Itinerary
- Day 1
La Paz
Land at La Paz Airport and transfer to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day free to settle in and walk around this high-altitude city on your own terms. Since you're arriving at over 3,600 meters (11,800 feet), take it slow, drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and skip alcohol while your body adjusts to the elevation.
Optional Activities
- Explore La Paz city
- Day 2
Tiwanaku
A full-day guided tour takes you 90 minutes to Tiwanaku, an ancient archaeological site with pre-Columbian ruins surrounded by expansive landscapes. You'll walk through uncovered structures and learn how this civilization developed sophisticated knowledge in pottery, astronomy, and mathematics that actually surpassed the neighboring Incas. The tour heads back to your accommodation by around 4 pm.
Included Activities
- Tiwanaku Ruins guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Tiwanaku Ruins - Day 3
La Paz
The day is yours to wander through La Paz's old town at your own pace. Browse the colonial architecture, check out local markets, or just get a feel for the city's neighborhoods and character.
Optional Activities
- Visit La Paz old town
- Day 4
La Paz to Copacabana
After checking out, you'll take a 3-hour bus ride to Copacabana, a small town sitting on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Once you check in, a light hike starts at 2:30 pm where you'll visit Kasanani Hill (an Inca astronomical observation site), the Intikala temple with its carved stone seats, and the Cathedral of the Virgen de Copacabana. Hiking to the summit gives you great views of the lake before heading back for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Light hike to Kasanani Hill
- Visit Intikala Temple (Stone of the Sun)
- Visit Cathedral of the Virgen de Copacabana
- Summit hike with Lake Titicaca views
Landmarks/POIs Kasanani Hill Intikala Temple Cathedral of the Virgen de Copacabana Lake Titicaca - Day 5
Isla del Sol
A 2.5-hour boat ride takes you to the northern part of Isla del Sol, where you arrive at Challapampa. You'll visit the Gold Museum and then hike 30 minutes to the Inca Chincana Ruins and Table of Stone. Next, see the Sacred Rock (Rock of the Origins), the legendary spot where Manco Capac and Mama Occlo started their journey to found Cusco. After lunch back at the port, you board another boat heading to the southern part of the island, stopping at Yumani to see traditional totora reed boats. Hiking up to the village of Yumani, you'll pass Inca ruins and three sacred springs, catching the sunset from the summit before returning for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Gold Museum
- Hike to Inca Chincana Ruins
- Visit Table of Stone
- Visit Sacred Rock (Rock of the Origins)
- Boat tour around Isla del Sol
- View traditional totora reed boats
- Hike to village of Yumani
- Pass sacred springs and Inca ruins
Landmarks/POIs Isla del Sol Challapampa Inca Chincana Ruins Table of Stone Sacred Rock (Rock of the Origins) Yumani - Day 6
Isla del Sol to Uyuni
After breakfast, take a different route down to the port, passing ruins of Polkokaina Palace and the Temple of the Sun. You'll be back in Copacabana by 11:30 am, then catch a bus returning to La Paz (about 3 hours). From there, board an overnight bus heading to Uyuni town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Polkokaina Palace ruins
- Visit Temple of the Sun
Landmarks/POIs Polkokaina Palace Temple of the Sun - Day 7
Salt Flats
You'll arrive in Uyuni and have breakfast before heading out on your overland adventure. After midday, depart to Colchani village at the entrance of the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest, highest, and most visually striking salt flat. Board a shared Jeep 4WD and meet your driver and staff (Spanish-speaking with basic English). Lunch comes at a restaurant built on salt, then you'll cross the salt flats with their strange colors and otherworldly look. Spend the night at a unique Salt Hostel where walls and beds are constructed from salt bricks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Restaurant built on salt)
Included Activities
- Salar de Uyuni salt flat crossing
- Lunch at salt flat restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Salar de Uyuni Colchani - Day 8
Altiplano Desert
Leaving the salt flat behind, you head toward the desert and High Plateau (Puna or Altiplano). Early morning takes you to the Anaconda River canyon. Later, you'll pass through the Siloli desert with its peculiar volcanic rock formations carved by wind, sun, and rain over millennia. By lunchtime, you reach Laguna Escondida (Hidden Lagoon), also called Laguna Negra. You'll check in at a basic but clean communal hostel and have dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Anaconda River canyon
- Drive through Siloli desert with volcanic formations
Landmarks/POIs Anaconda River Canyon Siloli Desert Laguna Escondida Laguna Negra - Day 9
Altiplano to San Pedro de Atacama
Departing early, your Jeep climbs gradually deeper into the desert and Puna landscapes where you'll spot Red and White Lagoons filled with wildlife, massive white-topped mountains, volcanoes, and high plains. Around lunchtime, you stop at a location with hot springs. Later, you visit Sol de Mañana Geysers and Laguna Colorada, where around 30,000 flamingoes nest each year. The day includes crossing the border at Hito Cajon to reach San Pedro de Atacama, and you'll hit 4,500 meters (14,760 feet) in elevation. Once there, you check in and have a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (At a place with hot springs)
Included Activities
- View Red and White Lagoons
- Lunch at hot springs
Optional Activities
- Visit Sol de Mañana Geysers
- Visit Laguna Colorada
Landmarks/POIs Red Lagoon White Lagoon Sol de Mañana Geysers Laguna Colorada Hito Cajon - Day 10
San Pedro de Atacama
You've got the day to rest or explore Valle de la Luna on your own. Either relax at your accommodation or hire a guide to see this area's distinctive rock formations and desert landscapes.
