Footprint Expeditions in South America

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Day 01 - La Paz

Arrive in La Paz at anytime throughout the day. Transportation is included from the airport to the corresponding hotel, and there are no activities planned for this day until our first welcome meeting in the late afternoon, most likely in the hotel lobby.

The capital of Bolivia, located at an altitude of 3,660 metres (12,008 ft), it is the world's highest capital city.  The city of La Paz was founded by Spanish settlers on the pre- existing site of Choqueyapu, an ancient Aymara village. It was founded as Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) by Alonso de Mendoza in 1548. Originally its was a commercial city on the main road of the silver and gold to the coast and currently is the financial, cultural and administrative capital of Bolivia.

La Paz  has unique markets, and they are located across the city, like the infamous Witches Market where its possible to buy potions for love, money, health or protect from evil spirits and bad energies, at the same time has vivid and traditional culture, most of it inhabitants are mestizos and descendants of the Aymaras and Quechuas.  La Paz is home to the world's highest golf course, football stadium, velodrome (where the world record currently stands).

The average temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, and its consistently cool throughout the year, with a relative dry climate. .

Optional activities include a visit to the Valley of Moon,  Tiahuanaco Archeological site and La Paz down town with its museums.

Day 02-03 Sucre

Flight to the Constitutional Capital of Bolivia, a colonial city with narrow streets and Andalusian architecture with many fine museums and colonial houses. The city lies at an altitude of 2750m (9,000Ft.) Its lower altitude gives the city a warm temperate climate year-round.

Travel in local bus to the white city of Sucre, it was originally  founded under the name Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo in 1538 and it name changed in 1839, after the city became the capital of Bolivia, it was renamed in honor of the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre, Simon Bolivar’s second in-command.

Includes an excursion to the dinosaur tracks park, 60 million years old dinosaur footprints.

The city’s  cemetery worth your visit, whose entrance reads in Latin, ¨ today us, tomorrow you¨ some Bolivians presidents are buried here.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 04-05 Potosí.-

The adventure continues with a  bus ride from Sucre to Potosi on a paved and dirt road. Potosi is considered the largest silver mine of the world, exploited for more than 400 years. Sitting at 4090 meters above sea level (13420Ft.) claimed to be the highest city in the world. It lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí or sometimes called Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain). Founded in 1546 as a mining town, it soon produced fabulous wealth, becoming one of the largest cities in the Americas and once it population exceeded 200,000 people.

Declared by UNESCO like a World Heritage Site in the year of 1987 in recognition of its tragic history as a silver mining centre during the time of Spanish colony. Most of the silver was shipped to the Old Continent, according to official records 45,000 tons.

The city contains colonial architecture like the cathedral, the Convent and Museum of San Francisco and the star attraction of Casa de la Moneda, it was built to control the minting colonial coins.

Visit the miners street market or take an optional tour to the underground mines, this is a memorable experience that should not be missed at least you are claustrophobic. Working practices are medieval with basic tools.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 06 - 09 – Uyuni/ Salt Lakes Expedition

Travel by bus to Uyuni on a dirt road. This town lies at the edge of an extensive plain, at an elevation of 3670 meters above sea level (11972 Ft.)  This is the starting point for our expedition to the Salt Lakes.  The next three days we are going to explore and discover the stunning landscapes and natural attractions of this amazing and unique place on earth.

Approximately 40,000 years ago, all that area was part of Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake. The lake dried, it left behind two modern lakes, Poopó Lake and Uru Uru Lake, and two major salt deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the larger Uyuni.

The weather and climate conditions are rough, sunny days, high altitude, very cold weather and chilly nights.

This is the world's largest salt flat at 10,582 km² (4,085 square miles)and it is roughly 25 times the size of the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States. Today is the main salt mine centre with an exploitation of approximately 25000 tons per year.

For our expeditions we will use 4x4 vehicles to go through the spectacular salt lake, where endless sky blue horizons, colorful lagoons, snow capped mountains geysers, hot springs, red lagoons, volcanoes await for you. Amazingly the Salt flats has fauna and flora; three species of flamingos, vizcachas and many species of cacti.

The accommodation is very basic for two nights inside the Salt Lake; we will spend the nights in small villages. Simple food is included.

The last day cross the isolated border to Chile and descend for more less 2000 meters to the desert of Atacama.
Meals Included:(04) Breakfast (03) Lunches (03) Dinners.

Day 10-11.- San Pedro de Atacama

Cross the border to Chile,  located at 2500 meters above sea level (8200 Ft.) close to the borders of Bolivia and Argentina, San Pedro de Atacama is a popular destination for backpackers because of its magical and mysticism, and obligated stopping point to enter the Uyuni Salt  Lakes.

This small town has a population of 5000 inhabitants, the desert of Atacama is located between the highlands and the Pacific Ocean, is considered the most arid desert on the world .

A visit to the valley of the Moon is included, it has impressive rock formations caused by the erosion of the winds and rains millions of years ago, and it looks like been walking on the Moon.

There are some optional activities like horse back riding, visiting a pre-Inca ruins of the XII century, biking around the town.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 12-13.- Night Bus / La Serena

Cross the desert in a night bus, arrive to La Serena, located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. These beaches are the most visited between local Chileans, and it’s a hot spot for chilling out, surfing, partying and a great gastronomy.  There are no planned activities for these days.
Meals Included: Breakfast (01).

Day 14, 15. Santiago

After a long bus ride arrive to Santiago. Located on the foothills of the Andes, this city is the seventh biggest city in South America, a modern metropolis; it was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia.

Explore the many parks, museums and plazas, visit the neighborhood of Brazil with it bohemian buzz or Bellavista with good street lined cafes, innovative restaurants and bars. Santiago its world wide known for its vineyards, brands like Cousiño Macul, Undurraga and Concha y Toro are closest ones, there are full day excursions to visit it.

The great location of this city allows visiting the nearest sky resorts of Valle Nevado, El Colorado,  Farallones and La Parva are all of them are  just one hour away from Santiago. The best season to sky and snowboard are between the months of June to October.

There are no planed activities for these days, you have enough time to explore it, and get a good taste of the city.
Meals Included: Breakfast (02).

Day 27. -

Departure day

There are no planned activities for today. Have a safe journey whether you are headed home or to explore another destination!
Meals Included: Breakfast (01).