Atacama & Uyuni
Desert & Altiplano, Chile - Bolivia
Explorations in
Atacama & Uyuni
Activity
Difficulty
Areas
PASTORES
Lodge Uyuni
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Hike -
Easy
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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
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Hike
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Easy
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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
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Sky
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Easy
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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
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High Mountain Ascent
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Advanced
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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
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Hike
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Advanced
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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
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Hike
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Easy
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Full-day
We head to Ikala, the "Hidden Village ", an abandoned village with adobe houses, built with Incan influence. Wandering around the streets...
More details >LAS APACHETAS
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Exploration Path
We head to Ikala, the "Hidden Village ", an abandoned village with adobe houses, built with Incan influence. Wandering around the streets we find and old church and get a glimpse of what life meant to these people. We continue through the trail of the apachetas rock mounts, stones that signaled and guided shepherds; as we gain height, we get a view of the hills that surround the area. Along the hike we will get information about the culture and history of Andean people.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
PUEBLOS ANDINOS
Chituca
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Overland
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Easy
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Full-day
We wander through the Valle de las Rocas up to the necropolis, an ancient archaeological burial site. We continue across the Valley...
More details >PUEBLOS ANDINOS
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Exploration Path
We wander through the Valle de las Rocas up to the necropolis, an ancient archaeological burial site. We continue across the Valley of Jawincha, learning about part of its history reflected in the petroglyphs and pictograms, and have lunch there. We cross another petroglyph site and continue to the town of San Pedro de Quemes to learn about its history. Finally, we visit the hidden village of Ikala before returning to the Mountain Home.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
TRAYECTO RAMADITAS -CHITUCA
Ramaditas - Chituca
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Overland
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Easy
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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
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High Mountain Ascent
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Advanced
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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.
LAS CATEDRALES
Ramaditas
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Hike
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Advanced
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Full-day
We walk from the east of the Pastos Grandes Lagoon, crossing current refuges of Altiplano shepherds and vestiges of abandoned posts...
More details >LAS CATEDRALES
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Exploration Path
We walk from the east of the Pastos Grandes Lagoon, crossing current refuges of Altiplano shepherds and vestiges of abandoned posts. We come close to the Catedrales, an ignimbrite geological formation uniquely shaped by years of erosion and Andean winds. Some vicuñas and a large number of vizcachas inhabit the area, and we will be able to see tracks of pumas and Andean cats.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
LAGUNA HONDA
Ramaditas
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Hike
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Moderate
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Full-day
We walk from our Mountain Home up to the Honda Lagoon. The slope towards the lagoon will make us explore the inner passes...
More details >LAGUNA HONDA
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Exploration Path
We walk from our Mountain Home up to the Honda Lagoon. The slope towards the lagoon will make us explore the inner passes of the surrounding hills. The flora changes as we go up and yareta moss can be seen in the hills, in contrast with the arid landscapes of the Atacama- Ramaditas route.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
LAGUNA RAMADITAS
Ramaditas
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Hike
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Easy
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Half-day
We walking bordering the Ramaditas Lagoon (called so given the branching of nearby roads), until we get to the canyon that meets the trails...
More details >LAGUNA RAMADITAS
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Exploration Path
We walk bordering the Ramaditas Lagoon, until we get to the canyon that meets the trails along the lagoon. We are surrounded by the Andean landscape. Different birds like eaglets, flamingos, and andean gulls can be sighted, among other vestiges and whispers of Altiplano fauna.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
Lagunas andinas
Ramaditas
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Overland
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Easy
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Full-day
We travel to the Cachi and Pastos Grandes Lagoons, walking along the border of the Cachi or Salada Lagoon, watching vicuñas...
More details >Lagunas andinas
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Exploration Path
We travel to the Cachi and Pastos Grandes Lagoons, walking along the border of the Cachi or Salada Lagoon, watching vicuñas and flamingos. We then head off to the Pastos Grandes Lagoon, surrounding it to have lunch enjoying the view of the Altiplano landscape and with Andean winds and air.
* Exploration exclusive for programs of 10 nights or more.
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