Bolivia
Bolivia's Wild Altiplano
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Bolivia Tour Overview
Bolivia's Wild Altiplano
Salt Flats, Volcanoes and the High Altiplano
Duration
11 Days
Price
$3,200
Difficulty
Moderate
Best Time
May – October
This 11-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
Your Bolivia Tour Itinerary
Route Overview
11 Days · Bolivia
1
Day 1
Arrival in La Paz: The Yatiri Ceremony
The expedition opens with an arrival transfer from El Alto Airport to Hotel MET La Paz in the Zona Sur, at approximately 3,200 meters, roughly 800 meters lower than the airport, a genuine benefit for acclimatization on arrival day.
In the afternoon the group heads back up to El Alto to meet a yatiri, an Andean shaman practitioner whose role in Bolivian daily life is genuine rather than ceremonial. Thursday and Sunday are the best days, when the 16 de Julio market fills the surrounding streets and the area comes fully alive. A bilingual cultural facilitator translates as the yatiri reads coca leaves and prepares a mesa offering to Pachamama for the expedition ahead. The evening closes with a welcome dinner at a traditional La Paz restaurant.
Meals: D
Your Accommodation
Hotel MET La Paz
Contemporary design hotel in Zona Sur, La Paz, with indoor pool, spa, and rooftop terrace with Cordillera Real views. At approximately 3,200m.
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2
Day 2
La Paz: Popular Districts, Markets and the Teleferico
A full day in La Paz led by a guide from El Hormigon Armado, an organization working with lustrabotas since 2005. These are guides who have lived and worked inside La Paz's popular districts for years, and the route they run reflects it: through the General Cemetery, the surrounding market streets of fish vendors, artisanal hat makers, medicinal plant stalls, and carnival costume workshops serving the Gran Poder festival, a UNESCO Intangible Heritage event.
The group crosses the Mercado de Las Brujas and descends into the colonial district, walking Calle Jaen and the small museums around the plaza. The afternoon closes with a cable car ascent on the Red Line teleferico to El Alto, with the full scale of the canyon city visible below.
Meals: B / L
Your Accommodation
Hotel MET La Paz
Contemporary design hotel in Zona Sur, La Paz, with indoor pool, spa, and rooftop terrace with Cordillera Real views. At approximately 3,200m.
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3
Day 3
La Paz to Villamar via Uyuni
An early morning transfer to El Alto Airport for the Boliviana de Aviacion domestic flight to Uyuni, approximately one hour and the only carrier on this route. A private 4x4 meets you on arrival and the expedition moves south on Route 5 toward San Cristobal.
San Cristobal is one of the more unusual stops on the altiplano. In 1999, the entire village was physically relocated 14 kilometers from its original site to clear the land above one of Bolivia's largest open-pit zinc, silver, and lead deposits. The modern town now sits adjacent to the mine workings. The original colonial church, built in the 1600s, was not moved: it still stands at the old townsite, alone in the landscape, stripped of its community but intact. The carved stone facade and cane ceiling remain.
South of San Cristobal the paved road ends and the altiplano takes over. The Rio Grande crossing is reliably good for vicuñas and ñandus, the large flightless birds of the altiplano. The approach to Villamar passes through Laguna Negra, a dark high-altitude lake sitting quietly off the track, and then into the valley itself: a sheltered green corridor at 3,700 meters where llama herds graze at close range against the backdrop of the surrounding volcanic formations. Arrival at Mallku Cueva in the mid-to-late afternoon.
Flight: La Paz (LPB) to Uyuni (Joya Andina Airport), Boliviana de Aviacion, included.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Mallku Cueva
Built directly into a volcanic rock face in the Villamar valley at 3,700m. 12 rooms with private bathrooms, central and electric heating, 24-hour hot water, fireplace common area, and restaurant.
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4
Day 4
Villamar to Tayka del Desierto: Into the Siloli
The morning begins in the valley at first light, when llama herds graze at close range in the green corridor below the rock formations. Before departure, the Mallku Cave built into the rock face of the lodge itself, the sacred grotto where Mallku authorities gathered under the Aymara governance system that predates the Inca, is worth time to absorb. Near the village, confirmed cave paintings on the tall rock faces and the ruins of the Fuerte Necrópolis de Tomás Lajkas, a pre-Incan compound of fortification walls and chullpa funerary towers, round out a site that rewards an unhurried morning.
