SALAR DE UYUNI EXPEDITIONS

This is an unforgettable trip, through 12.000 km² of fantastic landscapes of salt. Prepare your cameras! The blinding white fabric in Uyuni’s salt flats resembles an immense glacier. 

In winter, dry season, when the surface hardens, almost geometric figures are formed by the salt particles conglomerated in polygonal shapes. In summer, rainy season, the saline desert becomes a gigantic mirror that melts into the purest sky in America.

You will not miss the opportunity to see the "Salt Hotel", one of our Tayka hotels network, the eyes of water and toward Tunupa Volcano.You will have the chance of being near the crater for an amazing view of the salt flats in their entire splendor.

In San Pedro de Quemes you will find other of our Tayka network hotels “Stone Hotel” where is just the beginning of the adventure.In the other hand visiting the Green Lagoon and Red Lagoon, where finding the company of birds such as gulls, ducks and of course the flamingos is a show of dancing and flying that will trap you. The desert of sand and stone leaves behind any sense of defined routes and set directions.

These fantastic deserts own all the shades in the terracotta’s palette. We have chosen this wonderful scenery to build the last Tayka network hotel “Desert Hotel”.You will not miss the opportunity of taking a bath in the thermal waters and enjoy a succulent breakfast in the open air will be just a little part of our journeys.

Program 1. UYUNI – UYUNI

(SALT FLATS & LAGOONS)

4 days

Circuit:         Tayka Expeditions access from Bolivia

Duration:      4 days / 3 Nights

Day 1. UNDERSTANDING THE LARGEST SALT FLATS IN THE WORLD (Uyuni - Tahua)

 

Today we will have an unforgettable trip through 12.000 km² of fantastic landscapes of salt. We will enter the salt flats through Colchani, where we will see how the salt is processed manually. After a 30 min. journey through the vast surface of the white desert we will visit the "salt hotel", the eyes of water and afterward we will drive west to continue our journey toward Tunupa Volcano. We will reach it through Jirira and have a walk around it by the shores of the salt desert.

The Mummies of Coquesa and the Mirador Tunupa, where we will drive near its crater for an amazing view of the salt flats in their entire splendor.

In the late afternoon we’ll be able to see the sunset from a vantage point that shows sensual shapes and colors at dusk. The night will be spending at the Salt Hotel of Tayka’s Hotel Network with private bathrooms, hot water and heating.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

 

 

 

Day 2: CAVES, UNBELIVABLE FOSSILS AND ISLANDS (Tahua – San Pedro de Quemez)

 

We will continue our trip toward Chillguilla, where we will ascend to the pucara (Pre-colombian ruins).After receiving an explanation about the archaeological value of this ritual center, our direction will go to the cave of the fossil whale in Chiquini. Next, we follow the road that will take us to the Fish Island, located in the middle of the salt flats. After lunch, we will head to Galaxy Cave, a place where we will be able to appreciate ancestral burials and petrified cactus.

After this exiting event we will arrive to San Pedro de Quemez where we will spend the night at Stone Hotel of Tayka’s Hotel Network with private bathrooms, hot water and heating. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3.          CRIMSON LAKE, FLAMINGOS AND MULTI-COLORED DESERTS. VISIT TO THE PROTECTED AREA OF ANDEAN FLORA AND FAUNA EDUARDO AVAROA (R.E.A.) (San Pedro de Quemez – Ojo de Perdiz)

 

We will have an early start this morning, We will visit the Burnt Town nearby the hotel and further south we will see Refuge Town, both towns are built with stones which have inspired the Hotel’s design.

On the way back, we will pass near Ollagüe Volcano we will have enough time to take photographs of this magnificent still active volcano.

Heading toward south, we see the following lagoons: Honda, Cañapa, Hedionda and Chiarkhota, in which a large number of flamingos, belonging to the three existent species in the area, will allow us to see and photograph them at will in these lagoons flanked by volcanos of eternal snow.

