Atacama to Uyuni Salt Flats

Arrive in Santiago, spectacularly positioned in a broad valley framed by the Andes. Begin exploring the Chilean capital around La Moneda presidential palace before continuing past the Court of Justice and National Congress. Delve into the continent’s ancient cultures at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, then wander through Plaza de Armas, home to Santiago’s Cathedral and City Hall. Finish amid the galleries, leafy streets and creative atmosphere of Lastarria, introducing the cultural side of Chile before the journey turns north towards the Atacama.

Fly north to Calama and continue overland to San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis settlement surrounded by some of Chile’s most extraordinary desert scenery. Settle into Nayara Alto Atacama, overlooking the ancient ruins of Pukará de Quitor, before venturing into Vallecito in the Ckamur region. Its sculpted rock formations and barren terrain offer a dramatic introduction to the Atacama. After nightfall, return to the hotel and look upwards from its open-air observatory, taking advantage of the desert’s exceptionally clear skies for an evening of stargazing.

Journey deeper into the Atacama to discover its immense salt flats and the remarkable ecosystem of Laguna Chaxa. Set within Los Flamencos National Reserve, the lagoon attracts flamingos whose colours stand vividly against the stark salt and volcanic landscape. Continue to Toconao, a traditional desert village offering insight into local architecture and agriculture, before travelling towards the Domeyko Mountains. Here, Rainbow Valley reveals mineral-rich hills painted in striking natural shades, completing a day showcasing the surprising diversity hidden within one of the world’s driest environments.

Rise early for an unforgettable hot-air balloon flight as sunrise illuminates the Andes and the immense desert below. Drift above the Atacama’s salt flats and mountain ranges as the landscape changes colour with the first light of day, followed by a Champagne breakfast after landing. The remainder of the afternoon is left free, allowing time to relax at Nayara Alto Atacama or pursue another desert adventure. Later, discover the laid-back character of San Pedro de Atacama as evening settles over this atmospheric oasis town.

Cross into Bolivia at Hito Cajón, entering the spectacular high-altitude wilderness of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Travel past Laguna Verde beneath Licancabur Volcano before continuing through an increasingly surreal volcanic landscape of geothermal fields and vividly coloured lagoons. Flamingos gather around the remarkable Laguna Colorada, while vicuñas, llamas and vizcachas inhabit the surrounding Altiplano. Continue through the sculpted landscapes of the Dali Desert and Valley of Rocks towards Uyuni, where your accommodation is fashioned from the very salt that defines this extraordinary region.

Set out by 4WD to explore the immense Salar de Uyuni. Visit Incahuasi Island, where towering cacti rise from remnants of an ancient coral reef, before continuing towards Coquesa beneath Tunupa Volcano. Learn about the mummies discovered here and explore the geological formations and rock art associated with the Chiquini caves. Conditions permitting, experience the Salar’s celebrated mirror phenomenon as sky and earth seem to merge across its surface. As daylight fades, raise a sunset cocktail before enjoying dinner amid the extraordinary expanse of the salt flats.

Fly to La Paz and begin discovering one of South America’s most distinctive cities. Explore El Alto, where vividly coloured Cholets showcase a bold contemporary architectural identity, before descending by cable car for panoramic views across the sprawling city and surrounding Andes. Continue into the heart of La Paz to explore the lively Indian Market and atmospheric Witches’ Market. Later, venture to Moon Valley, where erosion has created an extraordinary landscape of pinnacles beneath distant Illimani. Conclude with a dining experience celebrating the diversity of Bolivian cuisine.

Travel privately to Huatajata on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where the day explores both the spiritual and cultural traditions of the Bolivian Altiplano. Encounter the heritage of Kallawaya ancestral healers and experience a traditional coca-leaf reading before boarding a hydrofoil for Moon Island and its sacred Inak Uyu Temple. Continue to Sun Island, climbing the historic Inca Grand Stairs to the legendary Sacred Fountain. Following lunch, cruise back to Huatajata and return to La Paz by road, accompanied by magnificent views of the snow-capped Andes.

After breakfast, transfer privately to the airport for your onward flight. Your journey concludes after tracing a spectacular route across two of South America’s most dramatic countries — from Santiago’s cosmopolitan streets to the stark beauty of the Atacama, across Bolivia’s volcanic Altiplano and immense Salar de Uyuni, and finally to the cultural energy of La Paz and sacred waters of Lake Titicaca.