Bolivia
A 10-day expedition across Bolivia's volcanic southwest, both great salt flats, and the territory of the Uru-Chipaya, the Andes' oldest people
Ecovoyager Experiences
The moments that make this journey unforgettable.
A 10-day expedition across Bolivia's volcanic southwest, both great salt flats, and the territory of the Uru-Chipaya, the Andes' oldest people
This 10-day private expedition crosses Bolivia’s volcanic southwest in a single continuous journey, from the cultural streets of La Paz to the blood-red lagoons of Sur Lipez, across both of Bolivia’s great salt flats, through the territory of the Uru-Chipaya people, and to the foot of Sajama, Bolivia’s highest volcano, before returning to the capital. The route runs through the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, the Salar de Uyuni from its uncrowded northern shore at Tahua, and the Salar de Coipasa, Bolivia’s second-largest salt flat and one of the least-visited landscapes in the country. Private 4×4 throughout. Maximum 8 guests.
Bolivia's Wild Altiplano
Ecovoyager Experiences
Species you may spot along this route.
Wild high-Andean camelid with the finest wool of any animal, fully protected after near-extinction from poaching.
The most globally threatened of the three high-Andean flamingos, identified by yellow legs and deep pink plumage.
The smallest high-Andean flamingo, once believed extinct until rediscovered in 1957, with brick-red streaking and a yellow-and-black bill.
The most widespread of the three flamingos, told by grey legs with pink joints and paler plumage.
A rabbit-sized rodent with a long curling tail, related to chinchillas, that lives in colonies among rocks.
A bold black-and-white bird of prey of the high puna, often seen walking the ground for carrion and insects.
One of the largest flying birds on earth, with a wingspan over three meters, soaring on mountain thermals.
An outsized, almost flightless coot of high Andean lakes that builds large floating nests of vegetation.
A dark, glossy wetland ibis of the altiplano with a long down-curved bill.
The larger of the Andean foxes, grey and rufous, ranging widely across the puna.
Bolivia Tour Details
Everything included in the tour, and what to budget separately.
Bolivia Tour Details
Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.
| Group Size | Per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveler | Price on request | Contact usSingle occupancy |
| 2 travelers | $4,100 | Per personDouble occupancy |
| 3 travelers | $3,450 | Per personGroup rate |
| 4 travelers | $2,900 | Per personRecommended minimum |
| 5-6 travelers | $2,700 | Per person2nd vehicle applies |
| 7-8 travelers | $2,550 | Per person2nd vehicle required |
Ready to secure your place on this expedition? Spaces are strictly limited to ensure an intimate experience.
Book This TourEcovoyager Adventures
Complete your booking request and our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your journey.
Traveler Stories
"Watching the northern lights from that coastal overlook was one of those moments you carry with you. EcoVoyager's team knew exactly where to take us and when."
"They made my trip to Chile super smooth. I had nothing to worry about, they connected me with local guides and took me to some super cool places."
"My kids are still talking about the lemurs months later. EcoVoyager handled every detail so we could actually be present together."
"Absolutely loved our Mongolia trip in July 2025! Ecovoyager put together the best itinerary possible that combined adventure and comfort. We would 100% recommend Ecovoyager to our friends and family!"
"The Rupununi was fabulous. Even if there weren't any animals, it would've been a great experience. The only negative was leaving."
"The trip was thoughtfully curated for a REAL Cuban cultural experience, juxtaposing between the island's insolvency and the faux luxuries propped up by foreign investment."
"The salt flats at sunrise were even more stunning than I'd imagined. Our guide positioned us perfectly for the reflections."
"EcoVoyager put my mind at ease with expert guidance on how to stay safe and enjoy the vibes. If I were to plan another solo trip to an unfamiliar country, I'd trust EcoVoyager to help me through it all."
"I had a wonderful time. Organization was superb and our experiences were maximized due to great planning and enthusiasm."
"Staying with nomadic families, riding through valleys with no other tourists in sight. This is the kind of travel I didn't know I was missing."
Related Experiences
Explore more expeditions in Bolivia, led by local experts and built for the curious traveller.