We will enter the enormous deserted surfaces of sand and stone, leaving behind any sense of defined routes and set directions. We have chosen this wonderful scenery to build the Desert Hotel, with private bathrooms, hot water and heating. After freshing up at the hotel, we will take the car for a drive in the desert, the sunset lights will allow us to see the untamable vicuñas with their splendid figures; these acquaints travel in small groups. We will have the first contact with the Protected Area of Andean Flora and Fauna Eduardo Avaroa (R.E.A.), once we look at the Stone Tree, vizcachas and yaretas. Before returning to the hotel, we will have a walk up to see the Silala Waters.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

 

 

Day 4.          GREEN LAGOON, DAMES OF THE DESERT AND SNOW PEAKS (Ojo de Perdiz – Uyuni /This is a rough and long day because of the distance we need to cover)

 

Inside the Protected Area (R.E.A), we will visit Crimsone Lake. This is the main center of nesting for the three species of flamingos. The solar radiation activated algae and the wind give both, the lagoon and the birds' their peculiar red and pink colors.

On our way to Chalviri, we will also see the Geysers of the Morning Sun and the Chalviri’s Desert and salt flat where in one of its corners, we can take a bath in the thermal waters and enjoy a succulent breakfast in the open air.

The Ladies of the Desert with rocks that have resisted the wind per millennia. an excess for the senses,  we will find the Green Lagoon, at the base of the Licancabur Volcano.

We will arrive at the Green Lagoon at lunch time, just in time for seeing its waters turn from an emerald color to a more opaque green.

In the distance, in the Soniquera region, Stone City is recognizable. Whimsical and sometimes artistic shapes are sculpted by the wind in the stones through the millenia.

In the final stage of our journey, we will visit the authentic towns of Alota, and Culpina K, which have made great efforts to present themselves to the tourists with their antique urban values.

We will say goodbye to the last llamas and alpacas that have accompanied us through our trip from the beginning. We will still be looking for the suri or Andean nandu, who does not always appear to be seen.

 

Breakfast and lunch are included.

No one can forget such an experience to the end of the world…

 

Program 2. UYUNI – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

4 days

Circuito:       Tayka Expeditions access from Chili

Duration:      4 days / 3 nights

Day 1. UNDERSTANDING THE LARGEST SALT FLATS IN THE WORLD (Uyuni - Tahua)

 

Today we will have an unforgettable trip through 12.000 km² of fantastic landscapes of salt.

We will enter the salt flats through Colchani, where we will see how the salt is processed manually. After a 30 min. journey through the vast surface of the white desert we will visit the "salt hotel", the eyes of water and afterward we will drive west to continue our journey toward Tunupa Volcano. We will reach it through Jirira and have a walk around it by the shores of the salt desert.

The Mummies of Coquesa and the Mirador Tunupa, where we will drive near its crater for an amazing view of the salt flats in their entire splendor.

In the late afternoon we’ll be able to see the sunset from a vantage point that shows sensual shapes and colors at dusk. The night will be spending at the Salt Hotel of Tayka’s Hotel Network with private bathrooms, hot water and heating.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

 

 

 

 

Day 2: CAVES, UNBELIVABLE FOSSILS AND ISLANDS (Tahua – San Pedro de Quemez)

 

We will continue our trip toward Chillguilla, where we will ascend to the pucara (Pre-colombian ruins).After receiving an explanation about the archaeological value of this ritual center, our direction will go to the cave of the fossil whale in Chiquini. Next, we follow the road that will take us to the Fish Island, located in the middle of the salt flats. After lunch, we will head to Galaxy Cave, a place where we will be able to appreciate ancestral burials and petrified cactus.

After this exiting event we will arrive to San Pedro de Quemez where we will spend the night at Stone Hotel of Tayka’s Hotel Network with private bathrooms, hot water and heating.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

 

 

Day 3.          CRIMSON LAKE, FLAMINGOS AND MULTI-COLORED DESERTS. VISIT TO THE PROTECTED AREA OF ANDEAN FLORA AND FAUNA EDUARDO AVAROA (R.E.A.) (San Pedro de Quemez – Ojo de Perdiz)

 

We will have an early start this morning, We will visit the Burnt Town nearby the hotel and further south we will see Refuge Town, both towns are built with stones which have inspired the Hotel’s design.