Optional Activities
- Visit Valle de la Luna
Landmarks/POIs Valle de la Luna - Day 11
Geysers del Tatio
A pickup happens between 4:30 and 5:00 am (depending on season) to explore the world's driest and highest desert. After roughly 1.5 hours driving through the Andes, you reach Geysers del Tatio, a geothermal site at 4,230 meters (13,878 feet) showing geysers, fumaroles, and steaming craters from volcanic activity. Breakfast is served with views of the geothermic field. On the way back, you'll make a brief stop at Machuca Village, returning to San Pedro hostel around midday.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast viewing the geothermic field)
Included Activities
- Geysers del Tatio excursion
- Breakfast viewing geothermic field
- Visit Machuca Village
Landmarks/POIs Geysers del Tatio Machuca Village - Day 12
San Pedro de Atacama to Salta
Check out and make your way to the bus station to catch a bus to Salta. This is a long ride through varied terrain and really interesting scenery. You'll arrive in Salta in the afternoon, then find your own way to your accommodation. Check in and have a free evening to settle and explore.
- Day 13
Cafayate and Villages Day Tour
Departing Salta heading south on Route 68, you'll pass through small agricultural towns like Cerrillos, La Merced, El Carril, Cnel. Moldes, and La Viña (known for tobacco). The village of Alemania comes next before entering Cafayate Gorge, where millions of years of erosion created distinctive formations: Devil's Throat, Amphitheater, The Monk, The Castles, Parrot's House, The Windows, and The Toad. In the town of Cafayate, you visit a winery and taste the region's specialty torrontés wine. After exploring town, the return trip through the gorge offers different landscapes and takes about 10 hours total.
Included Activities
- Visit Cafayate Gorge
- View geological rock formations
- Visit winery and taste torrontés wine
Landmarks/POIs Cafayate Gorge Cafayate Devil's Throat Amphitheater The Monk The Castles Parrot's House The Windows The Toad - Day 14
Salta
After breakfast, you have a free day to relax and walk around this beautiful colonial city. In the evening, consider visiting a peña (local music venue) where many options are available. There are also optional day trips you can arrange if you want more activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Salta's colonial city
- Visit a peña (local music venue)
- Optional day trips (contact operator for details)
- Day 15
Salta to Mendoza
Check out and make your own way to catch the night bus heading to Mendoza.
- Day 16
Mendoza
You'll arrive in Mendoza and make your own way to your accommodation, then check in.
- Day 17
Mendoza Wineries
A half-day wineries tour covers Mendoza's Maipú region, about 15 km from the city. You'll visit two wineries to learn about wine production, including tastings and a proper presentation on how to taste wine. You'll also visit either an olive oil factory or a chocolate factory with artisan liquors. Maipú is cultivated mainly with high-quality grapes, olives, fruits, and vegetables, and is known as Argentina's 'First Zone' for wine production because of its exceptional agroclimatic characteristics.
Included Activities
- Visit 2 wineries with wine tasting
- Winery presentation on wine tasting
- Visit olive oil factory or chocolate factory with artisan liquors
Landmarks/POIs Maipú Wine Region - Day 18
Aconcagua Valley
A full-day high mountain itinerary takes you through Mendoza's most important landscapes. You'll see Potrerillos and its dam, Uspallata Valley, Penitentes Hill with its human-shaped rocks and ski center, and the impressive Puente del Inca (Inca's Bridge) with its thermal waters and history. Exploring Aconcagua Provincial Park, home to the highest mountain in the American Continent, includes a walk to Horcones Lagoon for astonishing views. The tour also visits Las Cuevas and Cristo Redentor, a historical monument marking the Argentina-Chile border (summer only depending on weather). Programmed stops and lunch are included.
Included Activities
- View Potrerillos dam
- Drive through Uspallata Valley
- Visit Penitentes Hill
- Visit Puente del Inca (Inca's Bridge)
- Visit Aconcagua Provincial Park
- Walk to Horcones Lagoon
- Visit Las Cuevas
- Visit Cristo Redentor
Landmarks/POIs Potrerillos Dam Uspallata Valley Penitentes Hill Puente del Inca Aconcagua Provincial Park Horcones Lagoon Las Cuevas Cristo Redentor - Day 19
Mendoza to Santiago
After breakfast, check out and make your way to the bus station to catch the morning bus to Santiago de Chile. The journey crosses the high Andes mountain range. You'll arrive in Santiago in the afternoon, then find your own way to your accommodation and check in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 20
Santiago
Following breakfast, join a half-day Santiago Bike Tour starting at 9:30 am. You'll explore popular culture and everyday life in Santiago, including multiculturalism, urban art, and diverse religions in the Patronato neighborhood. Featured stops include Bellavista Neighborhood, La Chascona (Pablo Neruda's House), Metropolitan Park, Patronato Neighborhood, La Vega Market, Mapocho Station, Central Market, Plaza de Armas, Bellas Artes Museum, and Forestal Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Santiago Bike Tour half-day
Landmarks/POIs Bellavista Neighborhood La Chascona Metropolitan Park Patronato Neighborhood La Vega Market Mapocho Station Central Market Plaza de Armas Bellas Artes Museum Forestal Park - Day 21
End
Have breakfast, check out, and your tour ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
