South America: La Paz, Santiago & the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, South America

Map of the route for South America: La Paz, Santiago & the Uyuni Salt Flats

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1La Paz

Arrive at any time. Enjoy a welcome meeting in the evening to get to know your CEO and fellow travellers.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2La Paz/Sucre

Fly to Sucre and explore this beautiful colonial city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Sucre

Free time to explore the city, the former capital of Bolivia. For more active options opt to go hiking in the surrounding area or mountain biking.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Sucre/Potosí

Travel by bus to Potosí and get a view of the mountain Cerro Rico looming over the city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Potosí/Uyuni

Travel through the Bolivian landscape to the town of Uyuni, the jumping off point for the three day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Uyuni/Salt Flats and Desert Crossing

Enjoy a three-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano with spectacular scenery. Today you will be heading into the Salar de Uyuni. 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. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Jukil Community Experience & Lodge

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Salt Flats and Desert Crossing

Explore the desert altiplano on a 4x4 excursion. Admire the spectacular scenery while passing red and blue lagoons and interesting rock formations along the route. Spot wild llamas, alpacas and even flamingos deep within the desert.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Salt Flats and Desert Crossing/San Pedro de Atacama

Rise early to cover more ground of the unique landscape of the Salar de Uyuni. Continue to see incredible scenery, including volcanoes, salt lakes and geysers. Travel to the border and descend by bus to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It's a long but scenic drive.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 9San Pedro de Atacama

Enjoy an Included excursion to the Valley of the Moon. In San Pedro, opt to go sandboarding or mountain biking.

Day 10San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago

Drive to Calama and fly to Santiago, a vibrant capital city.

Day 11Santiago

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast

View full itinerary

What's Included

Your G for Good Moment: Jukil Community Experience & Lodge, Santiago de Agencha
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Sucre
4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and desert crossing (3 days)
Tour of Valley of the Moon (San Pedro de Atacama)
Free time in Sucre, Potosí and San Pedro de Atacama for your own choice of activities
Internal flights
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels/guesthouses (8 nts), G Adventures-supported lodge/basic hotels (2 nts, multi-share).

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow USD280-365 for meals not included.

Transportation

Plane, train, boat, public bus, 4x4 vehicles, hiking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

Death Road Biking Adventure - From $115.00

Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar down the 'world's most dangerous road.' Start high up in the Andes at 4,700m (15,420 ft) and wind your way down this steep, narrow road on the mountainside into the depths of the Bolivian jungle. This is not one for the faint of heart, adrenaline junkies only! Please note that the entrance fee of 53 Bolivianos (not included in this activity) must be paid directly to the National Park prior to biking, only local currency is accepted. We are unable to pre-pay this fee in advance, due to the park policy. Should you choose to pre-book the Death Road Biking Adventure on day 1 of your tour, you will need to book a pre-night in order to participate in this activity.

Potosí Mine Visit - From $35.00

Visit the inside of Potosí's historic mines on a eye-opening tour guided exclusively by former miners. They will share their stories firsthand about life underground. This is the only experience in the region guided entirely by former minders who have pursued toursim as a way to build a safer and healthier alternative to life beneath the surface. Visit the miners' market, an ore processing plant, and walk through the tunnels of Cerro Rico, an iconic mountain in global history. As you go, learn more about the cultural and historical significance of mining in Bolivia, and how important it was in fueling the global economy. This activity is the perfect way to enjoy a G Adventures-supported, community-led experience aiding local efforts towards education and safety around this important piece of Bolivian history. Bring a bandana and wear protective gear (boots, helmet and headlamp) as you head deep into the bowels of Cerro Rico (Rich Hill). Please note there is an optional add-on to this activity. It's recommended to consider visiting the Royal Mint Museum to complete the story. Ask your CEO for more information.

Rewilding Yampara: Walks Through Culture and Forest - From $61.00

Begin in Bolivia's capital and cultural heritage hub, Sucre. Then, travel to the Yampara Indigenous community of Pisily, located in the rural highlands near Tarabuco. The Yampara are one of the country’s oldest Andean peoples, known for their deep agricultural knowledge, ancestral weaving, and their strong relationship with the land. Hosted by a local indigenous family, the group will engage in seasonal agroecological activities, learn about sustainable practices within Andean farming, and hike through one of the largest native Polylepis forest in Chuquisaca. You'll come away from this G Adventures-supported community initiative with deeper insight into the worldview of the Yampara, their climate resilience, and food sovereignty. Finish off the experience with a traditional apthapi, a communal Andea meal featuring foods like native potatoes, quinoa, wild mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables. More than just a meal, the apthapi represents abundance, hospitality, and a shared celebration between the local community and travellers.