Atacama & Uyuni
Desert & Altiplano, Chile - Bolivia
Explorations in
Atacama & Uyuni
Activity
Difficulty
Areas
QUEÑOA
Lodge Uyuni
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Hike - Advanced
- Full-day
We take our 4-wheel drive vehicle to a viewpoint at the Tunupa Volcano. From there, we walk bordering the southeast hillside, with broad...
More details >QUEÑOA
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Exploration Path
We take our 4-wheel drive vehicle to a viewpoint at the Tunupa Volcano. From there, we walk bordering the southeast hillside, with broad views to the Uyuni Salt Flat and the villages around it. The road is harsh, crossing through rock formations and queñoa forests, a tree that grows at high altitude areas. We drive through some complex sections and difficult crossings.
QHAPAQ ÑAN
Lodge Uyuni
- Hike
- Moderate
- Full-day
This hike crosses an old trail marked by apacheta rocks that connects two villages. We will be surrounded by Andean wildlife and watch...
More details >QHAPAQ ÑAN
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Exploration Path
This hike crosses an old trail marked by apacheta rocks that connects two villages. We will be surrounded by Andean wildlife and watch species such as llamas, vicuñas, sheep, and even foxes or pumas. The trail is currently abandoned, but it has existed since Inca and even pre-Inca times.
TRAYECTO ATACAMA – RAMADITAS
Ramaditas
- Overland
- Easy
- Full-day
The trip from Atacama to the Ramaditas Mountain Home will cross the Altiplano through an active Andes Mountain Range. We leave the lodge...
More details >TRAYECTO ATACAMA – RAMADITAS
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Exploration Path
The trip from Atacama to the Ramaditas Mountain Home will cross the Altiplano through an active Andes Mountain Range. We leave the lodge and cross towards Bolivia, stopping first at the White Lagoon. We walk along the south border of the lagoon to enjoy the altitude landscape and bird watching.
We then go to the Green Lagoon, from where we walk to the Apachetas viewpoint, where we get a view of the Licancabur and Sairecabur volcanoes. We continue towards the Sol de Mañana Geysers, where the smell of sulfur alerts us of mineral-rich underground currents.
We walk to the lagoons to see amazing flocks of flamingos and other birds. We have lunch enjoying this landscape, the Altiplano, and the Red Lagoon, to then continue with our trip.
PASTORES
Lodge Uyuni
- Hike
- Easy
- Half-day
This exploration borders the salt flat to reach a shepherds’ area and watch herds of llamas, sheep, and goats. We get to watch estancias...
More details >PASTORES
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Exploration Path
This exploration borders the salt flat to reach a shepherds’ area and watch herds of llamas, sheep, and goats. We get to watch estancias and rest areas, some of which are old and others in use at present. A contemplative walk that gazes the rural lifestyles of Andean area’s locals.
TRAYECTO CHITUCA – UYUNI
Chituca - Lodge Uyuni
- Hike
- Easy
- Full-day
Before heading to Uyuni, we hike up the hills to get a broader view of the surroundings, of the vegetation and of quinoa crops...
More details >TRAYECTO CHITUCA – UYUNI
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Exploration Path
Before heading to Uyuni, we hike up the hills to get a broader view of the surroundings, of the vegetation and of quinoa crops.
We make a stop at San Pedro de Quemes, a village with a marked division between rundown rock buildings and a new area. We then head to Las Galaxias, a grotto with peculiar formations resulting from the emptying of the Uyuni Salt Flat.
We have lunch in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flat. We walk along one of the islands in the salt flat, the Pescado Island, a formation with typical Altiplano vegetation which we climb in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flat to admire its immensity.
ASTRONOMÍA ANDINA
Chituca
- Sky
- Easy
- Full-day
For all travelers attracted to the cosmos and the stars, Andean skies have unparalleled conditions. Stars and constellations appear...
More details >ASTRONOMÍA ANDINA
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Exploration Path
For all travelers attracted to the cosmos and the stars, Andean skies have unparalleled conditions. Stars and constellations appear with unusual clearness due to minimal light and air pollution. Depending on the season, main visible features are the Southern Cross and Orion. In addition, the Milky Way and its shadows are closely related to the history of Andean people.
