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Have you ever wanted to visit the Moon? Perhaps as a child or in a dream you imagined it, but never thought that such fantastical, otherworldly landscapes could actually be within reach. You can find stunning, cosmic-looking scenery in the countries of South America, on the Altiplano. This is a vast high-altitude plateau in the Andes, spanning the border areas of Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. The average elevation of the plains here is 3500-4000 m, which is already quite significant, while the mountains and volcanoes rise to almost 6000 m above sea level.
Here, in Chile, covering an area of one hundred thousand square kilometers, lies the driest desert in the world — the Atacama. Nearby, in Bolivia, the world's largest salt flat, Uyuni, impresses with its enormous size. The Altiplano is rich in diverse landscapes: you can find numerous lakes with multicolored waters, bizarre rock formations, the highest volcanoes, geysers erupting from the ground, and hot springs. You will be able to see all of this by joining our unforgettable journey through Chile and Bolivia.
In 14 days, we will be able to see all the most interesting places in Chile and Bolivia. We will see the El Tatio and Sol de Mañana geysers, explore the endless expanses of the Altiplano and the Atacama Desert, and much more.
We don't cancel or postpone groups. If the manager has confirmed that you can buy your ticket, feel free to do so. We will never cancel a program due to our own fault.
Experienced Kuluar team leaders will accompany the group throughout the whole route, making your trip as safe and unforgettable as possible! They have already been to South America multiple times and know the country in detail.
The manager who will consult you before the trip knows all the details of the route thoroughly.
More than 12,000 participants have already traveled with Kuluar, and 97.8% of them were satisfied. We're confident you will be too.
We'll visit the driest place on Earth — the "Valley of Death"
During the trip, we'll spend about half a day at an altitude of around 3500 m, in the Rainbow Valley, where we'll walk among stunning rocks that seem to be painted in shades of red, yellow, orange, and other colors
We land in the capital of Chile — Santiago — and rest after the long transatlantic flight. If desired, we can take a short trip into the city to see its landmarks or taste famous Chilean wines in one of the cozy restaurants. But we won't overdo it, as tomorrow awaits an early rise and the start of unforgettable adventures!
Early in the morning, we head to the airport and take a domestic flight to the north of Chile, to the city of Calama. This is the closest airport to the Atacama tourist center, and from here we have about a one-and-a-half-hour transfer by car to the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, around which all the most fascinating and amazing landscapes are concentrated.
The town itself is located at an altitude of 2400 m, so here we will already start gradually acclimatizing to the altitude, though altitude sickness usually doesn't appear yet at such heights, so we should have enough strength, and after checking into the hostel, we'll head out on our first excursion to the famous Moon Valley. We'll enjoy the sunset and return to the hostel.
The maximum altitude for today is 2400 m.
Today we will make our first trip to the Altiplano. For better acclimatization, we will spend half a day at an altitude of approximately 3500 m, in Rainbow Valley, where we will walk among bizarre rocks colored in vivid reds, yellows, oranges and other hues. Along the way, we will also visit a historical landmark - the ancient petroglyphs at Yerbas Buenas. We will return to San Pedro de Atacama for lunch, after which we will head to Death Valley, where sandboarding on the sand dunes can be arranged for those who wish.
The maximum altitude today is 3500 m.
In the morning, we will take a walking tour to the archaeological sites located near San Pedro - the Pukará de Quitor fortress, which is located 3 kilometers from the town, on a hill with stunning views of the Quitor valley, the San Pedro oasis, and the Licancabur volcano. Around 3 pm, when the heat subsides, we will go on a refreshing excursion to the Cejar, Piedra, Tebinquinche, and Ojos del Salar lagoons. At Laguna Piedra, we will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the salty water and experience its "buoyant" effect, just like in the Dead Sea. In the desert wells of Ojos del Salar, on the other hand, the water is fresh, and we will be able to experience this firsthand as well. We return to the hostel by 8 pm.
Maximum altitude today - 2500
Today we’ll start a bit earlier than usual, at 7 am, as a full day of exploring the Altiplano awaits us. We’ll dive deep into the high-altitude plateau to see its stunning landscapes and surprisingly rich natural world with our own eyes. We’ll visit the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, the Piedras Rojas viewpoint, and the salt flats – salares. With luck, we’ll discover not only otherworldly scenery but also the local fauna, as these territories are home to many wild birds and animals, such as vicuñas, foxes, chinchillas, flamingos, and others.
Maximum altitude today - 4200 m.
On this day, you’ll need to wake up before dawn to head to the northern part of the Altiplano to the El Tatio geysers. These hot springs are most active in the early morning hours, so to catch the best time, we’ll need to leave very early. After enjoying the views of the geysers, of which there are about 80 here, we’ll visit the authentic village of Machuca on the way back.
Maximum altitude today – 4200 m.