On the way back, we will pass near Ollagüe Volcano we will have enough time to take photographs of this magnificent still active volcano.

Heading toward south, we see the following lagoons: Honda, Cañapa, Hedionda and Chiarkhota, in which a large number of flamingos, belonging to the three existent species in the area, will allow us to see and photograph them at will in these lagoons flanked by volcanos of eternal snow.

We will enter the enormous deserted surfaces of sand and stone, leaving behind any sense of defined routes and set directions. We have chosen this wonderful scenery to build the Desert Hotel, with private bathrooms, hot water and heating. After freshing up at the hotel, we will take the car for a drive in the desert, the sunset lights will allow us to see the untamable vicuñas with their splendid figures; these acquaints travel in small groups. We will have the first contact with the Protected Area of Andean Flora and Fauna Eduardo Avaroa (R.E.A.), once we look at the Stone Tree, vizcachas and yaretas. Before returning to the hotel, we will have a walk up to see the Silala Waters.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4.          GREEN LAGOON DAMES OF THE DESERT AND SNOW PEAKS (R.E.A.) (Ojo de Perdiz – San Pedro de Atacama)

 

We will have to wake up early to arrive with the first rays of light (5:00 a.m.) and see the volcanic activity Geisers of Boca Dragón in Huayllajara. This is the highest point in the route, close to 5.000 mts. The cold is intense and the first rays of sun start showing the shape of the Crimson Lake. This is the main center of nesting for the three species of flamingos. The solar radiation activated algae and the wind give both, the lagoon and the birds' their peculiar red and pink colors.

On our way to Chalviri, we will also see the Geysers of the Morning Sun the Chalviri’s Desert and salt flat. In one of its corners, we can take a bath in the termal waters and enjoy a suculent breakfast in the open air.

After leaving, the Dames of the desert with rocks that have resisted the wind per millennia. and almost as an excess for the senses, when leaving this desertic valley, we will find the Green Lagoon, at the base of the Licancabur Volcano.

We will arrive at the Green Lagoon at lunch time, to see the waters turning from an emerald color to a more opaque green.

From here we will operate the crossing of the Chilean border finally reaching San Pedro de Atacama.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

 

No one could forget such an amazing experience on a trip to the end and beginning of the world….

 

Program 3. UYUNI – TUPIZA

(Salar & Lagunas)
4 days

Circuito:          Tayka Expeditions access from argentina
Duration:         4 days / 3 nights 

Day 1.          COMPRENDER EL SALAR DE UYUNI  (Uyuni - Tahua) 

Today we will have an unforgettable trip through 12.000 km² of fantastic landscapes of salt. Prepare your camera! The blinding white fabric in Uyuni’s salt flats resembles an immense glacier.Early in the morning departure for Colchani, the access port to the salt flat. After 30 minutes, one you are in the surface of the white desert, we will visit the hotel made of salt, and after travelling during 90 minutes through the flats, toward the volcano TUNUPA. We will climb it through Ayque, place in which we will visit a Pucara with excellent view to the salt flats.

Next, we will continue in search for the mummies of Coquesa. Finally, we will arrive to the population of TAHUA, after the accommodation in the ecolodge, everybody can take a walk around the salt flats or the population itself, both options reveal the purity of the landscape and the authenticity of the aymara towns in this area.  Currently the housing in Tahua is very basic (although, starting from July 2005 our passengers will spend the night at the SALT Ecolodge TAYKA’s net), in the north shore of the flats, with unbeatable views toward the volcano Tunupa and the Salt flats.  

