Itinerary
Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama - Green and Red Lagoons - Villa Mar
Pass By: San Pedro de Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
Upon confirmation of the tour, from Howlanders we will send you the guide's contact information to coordinate the pick-up directly. The guide will pick you up at your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama at 7:00AM. Once all your fellow travelers are picked up you will board the minibus that will take you to the Bolivian border. You will then get your passports stamped and enter the seven-seater 4x4 to start your adventure.
Stop At: Salvador Dali Desert, Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve Bolivia
You will enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Andean Fauna Reserve, where you will spend most of the day. Your first stops will be White Lagoon and Green Lagoon, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. You will continue to the Salvador Dali Desert, a large high plateau surrounded by imposing mountains, and an incredible high Andean landscape.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Aguas Termales de Polques, Next to Cerro Faldajara, Uyuni Bolivia
The road continues to the Polque hot springs, where you will change into small changing rooms and enjoy a bath in natural thermal water that contrasts with the cold weather. The challenge is to get out of these hot springs!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Geiser Sol de la Manana, Avaroa National Reserve, Uyuni Bolivia
After lunch with a view of the landscape surrounding the hot springs, the Sol de la Mañana Geyser field awaits you, full of fumaroles and small geysers that make it a unique landscape where you can feel the power of nature.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Laguna Colorada, Laguna Colorada, Potosi Department
Finally, you will arrive at the Red Lagoon, one of the most spectacular of the altiplano and undoubtedly the most photographed of the itinerary. You will take a short walk along the edge to explore this place, where 3 different species of flamingos nest. You will then head to Villa Mar, where you will have dinner and spend the night in the type of room chosen during your reservation.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Hostel accommodation (Hostal Villa Mar)
Day 2: Villa Mar - Valley of the Rocks - Salt Hotel in Colcha K
Stop At: Valle de Las Rocas, Colcha "K, Bolivia
After breakfast, you will visit Lost Italy, natural geological formations reminiscent of the desert landscapes of cowboy movies. Next to this area is the Valley of Rocks, a plain full of rocks of volcanic origin that with erosion have created shapes known as the World Cup or the Camel, where you will spend some time taking fun pictures.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Laguna Negra, Potosi Bolivia
You will continue the route between different lagoons until you reach the Vinto Lagoon. If the weather permits you will hike along its shore, otherwise you will continue straight to the Black Lagoon (or Hidden Lagoon). In this area, you will have an hour free to walk along the road to the lagoon itself and walk through the valley full of llamas that leads to the lagoon itself. When you return to the car the driver will be waiting for you with the table set. You will have lunch with the group and continue your adventure.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Uyuni, Uyuni, Potosi Department
The Anaconda canyon offers panoramic views of the meandering river at the bottom of the canyon itself. From natural viewpoints, you will appreciate the immensity of this place. In the final stretch of the day, you will make one more stop at the Sora wetland, a place of choice for many birds and especially camelids, full of the endemic flora of the altiplano.
We especially like this place because it contrasts with the other slightly more arid areas and lets you see the diversity of the Bolivian altiplano.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: Colcha K, Colcha K, Santa Cruz Department
On the way back to your accommodation you will stop at a small village that has a shop where you can have a few local beers (yes, craft beers from the Bolivian Altiplano). Also, technology permitting, you will be able to connect to their Wi-Fi. Finally, at sunset, you will head to the best salt hotel in the area, where you will dine with views of the altiplano and rest in private rooms built entirely of salt.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Hostel Accommodation (Hotel de Sal Tambo Loma)
Day 3: Salt Hotel in Colcha K - Uyuni Slat Flats - Villa Mar
Stop At: Salar de Uyuni, Uyuni Bolivia
It is an early start today! Wrap up warm because, at 5:00 in the morning, you will set off for the Uyuni Salt Flats. When you arrive, you will be waiting with the whole group to experience one of the most magical sunrises in the world. Take out your camera and capture that special moment.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Isla Incahuasi, Bolivia
You will continue to Incahuasi Island, a place that houses a unique ecosystem full of giant cacti and, thanks to its elevation, becomes one of the best places to enjoy the views and take more pictures of the Uyuni Salt Flats. You will have breakfast at the foot of the island to recharge, we assure you that it will be one of the best breakfasts with the best views you have ever experienced. It is time to head to the next stop: a photo session in the Uyuni Salt Flats.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Colchani, Colchani, Potosi Department
You have already seen a good part of the Uyuni Salt Flats and now it is time to take some pictures. In the rainy season (January - March) you will head to the flooded part of the salt flat to see the surreal mirror effect. In the dry season, you will be in the center of the salt flat to take some amazing pictures, you will be amazed by the driver's photo skills!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dakar Monument, MX94+X2J, Colchani, Bolivia
The last stops in the salt flat will be to visit the Dakar sculpture and the famous Island of the Flags. Finally, you will leave behind a long morning in the salt flat and head to Colchani, where you will visit the local handicraft shops, where all travelers take the opportunity to take home a souvenir of this adventure.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Train Cemetery, Uyuni Bolivia
After two days of having lunch in the "portable restaurant" thanks to the skill of the driver, today is the day to enjoy a restaurant. So you will take advantage of the proximity to Uyuni town to have a leisurely lunch.
