The Great Andean Altiplano Expedition

Leaving Cochabamba early, we cross the magnificent Río Caine valley, the natural border between the departments of Cochabamba and Potosí, arriving in the colonial village of Torotoro (2,700m) for lunch. In the afternoon we descend into Torotoro Canyon, following the trail to El Vergel: a hidden waterfall tucked deep within the canyon walls. The hike involves a steep descent and a demanding climb back out, a proper physical challenge rewarded with spectacular scenery and towering canyon views.

Distance: about 140 km, around 3 hours

We set off toward the triangular mountains of Torotoro, donning helmets before entering the Umajalanta caves, home to 5km of galleries hosting extraordinary geological formations and large bat colonies, the largest cave system in Bolivia. After a picnic lunch in the middle of nature, we climb to Ciudad de Itas: a natural city carved from rock with commanding views of the Cordillera. This high-altitude walk requires solid fitness but rewards with some of the most dramatic scenery in Bolivia, with a real chance of spotting the Andean Condor.

Walking time: about 5.5 hours

We follow the Rio Caine to Tarata for a walk through the colonial town square to the famous Melgarejo bridge, which, legend says, Bolivia's most eccentric dictator built so his horse wouldn't get its hooves wet. We continue to Aiquile for lunch, famous across Bolivia for its charangos. A visit to a local charango-maker's workshop may be possible here (not guaranteed, but a welcome bonus if available). The afternoon drive follows the Valle Alto and Rio Grande south to Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, arriving by end of day.

Distance: about 400 km, around 7 hours

We depart at 08:30 by private 4x4 for Chataquila (3,550m) and its charming chapel, then walk down a pre-Inca stone path to Chaunaca, covering 6km of ancient trail with a descent of 770m. After a countryside picnic, we drive into the Maragua Crater for an afternoon between the crater village and a walk to the Devil's Cave, where a waterfall appears unexpectedly. The return to Sucre stops at the Mirador de Maragua for full crater views and the Mirador de Sucre for a panorama over the white city. Evening: dinner and live regional dance performance at Orígenes Cultural Center.

Walking: 3 hours, 70m up and 770m down

We drive to Candelaria in the heart of Tarabuco country, a Quechua-speaking region renowned for hand-woven textiles of extraordinary intricacy. We share a traditional lunch with a host family using produce grown by the community, visit the small museum in the company of a local weaver, then are invited into her private workshop, a rare opportunity to see techniques passed down for generations. The afternoon closes with a walk in the surrounding landscape, and back in Sucre, cocktails at one of the city's finest rooftop bars with intimate views over the white city at dusk.

Distance: about 170 km, around 4 hours

A long and visually spectacular drive south. We cross the Cordillera de los Frailes toward the Altiplano and stop in Potosí, once one of the largest cities in the world and the engine of Spain's colonial silver wealth, stopping for a city center visit and lunch before continuing. The landscape shifts dramatically as we push south: desert plains give way to ocher-red valleys as we approach Tupiza in the late afternoon. We close the day at the Palala viewpoint for sundowners as the last light caresses the multicolored canyon rock formations, one of the most memorable moments of the entire expedition.

Distance: about 400 km, around 7 hours

A full day of varied exploration. By mountain bike through a green valley to El Angosto and the Mirador de Entre Ríos, where the San Juan del Oro and Tupiza rivers meet in contrasting colors. By 4WD through the Quebrada Seca's cactus-covered red mountains and Canyon Duende, stopping at Toroyoj for tamales. In the afternoon, horseback through the Canyon of Palmira, Puerta del Diablo, Canyon of the Inca, and the Valle de los Machos, a surreal landscape of multicolored phallic rock formations. The day closes with an 800m mountain bike descent from El Sillar back to town.

Mountain biking about 1.5 hours, horseback riding about 2 hours

We leave the paved world behind. Up the Palala Canyon to Sillar's lunar volcanic landscape, past the Cañón del Inca and through the desolate mining territories of Nazarenito, Chilcobija, Trapiche, and San Pablo de Lipez. We pass through San Vicente, where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their end in a shootout with the Bolivian army; their bodies were never identified and the legend lives on. We arrive in Guadalupe, a community of just three families, where Marina welcomes us to Hospedaje de la Roma. Accommodation is basic with no hot water, but clean and welcoming.

