Days 1-2 La PazYou can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.
Your leader will collect your kitty payment on day 1. Please bring notes/bills in large denominations.
When you arrive in La Paz you may feel the effects of the high altitude. Symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, general lethargy and a reduced appetite. This is no cause for alarm, just take it easy for the first couple of days and reduce alcohol and cigarette consumption to minimise the effects. Drink plenty of water and don't attempt too much in a day.
Bolivia's major attraction is its wild natural beauty, with much of the country being off the beaten track. The country is divided into two distinct regions, the Amazonas and the Altiplano. Between the two lie the Yungas or cloud forest. Bolivia is a country for the outdoor enthusiast, with horseriding, trekking, mountain biking and jeep trips available in many of the areas we travel through. It is a country that most visitors to the Andes miss as they seldom leave Peru and yet it has as much to offer the visitor as it's more popular neighbour. Its salt pans, high lakes and mountains and its beautiful jungle make it a great destination for the overland traveller.
La Paz lies in a canyon, well below the level of the surrounding Altiplano thus affording it a little shelter from the surrounding chill winds. It is a fascinating city, overshadowed by the snow-capped peak of Mount Illimani. The city is made up of an old and a new quarter as well as sprawling shantytown suburbs. The shantytowns are mainly located on the edge of the Altiplano, and are as grim as any in Latin America, but when you get to the edge of the canyon, spread out below is a city with a staggeringly beautiful location. Most visitors are stunned by their first view of the city. The old town is full of markets and small cobbled streets and this is where you want to come to meet the locals. Try out the flower market, the artisan's market or perhaps the totally bizarre witches market. Here you can buy a plethora of herbal remedies and charms, such as llama foetuses which are used to ward off road accidents while travelling through the winding Andean roads. There are plenty of activities to do from La Paz, ranging from the highest golf course in the Americas, skiing at an absurdly high height, or trekking and gravity assisted bike rides through the Yungas. Another excursion can be taken to Mount Chacaltaya and Moon Valley for superlative mountain views. Alternatively you can opt to visit Tihuanacu Ruins near Lake Titicaca. The city is also full of impressive churches and museums.
The road between La Paz and the town of Coroico has, with some justification, become known as 'The World's Most Dangerous Road', due to the treacherous conditions and high accident rate. The road descends from La Paz, at an altitude of 12,000ft (3,657m), to Coroico, at 1,079ft (330m), in just 70km, passing precipitous hillsides and with steep downhill sections throughout. In recent years an alternative route has opened, meaning that much of the traffic has been diverted to the new road, and the La Paz - Coroico stretch has become popular with mountain bikers and other thrillseekers. If you were looking for some excitement as an option on your Bolivia trip, there are a number of reputable companies to ride the road with. Please note that the cost of this is not included in the price of the trip, and you are in no way obliged to take part should some of your group decide to do so.
In La Paz we stay at a simple and well located hotel.
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Days 3-4 PotosiToday we travel to Potosi (488 kms, approx. 10 hours), continuing through the Andes and wild Altiplano passing llama pastures and many interesting Indian villages and ruins.
The scenery here is barren semi desert, but nonetheless impressive. The area is populated by Indian farmers who eke out a living from rough pastures, llamas and alpaca. The Altiplano is populated with a variety of different ethnic groups. The majority are the Quechua Indians who live along side the Aymara, Uru and Chipaya Indians. All have had their history and subsequent way of life dominated firstly by the Inca and then by the Spanish. We are now travelling at very high altitude and it will be cold. We may well have to camp at altitude and you should be prepared for a couple of cold nights up here. This is an adventurous section through some of the worlds most spectacular scenery.
Potosi, at 4070m, is a colonial mining town built in the Sixteenth Century after the discovery of huge silver deposits in the nearby Cerro Rico. The wealth generated by the mine has long since left the area but the ornate churches and a mint are the sad residue of the town's heyday. During our stay at Potosi we will get the chance to visit a mine that is still being worked. We enter a maze of cramped dark tunnels and descend four levels below the entrance to the workface where the miners use hammers, chisels and dynamite, reminiscent of the 1800's to dig out the remaining tin by hand. The miners accept our gifts of dynamite, fuses and cocoa leaves in return for stories describing how their working conditions have not changed in centuries. Life is harsh for all who work here but the mines have now all been organised into co-operatives and so the men have a say in their own future. You should note that visiting these primitive mines is not for everybody as it is pretty tiring, you will be in enclosed spaces and it can be dangerous.
