SPECTACULAR SALAR DE UYUNI AND CLIMBING

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 shim-mering emerald colored lakes filled with flamingos, towering Inca bur-ial towers and rugged plains and valleys dotted with guanaco. The fol-lowing 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 extraor-dinary landscapes.

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SAJAMA PARK, SALAR DE UYUNI, CLIMBING

VOLCANO TUNUPA (6056M) AND LICANCABUR (6088M)

Laguna Verde with Licancabur

PROGRAM DETAILSType 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

PROGRAMDay 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 undu-lating 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*

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) – TahuaWe 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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Vicuna

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 stop at Laguna Colorada, Later we stop 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 theLicancabur. 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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Laguna

Colorada

PRICESPrices 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

Prices:1 person $3795 US 2 people $2045 US each3 people $1895 US each4 people $1815 US each

Prices with spanish speaking guide:1 person $3370 US 2 people $1835 US each3 people $1745 US each4 people $1715 US each

Contact details:Calle Linares #940 Email: Info@climbingsouthamerica.com

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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Salt mining