Travel on a high-altitude adventure that takes you to the ends of the earth to experience an otherworldly landscape and a fascinating way of life.
From honeycombed salt flats to a painted desert to starlit skies, and ancient mummies to modern-day witchcraft to neon-colored mansions, this journey takes you deep into the raw, surreal beauty of the altiplano and into the lives of the people who call it home. It’s bold, unexpected, and unforgettable.
When to Go
We recommend going right before or right after high season (mid-December through April). The salt flat is mostly empty during this time. And there is still standing water in some places so you can get mirror effect pictures. Finally, it is not as cold as going during our summer months of June through August.
Private Trip Pricing
Included
Excluded
All of the guides were incredible. Augusto, Ruben, and Patricia are the best guides I have ever worked with from any country. On a scale of 1-to-10, it was a 15! It was a life changing trip for me.
They introduced us to hidden gems, unique customs, and experiences we never would have discovered on our own. Their personal stories and connections to the places we visited added a profound depth to our trip.
Before the trip, we were ambivalent about a guided tour, but found that the guides really smoothed the way for us to get to places quickly and focus on the most important sites and events. Our guides really made the trip great!
Welcome to La Paz—at 11,975 feet, the highest capital city in the world.
The day is yours. Rest and recharge or take a gentle stroll through the neighborhood to start soaking in the city’s unique rhythm.
This evening, we’ll sweep you away to a traditional Bolivian restaurant, beloved for its authentic cuisine and lively folkloric music and dance. As you dine, you’ll be immersed in the spirit of Bolivia past and present.
And if you’re feeling inspired (and not too out of breath), you may be invited to join the dancers. One step, one spin, and suddenly your first night in Bolivia becomes a memory you’ll never forget.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel and dinner
Hotel: La Casona (or similar)
Skip the usual colonial tour of La Paz and dive into the pulse of one of South America’s fastest-growing cities: El Alto.
In just 39 years, this high-altitude sprawl has evolved from a modest suburb into a booming city of over a million largely untouched by tourism and deeply rooted in Aymara culture.
Wander the maze-like alleys of the Witch’s Market, where amautas (Aymara spiritual leaders) are “chosen” to practice their craft. Stalls overflow with dried herbs, charms, and sacred offerings meant to summon health, love, prosperity, or fertility.
Step into the world of the Cholitas, with their elaborate ensembles and rich cultural identity. You’ll learn about the symbolism behind each piece and meet the designers shaping this proud, powerful style.
Then, marvel at the architectural dreamscape of Freddy Mamani, whose “Cholets,” vivid, geometric neo-Andean mansions, defy convention and express unapologetic cultural pride. You’ll hear the stories behind these buildings: tales of perseverance, ambition, and the creative fire it takes to turn bold vision into reality.
Next, visit the world’s most vibrant community housing project, where public buildings are covered in massive, 12-story murals by celebrated Bolivian artist Roberto Mamani. Towering images of Andean animals and ancestral figures transform concrete into living art.
After lunch, leave the urban energy behind and head to a surreal valley shaped by wind and time.
Nicknamed the Valley of the Moon by astronaut Neil Armstrong, its jagged formations and strange silence feel like stepping onto another planet. Several species of cactus grow here, including the hallucinogenic San Pedro, long used in sacred rituals.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: La Casona (or similar)
Explore the ancient ceremonial city of Tiwanaku recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant pre-Columbian archaeological sites in South America.
Located near the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, Tiwanaku was likely built between 300 and 1000 AD, though evidence suggests the area was inhabited as early as 1500 BC.
The site is a breathtaking puzzle of temples, palaces, pyramids, and monolithic stone figures. Over 28 centuries, the Tiwanaku people engineered complex irrigation systems, developed a remarkably advanced knowledge of astronomy, and carved stone monuments that rival any in the ancient world.
How they accomplished it remains one of archaeology’s enduring mysteries.
Enormous blocks of stone, some weighing up to 25 tons, lie scattered across the site, raising the question: how were they transported and assembled without wheels, draft animals, or modern tools?
At the onsite museum, deepen your understanding of this enigmatic culture. You’ll find ceremonial tools, musical instruments, and weapons as well as a remarkably preserved mummy from the Putuni temple.
Buried with its face uncovered, it was believed the spirit would need to eat, chew coca, and drink chicha in the afterlife.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: La Casona (or similar)
Touch down in Uyuni, the gateway to one of the most surreal landscapes on Earth: the Uyuni Salt Flats.
Begin your adventure by learning how local families expertly process and package salt, an essential mineral for the region.