In Potosi we stay at a very simple hotel in town.
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Days 5-8 Salar de UyuniToday we travel to the southmost area of Bolivia, Uyuni. The trip is 190km, and it will take us about 3.5 hours to complete it.
Affectionately nicknamed 'La Hija Predilecta de Bolivia', Bolivia's favourite daughter, whilst somewhat chilly for the majority of the year, Uyuni is a popular stop on any tour of South America. Principally renowned for its proximity to the salt flats, the Museo Arqueologia y Antropologico de los Andes Meridionales houses the mummies and skeletons of ancient Bolivian civilisations. Also worth a visit is the Cementario de Trenes (Train Cemetery) where the carcasses of old steam engines have been slowly rusting since the 19th Century.
From the town of Uyuni we organise a return jeep trip onto the nearby salt flats and into the remote Altiplano. We first visit the The Salar de Uyuni, a dry lake of over 12,000 sq. kms made up of blinding white interlocking salt crystals. It is Bolivia's largest salt pan and when there's a little water on the flats, it reflects perfectly the blue Altiplano sky. The effect is positively eerie. When dry the salar becomes a blinding white expanse of the greatest nothing imaginable. Covered head to toe in old rags to keep their bodies protected from the harsh conditions, workers carve blocks of salt by hand for processing in the nearby antiquated factories.
We then head out onto the vast Altiplano through very remote mountains and onto the beautiful Leguna Colorado and Leguna Verde. Laguna Colorado is a fiery red coloured lake, which comes from the algae and plankton that thrive in the mineral-rich water. The shoreline is fringed with brilliant white deposits of sodium, magnesium, borax and gypsum. More apparent are the flamingos that breed here, and all three local species may be seen strutting through the icy mineral lagoons. Nearby is the equally beautiful Leguna Verde, whose stunning blue green waters come from the high concentrations of lead, arsenic, sulphur and calcium carbonates.
Please note the Salar de Uyuni can experience extremely cold weather, especially at night, any time of the year. The clothing items listed in your checklist should be enough to keep you warm, but bring one extra warm outfit if you are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures.
Our two nights in Uyuni are spent at a very rustic hotel in town.
Following these two days we have two long days of driving.
We travel for approximately 7 hours (320km) the first day and a further 6.5 hours (350 kms) the next day, crossing into Argentina at Paso Jama.
Argentina is a vast country which has a staggering diversity of climates and landscapes. With vibrant cities, the pampas, jungles and windswept Patagonia it is a country with a very special character all of its own. Its initial appearance is fairly western but this disguises a long history of its own cultural heritage. Argentina has known the ups and downs of economic cycles. By the 1920s this was the eighth richest nation on Earth and yet by the late 20th century it was to go through a long and terrible period of dictatorship that has left bitter scars that are yet to be healed. Currently the country is recovering from an economic hammer blow, as recently it has undergone a massive devaluation of its currency. The wealthy middle classes were hit very hard but the devaluation has greatly benefited visitors, as the country has gone from one of the most expensive to one of the cheapest to travel through in South America.
These nights are spent bush camping.
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Days 9-11 SaltaToday we drive about 4.5 hours (250km) to Salta.
Salta is in the north west province of Argentina. The provincial capital of the same name was settled in 1582, but did not really develop until the late 1700's. As the commercial centre of Argentina the town soon began to show its riches in the fantastic architecture that the city now boasts, a classic example of a fine Spanish colonial city. Today Salta is an elegant and chilled out city, with a great atmosphere the perfect place to explore, shop or just sit back at a Plaza caf? and watch the world go by. The great steak and wine also make it a good place to relax before or after the rigours of crossing the Altiplano. Just outside Salta we find the "Quebrada de Humahuaca" - a ravine flanked by colourful mountains and cacti up to 6 metres in height. The candelabra cactus is amongst the varieties seen in this area. Whilst in Salta it is possible to arrange some optional adventure activities, such as rafting and abseiling.
