the country and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. This is a picturesque small town that looks like it has come straight from the scene of a Western with its single-storey buildings, white-washed walls and dusty roads. The Atacama desert that surrounds the town offers some of the clearest skies in the world and as such is used by international space agencies to monitor the skies. If it is a clear night, the starscape viewed from San Pedro de Atacama will most likely be the best you’ll ever see.
The next day we head into the desert, exploring the Valley of the Moon by 4WD. This area is famous for salt-covered lunar landscapes, interesting rock formationas, smoking geysers, salt flats and hot volcanic springs.
Included Excursions
Guided tour of the Valley of the Moon
Accommodation
2 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Don Raul or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s
Day 10 to 10 – Laguna Colorada
We continue our 4WD expedition and cross the border into Bolivia, into some of the most remote areas of the Bolivian Altiplano. You will see a variety of dramatic landscapes including smoking volcanoes, barren deserts and gravity-defying rock formations carved by the wind. In this incredibly empty landscape you’ll most likely feel the furthest from civilisation you’ve ever been. You will visit a number of lagoons including Cañapa, Chairkota and Laguna Honda. You will also get to see the Laguna Colorada, which offers some truly breathtaking scenery, with several varieties of flamingos gathering in the shallow waters of the beautiful crimson lagoon. Before arriving at Laguna Colorada you will pass Arbol de Piedra, the famous Stone Tree.
Please note: On arrival in Bolivia you will be required to pay an entry fee of US$10.
Please note: During the winter months of May-August temperatures of the Altiplano can be extremely cold, so please be prepared and pack warm clothes
Included Excursions
Entry to Laguna Colorada National Park
Accommodation
1 night(s) in basic, multi-share hostels with limited facilities
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 11 to 11 – Uyuni
The next morning we embark on an exhilarating three day 4WD tour to explore the Salar de Uyuni and the striking landscapes that surround it. First on the agenda is a visit to the Train Cemetery, where you can see the remains of 19th and early 20th century steam locomotives – a good place for artistic photographs. We will then come to Colchani, the main plant for the iodisation of salt and the best place to observe the methods of salt extraction from the salar. Here ovens are used to dry the salt, which is then formed into cakes. From here we drive onto the Salt Flats themselves. Claimed to be the largest salt flat in the world, the brilliant white vast Salar de Uyuní, which covers some 10,500 square kilometres and is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt, looks like something from a surrealist painting and its seemingly infinite horizons will amaze you. You will then visit either Fish Island or Incahuasi Island (seasonal dependent). Located in the centre of the Salar, 100 kilometres from Uyuní, this hilly outpost is covered in giant cacti amid a flat, white sea of hexagonal salt tiles.The otherworldly views from the islands will take your breath away, with the brilliant blue sky (weather permitting of course) contrasting with the pure white of the salt flats.
Please Note: Occasionally in the rainy season the salt flats become overly flooded and we may have to alter the itinerary if the salt flats are not safe to traverse. Your tour leader will advise as early as possible if this is likely to happen on your tour.
Included Excursions
Drive on the Salar de Uyuní salt flats
Accommodation
1 night(s) in basic, multi-share hostels with limited facilities at Cashi Wasi or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 12 to 12 – Uyuni
After enjoying our time at the Salt Flats we head into the town of Uyuni where we can compare our photos!
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Toñito Hotel or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 13 to 13 – La Paz
We fly across the country from Uyuni to La Paz. If it is a clear day, you will be able to see the huge expanse of the Altiplano as you fly over the landlocked country, perhaps seeing the Andes slowly flattening out to become the Amazonian basin, which spreads to the far East of the country, to the border with Brazil.
Nestled in a steep valley that protects its inhabitants from the harsh elements of the Altiplano, La Paz makes for a striking cityscape, with bare-brick houses and tall skyscrapers seemingly built on top of each other in front of a dramatic mountainous landscape in the background. Our hotel is very centrally located, close to the city’s colourful indigenous street markets including the fascinating and suitably named „witches market,“ where women wearing bowler hats and flared skirts sell strange paraphernalia said to ward off evil spirits. The main square, Plaza Murillo, is also within walking distance. The square still retains its colonial buildings including the Presidential Palace. La Paz is possibly the best place to experience a traditional peña show of Andean music and dance, where local bands play time-honoured instruments such as zampoñas (pipes) and charangos (similar t to a ukulele).
Optional Excursions
Red Caps walking tours – Bs.20 • Death Road Mountain Biking – US$124
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Sagarnaga or similar
Day 14 to 14 – Depart La Paz
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Services end today. However, if you lengthen your stay, you will have time to fully explore La Paz, or partake in some optional excursions that depart from the city. You might like to visit the Moon Valley with its strange rock formations shaped by the weather. Another fantastic excursion is to the emerald green area of Coroico, the gateway to the Bolivian jungle region and a great place to see sub -tropical vegetation and plants. En route you will cross a 5,000 metre high pass before descending to 1,300 metres on narrow mountain roads bordered by sheer drops. The excursion to Coroico can also be done by mountain bike, as it is downhill nearly all the way and very exhilarating, but not for the faint-hearted!
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
What’s Included
Excursions & Activities
- Argentinian Winery
- Guided tour of the Valley of the Moon
- Entry to Laguna Colorada National Park
- Drive on the Salar de Uyuní salt flats
Accommodation
11 night(s) in hotels, 2 night(s) in basic, multi-share hostels with limited facilities
Transportation
Travel by 3 flight(s), 4WD
Meals
10 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(es), 2 Dinner(s)
Other
Travel tour leader
What’s Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions – On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone’s taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don’t hesitate to ask your tour leader.
- Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation
