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Real Bolivia & Argentina

Real Bolivia & Argentina

From $ 2,425 AUD

Description

Get off the tourist trail on this extraordinary adventure through Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Kick things off in the Altiplano city of La Paz and check out the potions and artifacts at the local Witches’ Market. Journey to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats – one of the most remarkable landscapes on the planet. Drive through the Atacama Desert past volcanoes, lakes, llamas and flamingos, then dip into San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to soak up more desert scenery. Your adventure wraps up in the lively city of Buenos Aires in Argentina, where you’ll sample some local snacks at the market and put your feet up after your wild adventure.

Trip Name
Real Bolivia & Argentina
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
12
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Explore Bolivian culture in La Paz, from the city’s booming industry to the traditionally dressed residents selling ancient potions at the Witches’ Market.
  • Embark on a three-day adventure by 4WD across the rocky Atacama Desert in Salar de Uyuni and the largest salt lakes in the world. Pass cactus islands, train cemeteries and mineral lakes teeming with birdlife.
  • Enjoy heaps of free time to choose your own adventure and take part in optional activities like sandboarding on desert dunes, biking around the city streets of Salta and soaking in thermal baths in Bolivia.
  • Witness the ever-changing landscape through the Andean Desert, passing by volcanoes, lakes and mountains and spotting wildlife like flamingoes, foxes and llamas.
  • Get under the skin of Buenos Aires – with its eclectic neighbourhoods, thriving nightlife, food and wine culture and huge theatre scene, this is the perfect way to end your adventure!