We spend 2 full days here for you to relax in town or take on any of the optional activities on offer.
We camp for 3 nights.
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Days 12-13 CafayateToday we travel for about 3 hours (175km) to Cafayate.
Cafayate lies at the centre of Argentina's principal wine producing region, situated in the picturesque valley in the Andean foothills. During our stay here we visit a local vineyard with time to take long sobering walks to view the surrounding landscape. In the town of Cafayate itself, there is a small museum displaying many of the artefacts of pre-Colombian Indian life that have been found in the area. There are also a number of shops in the town selling craftwork.
We camp while in Cafayate.
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Days 14-17 Estancia StayUpon departing from Cafayate en route to our Estancia stay it is possible to visit the ruins at Quilmes as well as to possibly visit the National Jesuit Museum at Rio Ceballos, both of which come highly recommended. We drive for about 7 hours (370km) today to reach a bush camp for the evening.
The following day we drive about 6 hours (335km) to our estancia stay.
To the east of the Andes in the centre of Argentina is the country's second major city, Cordoba. Nearby are the beautiful hills of the Sierra de Cordoba where we will spend three nights camping at a unique Anglo Argentinean estancia. This has been in the same family for four generations, and is a working cattle ranch, farming the prized Argentinean Aberdeen Angus cattle. Here we will sample the traditional hospitality of the Anglo Argentinean ranching community, with great food straight from the farm. An asado or Argentinian BBQ with local wines will also be enjoyed on one of our nights here. The visit to the estancia is based on horse riding excursions on the beautiful horses here (riding helmets are available to those who would like to use them). Daily expeditions will be arranged to ride through the hills to neighbouring estancias. The horses are fabulous and even the most "horse-fearing" feel like Gauchos in a short time. For those who do not like horses, alternative hikes or maybe bike riding trips can be organised. There is also the chance of visiting the local school to see how rural Argentinean children live their lives.
Please note: This activity is pre-booked and refunds for not visiting the Estancia for any reason cannot be made out of kitty.
While here we stay overnight camping at the ranch.
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Days 18-19 CordobaToday we take a short drive (1.5 hours, 70 km) to Cordoba.
Cordoba is Argentina's second city lying at 440m in the popular "Sierras de Cordoba" region. The surrounding hills are a popular destination for Argentinians wishing to escape the humidity of the plains and the bustle of the city. Cordoba today is a major industrial and educational centre. It is home to the country's motor industry and Argentina's first university. There are, however, many beautiful churches and sites marking its historic origins.
We stay at a campsite in Cordoba.
The next day we drive through Argentina's central hills on the way to Buenos Aires (approx. 6 hours, 350km) before bush camping for the evening.
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Days 20-21 Buenos AiresA 6 hour drive (350km) takes us to Buenos Aires.
At the mouth of the River Plate lies Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina. Immigration in the past hundred years mainly from Europe, particularly Spain and Italy, has influenced the character of the city a great deal. Buenos Aires is a vibrant city with loads to see and do. You may choose to visit La Boca - Buenos Aires' most colourful barrio taking in a street Tango show from one of the bars and restaurants. Maybe you would prefer to visit San Telmo - the artist's quarter or the fashionable area of Recoleta, where Evita has her final resting place in the incredible La Recoleta Cemetery with its flamboyant tombs and vaults. A visit to one of the world's greatest opera houses - the Teatro Colon and attending an evening Tango show should also be fitted in if time allows. After all the sight-seeing make time to enjoy the first class restaurants, wine bars, night clubs and lively tango shows. Argentineans are great meat eaters and many of the country's restaurants specialise in a variety of roast and barbecued meats. Many restaurants in Buenos Aires actually use their windows to display enormous joints being slowly turned over a grill - not a city for vegetarians! There is a very attractive traffic free shopping street called the Calle Florida. The Plaza de Mayo is the most historically interesting - here are the Cabillo (original town hall), the Casa Rosada or "Pink House" (Presidential Palace), and the cathedral where the body of General San Martin lies.
Accommodation in Buenos Aires is at a simple hotel.
There are no activities planned for day 21 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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