Then, stop at the world’s first salt hotel, where you’ll see how early salt shelters have evolved into remarkable retreats, including the one you’ll call home tonight, where even the furniture is sculpted from salt.
Next, head out across the blinding-white expanse of the flats.
The scale is disorienting. The silence, profound. Pause to take playful optical illusion photos that toy with perspective: tiny people in shoes, dinosaurs chasing humans, and other tricks of the salt-flat horizon.
Hike to the top of a salt “island,” where ancient cacti stand sentinel, growing improbably in this sea of white. From the summit, the views are endless and otherworldly.
After dinner, and if the weather cooperates, venture into the darkness for an unforgettable stargazing session. Can you spot the Southern Cross?
Meals: Light breakfast provided by your hotel, picnic lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Tayka Salt Hotel (or similar)
Start the morning by helping local herders guide a small llama herd from corral to pasture.
It’s a moment that’s both playful and profound, offering insight into the enduring bond between people and these adorable, sure-footed animals.
Next, learn how families cultivate and process quinoa, the resilient super grain that thrives in this harsh environment and has sustained communities for generations.
Continue your journey into the past on the slopes of a volcano, where ancient mummies lie naturally preserved by the high-altitude ecosystem. Their presence is a powerful reminder of those who came before and how they adapted to life in this extraordinary terrain.
Lace up for a hike through a site that once held three distinct civilizations. Though time has worn down the walls, the stories remain etched in stone.
Step inside a local inhabitant’s private museum, a passion project filled with artifacts he’s uncovered over a lifetime of exploring the region. Among them is a mummy, carefully preserved and now resting inside this humble “stone museum.” Hear how it all came to be, and how entrepreneurial spirit finds a way even in the most remote corners of the world.
Venture into a nearby cave where stalactites and stalagmites stretch and drip like frozen time. Every surface seems to whisper of geologic ages long gone.
End the day at the haunting remnants of a town burned during the Pacific War. Tucked in the hills, you’ll find the hidden site where villagers took refuge. Through the ruins, glimpse how they lived, resisted, and survived.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, picnic lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Tayka Stone Hotel (or similar)
Journey through Bolivia’s high-altitude dreamscape, where earth, sky and fire seem to collide.
Begin with a peaceful soak in the mineral-rich waters of natural hot springs. Let the warmth ease your body and quiet your mind as steam rises into the crisp morning air.
Then, drive across a landscape so surreal it feels like stepping into a painting. Multi-colored mountaintops rise from the desert floor, their layers of ochre, rose, and slate shifting under the sun as you move through the open expanse.
Walk among bubbling pots of grey, brown, and scarlet mud.
Continue on to a brilliant red lagoon, its fiery hue mirrored by the soft pink plumage of the flamingos who gather at its edge. Graceful and otherworldly, they move slowly through waters that defy expectation.
Finally, stand before the famous “stone tree,” a natural rock formation carved by wind, shaped by centuries and frozen mid-dance in the desert silence.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, picnic lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Tayka Desert Hotel (or similar)
Your final day on the altiplano unfolds like a fantastical storybook with each chapter more unforgettable than the last.
Snap photos of elegant Andean flamingos as they move through a string of jewel-toned lagoons, their pink silhouettes mirrored in still waters surrounded by vast silence.
Look up to see Bolivia’s only active volcano straddling the Chilean border puffing clouds of steam into the sky like the whimsical, hookah-smoking caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland.
At the edge of the salt flat, wander through a train graveyard, where rusting locomotives lie scattered like sleeping giants. Once bound for greatness, these iron beasts now rest under the unrelenting sun, bearing witness to the unrealized optimism of a once promising industrial era.
As the day fades, return to the salt flat for one last sunset. The light softens, the shadows stretch, and the horizon glows with a kind of final magic.
Tonight, you’ll sleep in a hotel made entirely of salt. It’s a fitting end to a journey that has defied expectation at every turn.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, picnic lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Cristal Samana Hotel (or similar)
Fly back to La Paz this morning and experience the city through a lens few travelers ever see on a tour co-guided by local shoe shiners.
They’ll share stories, struggles, and street-level wisdom as they guide you through the hidden corners and everyday rhythms of their city. It’s raw, real, and unforgettable.
Later, take to the skies on the world’s largest urban cable car system. Glide silently above the city’s sprawling neighborhoods and dramatic topography to get an aerial view of a place that’s revealed its many layers.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel and dinner
Hotel: La Casona (or similar)
Bid Bolivia goodbye.