Related Tour
BOLIVIA
An 11-day expedition from La Paz through Madidi National Park to the Moseten communities of Pilon Lajas: shoeshine guides, suspended jungle camps above Mashi Lagoon, and three nights with the people who have protected this Amazon for generations
Related Tour
BOLIVIA
A 25-day expedition from the Amazon basin to the Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, and the remote Apolobamba range
Related Tour
BOLIVIA
A 12-day expedition from the blood-red lagoons of Sur Lipez to the world's largest salt flat, on foot with the last llama caravans of the Altiplano
Related Tour
BOLIVIA
Foothill cloud forest, the condor cliffs, dry valleys and the Beni savanna
Related Tour
BOLIVIA
Two critically endangered macaws and 300 other species across canyon and savanna Bolivia
Related Tour
BOLIVIA
An 11-day expedition through Amboro National Park, the Gran Chaco, and the UNESCO Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania
Destination
Each stop on this journey through Bolivia, and the country that ties them together.
Support
Everything you need to know before your journey. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch and we'll help.
How departures, pricing, and group size work on this expedition.
It runs in the dry season, May to October, when skies are clear, the lagoons and salt flats are at their most photogenic, and the high passes are reliably open. Nights are cold and days are bright. Exact dates are set with you when you book.
It runs as a private departure for your own party, from solo up to a maximum of eight guests, with four to six the recommended range. Custom dates can be arranged for a private group.
A deposit of $725 per person secures your place, with the balance due before departure. You can pay by whichever method suits you, whether card, bank transfer, or wire.
The expedition runs in private 4×4 vehicles, and several of the lodges along the route, along with the Uru-Chipaya community stay, have limited capacity. Small numbers keep the footprint light in remote places that see few visitors.
The single most important thing to prepare for on this route.
This is a high-altitude expedition throughout. La Paz begins in the lower Zona Sur at around 3,200 meters, deliberately below the airport, and the first two days are paced to help you acclimatize. Much of the route then sits between 3,650 and 4,000 meters, with the highest point at the Sol de Manana geothermal field at 4,850 meters. If you have a heart or respiratory condition, discuss the altitude with your doctor before booking, and ask about preventative altitude medication.
It rates as moderate to demanding, mostly because of the altitude rather than technical difficulty. Expect early starts and long days in a 4×4 on rough roads, with a few short walks and one steeper hike to the Coquesa burial cave. You should be comfortable being active at altitude, in the cold, over consecutive days.
Very cold at night. The May to October window is dry-season winter, and nights in Sur Lipez and at Sajama drop well below freezing, while days are mild and sunny. Pack serious layers, a warm hat and gloves, and a proper sleeping setup mindset for the remote lodges.
Yellow fever is not required for this route, since it stays in the high Andes rather than the Amazon lowlands. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover medical evacuation, given how remote much of the itinerary is.
What the overland days and the remote stretches are actually like.
This is an overland 4×4 expedition run as one continuous route, not a series of day trips. Several days involve long drives, Day 4 being the longest, and south of San Cristobal the roads are mostly unpaved. The reward is a single uninterrupted crossing of the southwest with no backtracking.
La Paz and Uyuni have coverage. The desert, the lagoon route, the salt flats, the Coipasa crossing, and Chipaya are off-grid, with no fuel, signal, or services for hours at a time. Treat the remote days as a genuine disconnection and let people know in advance.
You travel in a private 4×4 with an experienced driver and a bilingual guide, with community guides joining for specific sites such as the Coquesa cave and the walks around Chipaya and Sajama.
Yes. The route crosses the Salar de Uyuni to its quiet northern shore at Tahua, then the far less-visited Salar de Coipasa on the way to the Uru-Chipaya community, before continuing to Sajama. Both crossings are included rather than offered as optional detours.
Where you sleep, and what to expect in remote places.
It ranges from a boutique hotel in La Paz to simple but comfortable lodges in the desert and at San Pedro de Quemez, the Tomarapi Ecolodge below Sajama, and one night as a guest of the Uru-Chipaya community. In the remote lodges, expect basic heating and limited hot water, which is normal at this altitude and part of the experience.
You stay in the community on the edge of the Salar de Coipasa, among their distinctive cone-shaped adobe houses. The Uru-Chipaya are one of the oldest cultures in the Andes, with a language unrelated to Quechua or Aymara. Facilities are basic, the exchange is genuine, and the stay directs income to the community.
Most meals are included as shown in the day-by-day itinerary, building up to a farewell dinner at Gustu in La Paz, which works with ingredients from all of Bolivia’s ecological zones. Let us know any dietary needs in advance, as options are limited in remote areas.
Yes. The route passes the Polques hot springs in Eduardo Avaroa and the Manasaya baths at the foot of Sajama, both timed for a soak with volcanoes in view. Bring swimwear and a quick-dry towel.