VOLCÁN IRRUPUTUNKU
Chituca
- High Mountain Ascent
- Advanced
- Full-day
We climb the south face of the volcano through a marked trail that surrounds the crater and reaches the north side of the rock...
More details >VOLCÁN IRRUPUTUNKU
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Exploration Path
We climb the south face of the volcano through a marked trail that surrounds the crater and reaches the north side of the rock. We get a panoramic view of the Altiplano and observe the strong yellow fumarole due to high sulfur concentrations. Along the way, we find a forest of queñoas, a tree that grows at high altitudes.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
JAWINCHA
Chituca
- Hike
- Advanced
- Full-day
We walk from the hidden village of Ikala to the Jawincha Valley. Along the way we cross ancient shepherds’ settlements and refuges...
More details >JAWINCHA
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Exploration Path
We walk from the hidden village of Ikala to the Jawincha Valley. Along the way we cross ancient shepherds’ settlements and refuges, as well as quinoa crops. We will also visit a site with petroglyphs and pictographs, vestiges of ancient Andean peoples.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
LAS APACHETAS
Chituca
- Hike
- Easy
- Full-day
We leave the Chituca Mountain Home and make our first stop in San Pedro de Quemes to observe the burned town from above. We then move on to the Jawincha Valley, where we will start to hike along an old trail used by local inhabitants. We then go to the cemetery to visit the museum and tombs.
More details >LAS APACHETAS
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Exploration Path
We leave the Chituca Mountain Home and make our first stop in San Pedro de Quemes to observe the burned town from above. We then move on to the Jawincha Valley, where we will start to hike along an old trail used by local inhabitants. We then go to the cemetery to visit the museum and tombs. * Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
PUEBLOS ANDINOS
Chituca
- Overland
- Easy
- Full-day
We leave the Chituca Mountain Home by jeep and go to the Valley of Rocks for our first hike. We will then continue by jeep to San Juan, where we will walk to the cemetery and its museum, before moving on to Lakaya, considered one of the most important pre-Columbian settlements in the Lípez region.
More details >PUEBLOS ANDINOS
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Exploration Path
We leave the Chituca Mountain Home by jeep and go to the Valley of Rocks for our first hike. We will then continue by jeep to San Juan, where we will walk to the cemetery and its museum, before moving on to Lakaya, considered one of the most important pre-Columbian settlements in the Lípez region.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
TRAYECTO RAMADITAS -CHITUCA
Ramaditas - Chituca
- Overland
- Easy
- Full-day
While leaving our Mountain Home towards Chituca we can see the transition from a solitary and extensive Andean expanse to an...
More details >TRAYECTO RAMADITAS -CHITUCA
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Exploration Path
While leaving our Mountain Home towards Chituca we can see the transition from a solitary and extensive Andean expanse to an increasingly friendly geography, which thereby allows for human demography. We will come closer to towns and appreciate the changes in the ecosystem, from areas with scarce vegetation to actively worked fields.
With our driver and guide we cross the lagoons of the Altiplano (Honda, Char Kota, Hedionda), with different views to the volcanoes. We continue until we reach the Turquiri Lagoon, watching diverse Andean wildlife along the road. This lagoon features a large concentration of birds, surrounded by impressive ignimbrite formations.
We walk bordering a grazing wetland for llamas and goats, a haven for one of the traditional trades in the aera. We will then have lunch in the heights of the Turquiri Lagoon with broad views to the Altiplano. We head back to the Mountain Home in Chituca.
VOLCÁN ASCOTÁN
Ramaditas
- High Mountain Ascent
- Advanced
- Full-day
We will walk from our Mountain Home, going up through trails surrounded by yareta moss, grasses, and shrubs. As we gain altitude...
More details >VOLCÁN ASCOTÁN
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Exploration Path
We will walk from our Mountain Home, going up through trails surrounded by yareta moss, grasses, and shrubs. As we gain altitude, Honda, Char Kota and Hedionda lagoons will appear. The volcano is acknowledged by colorfulness, due to which it has been dubbed the “Ascotán Garden”. The diverse tones and fullness of the Altiplano have been with us along the entire exploration.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.