Bolivia & Chile eco-tour with Atacama Desert

Santa Cruz De La Sierra

Day 1: Welcome to Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Welcome to Bolivia! Today, you’ll arrive in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a lowland city located at 400m./1,312 ft. above sea level. We will pick you up at the Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) and transfer you to your accommodation in Santa Cruz, where you can relax and use the pool before beginning your city tour in the afternoon. Your bilingual guide will take you on a three-hour tour around the city center. Afterward, you'll have some free time.

Santa Cruz De La Sierra

Day 2: Biocentro Güembé

After breakfast, we take you to experience the biodiversity of the Bolivian lowlands with a day-trip to Biocentro Güembé, a nature reserve located just 25 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. Here, you can visit the enormous butterfly observatory, or see the many tropical birds such as macaws, toucans, and peacocks.

You'll have lunch on your own, and later you can refresh in the swimming pools surrounded by ornamental gardens and natural lagoons that border the 53-acre park. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy as you like.

Santa Cruz De La Sierra - Samaipata

Day 3: Samaipata, a Hidden Patrimony of Humanity!

Today, we leave Santa Cruz and head to the town of Samaipata, which means “rest in the heights” in Quechua. You'll arrive after 2 hours and have some time to relax.

In the afternoon, you'll visit El Fuerte or The Fort—the world’s largest sculpted sandstone archeological site of the Inca empire. Declared Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO, the site provides a fantastic 360-degree view from its crest.

Samaipata - Amboro National Park

Day 4: Trek Through Amboró National Forest

After a delicious breakfast, you'll go on a walk through Amboró National Forest. The park has three distinct ecosystems that make it one of the country’s most diverse natural wonders.

Here in the park, you will encounter giant tree ferns, beautiful viewpoints, and many species of birds and mammals. By the end of the afternoon, we return to Samaipata.

Samaipata - Santa Cruz De La Sierra - La Paz

Day 5: La Paz City Tour

Today, you'll take a flight to La Paz. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and take you to your half-day city tour.

You'll explore the central neighborhood, passing through the Witches' Market, where you can find medicinal herbs and spices, as well as spiritual and superstitious artifacts. Then, you’ll see the main square, Murillo, and the most important government buildings.

Continuing with the tour, we go to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), named for its fascinating bizarre, moon-like landscape. Before the tour ends, you'll take the cable car to get a beautiful view of the city. Afterward, your guide will bring you back to your hotel.

La Paz - Copacabana - Isla Del Sol

Day 6: Lake Titicaca & the Island of the Sun

This morning, we head to sacred Lake Titicaca. To get there, you'll head up and out of La Paz and onto the altiplano, passing through El Alto, Bolivia's second-largest city. Once out of the metropolis, you'll travel through the altiplano or high plains, eventually reaching Lake Titicaca, this lake crosses Bolivia and Peru and is one of the largest lakes in the continent.

When we arrive in Copacabana, a small town on the edge of the lake, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and take a stroll around town. Later, we head down to the beach and take a private ferry to the Island of the Sun, our final destination for the day.

Isla Del Sol - Copacabana - La Paz

Day 7: Island of the Sun - La Paz

Today and after breakfast, you will have a beautiful short trek to the southern part of the island, visiting the Inca Stairs and the Fountain of Youth, and see the beautiful views.

After our trek, you'll head to the island's small port for the return to Copacabana, and from there back to your hotel in La Paz.

La Paz

Day 8: Free Day in La Paz

After a week of intense and exhilarating activity, you'll have a free day in La Paz. You can have the day to yourself or choose to participate—upon request—in one or two local programs, such as trekking to Tuni Condoriri mountain, or a visit to local museums and fair trade handicraft stores.

La Paz - Uyuni - Colchani

Day 9: The Great Uyuni Salt Flats

You'll be picked up from the hotel, and the journey will begin with a short visit to the famed train cemetery, full of rusting train cars that were once used to transport minerals and people to and from Uyuni.

You'll then continue to the salt-harvesting village of Colchani to see how locals produce salt. After this, you will reach the Salt Flats and visit the bizarre Incahuasi Island, covered in enormous cacti, and take in the amazing 360º views of the flats.

After a beautiful sunset in the middle of the endless expanse of glittering salt, we return to your salt hotel in Colchani.

Colchani - Siloli Desert

Day 10: Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

After breakfast, you'll continue the adventure through the landscapes of the southern altiplano. We will enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, the country's most visited protected area. Here, you will witness volcanos, deserts, colorful lagoons, and unique Andean wildlife, such as flamingos.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to the Siloli Desert, where you'll see the wonder of the famous Stone Tree, formed by years of wind erosion. The tour will finish with a visit to the red lagoon before heading to your accommodation for a well-earned rest.

Siloli Desert - Hito Cajones - San Pedro De Atacama

Day 11: Eduardo Avaroa Andean Flora and Fauna Reserve

After an early breakfast and optional dip in local thermal waters, your journey through the landscapes of the southern altiplano continues.

Travel to the Green and White Lagoon and visit the Geysers Sol de Mañana.

From here, you'll go towards the Chilean border and after migration procedures, you will cross over to San Pedro de Atacama. The rest of the day free for rest.

San Pedro De Atacama

Day 12: Visit the Valley of the Moon & the Valley of Death

Today, a driver will take you to two of the desert's most famous sites. The Atacama Desert is one of the planet's driest ecosystems, often compared to those of the moon and other planets.

First, you'll see the Valley of the Moon, with its unique stone and sand formations and enjoy a dramatic sunset that will paint the rocks pink and purple.

You'll also get to explore the Valley of Death, known for its giant sand dunes. Off in the distance, you'll see volcanoes that reach six thousand meters above sea level!

San Pedro De Atacama

Day 13: Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village

Prepare for an early departure to explore the Geysers del Tatio! You'll arrive to see a spectacular sunrise and the time of day when the geysers are the most active. Enjoy a delicious breakfast as you witness this natural show.

Then, you'll visit the village of Machuca, one of the most remote communities in the region, before returning to your hotel.

San Pedro De Atacama - Calama

Day 14: Travel from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama

Thank you for your visit! After breakfast, a driver will take you from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport for your connecting flights home.

We hope that you had an amazing time touring with us through Bolivia and Chile and that you made memories to last a lifetime. Please come back and visit us again soon!