South of Villamar the land opens into the Siloli Desert. The drive is long and the landscape progressively empties. The Árbol de Piedra appears roughly 18 kilometers north of Laguna Colorada: a ventifact of compressed volcanic ash and pumice, five to seven meters tall, its narrow waist and broader crown shaped by millions of years of wind-driven sand eroding the softer base faster than the top. Arrival at Hotel Tayka del Desierto in the mid-to-late afternoon. An early night is strongly recommended. Departure tomorrow is at 4:30am.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Hotel Tayka del Desierto
Community-managed lodge in the Siloli Desert at 4,600m, the optimal staging point for pre-dawn departures into the Sur Lipez circuit.
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5
Day 5
Laguna Colorada, Sol de Manana and Eduardo Avaroa
Departure at 4:30am. Laguna Colorada at first light is the reason for the early start: the brick-red and burgundy pigmentation of the algae is most saturated in the low-angle morning light, the white borax islands floating against it in sharp contrast, and all three Andean flamingo species (James's, Andean, and Chilean) are feeding actively along the mineral-stained shore. The lake sits at 4,278 meters, covers roughly 60 square kilometers, and in places reaches no deeper than 80 centimeters. The shallow, mineral-dense water supports almost nothing except the algae and the birds that eat it.
On to the Sol de Manana geothermal field at 4,850 meters, the highest in Bolivia. At this altitude and at this hour, the temperature differential between ground and air drives peak activity: boiling mud pools churn alongside jets of sulfur vapor, the whole field alive with sound and heat against the frozen surrounding desert. A stop at the Polques thermal baths on the Chilean border offers a 30-degree counterpoint before the drive continues through the Salvador Dali Desert, its ochre and rust rock formations dissolving into the white expanse of Laguna Blanca. The day ends at Laguna Verde at the foot of Licancabur volcano (5,916m): a lake whose copper, arsenic, and mineral content reads as white when calm and shifts to deep emerald green when the afternoon winds move across it.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Hotel Tayka del Desierto
Community-managed lodge in the Siloli Desert at 4,600m. Solar hot water, radiator heating, restaurant.
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6
Day 6
The Route of the Jewels
North along the Chilean border on the Ruta de las Joyas Alto Andinas: five extraordinary high-altitude lagoons inside and adjacent to Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Ramaditas, Honda, Charkota, Hedionda, and Canapa host all three Andean flamingo species on this route. Laguna Hedionda is the best location in Bolivia for close approach to the James's (Puna) flamingo, the rarest of the three species.
The viewpoint of Ollaguüe volcano (5,868m), still active with visible fumarolic activity, breaks the northern section of the drive. The group crosses the Salar de Chiguana at 3,690 meters before arriving at San Pedro de Quemez in the late afternoon.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Hotel Tayka de Piedra
Community-owned stone hotel in San Pedro de Quemez with a fireplace restaurant, private bathrooms, and outstanding Altiplano views.
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7
Day 7
Cave of the Galaxy, Salar de Uyuni and the Northern Shore
Before entering the Salar, the expedition stops at the Cave of the Galaxy near Aguaquisa on the south side, containing 225-million-year-old petrified algae formations discovered in 2003 and found nowhere else on earth. Adjacent is the Cueva del Diablo with pre-Columbian burial remains.
Then onto the Salar de Uyuni: two hours across 10,582 square kilometers of white salt to Incahuasi Island, a volcanic formation adrift in the expanse, covered with giant cacti and stromatolites. The route continues north toward Tunupa volcano. A stop at the Coquesa cave burial site on the volcano's slopes, where remarkably preserved 500-year-old pre-Columbian mummies rest, requires a short steep hike with a community guide. Sunset at Tahua on the northern shore. Optional guided stargazing on the Salar after dark.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Hotel Tayka de Sal
Community-owned salt hotel on the northern shore of the Salar de Uyuni near Tahua village, with views across the flat to Tunupa volcano.
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8
Day 8
Crossing the Salar de Coipasa: Tahua to Chipaya
From Tahua the route heads northwest onto the Salar de Coipasa, Bolivia's second-largest salt flat and one of the least-visited landscapes in the country. Unlike the Salar de Uyuni, Coipasa contains a permanent lake at its center, its surface shifting between open water and white salt depending on the season. The crossing is genuinely remote: no fuel, signal, or services for hours in any direction.