We’ve already spent quite a long time at altitude, and during this time our bodies have grown accustomed to the thin air of the Altiplano, so today we’ll try to conquer new heights and climb one of the volcanoes near San Pedro. Cerro Toco is best suited for this, as the ascent is technically quite simple – a well-trodden path leads along a gentle slope to the summit at 5600 m. However, we need to be prepared for possible low temperatures and strong winds, which are quite common at this altitude. After the climb, we’ll return to San Pedro for the night.
Maximum altitude today – 5600 m.
The next part of our journey will take place in the territory of the neighboring country – Bolivia, where we will set off early in the morning, and after completing all the formalities at the border, we will continue discovering the wonders of the Altiplano: the Blanca, Verde and Colorada lagoons, the Sol de Mañana geysers, and the Siloli and Chiguana deserts.
We will cross the Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world, and if the water level hasn't risen yet, we will be able to drive through its very center, stopping at Incahuasi Island with its enormous Los Cardones cacti. We will spend the nights in simple but cozy guesthouses surrounded by incredible otherworldly landscapes. The highlight of our trip will be the ascent of Licancabur Volcano, which reaches an altitude of almost 6,000 meters above sea level. The climb is not technically difficult, but altitude is always a serious challenge, so proper preparation and good physical condition are essential.
Maximum altitude – 5916 m.
After an amazing journey through the Bolivian part of the Altiplano, we will return to Chile. In the evening, unless cloud cover or a full moon gets in the way, around midnight we will be able to visit the local observatory and observe the starry sky through a telescope.
Saying goodbye to the Atacama Desert and heading to the airport for our flight to Santiago. In the city we will have free time to explore the landmarks and to buy souvenirs. In the evening a farewell dinner at one of the restaurants of the city.
Today we fly back home, but we are sure that for a long time you will be looking through your photos and telling your relatives and friends that you have been on such an extraordinary trip to one of the most unique places on Earth.
How to become a participant of the trip to Chile and Bolivia?
The manager will advise you on gear, help you choose the best flight, and share information on hotels and excursions. You make payments and purchases yourself. If you want the manager to buy a ticket for you, this is possible, but for an additional fee, as it is a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service fee.
Depending on weather conditions, the state and general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes to the route.
Citizens of Russia do not need a visa for Chile and Bolivia.
Citizens of Ukraine also do not need a visa for Chile. A Bolivian visa can easily be obtained at the border or arranged in advance in Kyiv (cost 50-100$), providing a minimal package of documents.
Formally, entry into Bolivia requires an international certificate of yellow fever vaccination. It can be done in Kyiv no later than 10 days before departure. But if you are not planning to visit jungle areas, you can travel without the vaccination.
Upon departure, airline staff may ask to see a return ticket; without it, you may not be allowed into the country or even boarded on the flight at departure.
Atacama is characterized by a typical desert climate - very hot during the day and cool at night. Given the high altitude, nighttime temperatures can easily drop to slightly below zero. The tourist season in Atacama is year-round. December-March, when it's summer in this hemisphere, is good for climbing volcanoes and high mountains, with less snow on the peaks during these months. In Uyuni, the rainy season starts in December, when the lake will look like a "mirror", but in January the salt flat may be too flooded, so it's better to go before the New Year.
Be sure to bring a good membrane jacket with pants to protect against possible rain and wind, and don't forget sunscreen. Also don't forget warm fleece and thermal underwear. Take care of quality equipment for climbing volcanoes.
A transatlantic flight to Santiago will cost on average 1200-1500 US dollars.
To find the best flight options, use the form below:
To participate in the program, you need good insurance. Please do not neglect this point. For some participants, this has saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for getting insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hike participants"
The whole group gathers at a hotel in Santiago that we book in advance. Some participants can coordinate even at the stage of buying tickets - traveling together is both easier and more fun. We will send you detailed information about the group meeting by email 7-10 days before the trek starts.
Atacama is characterized by a typical desert climate - very hot during the day and cool at night. Due to the high altitude, nighttime temperatures can easily drop slightly below zero. The tourist season in Atacama runs year-round. In Uyuni, the rainy season starts in December, when the lake looks like a "mirror", but by January the salt flat may become too flooded, so it's better to go before the New Year.
Be sure to bring a good membrane jacket and pants to protect against possible rain and wind, and don't forget sunscreen. Also don't forget warm fleece and thermal underwear. Take care of quality gear for the ascent of the six-thousander Huayna Potosí.
The price depends on the number of participants:
The total amount of mandatory expenses not included in the price will be approximately 2000$ + airfare. This amount is paid in one sum to the guide at the start of the trek, together with the main payment for the program. This includes:
To reserve a spot in the group, you need to make a deposit of $250. You can do this in a way convenient for you, as described here. Once the deposit is paid and tickets are purchased, your place in the group will be reserved. The remaining amount must be paid to the guide in cash in dollars on the first day of the program. If you drop out of the route, the money is non-refundable.
*Please note: it is not the manager's task to select a separate flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations based on their experience and shares other participants' flight details so you can fly together. Selecting and purchasing a convenient flight ticket is the participant's own responsibility. If you want the manager to buy you a plane ticket, book a hotel, or arrange an additional excursion, please check the terms on the page: additional services.