Bolivia to Chile Hop Bus Pass Details
3 Destinations - 3 Sectors - 1 Included Activity - Minimum 4 Days Recommended
Sector 1 La Paz
Recommended Add-on: Bike the Death Road
Transport Mode to Next Sector: Semi-bed Bus
La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and features a unique urban landscape which trickles into an impossible valley. Spend a couple of days or weeks even, to soak in the energy of this enchanting city. Visit the witches market, the valley of the moon, and dare to take on the world's most dangerous road. No trip to South America is complete without a visit to the La Paz!
Flight Option: If you don't like the thought of taking an 11 hour bumpy bus, then contact us on bolivia@greentoadbus.com for the latest rates and departure times.
Note: if you take this option then you usually can start your Jeep Tour the morning of the same day you take the flight from La Paz.
Sector 2 Uyuni
Recommended Nights: 3
Included Activity: Uyuni Salt Flat Tour to San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
Not Included in Activity: Uyuni Salt Flats Entrance Fees (B$168), Sleeping Bag (you can hire one for about $7USD on arrival to Uyuni).
Transport Mode to Next Sector: 4X4 Jeep
Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, located in Bolivia. Photographers flock here to capture the unique landscape.
The Salar de Uyuni was formed by the disappearance of an inland ocean that covered most of the Altiplano and extended all the way to the Titicaca Lake. This body of water disappeared about 13.000 years ago.
It is an extraordinary experience to cross this lake of salt by jeep, especially during the winter, because at that time the sky is completely clear and the bright blue color of the sky contrasts brilliantly with the salt. On a cloudy day there is a "white-out" effect: the horizon seems to blend in with the sky and you can hardly tell where the salt lake actually ends.
The Salar de Uyuni or salt flats is a one of the highlights of a trip to Bolivia and shouldn't be missed as it is a unique place in the world. The terrain in this area is harsh and conditions are basic so you should not expect a lot of comfort but if you can rough it for a few days the rewards are well worth it.
Below is a typical itinerary from Uyuni to San Pedro
This can and does change (rainy season can mean some parts of the salar are unreachable).
DAY 1 - UYUNI - COLCHANI - INCAHUASI / ISLA PESCADO - AGUA QUISA
You will depart Uyuni at about 10.30 am and start with a visit to the train cemetery, where you will have the chance to look at the old corroding trains which used to service this area many years ago. Soon after this you will visit the small town of Colchani to see the way the salt from the salt flats is refined for consumption. Next you will begin your exploration of the actual Salt Flats, checking out the "Ojos de Sal", where water bubbles up throughout the salt flatlands. You will discover where the locals collect salt, placing them in cone-shaped piles ready to be shifted to the refineries, before a visit to the original salt hotel (no longer used for visitors).
Next you head to the Inca Huasi (Fish Island) to look at the gigantic cacti and enjoy wonderful 360 degree panoramic views of the salt flats. You will have enough time to take astonishing photos of the area before proceeding toward the Cave of Galaxies, along with its unique rock formations. You end up at the small town of Agua Quisa, where you will spend the night. The first night the sleeping arrangements are in basic double and triple rooms.
DAY 2 - AGUA QUISA - PASO LEON - LAGUNAS - LAGUNA COLORADA
Today the scenery changes to mountains, volcanoes and arid lands. After showing your passport at Chiguana military check point we head towards "Pasa de Leon" for fantastic views of Volcano Ollagua. The rest of the day is spent visiting lagoons and viewing mountainous landscapes. You will witness flamingos feeding on the mineral rich waters of the lagoons and in the afternoon you will arrive at the rich red colored "Laguna Colorada" where you will stay the night - very cold here so sleeping bag advised.
Tonight you will sleep in basic share dorms.
DAY 3 - LAGUNA COLORADA - GEYSERS - LAGUNA VERDE - UYUNI - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Today is an early start to visit the steam shooting geysers and bubbling mud pools at sunrise. You will be glad for the heat from the steam as it gets extremely cold here before sunrise. Afterwards the group heads towards some natural hot springs where you can relax and soak your aches away. After lunch the destination is the bright green waters of Laguna Verde which are over looked by snowcapped volcanoes. Your guide will help you onto your transport to San Pedro de Atacama.
IS THIS TRAVEL PASS FOR YOU?
Budget Jeep Tours into the Uyuni Salt Flats are an unforgettable experience but unfortunately the general standard of facilities and services are not very high in the area. We would like to make it clear that things are not as reliable, comfortable and professional as we would like on these budget tours so for this reason we do not promise more than basic standard levels. The accommodation & food will be basic, and due to the harshness of the terrain vehicle breakdowns are common. Still interested?
Good, you should be because if you can put up with a bit of hardship you should have a great time. Take some extra snacks, plenty of warm clothes and a sleeping bag (can be hired on the day of departure) and the accommodations won't worry you. The drivers are used to breakdowns and are pretty adept at fixing their vehicles, they are always willing to help each other out and you are usually not stuck for long - so a bit of patience is often all you need.
Once you arrive to Uyuni from your Jeep Tour you will have a couple of hours to freshen up before departing on your bus to La Paz. If you wish to stay the night in Uyuni after your Jeep Tour simply add an extra night to the Uyuni sector when designing your trip!
Although the bus from Uyuni to La Paz is modern and comfortable, the road is not. Over half of the driving time will be on unsealed and bumpy roads, and you must secure your carry-on luggage as it is likely to jump around.
We believe if you are informed truthfully about the possible negative aspects of the tours you can prepare yourself better and have a more positive experience.
Uyuni Salt Flats Photography
A trip to the salt flats makes you an instant photographer as you´ll find unique shots everywhere! For instance, there are giant cacti and salt piles in the middle of a white salt landscape, where also sometimes recent rains cause an incredible reflection effect which your camera will capture for you to make your friends back home extremely jealous. The endless whiteness of the landscape also allows you to play with perspective in your photography and by bringing everyday objects (or kids toys) you can make them life-size, appearing eye to eye with them in photos! To see examples on our Facebook page click here: Uyuni Salt Flats Photos! (Important: if you are in the middle of making a booking, right click and open link in a new tab to avoid loosing what you have done so far!)
Sector 3 San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
Recommended Nights: 3
Situated in the driest desert on earth, visitors come to San Pedro de Atacama to visit the amazing landscapes around the town. Most attractions are part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, perhaps Chile's most varied and amazing national park. There are various activities for travellers in the San Pedro de Atacama area: trekking, climbing, archaeological sightings, exploration tours in natural landscapes and even sand boarding in the desert.
Please Note: It is not unusual for Jeep Tours to stray from advertised itineraries due to road and weather conditions, especially during the months of January & February. We reserve the right to change the Jeep Tour itinerary and the bus to/from La Paz route if such conditions make it necessary to do so!
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