What's a tailor made trip?
We put together a bespoke tour to fit your requirements.
Duration: 10
Capacity: 5 per person
Starting in San Pedro in northern Chile, we explore the Atacama desert.
We have to spend a couple of days in San Pedro de Atacama taking it easy and letting ourselves get acclimatised to the high altitude.
Here we concentrate on capturing the wonderful colours of the desert at dawn and dusk as we acclimatise.
Heading to Bolivia
We head nextto the vast southern deserts of Bolivia in our four wheel drive vehicle to enjoy the starkly beautiful landscapes of this dramatic desert wilderness.
The immense Salar de Uyuni is a natural marvel of South America.
Deep blue skies, clear skies and and the brilliant white salt create a fantastic spectacle.
More about the safari
Bruce Percy is an internationally-travelled and published photographer.
He has visited and photographed South America many times and has the knowledge to help you make the most of this trip, which is limited to 8 people.
Anyone who has a passion for photography can join, as it is designed to allow everyone quality time at some fabulous locations, with accommodation, food and logistics all taken care of.
We use hotels built by and in the traditional style of the local Aymara communities, providing an income in this, one of the poorest parts of Bolivia.
Discover More Enquire about booking
Duration: 4
Most of the course takes place on a glacier at around 5,000m/16,404ft and is open to complete beginners.
Top level, professional guides show you how to plan and execute a successful climbing expedition.
We begin by taking a look at the hazards that snow covered mountains present.
Next, we teach you the skills and techniques necessary to help you climb and enjoy the mountains.
Skills covered
Duration: 15
From La Paz we travel by bus and train across the altiplano to Uyuni, gateway to the Salar de Uyuni.
The next four days are spent on a four-wheel-drive expedition through this southern altiplano desert. We’ll visit vividly coloured lagoons, conical volcanoes, geysers and mudpools, hot springs and a unique flora and fauna.
Next, to Lake Titicaca and the lakeshore town of Copacabana and to the Island of the Sun, an island rich in history and tradition.
We explore the Island of the Moon, Inca ruins and experience the ancient culture of the locals.
Trekking in Bolivia
Our tour culminates in a four day trek through the heart of the Condoriri National Park in the Cordillera Real.
The trek has three high mountain passes, remote highland communities, herds of grazing llamas, awe-inspiring mountain scenery and soaring condors.
Duration: 13
You start your trip in the city of Santa Cruz (or alternatively you can start in La Paz) then head to the beautiful colonial city of Sucre.
In Sucre you visit nearby indigenous markets, and can shop for stunning traditional weavings.
From Sucre we continue to the colonial mining city of Potosi with its fascinating yet harsh history.
Onwards next to enjoy and experience the vast Uyuni Salt Flats on a four wheel drive adventure among some of the world’s most incredible scenery.
The action continues as we visit the world’s highest capital, La Paz, admire its dramatic setting amidst snow-capped peaks and haggle at the colourful witches’ market.
We finish with a tour to the mystical Lake Titicaca, from where the Inca Empire is believed to have emerged.
If you choose you can extend your trip by a few days to relax in the hot springs of Sajama National Park, or head to the nearby Condoriri National Park for high altitude hiking.
For those looking for some off the beaten track adventures there’s Toro Toro National Park and well worth a visit for superb wildlife is the Bolivian Amazon.
What's a group trip?
Join a small group of like-minded travellers on a guided trip.
Prices From $955 / £776.415 per person
Dates: January 2025
Duration: 3
The trip here starts and finishes in Uyuni, but we can arrange for the tour to start and/or finish in Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama if that suits you better.
Starting in Uyuni, we head out into the vast southern desert and enjoy the starkly beautiful landscapes of this dramatic desert wilderness.
The network of salt hotels we use are newly built, of a high standard (3/4 star) and in keeping with the local environment.
The hotels were built in partnership with four local communities, each actively involved in their construction and running, and benefit directly from the income.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in Touch
+44 (0)131 378 5593
+44 (0)131 554 6025
info@andeantrails.co.uk
Our trip was fantastic, the highlight was a tie between Machu Picchu and the salt flats. Both of those places were unreal. The accommodations were great, the food was great, and the overall organization was awesome. We were so happy with the way everything worked out, and so grateful to you for making our ambitious agenda a reality! Our salt flat guide and driver were amazing, and we really enjoyed spending time with them. Thank you so much for helping us plan everything. You were so delightful to work with, and we were so impressed that you were able to get this adventure together so quickly for us! We will be recommending Andean Trails to our friends/family, and hope to travel with you guys again in the future.
L Smith, Tailor made Peru and Bolivia, USA, 2017 » Bolivia Uyuni Salt Flats 4WD Tour
The Uyuni tour - even though we weren't able to visit the National Park due to snow, it surpassed our expectations with its amazing, spectacular landscapes. We had a great guide (having an English-speaking guide was well worth the extra cost - thanks for the steer).
Everywhere was friendly, welcoming and well-located, and in fairness did have hot water which was very welcome! We loved the lodge at Chalalan. Other than the cold rooms, the Tayka Salt Flats tour lodges were spectacular.
The guides were top notch. Informative, personable, organised and punctual, and clearly put in the effort to give us an outstanding experience, including the revised itinerary in Uyuni where we felt that our guide, Alvaro, really stepped up to minimise the impact of the National Park closure and give us a great time.
Chalalan explained how they are benefitting the local community and it was gratifying to see the contribution it makes.
The arrangement by which Tayka hotels transfer into community hands also seemed like a good model.
Generally, we were told often that Bolivia feels a bit off the tourist map and that the country would benefit by visitors spreading the word.
Bolivia is a lovely, diverse and, in places, spectacular country. It's also one of the rougher countries we've visited, given the altitude, extremes of temperatures, road conditions, limitations of accommodation and general level of development, and this reflects in some of our comments above. Our trip itself was really enjoyable and fascinating and we'd like to thank you for your help in putting in together.
N Buckley, UK, 2017 » Bolivia Uyuni Salt Flats 4WD Tour