We’ll pick you up for your final journey through the streets of La Paz, escorting you to the airport for your flight home with a heart full of memories and a perspective forever shifted.
Much of this journey takes place at high elevations often near or above 12,000 feet. If you have a heart condition, respiratory issue, or another health concern that could be impacted by altitude, this may not be the right trip for you. We strongly encourage you to speak with your doctor if you’re unsure.
For most travelers, altitude is manageable with preparation. We’ll share recommendations for medication that many of our guests have found helpful. But as always, it’s a conversation to have with your physician.
Due to current flight schedules from the U.S., most international flights into La Paz arrive in the very early morning hours. Not to worry, though, we’ll be there to greet you at the airport, so you won’t have to navigate transportation on your own.
To make your arrival as smooth as possible, we’ve arranged early check-in at your hotel, allowing you to rest, shower, and unwind before our official welcome dinner later that evening.
The hotels we stay in throughout the salt flats and high desert are clean, comfortable, and full of character. That said, as is true across much of South America, central heating is not common. Rooms are equipped with space heaters, and in some cases, you’ll be treated to a hot water bottle tucked into your bed for extra warmth.
Still, at altitude, it can be tough to fully shake the chill, especially in older buildings where a draft or two might sneak in. We’ll provide a detailed packing list so you’ll know exactly what to bring to stay cozy.
A couple of the hotels run on solar power, which means electricity is limited. High-energy appliances like hair dryers are a no-go.
Pro tip: plan to shower in the late afternoon, when the solar-heated water is at its warmest. Wait until morning, and you might be facing a bracing wake-up call.
Exploring Bolivia’s salt flats and high desert is a bit like going on safari, just without the lions.
You’ll travel by Land Cruiser between incredible sites and unique activities throughout the day. While we do cover a lot of ground, you’ll spend more time out of the vehicle than in it, walking, hiking, and experiencing the landscape up close.
Of course, since you don’t have to worry about being eaten by a hungry predator, you can stretch your legs a little more freely.
That said, the final day includes a long drive back to Uyuni from the Chilean border. It’s scenic, but expect to be on the road for much of the day.
Parts of this journey take you far off the beaten path.That’s part of what makes it so special. But with remoteness comes reality: cell service and Wi-Fi can be unreliable or entirely unavailable in some areas.
Access to ATMs may also be limited or nonexistent, especially in smaller towns and rural communities. We’ll advise you in advance when to withdraw local currency, so you’ll be prepared.
Consider it a rare chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the one around you.
We’ll also be traveling through remote areas where roads are unpaved. While the ride isn’t rough enough to be uncomfortable, it’s certainly not the smooth glide of a highway either. Think of it as part of the adventure.
Some days on this trip begin early thanks to flight schedules and the long distances we’ll be covering to reach some truly spectacular places.
But don’t worry: you won’t be starting the day empty-handed. We’ll always have a hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa ready for you, and breakfast will be provided, whether it’s to-go, roadside, or served with a view.
Please note that changes to the itinerary may occur due to traffic, weather, road conditions, protests, parades, or other unforeseen circumstances, especially in and around La Paz.
When adjustments are needed, we make them with your experience and safety in mind. Our goal is always to include everything outlined in the itinerary, though the order of activities may shift depending on the conditions we encounter along the way.
Flexibility is part of the adventure and often leads to unexpected delights.
High season in the salt flats runs from mid-December through April when standing water creates the stunning mirror effect that draws photographers from around the world.
It’s a magical time to visit, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
It’s crowded. Visitors often compete for the best photo spots, especially during peak hours.
Flooding may limit access to certain areas or activities listed in the itinerary.
Travel times can increase due to detours and unpredictable road conditions.
Flights between Uyuni and La Paz are more likely to be delayed or canceled due to weather-related issues.
We’ll do everything we can to minimize disruptions and adapt plans as needed, but flexibility is key when traveling during this season.
Ready to Reserve Your Trip?
Simply submit the inquiry form on this page.
We’ll follow up to confirm your preferred travel dates, group size and room preferences, and share final per-person pricing based on availability.
Flexible Deposit
Plans change. We get it.
Cancel or reschedule up to 89 days before departure (119 days during high season) and choose to either:
Apply your deposit to a future trip
Transfer it to another departure date for this trip
Or receive a full refund—no questions asked
Flexible Payment
Secure your trip with a deposit.
Pay the remaining balance on your own schedule anytime up to 90 days before departure (120 days during high season). No interest. No fees. No pressure.
We’ll send a reminder before your final payment is due, so your spot stays secure.
Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for more information.
