Chile & Bolivia: Atacama Desert to the Uyuni Salt Flats

Begin your trip with complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your flight from the UK to Santiago. 

On arrival in the Chilean capital, a private transfer will take you from the airport to your upscale hotel in the bohemian Lastarria neighbourhood, where you’ll spend the next couple of nights. A guided half-day walking tour will give you an in-depth introduction to Santiago’s history while tracing a route between key landmarks, including La Moneda (the presidential palace), Plaza de Armas (the main square) and the neoclassical-style Metropolitan Cathedral.

You’ll then stroll up Santa Lucia Hill, where Santiago was founded in 1541, before crossing the Mapocho River to Bellavista, a neighbourhood renowned for its rich cultural and artistic heritage. Take in the magnificent panoramic views overlooking the city from San Cristobal Hill and finally round off your tour among Providencia’s abundance of bars, shops and restaurants. The rest of your time here is free to explore at leisure, or simply relax and recharge back at the hotel. 

It’s time to leave the bright lights of Santiago behind as you catch a flight to Calama, a remote mining town and gateway to the Atacama Desert – one of the driest and harshest places on the planet, stretching over 1,000 kilometres in northern Chile between the Pacific Coast and the Andes Mountains. A private transfer will take you to your idyllic luxury lodge in San Pedro de Atacama, replete with outdoor pools, a spa, an astronomical observatory and a restaurant serving exquisite dishes inspired by the Atacama Desert.

Here, you’ll meet an expert guide to discuss your plans for the next couple of days, whether it be hiking, biking, horse riding, mountain climbing, or perhaps a combination of those. You don’t have to venture far from San Pedro de Atacama to find yourself among some of the region’s most beguiling landscapes, from the rust-red mountains, canyons and ravines of the Domeyko range and the lunar-like rock formations of the Valle de la Luna to the otherworldly Atacama Salt Flats. A soak in the steaming, mineral-rich waters of the Puritama Hot Springs, meanwhile, is a must. And as you’ll discover, for somewhere seemingly so inhospitable, there’s a remarkable variety of flora and fauna which have adapted to survive in the Atacama Desert. 

Today, you’ll bid farewell to San Pedro de Atacama, winding through the Andes as you cross over into Bolivia. Traversing the Altiplano (the highest plateau on Earth outside of Tibet), you’ll pass the Sol de la Mañana geysers and an array of salt flats, wetlands and lagoons, including the red-tinted Laguna Colorada, where you’ll likely see hundreds of flamingos. After lunch, your journey continues towards Ramaditas Camp, your mountain lodge accommodation for the night. Watch the sunset cast its golden glow over the Altiplano and once darkness sets in, gaze up at the inky black, star-studded night sky. With no light pollution, it’s an astonishing spectacle to behold.

Stay: Ramaditas Camp (Deluxe)

You’ll have the opportunity to explore this wondrous region in greater depth today as you continue north towards Uyuni, with optional hikes and short drives along the way. The Laguna Turquiri, with its abundant birdlife and surrounding rock formations, is the perfect place to stop for lunch. Next up is Chituca, where you’ll learn about the local culture and tuck into a delicious dinner before bedding down for the night. The deep silence and serenity that comes with staying somewhere so remote is quite extraordinary. 

Stay: Chituca Camp (Deluxe)

Today’s journey is also packed with avenues for exploration, whether it be a hike in the cactus forest or the ancient agricultural terraces nearby, or a visit to the village of San Pedro de Quemes, from which you’ll be greeted by stunning views of the Altiplano. You’ll then make a stop at the Gruta de las Galaxias, a cave filled with rare geological formations, before the mesmerising sight of the Uyuni Salt Flats comes into view. Covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometres, this otherworldly natural wonder formed when prehistoric lakes evaporated, leaving behind the world’s largest salt flat at an altitude of 3,656 metres above sea level. After lunch, set off on a hike (or drive) to Pescado Island, a cacti-dotted rocky outcrop in the middle of the salt flat.

You’ll spend the next two nights at a spectacular wilderness lodge nestled on the slopes of the Tunupa Volcano, with magnificent views overlooking the salt flat. Based on your interests, the guide will organise activities to make the most of your time here, whether you fancy exploring the area by bike, on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle. 

Stay: Uyuni Lodge (Deluxe)

Enjoy one last breakfast at Uyuni Lodge before being taken to the airport to catch a flight to La Paz*, Bolivia’s administrative capital and one of the highest altitude cities in the world, where you’ll be staying in a sleek, modern hotel. Later on, head out to a local restaurant for an evening filled with authentic Bolivian cuisine and traditional folkloric singing and dancing. It’s bound to be a night to remember.

The next day, you’ll have the chance to explore La Paz in depth on a guided walking tour, taking in the city’s vibrant street markets, the ornate Basilica of San Francisco, the Gold Museum and the Killi Killi hilltop viewpoint. You’ll then descend into the Valley of the Moon, renowned for its stunning rock formations, before wrapping up your tour with a cable car ride in which you’ll be treated to superb views of the city from above. 

* Please note that rather than continuing to La Paz, it's also possible to return from Uyuni to the Atacama.

Take a private transfer from your hotel to the airport to board your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day 14.