Then you will head to the outskirts of Uyuni town, to the train cemetery, a landscape formed by the remains of what was once a symbol of Bolivian development. After the visit, you will head back to Villa Mar, to return to the accommodation where you have already spent the first night.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Hostel accommodation (Hostal Villa Mar)
Day 4: Villa Mar - Hito Cajón Border - San Pedro de Atacama
Stop At: San Pedro de Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
At 5:00 A.M. you will have breakfast in the dining room of the accommodation and then head for the border between Chile and Bolivia, a journey of approximately 4 hours. When you arrive, you will complete the corresponding formalities and board the private minibus that will be waiting to take you to San Pedro de Atacama, where you will arrive around 1:00 P.M.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
See Availability.
Traveler pickup is offered
Any accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
07:00 AM
4 days(approx.)
Not wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Posted By : jlentz24
First things first: the scenery speaks for itself. It would be 5 stars all the way! I booked my tour with Howlanders (side note, book on their website not viator for cheaper prices) I think we stayed in slightly nicer accommodations than others, but no need to pay for supplement for single room (I had 2 girls in a room the first night and my own room at the salt hotel second night and only paid for basic). The guide only speaks Spanish so I was lucky others in the group could translate. We got food poisoning at the salt hotel (last nights dinner) and it was the PITS! Especially with 4 am wake up call! Most of the group was down for the count but the views make it (almost) worth it. I say find the cheapest tour you can (like this one) bc they all do the exact same itinerary. No need to pay extra (but pray for no food poisoning). 🤣😆
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Posted On : 2024-01-20
Posted By : HarrycU620IU
Well, it was a nice experience in that place, it is a very beautiful place and the place of Salar Uyuni and it is good to spend with the family, it is a nice family and a nice experience that was seen in that very beautiful place that Bolivia has.
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Posted On : 2023-12-07
Posted By : Sebastiano_R
An incredible experience that in addition to the wonderful places allowed me to meet fantastic people.
A journey among some of the most beautiful places in the world, discovering the customs and traditions of the Andean highlands.
Special thanks go to Guilder( the hermanito Loco) Raul (spectacular host) and Walder (respectful to needs).
Highly recommended!
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Posted On : 2023-08-16
Posted By : eladyt
Starting with the positives: The tour was planned well, the sights are amazing and the guide was good. The food was fine and the hotels as good as one can expect in such remote places.
The cons:
1. Each of the 3 couples on the trip paid a different price for the tour. The prices ranged from around $250 to $400 for the exact same product.
2. The car was supposed to be equipped for emergencies, including an oxygen bottle. I don't think they were.
Finally, a word of warning about the Bolivian border officer: they demanded $90 more for the visas on entry, and 15 Bolivians on the way out of the country. It's very likely that said officer pocketed the money. A very unpleasant experience!
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Posted On : 2022-12-29
Posted By : 697khangd
Love everything about the trip. Such a beautiful place to visit. Car ride can a bit rough if you already have a sore back. I wish there is an itinerary so tourists can have an idea.
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Posted On : 2022-11-26
Posted By : Elisabeth G S
My friend and I were told to reach out if we were confused on how to cross the border. I did just that but was given incorrect information. Then less than 24 hours before our tour started I was informed of everything I needed. We could not get this within the 24 hours and these documents were not on the US governmental website for traveling across the border. I was told I needed bank statements and USD cash even though the US embassy said I can pay in local currency and didn’t say I needed bank statements. Since I was contacted so late we had to cancel our tour but Howlanders will not give us a refund because we didn’t do it 7 days beforehand. If I had know we needed these I would have canceled beforehand. I do not recommend doing this tour because my friend and I are now out a lot of money.
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Posted On : 2022-10-05
Posted By : SusannIvan
We were in the unfortunate position of having the March 17 trip cx due to last minute border closure with Bolivia due to COVID-19. The tour operator was fantastic and Howlanders were amazing in handling this difficult situation. They issued a full refund and promptly delivered back to our account. I wish the company all the best during this difficult time and WOULD NOT HESITATE to book with them again. They chose a fabulous company for our tour and were great to deal with.
Thank you Howlanders.
Regards
Susan and Ivan from Canada.
PS we got back safely home on March 20. Crazy times.
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Posted On : 2020-03-23
Posted By : zpedroteixeira
The whole trip was fantastic. The sites themselves are stunning (except maybe the World Cup, that's just a rock, but on the other hand, the Inca Valley was surprising), especially the Salar of Uyuni. Jefferson was an amazing guide, pacient, funny and professional. As for the accomodation, that maybe was the least impressive part, since in the Salt Hotel there was simply no hot water, and the fact that we left unnecessarily early in the last day.
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Posted On : 2020-03-12
Posted By : reysunny
The tour from San Pedro to Uyuni is definitely recommendable! Booked it over Howlanders, but it was operated by Cruz Andina. We were divided in two groups, one for Spanish speakers and the other one English. Our driver Fredy was really nice, drove really save, gave us so much information and answered questions really patiently and always cared if everything's allright. The food was good and the first hostels was basic (watch your values) but okay and the second one was amazing, it was from Cruz Andina itself and nice double rooms, good shower. But keep in mind that there is no wifi and no mobile network during the tour, but you get what you book, a stunning and very well organized adventure!
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Posted On : 2019-10-18
Posted By : 335marthed
Es simple, esta expedición de 4 días fue el momento favorito de nuestro viaje Chile/Bolivia. Viajamos con Fernando, un guía genial que nos dio toda la información y anécdotas de la ruta. Gracias de nuevo Fernando, sin ti el viaje no hubiera sido igual. Los paisajes son impresionantes y la vida salvaje es increíble. Si vas a San Pedro de Atacama, no te pierdas este viaje y confía en Estrella del Sur.
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Posted On : 2024-04-19