Terrain: full off-road. Distance: about 100 km, around 3 hours
Blankets are provided, but bring a lightweight sleeping bag for this night, bought before you travel.

A morning walk around the Ciudad de Roma formation, an extraordinary eroded landscape of monumental rock penitents ranging from white to blood red through every shade of ochre and grey. Your guide identifies the amazingly shaped formations: the cathedral, the crocodile, the condor, the llama. The horizon is dominated by snow-capped volcanoes including the broad Cerro Lípez range (5,930m). We return to Guadalupe and continue by 4WD to Quetena, stopping en route to take in the Laguna Celeste. Route may vary by season; lunch is organized beside a laguna when conditions allow.

Terrain: remote off-road Altiplano. Distance: about 80 km, around 3 hours

We drive west to Laguna Colorada, its intense brick-red hue produced by phytoplankton reacting to sunlight, with flamingos wading at its edges. On to the Sol de Mañana geysers at 4,850m, a volcanic crater emitting sulphur vapors and jets of steam and boiling mud. A stop at the Polques thermal baths, then through the Dalí Desert to Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde at the foot of Licancabur volcano (5,916m), where wind transforms the lake into spectacular emerald green. We return through the Siloli Desert to the famous Stone Tree, where viscachas occasionally venture onto the rocks.

Distance: about 270 km, around 7 hours. Highest point: 4,850m

North along the Chilean border on the Route of the Jewels, named for the string of extraordinary lagunas along its path: Honda, Ch'arkota, Hedionda, and Cañapa, home to all three species of Andean flamingo. We stop at the viewpoint of Volcano Ollagüe (5,868m), still active, with a fumarole steaming near its summit. We cross the Salar de Chiguana at the foot of Volcano Tomasamil (5,900m) before arriving at San Pedro de Quemez (3,690m) for the night.

Distance: about 170 km, around 3.5 hours

Today we drive onto the world's largest salt flat. After two hours on the Salar de Uyuni (3,650m), we reach Incahuasi Island, a volcanic formation adrift in the white expanse, covered with stromatolites and giant cacti with sweeping views of the surrounding volcanoes. We head north toward Tunupa volcano, stopping at the Cave of the Galaxy and the museum at Coquesa, where ancient mummies recovered from the slopes of Tunupa are on display. We arrive at Tahua for a stunning sunset over the salar. Optional stargazing can be arranged for this evening on request.

Distance: about 170 km, around 3.5 hours

One of the most visually dramatic driving days of the expedition. From Tahua north on asphalt, branching toward the partially dried Lake Poopó, then west into Sajama National Park. We enter on a track leading to the village set between three of Bolivia's most imposing volcanoes: Sajama (6,542m, Bolivia's highest), and the Payachatas twins: Parinacota (6,348m) and Pomerape (6,282m). Large herds of llamas graze here alongside vicuñas and ñandus. We spend the night at Tomarapi Ecolodge.

Optional upgrade: The Intersalar Road extension adds one day between Tahua and Sajama, a fully off-road track along the Chilean border across the Coipasa salt flat, with an overnight in the remote Chipaya village. Contact us for pricing.

Distance: about 420 km, around 8.5 hours

A gentle start at the Huaña Khota lagoon, the nesting ground of pink flamingos who share the water with local ducks and wild geese. Before leaving the park, guests may soak in the thermal baths at the foot of Sajama volcano, with a medium trek available for those who want to earn the dip. One last look at the Sajama massif, then the drive to La Paz (estimated arrival 19:00). The expedition closes with a farewell dinner at a traditional La Paz restaurant, a final celebration of two extraordinary weeks.

Distance: about 290 km, around 5 hours

A last morning in La Paz, with time for a coffee or a final walk before your driver collects you from the hotel for the transfer up to El Alto International Airport, at 4,061 meters one of the highest commercial airports in the world.

The drive takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, and your guide sees you through check-in for your onward flight. It is the end of the Great Andean Altiplano Expedition, sixteen days from the dinosaur canyons of Toro Toro to the volcanoes of Sajama.