Atacama Desert & Sur Lipez discovery tour

Uyuni - Villamar,south Lipez

Day 1: Explore Sur Lipez

Today, you will start your journey across the Sur Lipez area, an elevated region of colorful landscapes and lagoons, rock formations and volcanoes. 

In the morning you will visit the train cemetery on the outskirts of Uyuni. The old rusty train engines there are a reminder of the glorious mining past of the region.

Afterwards, continue South where you will have the unique opportunity to pay a visit to many interesting villages. Stop at Culpina, where the population has decided to cease working in mines and organized themselves to ensure that the whole community can live from the culture of quinoa and from community-based tourism. Have lunch at San Cristobal and admire the beauty of its colonial church. Then, cross the region of Rio Grande to reach the village of Villamar.

Villamar, South Lipez - San Pedro De Atacama

Day 2: Travel to San Pedro de Atacama!

Continue your exciting journey through Sur Lipez and reach Chile in the afternoon. Get ready to jump in the hot water while being surrounded by a breathtaking frozen landscape! 

Hop back in the jeep and ride along the Laguna Salada and the Dali Desert. You will be astonished by the surprising rock formations created by strong wind in these areas.

Pray for a windy weather when you visit Laguna Verde because when it is windy, a curious phenomenon occurs - the waters of the Laguna Verde change into a spectacular emerald color! Early in the afternoon, you will cross the Bolivian border at Hito Cajón. 

San Pedro De Atacama

Day 3: Visit the Rainbow Valley

In the morning, drive to the Yerbas Buenas valley, where the Domeyko Cordillera, the Andean Cordillera, and the Salt cordillera meet. Here you can see the well-preserved petroglyphs of different periods. Enjoy great views of the snow-capped Andes and admire the petroglyphs, depicting animals and people.

Continue up the Arco Iris valley, also known as the Rainbow Valley. It attracts visitors from all over the world with its stunning display of red, white, yellow and brown cliffs set against a bright blue sky.  Enjoy the picturesque views and don't forget to bring your camera with you! 

Continue the tour with a visit to the small village of Rio Grande, famous for its agriculture and handicrafts. 

San Pedro De Atacama

Day 4: Discover the Salt Flats

Today is dedicated to the discovery of the Atacama Salt Flat, one of the world’s largest salt flats, and its surroundings. The village of Socaire, the Quebrada de Jerez, the Chaxa, Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons and their volcanoes are the must-see spots of this visit, as well as the Piedras Rojas area and the Tuyacto laguna.

Have lunch at a restaurant in Socaire and return to San Pedro at the end of the afternoon passing by the village of Toconao. Visit its church, its central place, and its handicraft market.

San Pedro De Atacama

Day 5: Marvel at the Hot Springs

Wake up early to arrive at the perfect time to admire the geysers roaring in the cold air of the Altiplano at sunrise. This geological curiosity results from the ground being still frozen above boiling-hot clear water springs.

On the way back to San Pedro, you can make several stops. For example, in the Guatin valley, a small oasis, grow some huge cacti that are worth seeing.

Head back to San Pedro after a delicious lunch.

San Pedro De Atacama - Desierto Del Siloli

Day 6: Reach The Geysers At Sol De Manana

You will reach the Lagunas Blanca and Verde, at the foot of volcanoes Juriques and Licancabur today. You will then cross the Dali Desert.

Here the strong wind has created surprising rock formations that might remind you of the paintings of the Spanish masters.

Driving along the Laguna Salada you will reach the Polques thermal springs.You will then jump back into the jeeps to reach the geysers at Sol de Mañana.

San Pedro De Quemez

Day 7: Traverse the Siloli Desert

This morning you will head north to the Siloli Desert and its famous “Stone Tree”. Keep your eyes wide open: it is not unusual to spot some viscachas (Andean rabbits) in this area.

You will then ride along the Chilean border on the scenic “Route of the Jewels”, which owes its name to all the lagunas along its way: Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda, Cañapa.

These lagunas are home to three species of flamingoes. You will stop at the Ollagüe Volcano.This volcano is still active and shelters one of the world’s highest open-pit copper mines. Afterwards, you will reach the village of San Juan. This small village is famous for the stunning mummies of the “Lipez Lords” and its interesting museum.

Uyuni

Day 8: Enjoy the Lost Island of Incahuasi

Go driving across the world’s largest salt flat! Reach the famous Salar de Uyuni. You will then ride on the salt desert to reach the Island of Incahuasi. This surprising island lost in the middle of the Salar offers an incredible view over the Salar and the several volcanoes surrounding it.

Of volcanic origin, Incahuasi is covered with stromatolites and giant cacti (stromatolites are fossilized bacterial colonies, first traces of life on earth). In the afternoon, you will continue touring the white desert until you arrive at the city of Uyuni. Just before leaving the Salar, you will stop in the village of Colchani to visit its salt hotel.

Hope you had a great trip!