The route of Salars and Altiplanos

Visit of the historical center of Africa with the three buildings of Gustave Eiffel: the church of San Marcos, the house of the Governor and the old customs, today house of the culture of the city. We continue towards the Azapa Valley and get acquainted with the archaeological history of the region. We visit the museum of Azapa where we can see the oldest mummies in the world, which belong to the ”Chinchorro Culture”. Transfer to Chapiquina and Caillama. We then go to our tents.

Transfers: by private vehicle (2 hours 30, 140 km)
Number of hours of walking: 2 hours
Altitude difference: – 250 m
Accommodation: under tent
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Altitude at the end of the day: 3050 m

Gradually the vegetation changes; more greenery and more birds as we move forward. The path takes us to the village of Pachama (3430 m). In our trek, we admire the beautiful church of Pachama and murals of the 18th century. A long climb leads us to the cross of Pachama. The path winds between woody plants and cacti plants and here is the Apacheta de Belen then the cross of Tablatablane announcing the proximity of the stage. Beautiful Andean Baroque style church.

Number of hours of walking: 6 hours
Altitude difference: + 600 m / – 350 m
Accommodation: in a local inn
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Altitude at the end of the day: 3,260 m

Transfer to Socorama then walk  to the Inca towards Putre.

Transfers: by private vehicle (1 hour 30 min, 55 km)
Number of hours of walking: 6 hours Altitude difference: + 600 m
Altitude at the end of the day: 3540 m
Accommodation: hotel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Transfer to Lauca National Park. Trek to the Cotacotani and Parinacota lagoons, visit Lake Chungará at 4,570 m and descend to the warm waters of Jurasi. The view here is panoramic. The Chungara lake with the volcanoes Pomerape and Parinacota and the Sajama deeper in the south.

Number of hours of walking: 4 hours 30
Altitude difference: + 150 m
Altitude at the end of the day: 4100 m
Accommodation: in a tent
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Transfer to Salar de Surire which takes its name from the presence of ostriches (”suri” in Aymara). Trek on the northern edge of Salar de Surire. The salar is an unusual water ecosystem. Bordered by peaks and volcanoes the basin receives the runoff that evaporates as a result of the effect of the dryness of the air and the intensity of solar radiation. It is the kingdom of flamingos (3 distinct species) and vicuñas. After arriving on the location, you can not help to appreciate the nature. Camp in a small wood of queñuas.

Number of hours of walking: 2 hours
Altitude at the end of the day: 4500 m
Accommodation: in a tent
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

The sunrise is a magical moment on the altiplano, again noted by the geothermal activity of the place. Get up soon to enjoy the sunrise. Departure towards Chihuana, on the way we admire the small woods of queñua and also the incredible llareta that seem to bask with their green hard like stone. Then they are only pebbles. When you reach the summit you feel as if you are on the moon and you are suddenly aware of the immensity of the altiplano. The colours add to the atmosphere and an offering or at least a prayer to the Pachamama is required. Optional ascension, the contemplatives feast just as much.

Number of hours of walking: 6 hours
Elevation gain: + 800 m / – 800 m
Altitude at the end of the day: 4,500 m
Accommodation: in a tent
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Transfer Salar de Surire to Colchane and the national park of the volcano Isluga. Short hike in the peat bogs of Colchane.

Transfer: by private car
Number of hours of walking: 1 hour
Altitude at the end of the day: 3 980 m
Accommodation: in hostel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

We pass Customs and the Bolivian border. We continue to the Salar of Uyuni. Then stop and walk in the heart of the salar on the island of Incahuasi, volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites and giant cactus (stromatolites are fossilized bacterial colonies, first traces of life on Earth).

Number of hours of walking: 3 hours
Altitude at the end of the day: 3 700 m
Accommodation: in hostel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Transfer by car to Coqueza. Trek to the second crater of the volcano Tunupa at 4970 m and return. In the afternoon, we head south towards the village of San Juan, where there are spectacular mummies of ”Lords of the Lipez” (1200 DC) and a small museum.