 

 

Day 2.          ISLA, CUEVA, RAMILLETE DE LAUNAS Y DESIERTOS MULTICOLORES (Tahua – Ojo de Perdiz)

 

We will re-enter the salt flats and head toward Incahuasi Island, recognized for its great concentration of giant cactae and volcanic rocks. The summit of the island is an extraordinary site to watch the sea of salt in its splendor. Later, we will enter Mala Mala and reach Galaxy Cave, this is a sanctuary of Cactae and Petrified Stromatolites. 

We will continue our trip toward the lagoons Honda, Cañapa, Hedionda and Chiarkhota, in which a large number of flamingos, belonging to the three existent species in the area, will allow us to see and photograph them at will. Other birds, as gulls and ducks accompany the flamingos in these lagoons flanked by volcanos of eternal snow. These volcanos present green shades of brave straw, yareta and thola, which are mixed with the ocher colors that the wind has drawn through the millennia. There are also many rare colors that come from the borax and sulfur contained in these exotic lagoons. Lunch will take place at the shores of one of them. 

Leaving back the last lagoon we will go in desert surfaces of sand and little stones of enormous extension, without routes, almost without direction. These fantastic deserts are owners of all the terra-cotta trowel. Red, oranges, bronzes, coffees and beiges follow one another in each curve of the way, fighting themselves the attention of the traveller. As opposed to the best expression of this ochre trowel we have raised the Hotel of the Desert, with privet baths, hot water and environmental heating.  

 

 

Day 3.          LAGUNAS DE COLORES, DAMAS DEL DESIERTO Y PICOS NEVADOS (RESERVA EDUARDO AVAROA) (Ojo de Perdiz – San Pablo de Lípez) 

 

We will leave early to surprise at the active moment of the volcano of the Sun Geysers Morning, already within the Reserve. We will arrive at them with first rays of light. This will be the point more elevate of the route, near 5 thousands m.s.n.m. the cold is intense. Grayish and scarlet Fumarolas noisy and ponds where it seems to boil the reddish mud Earth, could be crossed by us in their same borders.

The desert and salar of Chalviri are another scene of great landscaping value that combines the target of the snow, the ocher of the desert, blue of the water and the target of borax. In one of its corners we will be able to take a bath in Spas from Polques and to enjoy a succulent breakfast outdoors.

Moving away, another great extension will be opened in front of us: the Valley of the Ladies of the Desert, masterpiece of the wind and the Andean tips with perfect details in forms and colours, of rocks that have resisted to the wind. And almost already like an excess, leaving this desert valley, we will know the Lagoon Green, in front of the feet of Licancabur Volcano. Taking that section from return we will visit the Red Lagoon, main centre of nesting of the three species of flamenco and whose seaweed activated by the solar radiation and the wind give pink colour as much to the lagoon as to the legs and part of the plumage of these exotic birds. We will arrive at this lagoon at noon to have a rustic lunch.We will follow route to cross the volcanic zone of the Tower and to continue until San Old Antonio, testimony of the mining height of the Spanish Colony, but also of the human tenacity without which the idea of mighty city in a site is inexplicable like this, as they still present/display the stone vestiges. We will continue the expedition until San Pablo de Lípez, where We will spend the night in a basic lodging of several beds by room and shared bath.  

 

 

Day 4.          CATEDRALES DEL SILLAR, QUEBRADA DEL PALALA  (San Pablo de Lípez - Tupiza) 

 

Today in the morning we will be able to wake up a little later to see surprising landscapes that open on our feet.... a work of art made in million of years by strong winds, by melts of the snow, by the alive and present volcanic activity in the expedition and also in little seasonal rains. All these forms of erosion have created an almost extraterrestrial scene that appears to us now and that will let to us with the sensation of crossing the aim of the world.

We will continue the expedition happening through Nazarenito in the direction of the Sillar, a reduction in zigzag that presents/displays an improbable masterpiece of the nature: A great valley of enormous walls of eroded earth and rock that fall in vertical, appearing to us from different heights and angles while our 4X4 descends the mountain with a lofty gradient....until the Gorge from Palala, from we will have other angle of view from down, before arriving at the smooth valley of Tupiza. All these forms of erosion finish forming the last extraterrestrial scene of our expedition.