SAJAMA NATIONALPARK AND SALAR DE UYUNI Volcano Tunupa MOUNTAINS AND SALT FLATS We begin this epic journey by driving out across the wild and barren Altiplano to First Sajama National Park. This remote park overlooked by the awesome Sajama peak sits in a resounding silence broken only by the wind in the Quenwa trees and the occasional llama grazing. We take it all in lying back in the natural hot springs. After our night in Sajama village we head south along the border of Chile and Bolivia. Along the way we pass shimmering emerald colored lakes filled with flamingos, towering Inca burial towers and rugged plains and valleys dotted with guanaco. The following days are spent on one of Bolivia s - and the world s great wonders, the salt flats of Uyuni. Depending on the season this vast expanse can appear like a mirror for the heavens or an unending sea of snow. After losing ourselves for some days in this wonderland, we head far down to the south of Bolivia and visit Laguna Colarada, Laguna Verde and the many of the other lakes with their varying hues with contrast with the exotic wildlife and alien landscape. [1]
PROGRAM DETAILS Type of activity: Touring with some small walks at altitude Difficulty: 1 easy traveling Number of days: 7 days, 6 nights Tour starts in La Paz Tour ends in La Paz Best time of year: May to November Season: Dry season: days are mild and nights are cold Highlights: Visiting the Salar de Uyuni and the surrounding area, including, Laguna Colorada, Laguna verde, Laguna Canapa, Laguna Hedionda, Laguna Chiar Khota, Laguna Honda, Sol de Manana, Arbol de Piedra, Polques hot springs, visiting the small towns of Sajama,Tomarapi, Uyuni, Tahua, Coqueza mummies, Wildlife including Llamas, Vicuñas, Flamingos, La Gruta de Galaxias, Lago Macaya, Inca Tombs of, salt hotel, salt mining and train cemetery Inca Tombs [2] PHOTOS FROM THE AREA
PROGRAM Day 1: La Paz (3600m) Sajama village, Tomarapi (4220m) We drive from La Paz through El Alto and onto the Altiplano (4000m), which is a vast undulating and dry landscape. We will see brightly dresses locals in this region herding their flocks of llamas and alpacas. Along the way we will stop at church Carahuara de Carangas. One hour before the village we get our first views of Sajama standing like the lonely mountain in The Hobbit. We will stay the night in the village of Tomarapi, taking time out to visit the hot springs and Laguna Huana Khota. 4-5 hours driving, (LD) Hotel Tomarapi 3* Day 2: Sajama Village (4300m) Chipaya (3795m) - Tahua (3656m) We make an early start for the beautiful drive to Tahua. We pass close to the Chile/ Bolivian border, making stops along the way to visit Lake Macaya, ancient Inca Tombs, the oldest tribe on the Altiplano the Chipaya and other small villages. Finally we stop at Salinas Gracia de Mendoza for Gasoline before reaching Tahua. 8 9 hours driving (BLD) Hotel de Sal 3* Day 3: Tahua (3656m) - Uyuni Salt Flats (3653m) - Isla de Incahuasi San Pedro de Quemez (3669m) Today is perhaps the most spectacular. We visit the salt flats of the Salar stopping first at Coquesa where we make a short walk to some caves and visit some mummified remains. Next is Isla Incahuasi in the middle of the salt flats where you can explore the island by foot. We will stop for lunch here, so there s plenty of time to take photos of this natural wonder. Later we head to La Gruta de Galaxias, a fascinating formation of rock in a large cave. From there we head to the Church at village of San Pedro de Quemez, Curahuara where we spend the night. 5 6 hours driving (BLD) Hotel de Piedra 3* [3]
Day 4: San Pedro de Quemez (3670m) Ojos de Perdiz (4600m) On the road again, we pass lots of lakes with different shimmering hues and we see a variety of wild life including elegant and brightly colored Flamingos. Through out the valleys of this arid area are vast rock formations with colors of reds, yellows and whites, exposed by the massive up thrust of the Andes over millions of years 5 6 hours driving (BLD) Hotel del Desierto 3* Day 5: Hotel del Desierto Laguna Colorada (4287m) Laguna Verde (4400m) Villa Mar (4020m) Our first stop is Arbol de Piedra. Following more dusty roads we enter the National park called Eduardo Avaroa where we stop off at Laguna Colorada. Later we stop at Sol de Manana before moving on to Polques hot springs. Near the end of the road we visit Laguna verde and Laguna Blanca, stunningly colored lakes in this sepia landscape. Then we make our way back to Laguna Colorada and onto Villa Mar. 7 8 hours driving (BLD) Hotel Jardines de Mallku Cueva 3* Day 6: Villa Mar Uyuni (3656m) Today we have a short trip to Uyuni giving us time beforehand to visit some impressive rock formations near the canyon. After this we return to the main road which will take us to Uyuni. We make a stop at Villa Lota and then San Cristobal were we hear the story of how they moved the church stone by stone to its new location to make room for a new mine. Our last stop for the day is at the old train cemetery, a monument to nostalgia in it s beautiful and wild setting. 7-8 hours driving (BLD) Hotel 3* Day 7: Uyuni La Paz (3600m) We leave early in the morning for a long drive back to La Paz. We stop for lunch at Challapata, before our last stretch back to the capital city. Drop off at hotel. 8-9 hours driving (BL) End of Services NOTE: Times include stops for photos and small walks [4]
PRICES Prices include: Professional English speaking guide Meals as mentioned, including Drinks in camp and restaurants (B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner) 6 night s hotel accommodation (Tomarapi, Tahua, San Pedro the Quemez, Ojos de Perdiz, Villa mar and Uyuni ) All private transport for 7 days (4 people maximum in one 4x4) Entrance fees to archeological sites and National Parks Extras: Bottle oxygen Pulse oximeter Not Included: Tips Extra services not mentioned in the program Personal gear Personal insurance Altiplano frog Prices: 1 person $3400 US 2 people $1995 US each 3 people $1515 US each 4 people $1495 US each Prices with spanish speaking guide: 1 person $3030 US 2 people $1810 US each 3 people $1475 US each 4 people $1455 US each Contact details: Calle Linares #940 Email: Info@climbingsouthamerica.com 1st Floor Web page: www.climbingsouthamerica.com La Paz Office phone number: 591-2-2971543 Bolivia Cell phone number: 591-71903534 [5]