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - La Paz
Bienvenidos! Welcome to La Paz. The highest capital city in the world, this Bolivian hub rests on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau, 3500 m above sea level. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, why not head out to find the perfect dinner spot (your leader will have lots of recommendations) or explore the nightlife with your fellow travellers.
Day 2 - La Paz
Today, you’ll head out on a brief guided walk with your leader. La Paz is a city renowned for its markets, especially the Mercado de Hechiceria (the Witches' Market), which sells potions, incantations, stones and artefacts. Ask a local about their significance – most people are happy to explain. Then, you’ll have some free time to explore. Maybe visit the Coca Museum, which isn’t too far from your hotel in the Rosario district. Late this afternoon, leave La Paz on an overnight bus to Uyuni. There are comfortable recliner seats on the bus, but it can be cold on board, so it’s important to bring warm clothing and wear base layers. There’s usually a toilet on the bus, and the driver will make a couple of stops along the way.
Day 3 - Salar de Uyuni
This morning you’ll arrive in Uyuni Town. This remote town sits on the edge of the high Altiplano – a wilderness area extending for hundreds of kilometres towards the border with Argentina and Chile. Over the next three days, you’ll explore Bolivia’s highlights and fascinating landscapes in a 4WD – an experience of a lifetime! The first stop will be an eerie Train Cemetery (a super unique photo spot), then, you’ll continue to Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flats. This is one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world and definitely a trip highlight, so make sure you take some amazing photos, explore on foot and take it all in. Make the most of your time on the salt flats before exploring Inka Wasi Isla – a rocky island covered in cacti and coral-like structures.
Day 4 - Bolivian Altiplano
Today will be spent driving through the spectacular landscape of the Andean (Atacama) Desert, surrounded by volcanoes and lakes. Stop by the red lake of Laguna Colorada, where you’ll be able to spot wildlife like llamas, flamingos, viscachas and foxes feasting in the nutrient-rich waters. Tonight you’ll spend a night in the desert under the stars.
Day 5 - Bolivia/Chile Border- San Pedro de Atacama
This morning, rise and shine early to embrace the cold and stop by the desert’s natural thermal baths for an optional soak. Then head to the Bolivia and Chile border, where the Bolivian part of your trip comes to an end. Pass by geysers, salt flats and snow-capped volcanoes on your way to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. As a small oasis town, San Pedro is surrounded by extraordinary scenery. Arriving around 3 pm, your night is free to find a delicious local dinner with your group.
Day 6-7 - San Pedro de Atacama
Over the next two days, get under the skin of San Pedro. The local cafe and restaurant scene has grown considerably over the last couple of years, with a mix of Chilean, French and Italian influences, so you’ll definitely find a great spot for lunch and dinner. Take a self-guided walk around the old square and people-watch with a cup of coffee or consider joining an astronomy tour tonight once the stars come out and bring out your inner stargazer – just chat to your leader for details.
Day 8 - Chile/Argentina border - Salta
Today will be a long day of travel as you leave San Pedro and head for Salta, Argentina. Salta's rich history, architecture, friendly locals and natural surroundings make it one of Argentina's main attractions. Grab a window seat or a good book and watch the scenery pass you by. Tonight, you’re free to rest or head out for a late dinner when you arrive.
Day 9 - Salta
After breakfast, today is a free day to explore Salta and its many attractions. If you’re after something active, hike up the 1070 steps to the summit of Cerro San Bernardo, the mountain that looms over Salta. If you'd prefer, you can also take a gondola (cable car) to the top to take in the views of the mountainous city below. Either way, the view from the top is magnificent!
Day 10 - Salta - Buenos Aires
After breakfast and a free morning in Salta, you’ll take an included flight to Buenos Aires – Argentina's capital. When you arrive, you might like to head to a local tango show or a football match. Maybe grab a steak and glass of Malbec (the steak and wine combo are what Argentina is known for) in one of the city’s fashionable restaurants for dinner.
Day 11 - Buenos Aires
This morning, head to San Telmo market with your leader and sample some empanadas (a must-try in Buenos Aires) and some local ice cream (Argentina’s famous dulce de leche). The rest of the day is free to explore the city. Join the tourists and walk among the tombs at the La Recoleta Cemetery – the final resting place of Eva Peron. There are also some great museums to check out in the Recoleta district. Visit the neighbourhood of La Boca, home to the colourful Caminito artists’ street and world-renowned soccer team, the Boca Juniors. If you need to rest your feet, settle down at one of the many streetside cafes to watch the world go by with the locals. Tonight, why not head out to a couple of bars with your group for some classic Argentinian nightlife?
Day 12 - Buenos Aires
After breakfast, your adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned for today, so you can leave the accommodation at any time after check-out.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-01-202531-01-2025AUD $ 2,480-
17-02-202528-02-2025AUD $ 2,495-
17-03-202528-03-2025AUD $ 2,480-
31-03-202511-04-2025AUD $ 2,550-
07-04-202518-04-2025AUD $ 2,595-
21-04-202502-05-2025AUD $ 2,650-
12-05-202523-05-2025AUD $ 2,680-
19-05-202530-05-2025AUD $ 2,680-
02-06-202513-06-2025AUD $ 2,630-
16-06-202527-06-2025AUD $ 2,495-
07-07-202518-07-2025AUD $ 2,425-
21-07-202501-08-2025AUD $ 2,520-
04-08-202515-08-2025AUD $ 2,550-
18-08-202529-08-2025AUD $ 2,580-
01-09-202512-09-2025AUD $ 2,425-
15-09-202526-09-2025AUD $ 2,650-
22-09-202503-10-2025AUD $ 2,520-
29-09-202510-10-2025AUD $ 2,520-
06-10-202517-10-2025AUD $ 2,695-
20-10-202531-10-2025AUD $ 2,730-
27-10-202507-11-2025AUD $ 2,730-
10-11-202521-11-2025AUD $ 2,620-
17-11-202528-11-2025AUD $ 2,695-
01-12-202512-12-2025AUD $ 2,620-
08-12-202519-12-2025AUD $ 2,520-
22-12-202502-01-2026AUD $ 2,520-
12-01-202623-01-2026AUD $ 2,545-
19-01-202630-01-2026AUD $ 2,545-
16-02-202627-02-2026AUD $ 2,545-
16-03-202627-03-2026AUD $ 2,545-
30-03-202610-04-2026AUD $ 2,545-
06-04-202617-04-2026AUD $ 2,645-
20-04-202601-05-2026AUD $ 2,750-
11-05-202622-05-2026AUD $ 2,750-
01-06-202612-06-2026AUD $ 2,645-
15-06-202626-06-2026AUD $ 2,545-
06-07-202617-07-2026AUD $ 2,645-
20-07-202631-07-2026AUD $ 2,645-
03-08-202614-08-2026AUD $ 2,545-
17-08-202628-08-2026AUD $ 2,545-
14-09-202625-09-2026AUD $ 2,645-
28-09-202609-10-2026AUD $ 2,645-
05-10-202616-10-2026AUD $ 2,750-
19-10-202630-10-2026AUD $ 2,750-
26-10-202606-11-2026AUD $ 2,750-
09-11-202620-11-2026AUD $ 2,750-
16-11-202627-11-2026AUD $ 2,750-
30-11-202611-12-2026AUD $ 2,750-
07-12-202618-12-2026AUD $ 2,645-
21-12-202601-01-2027AUD $ 2,645-

Accommodation

Dormitory (2 nights),Hotel (8 nights),Overnight bus (1 night)

Transport

Plane,Overnight bus,Local bus,4x4

Map