Sajama Park,Salar de Uyuni, Climbing volcano Tunupa and

SAJAMA PARK, SALAR DE UYUNI, CLIMBING
VOLCANO TUNUPA (6056M) AND LICANCABUR (6088M)
SPECTACULAR SALAR DE UYUNI AND CLIMBING
Laguna Verde with
Licancabur
We begin this epic journey by driving out across the wild and barren Altiplano to First Sajama National
Park. This remote park overlooked by the awesome Sajama peak sits
in a resounding silence broken only by the wind in the Quenwa trees
and the occasional llama grazing. We take it all in lying back in the
natural hot springs. After our night in Sajama village we head south
along the border of Chile and Bolivia. Along the way we pass shimmering emerald colored lakes filled with flamingos, towering Inca burial towers and rugged plains and valleys dotted with guanaco. The following days are spent on one of Bolivia’s - and the world’s – great
wonders, the salt flats of Uyuni. Depending on the season this vast
expanse can appear like a mirror for the heavens or an unending sea
of snow. After losing ourselves for some days in this wonderland, we
head far down to the south of Bolivia and visit Laguna Colarada, Laguna Verde and the many of the other
lakes with their varying hues with contrast with the exotic wildlife and alien landscape. Along the way we
have the change to climb two mountains in the area, from where we get spectacular views of these extraordinary landscapes.
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PROGRAM DETAILS
Type of activity: Easy traveling, high altitude
trekking/climbing up to 5916m
Difficulty: 2 – some physical fitness
Experience required: 1 - basic climbing skills
Grade of climb: F
Number of days: 8 days, 7 nights
Tour starts in La Paz
Tour ends in La Paz
Best time of year: May to September
Season: Dry season: days are mild and nights are cold
Highlights: Visiting the Salar de Uyuni and the surrounding
area, including Laguna Colorada, Laguna verde, Laguna
Canapa, Laguna Hedionda, Laguna Chiar Khota, Laguna
Honda, Polques hot springs, visiting the small towns of
Sajama, Uyuni, Tahua, Coqueza mummies, Wildlife including
Llamas, Vicuñas, Flamingos, La Gruta de Galaxias, Arbol de
Piedra Lago Macaya, Inca Tombs of Macaya, Chipaya area,
salt hotel, salt mining and train cemetery Reaching the
summit of Tunupa and Licancabur. Visiting the hot springs
found in Parque Nacional Sajama and the village of Sajama.
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PHOTOS FROM
THE AREA
PROGRAM
Day 1: La Paz (3600m) – Tomarapi (4220m) – Sajama village (4300m)
We drive from La Paz through El Alto and onto
the Altiplano (4000m), which is a vast undulating and dry landscape. We will see brightly
dresses locals in this region herding their
flocks of llamas and alpacas. Along the way
we will stop at church Carahuara de
Carangas. One hour before the village we get
our first views of Sajama standing like the
lonely mountain in The Hobbit. We will stay
the night in the village of Tomarapi, taking
time out to visit the hot springs and Laguna
Huana Khota.
4 -5 hours driving, with stops (LD) Hotel
Tomarapi 3*
Vicuna
Day 2: Sajama Village (4300m) – Salar de Coipasa (3786m) - Tahua(3656m)
We make an early start for the beautiful drive to Tahua. We pass close to the Chile/
Bolivian border, making stops along the way to visit Lake Macaya, ancient Inca Tombs,
Salar de Coipasa and other small villages. Finally we stop at Salinas Gracia de
Mendoza for Gasoline before reaching Tahua. NOTE: todays route depends on
weather condition and time of season, we have two routes to chose from, one is via
the Chipaya or via the Salar de Coipasa and Salar de Uyuni.
7 – 9 hours driving, with stops (BLD) Hotel de Sal 3*
Day 3: Tahua – Summit of Volcano Tunupa (5400) – Tahua
We will leave early in the morning to climb Volcano Tunupa. We make a transfer to
the village of Coquesa from where we start our climb to the summit of the Tunupa
volcano. At Coquesa where we make a short walk to some caves and visit some
mummified remains This is a fairly easy climb as there is no snow and the volcano is a
perfect cone shape. From the summit of Volcano Tunupa we have stunning views of
the Salar below us.
