La Paz to Buenos Aires: Andes & the Atacama Desert
15 days
from La Paz to Buenos Aires
From
$ 1999
Duration15 days
Breathe in the Inca spirit of La Paz and dance in the tango palaces of Buenos Aires on this two-week adventure. Connecting the Andes to the Atlantic, you'll journey across the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert and the Salar de Uyuni. Feel like a sophisticate as you sip wine in Buenos Aires and pull back the curtain on the centre of the continent. Best of all, you'll do it in the company of other fun, young travellers. Don't choose between inspiring wilderness and urban sophistication — do it all.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 15 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: La PazPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: Buenos AiresAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: La Paz
Start place: La Paz
Arrive at any time.
End place: La Paz
Day 2: La Paz/Sucre
Start place: La Paz
Enjoy a free day to explore the vibrant markets and winding streets of the city before boarding a night bus to Sucre.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 3: Sucre
Start place: Sucre
Travel south to Sucre. Tackle the city as there is a lot to offer during the two days here. Optional activities include a visit to an old tin baron’s mansion, mountain biking, and hiking.
Free time to explore the beautiful colonial city of Sucre. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.
End place: Sucre
Day 4: Sucre
Start place: Sucre
Enjoy another free day to explore Sucre and surroundings.
End place: Sucre
Meals: B
Day 5: Sucre/Potosí
Start place: Sucre
Staying in the Bolivian highlands, we travel south to the city of Potosí. The highest city of its size in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has had a tumultuous history as a silver mining centre during colonial times.
Travel south to the one of the world's highest cities.
Meals: B
Day 6: Potosí
Get out and explore Potosí, learn about the history of the city while wandering the streets. Stop at the market and interact with the locals.
Meals: B
Day 7: Potosí/Uyuni
Travel to Uyuni and get ready for an excursion to the salt flats.
End place: Uyuni
Meals: B
Day 8: Uyuni/Salt Flats
Start place: Uyuni
Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni. Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favourite Daughter). It is also the starting point for our 3-night excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos.
The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada and the striking blue-green Laguna Verde at 5,000m (16,404 ft).
Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
Spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos.
The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada and the striking blue-green Laguna Verde at 5,000m (16,404 ft).
Settle in to your G Adventures-supported community salt-brick bungalow, complete with salt floors and furniture, after a guided walking tour up to the sacred Jukil mountaintop for sweeping valley views and a dinner of local ingredients prepared by ladies from the community.
Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.
Note: During the rainy season, the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.
We offer unique accommodation on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Instead of very basic refuges and homestays most operators use, we have upgraded to simple hotels that are equipped with solar panels to provide electricity and hot water. Rooms are multi-share and each has a private bathroom. Meals are made from local ingredients, most of which are grown on-site.
We offer unique accommodation on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Instead of very basic refuges and homestays most operators use, we have upgraded to simple hotels that are equipped with solar panels to provide electricity and hot water. Rooms are multi-share and each has a private bathroom. Meals are made from local ingredients, most of which are grown on-site.
Meals: B, D
Day 9: Salt Flats
Continue exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Salt Flats/San Pedro de Atacama
After continuing through the Uyuni Salt Flats in the morning, hop on a bus further south to the dry desert regions of Argentina and Chile, where we stop in the little town of San Pedro de Atacama, on the edge of the Atacama desert—the driest place on earth.
Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, and salt lakes. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.
End place: San Pedro de Atacama
Meals: B, L
Day 11: San Pedro de Atacama
Start place: San Pedro de Atacama
There are plenty of optional excursions here -- biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, and touring the Valley of the Moon.
Opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking, or visit the Valley of the Moon.
End place: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 12: San Pedro de Atacama/Salta
Start place: San Pedro de Atacama
We make our way to Salta, situated in the Lerma Valley of northern Argentina. Salta is home to empanadas salteñas - the delicious local specialty, and no visit to the town will be complete without giving them a try. In the evening, opt to experience a local celebration at one of the "Peña" folklore shows.
Cross the border into Argentina.
End place: Salta
Day 13: Salta
Start place: Salta
Explore the city and enjoy the local cuisine. Opt to take a trip through the scenic Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate, or visit the High Mountain Archaeological Museum.
End place: Salta
Meals: B
Day 14: Salta/Buenos Aires
Start place: Salta
When you are done exploring, settle your weary feet and enjoy a drink in one of the many sidewalk cafes and restaurants and begin to understand the contemplative Argentine way of life. Try the succulent bife and parrilladas!
Skip a long bus journey with a quick flight to Buenos Aires.
Opt to pre-book the "Buenos Aires Bike Tour" or "Buenos Aires Tango Experience" activities on the checkout page ahead of time to include these optionals on your tour.
End place: Buenos Aires
Meals: B
Day 15: Buenos Aires
Start place: Buenos Aires
Consider booking post-tour accommodation to further explore fascinating Buenos Aires.
Depart at any time.
End place: Buenos Aires
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Sucre Your Discover Moment: Salta
- 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding area (3 days)
- Transportation between destinations and included activities
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Plane, 4x4 truck -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (twin-share) (10 nts), Hostels (multi-share) (1 nt), Overnight bus (1 nt), Basic hotel/G Adventures-supported community lodge on Salar de Uyuni excursion (2 nts, multi-share)