The expedition arrives at Chipaya, home to the Uru-Chipaya people: one of the oldest indigenous cultures in the Andes, with a distinct language belonging to the Macro-Mayan family, unrelated to either Quechua or Aymara. The Chipaya have inhabited this territory for centuries, organized into four ayllus, each with its own authorities and traditions. Their distinctive cone-shaped adobe houses, traditional clothing, and the pre-Incan chullpa funerary towers on the surrounding plain are unlike anything else on the altiplano. Dinner and overnight with the community.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Chipaya Community Hostel
Community-run accommodation in the Uru-Chipaya indigenous municipality at approximately 3,800m. Private rooms, hot water, and electricity. The only overnight accommodation in Chipaya.
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9
Day 9
Chipaya to Sajama National Park
A morning in Chipaya before departure, with time to walk the surrounding altiplano with a community guide. The red and white dunes adjacent to the Salar, the Lauca River, and the chullpa towers are all within reach on foot. The Uru-Chipaya are known for their weaving, braiding, and music, and time permitting there is an opportunity to see these traditions in practice before the convoy departs.
The route north and west crosses the altiplano toward Sajama National Park, tracking the Chilean border volcanic chain as the landscape opens into the high plains below Bolivia's three great western volcanoes. Arrival at Tomarapi Ecolodge in the mid-to-late afternoon, with time to walk to the village's colonial adobe church and see Sajama (6,542m) framed behind it as the light changes. In the early evening, a transfer to the Manasaya thermal baths at the foot of the volcano for a sunset soak with all three peaks visible above.
Meals: B / L / D
Your Accommodation
Tomarapi Ecolodge
Community-run ecolodge at the foot of Sajama volcano inside Sajama National Park, with direct views of Bolivia's three highest volcanoes.
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10
Day 10
Sajama to La Paz: The Sistine Chapel and Farewell at Gustu
A gentle start at Laguna Huàña Khota, where flamingos, speckled teal, Andean ibis, and crested duck share the water with Sajama reflected at 6,542 meters. A short walk through the Queñua (Polylepis) forest above the lodge passes through one of the world's highest tree stands at 4,400 meters, a remnant forest of extraordinary ecological significance.
Late morning the expedition leaves Sajama National Park. En route to La Paz, a stop at Curahuara de Carangas: a 1587 adobe church containing Renaissance and Mannerist frescoes depicting Catholic and Aymara iconography side by side, a national monument sitting directly on the route. Approximately 4.5 hours to La Paz. Check-in at Hotel MET La Paz for a few hours of rest before the farewell dinner at Gustu, Bolivia's flagship restaurant built around ingredients from all five of the country's ecological zones.
Distance: Tomarapi to La Paz approximately 4.5 hours.
Meals: B / L / D (farewell dinner at Gustu, La Paz)
Your Accommodation
Hotel MET La Paz
Contemporary design hotel in Zona Sur, La Paz, with indoor pool, spa, and rooftop terrace with Cordillera Real views. At approximately 3,200m.
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11
Day 11
Departure
After 11 days in some of the most remote terrain in South America, the final morning is a quiet one. Breakfast at Hotel MET La Paz, then a transfer to El Alto International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: B
Bolivia Tour Details
Pricing & What's Included
Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.
Per Person
$3,200
Based on group of 4
Single Supplement$700
Deposit$800
CurrencyUSD
Group Rates
| Group Size | Per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveler | Price on request | Contact usSingle occupancy |
| 2 travelers | $4,500 | Per personDouble occupancy |
| 3 travelers | $3,800 | Per personGroup rate |
| 4 travelers | $3,200 | Per personRecommended minimum |
| 5-6 travelers | $2,950 | Per person2nd vehicle applies |
| 7-8 travelers | $2,800 | Per person2nd vehicle required |
What's Included
- All accommodation: 10 nights based on double occupancy (Hotel MET La Paz x3, Mallku Cueva Villamar x1, Hotel Tayka del Desierto x2, Hotel Tayka de Piedra x1, Hotel Tayka de Sal Tahua x1, Chipaya Community Hostel x1, Tomarapi Ecolodge Sajama x1)
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Airport arrival and departure transfers in La Paz
- Domestic flight La Paz (El Alto) to Uyuni (Joya Andina Airport) on Day 3, Boliviana de Aviacion
- All land transportation in private 4x4 throughout; two vehicles travel in convoy through the Sur Lipez circuit
- English-speaking guide for the full 11-day expedition
- Bilingual cultural facilitator for the yatiri ceremony in El Alto on Day 1
- Lustrabotas guide from El Hormigon Armado in La Paz on Day 2
- All national park and site entrance fees, including Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (approximately $30 USD per person) on Days 5 and 6
- Manasaya thermal baths, Sajama National Park (Day 9 evening)
- Farewell dinner at Gustu restaurant, La Paz (Day 10)
- Guide expenses throughout
- Mineral water, 1 liter per person per day
- Assistance 24/7 during your stay
Not Included
- International airfare (return)
- Travel insurance (required: must cover high altitude to 4,850m, remote locations with no emergency services, and private vehicle travel)
- Personal expenses and personal laundry
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Gratuities for driver, guides, and local guides (recommended)
- Alcoholic beverages beyond those included at the farewell dinner
- Single room supplement ($700)
- Optional guided stargazing on the Salar de Uyuni, Day 7 (price on request)
- Sleeping bag liner (strongly recommended: Sur Lipez lodges drop to -10 to -20 degrees Celsius at night)
- Medical evacuation costs
- Any meals not listed as included in the itinerary
- BoA flight rebooking or alternative transport costs in case of cancellation or significant delay on Day 3
*
Deposit & Payment: A 25% deposit secures your place (credit card accepted). 50% balance due 90 days before departure. Final balance due 60 days prior. ACH bank transfer available at reduced fees. Bookings within 60 days require full payment.