7 – 9 hours walking (BLD) Hotel de Sal 3*
Day 4: Tahua - Uyuni Salt Flats (3653m) - San Pedro de Quemez (3669m)
Today is perhaps the most spectacular. We visit the salt flats. and some islands in the
slat flats. One of islands will be Isla Incahuasi in the middle of the salt flats where you
can explore the island by foot. We will stop for lunch here, so there’s plenty of time to
take photos of this natural wonder. Later we head to La Gruta de Galaxias, a
fascinating formation of rock in a large cave. From there we head to the village of San
Pedro de Quemez, where we spend the night.
5 – 6 hours driving, with stops (BLD) Hotel de Piedra 3*
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Day 5: San Pedro de Quemez – Laguna Colorada (4287m) – Laguna Verde (4400m)
On the road again, we pass lots of lakes with different shimmering hues and we see a
variety of wild life including elegant and brightly colored Flamingos. Throughout the
valleys of this arid area are vast rock formations with colors of reds,
yellows and whites, exposed by the massive up thrust of the Andes
over millions of years Later we pass Arbol de Piedra. Following
more dusty roads we enter National park Eduardo Avaroa. Here we
Laguna
stop at Laguna Colorada, Later we stop
Colorada
at Sol de Manana, then it’s onto
Polques hot springs. Near the end of
the road we have Laguna verde and
Laguna Blanca. We spend the night in
a hostel near Laguna Verde.
8 – 9 hours driving, with stops (BLD)
Hostel
Day 6: Laguna Verde – Licancabur
(5916m) – Laguna Verde
Today we make our accent of the
Licancabur. An early transfer to the
base of the mountain from where we
start our climb. This climb follows an
ancient stone Inca trail to the
summit. Along the way we pass some
ruined structures dating from the same
civilization and on the summit there are a few Inca graves. This mountain was
considered sacred by the Incas and scarifies to the gods were made on the summit.
From up here the views are incredible, we can see San Pedro de Atacama in Chile and
even into Argentina in the far distance.
10 - 12 hours, walking (BLD) Hostel
Day 7: Laguna Verde – Uyuni (3656m)
We head out early for the long drive back to Uyuni. We will take a different road back.
We will make some stops along the way at the towns of Villa Alota and San Cristobal.
Just before Uyuni we visit the train cemetery, a monument to nostalgia in it’s beautiful
and wild setting.
7 – 9 hours driving, with stops (BLD) Hotel 3*
Day 8: Uyuni – La Paz (3600m)
We leave early in the morning for a long drive back to La Paz. We will make a quick
stop at the salt hotel at Colchani. We then head to Challapata, for lunch, before our
last stretch back to La Paz. Drop off at hotel.
8 - 9 hours driving (BL)
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PRICES
Prices include:
• Professional English speaking guide, guide ratio 3 clients to 1 guide
• Meals as mentioned, including drinks at camp meals and restaurants
(B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner)
• All private transport
• Cook
• 5 night’s Hotel (Sajama, Tahua, San Pedro de Quemez and Uyuni)
• 2 night’s Hostel (Laguna Verde)
• Entrants fees to all National Parks and Archeological sites:
Sajama and Avaroa park, Isla de Incahuasi, Gruta de Galaxias, Coqueza mummies
• First Aid kit
• Oxygen bottle
Not included:
• Personal gear
• Personal insurance
• Extra services not mentioned in the program
• Tips
Salt mining
Prices:
1 person $3795 US
2 people $2045 US each
3 people $1895 US each
4 people $1815 US each
Prices with spanish speaking guide:
1 person $3370 US
2 people $1835 US each
3 people $1745 US each
4 people $1715 US each
Contact details:
Calle Linares #940
Email: [email protected]
1st Floor
Web page: www.climbingsouthamerica.com
La Paz
Office phone number: 591-2-2971543
Bolivia
Cell phone number: 591-71903534
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