Number of hours of walking: 5 hours
Altitude at the end of the day: 3970 m
Accommodation: in a hostel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

At the exit of San Juan, we cross first of all the little salar of Chiguana. Then the trail rises from 3,600 m to about 4,200 m above sea level, at the foot of the Tomasamil volcano (5,900 m alt.). Stop at the mirador of the Ollagüe volcano. This still active volcano (5,865 m alt.) Is also home to one of the highest sulfur mines in the world. We then go along the Chilean border to the south, following the ”jewel route”: to discover 5 Andean lagoons (Cañapa, Hedionda, Honda, Chiarkota, Ramaditas). Short hike around Laguna Hedionda. The trail continues through the beautiful landscapes of the Siloli desert, to the Laguna Colorada where our hotel is located. In the evening, stroll along the lagoon.

Number of hours of walking: 1 hour
Accommodation: in simple hostel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner
Altitude at the end of the day: 4 120 m

Cape to the south through the beautiful landscapes of the Siloli desert and its famous ”stone tree” where sometimes venture some viscates, until the spectacular Colorada lagoon. The view from the viewpoint is breathtaking. Then we go to the geysers Sol de Mañana (4850 m alt.) Volcanic crater with effusions of sulfur fumes and heavy water. We stop at the thermal baths of Polques before going along Laguna Salada and crossing the Dali desert (so named because of the landscapes that recall one of the paintings of the master). We arrive at Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde at the end of the morning, at the foot of the Juric and Licancabur volcanoes (5960 m alt.), To witness a curious phenomenon: the wind rises and the Laguna Verde takes on a green hue. spectacular emerald. At the beginning of the afternoon we cross the Bolivian border to Hito Cajon. An hour’s descent brings you to San Pedro de Atacama.

Transfer: by private vehicle
Number of hours of walking: 1 hour
Altitude at the end of the day: 4 350 m
Accommodation: in hotel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

Today we make a trek in isolated and little-visited parts of the Moon Valley.
Transfer: by private vehicle 

Number of hours of walking: 5 hours 30
Altitude at the end of the day:
Accommodation: in hotel
Meals: breakfast / lunch picnic / dinner

After a small transfer, we hike in the Katarpe Valley to Rio Salado.

Transfer: by private vehicle (15 min)
Number of hours of walking: 6 hours
Altitude at the end of the day: 3 000 m
Accommodation: in a tent
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

After a small transfer to Rio Grande, we hike in the valley of Machuca. New transport for the Geyser el Tatio and its many hot springs.

Number of hours of walking: 5 hours
Altitude at the end of the day: 4000 m
Accommodation: in a tent
Meals: breakfast / lunch / dinner

We spend the early morning watching the many geysers. We will arrive just before sunrise, at the right moment to admire the geysers that roar in the cold of the Altiplano. The valley looks like a gigantic pot. Water gushes here and there. This geological curiosity mixes still frosted ground with clear water sources at more than 70° C. Observation of many volcanic formations. We then go to Calama, en route we visit the village of Chiu-Chiu. Then flight from Calama to Santiago.

Transfer: private vehicle and regular flight
Accommodation: in a hotel
Meals: breakfast / lunch / free dinner

Visit Valparaiso, Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and its old neighborhoods. With its many hills crowned with picturesque dwellings and warehouses, its steep narrow streets, its funiculars, its street singers, the city has an identity and a very particular atmosphere. Take the opportunity to have lunch in a typical seafood restaurant.

Transfer: by private car
Accommodation: in hotel **
Meals: breakfast / lunch / free dinner

Transfer: by private car (1/2 hour)
Meals: breakfast

—– END OF THE PROGRAM —–

For unpredictable reasons at this stage of climatic hazards, of shape or form of participants or others (road conditions, traffic, force majeure …), your guide may have to adapt the program, if necessary, for the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and guarantor of your safety. Walking times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.