Bolivia & Chile's Atacama Desert
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BOLIVIA & CHILE’S ATACAMA DESERT OVERLAND ADVENTURE 12 DAYS | 18 GUESTS JOURNEY BY LAND BRAZIL JOURNEY BY AIR Itinerary Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing Lake Titicaca enhancements to this itinerary. BOLIVIA Sun Island Copacabana La Paz Day 1 ARRIVE LA PAZ, BOLIVIA Fly independently to La Paz and spend two nights at the Casa Grande Hotel. Uyuni Sucre Salt Flat Day 2 LA PAZ Potosi Enjoy a leisurely morning adapting to the altitude. Our afternoon Uyuni PARAGUAY includes stops at an underground temple, Indian Market, Bennett CHILE CHILE Monolith and the witch doctor’s market. Soar over the city aboard San Pedro Mi Teleférico, La Paz’s cable car system. (B,D) To Santiago de AtacamaARGENTINA Day 3 LA PAZ / LAKE TITICACA Home to some of the New World’s oldest cultures, the largest Transfer overland to Lake Titicaca, and board our hydrofoil cruise lake on the continent, the most dramatic landscapes in to Moon Island, home to the ruins of the Sun Virgins’ Temple. Latin America and a bevy of unique wildlife, Bolivia offers a Continue to Sun Island, where according to mythology, the sun kaleidoscope of wonders. Combined with the otherworldly god sent his children to Earth. Visit Pilcocaina Sun Temple before beauty of the Atacama Desert, this exciting expedition reveals taking a hike along an ancient trail. Overnight at the Posada del Inca some of South America’s best-kept secrets. EcoLodge. (B,L,D) Day 4 SUN ISLAND / COPACABANA / LA PAZ EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS After an invigorating climb to a breathtaking viewpoint, take a sip of water from a sacred fountain, believed to grant eternal youth. Visit the magnificent colonial cities of Potosi & the “white After lunch, board a hydrofoil to Copacabana, home to the revered city” of Sucre — both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. statue of Bolivia’s patron saint — La Virgin de la Candelaria. Learn Explore the Atacama Desert’s geysers, colorful thermal about building reed boats at Huatajata and the Andean Roots pools, bizarre rock formations, steaming fumaroles & stark Eco-village before returning to La Paz and the Casa Grande Hotel. lunar-like vistas. (B,L,D) Observe three species of flamingos: Andean, Day 5 Chilean & James. LA PAZ / SUCRE Fly to Sucre, where an afternoon tour includes an overview Discover the cosmic center of the Incan world — Lake Titicaca. of colonial architecture as well as Liberty House. At the ASUR Photograph towering volcanoes, extraordinary landscapes, Museum of Indigenous Art, discover the work being done to graceful colonial architecture & vibrant markets frequented maintain the cultural integrity of local communities. Spend two by colorfully clad locals. nights at Parador Santa Maria la Real. (B,L,D) Stay in the Hotel De Sal Luna, this unique property is built almost entirely of salt. POTOSI VISCACHA INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS | BOLIVIA & CHILE’S ATACAMA DESERT LAGUNA COLORADA Day 6 SUCRE: POTOLO altitude, and lack of light pollution make this one of the best Tour Potolo, home to the Quechua-speaking Jalq’a community. places on Earth to stargaze, and this journey has been timed Spend a day learning about their weaving techniques. (B,L,D) during the low-light of the New Moon. (B,L,D) Day 7 SUCRE / POTOSI / UYUNI Day 11 ATACAMA Potosi boasts restored buildings and colorful winding streets full Savor breakfast overlooking the geothermal field at El Tatio of charming vendors. Tour the Cerro Rico silver mines and learn Geyser, seeing thermal pools, colorful rock formations and about the current state of mining. After lunch, visit the Casa de la endemic viscacha and nandues. Cap-off our morning in the stark Moneda (Royal Mint). Continue to Uyuni, and spend two nights at lunar landscape of Moon Valley. The mirror-like Miscanti and Hotel de Sal Luna. (B,L,D) Miñiques Lagoons reflect dramatic volcanic peaks. Watch for rare horned coot and culpeo fox. (B,L,D) Day 8 UYUNI SALT FLAT Set out on a 4x4 excursion to discover the Uyuni Salt Flat. Day 12 ATACAMA / SANTIAGO / DEPART Visit Incahuasi Island, or Fish Island, a unique ecosystem which Explore the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, then transfer includes a stranded colony of the chinchilla-related viscacha to the airport for your flight to Santiago and connect with your and enormous cacti. Learn about the 3,000-year-old Coquesa independent homeward flight. (B,L) mummies; see salt processing and extraction; and watch for bubbling springs—called Ojos de Agua or “eyes of salt.” (B,L,D) You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/La Paz and La Paz/home city. Our in-house Air Department can make your Day 9 UYUNI / LAGUNA HERIONDA reservation for a $50 per person fee. Stop at the stunning lakes of Canapa, Chiar Kota, Honda and Hedionda. The shores of these glacial lakes are lined with three flamingo species — James, Andean and Chilean. The landscape is 2020 DEPARTURE May 9 also dotted with llama, alpaca and possibly even vicuña. Continue 2021 DEPARTURES April 10; September 25 to Los Flamencos EcoHotel. (B,L,D) 2020 PRICE PER PERSON Day 10 ABAROA NATIONAL RESERVE / SAN PEDRO DE Double Occupancy $10,698 ATACAMA, CHILE Single Occupancy $12,698 Explore the milky Laguna Blanca, blood-red Laguna Colorada and the green Laguna Verde — each getting their striking color from 2021 PRICE PER PERSON algae. This is the ideal place to photograph flamingos. At Sol de Double Occupancy $10,990 Mañana Geysers, watch lava boil at the bottom of craters, while Single Occupancy $12,990 fumaroles spout water and steam. Continue across the Chilean Dates and rates are subject to change. border and check in to the Desertica Lodge. The remoteness, INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS | BOLIVIA & CHILE’S ATACAMA DESERT Know Before You Go For most activities a moderate level of exertion is required. Many excursions include walking for one to three miles along uneven paths, cobblestone streets, and dirt trails that could be rocky or slippery. You may need to navigate stairs that are uneven and without handrails. Some drives may be long over roads that are unpaved and bumpy. Temperatures can range from the mid-30sºF to the mid-80sºF depending on the altitude and location. The areas on the first half of the itinerary, especially La Paz and Potosi, are set at a high elevation, and altitude sickness may occur with some individuals. STARGAZING INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • Accommodations on group dates • Airfare from your home city/La Paz and La Paz/home city • Excursions, activities, and meals as listed in the itinerary • Excess baggage charges • Services of experienced English-speaking guides • Airport arrival and departure taxes • Arrival and departure transfers between the group hotel and • Gratuities airport regardless of day or time • Transfers for non-group arrivals and departures • Selected beverages included with lunch and dinner • Passport, visa, and/or airline change fees • Potable water • Travel insurance • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, and other incidentals • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges A $600 per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, quoted in US dollars, and must be paid in US dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Please review our Terms & Conditions online at www.ietravel.com/terms, or call our office for a printed copy. HOTEL DE SAL LUNA POSADA DEL INCA ECOLODGE 800.628.8747 | 206.285.4000 | FAX 206.285.5037 3131 Elliott Avenue | Suite 250 | Seattle, WA 98121 www.ietravel.com | [email protected] To reserve, visit www.ietravel.com/Bolivia-Chile or contact your travel consultant..