†
Cancellation: 90+ days: full refund minus $500 admin fee. 60-89 days: 50% refund. Under 60 days: no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required for all participants.
Ready to secure your place on this expedition? Spaces are strictly limited to ensure an intimate experience.
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Traveler Stories
What Our Adventurers Say
Norway
"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."
Chile
"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."
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Mongolia
"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!"
Guyana
"The Rupununi was fabulous. Even if there weren't any animals, it would've been a great experience. The only negative was leaving."
Norway
"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."
Chile
"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."
Madagascar
"My kids are still talking about the lemurs months later. EcoVoyager handled every detail so we could actually be present together."
Mongolia
"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!"
Guyana
"The Rupununi was fabulous. Even if there weren't any animals, it would've been a great experience. The only negative was leaving."
Cuba
"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."
Bolivia
"The salt flats at sunrise were even more stunning than I'd imagined. Our guide positioned us perfectly for the reflections."
Kyrgyzstan
"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."
Japan
"I had a wonderful time. Organization was superb and our experiences were maximized due to great planning and enthusiasm."
Kyrgyzstan
"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."
Cuba
"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."
Bolivia
"The salt flats at sunrise were even more stunning than I'd imagined. Our guide positioned us perfectly for the reflections."
Kyrgyzstan
"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."
Japan
"I had a wonderful time. Organization was superb and our experiences were maximized due to great planning and enthusiasm."
Kyrgyzstan
"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."
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your journey. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch and we'll help.
How far in advance should I book my adventure?
We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance, especially for remote destinations like Greenland or Madagascar. This allows time for permit processing, securing the best local guides, and ensuring accommodation availability in these pristine, limited-access locations.
What's included in an Ecovoyager adventure?
Each adventure includes expert local guides, unique accommodations, all transportation within the destination, most meals featuring local cuisine, and exclusive access to experiences unavailable to mass tourism. International flights and personal travel insurance are typically separate.
Are your adventures suitable for all fitness levels?
We design adventures for various fitness levels and always discuss physical requirements during planning. Many of our destinations offer different activity intensities, and we can customize experiences to match your capabilities while still providing authentic wilderness encounters.
How do you ensure travel is sustainable and ethical?
We partner exclusively with local operators who share our conservation values, ensure tourism revenue supports local communities, limit group sizes to minimize environmental impact, and contribute directly to conservation projects in each destination we visit.
What if I need to cancel or change my trip?
We understand plans can change. Our cancellation policy varies by destination and timing, but we always work to minimize fees and maximize flexibility. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and will provide guidance on the best policies for adventure travel.
Can you arrange custom adventures to other destinations?
While we specialize in our core destinations, we can create custom adventures to other remote, wild places that align with our mission of authentic, sustainable travel. Contact us to discuss your dream destination and we'll explore possibilities.
What sets Ecovoyager apart from other tour operators?
We focus exclusively on authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations that most travelers never reach. Our deep partnerships with local communities, commitment to conservation, and rejection of mass tourism create truly transformative experiences that benefit both travelers and destinations.
How do you handle safety and emergency situations?
Safety is our top priority. Our local partners are extensively vetted and trained in wilderness safety and emergency protocols. We provide comprehensive safety briefings, maintain communication equipment, and have established emergency evacuation procedures for all our remote destinations.