Potosí - Uyuni - Salt Flat of Uyuni - Fish Island - Laguna Colorada

Potosí - Uyuni - Salt Flat of Uyuni - Fish Island - Laguna Colorada - Laguna Verde

5 Days - 4 Nights

Day 1 :: Potosí / Salt Hotel

We depart from Potosí en route for the Salt Hotel. On the way to Uyuni we shall have lovely views of the altiplano highland plain and the eastern mountain ranges. We shall observe llamas, vicuñas and Andean wildcats, as well as the local flora such as Andean grass (ichhu), yareta moss and thola. We shall pass through peasant villages such as Tica Tica and Yura. The journey to Uyuni is 4 hours by 4x4 WD Land Cruiser. The town of Uyuni lies at 220 km from Potosí and is situated high on the altiplano at 3665 metres above sea level. The Salt Hotel. We shall visit the salt hotel, which is unusual in that it is constructed entirely of blocks of salt. On the border of the Salar de Uyuni, we shall visit the salt sea, salt miners, salt handicrafts and salt eyes. We shall spend the night at the salt hotel.

Day 2 :: Salt Hotel/ Salt Desert / Fish Island / San Juan

We shall depart from the Salt Hotel for San Juan. Our journey will take us through the immense alien desert of the Salar de Uyuni. At 3665 metres above sea level, this covers an area of 12000 km2, one-third the area of Belgium. The salt varies from 2 to 20 metres in depth. To travel through this saline landscape provokes a feeling of freedom and unreality.

It is estimated that the Salar contains large reserves of lithium, magnesium, sodium and boron. Fish Island – Located in the centre of the Salar and at 80 km from the Salt Hotel lies Fish Island (Isla Pescado). This forms an oasis with a unique and isolated ecosystem, populated by cacti between 8 and 10 metres high. Photographers will find Fish Island an excellent site from which to indulge in their hobby as it affords views of the salt flats that are reminiscent of the polar region, dominated by the colours blue and white, and with images of the surrounding hills turned through 45°. The island is so named because it has the shape of a fish. In the afternoon we shall continue to San Juan where we will find lodgings or camp and where we will have dinner.

Day 3 :: San Juan / Laguna Colorada

We will have a breakfast that is typical for the region. Following breakfast we shall depart for the Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada), visiting other lagoons on the way, such as Lagunas Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota, Hona and Ramaditas. We shall also pass through the Siloli Desert. The route passes through spectacular landscapes with multicoloured volcanic rock formations, and reaches a height of 5000 metres. On the way we shall have a snack at the Paso del Inca, and we shall arrive at Laguna Colorada at about 3 p.m. Laguna Colorada lies 151 km to the south of San Juan at an altitude of 4278 metres and covers an area of 60 km2. The rich red colouration is derived from algae and plankton, which thrive in its minerals, and the shoreline is fringed with brilliant white deposits of sodium, magnesium, borax and gypsum. The lagoon is inhabited by numerous flamingos, three species of which breed there. The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus Chilensis) reaches a height of just over one metre and has a black-tipped white bill, dirty blue legs, red knees and salmon-coloured plumage. The James flamingo (Phoenicopterus James) is the smallest of the three species. The Andean flamingo (Phoenicopterus Andinus) is the largest of the three and has pink plumage, yell legs and a yellow and black bill. To see these pink posers strutting through icy mineral lagoons at 5000m will make you abandon timeworn associations between flamingos, coconut palms and hot steamy tropics. At Laguna Colorada we shall have a camp dinner find lodgings.

Day 4 :: Laguna Colorada / Laguna Verde / Alota

We shall depart from Laguna Colorada to Laguna verde.On the way we shall visit the volcanic zone ‘Sol de Mañana’ (Morning Sun). Here, at 4850 metres, lies a geyser basin with bubbling mud pots, hellish fumaroles and a thick aroma of sulphur fumes. This is a site of intense volcanic activity. Inside a small crater we shall observe boiling lava, reminding us of the age in which the earth was formed. We shall also stop at hot springs, where we can bathe, and cross a pass at 5000 metres. Arrive at Laguna Verde at 10 a.m. The green colour of this lake arises from high concentrations of lead, sulphur and calcium carbonate. Behind the lake rises the cone of the Licancabur Volcano, with an altitude of 5960 metres. Its summit is said to have once sheltered an Inca crypt. On arrival we shall have a snack and then spend some time getting to now the place. Our return journey takes us back past Laguna Colorada to Alota, where we shall have dinner and rest.

Day 5 :: Alota / Uyuni / Potosi

After breakfast we shall return to the city of Uyuni on our way back to Potosí. We shall pass Uyuni’s train cemetery at 11 a.m. and also have lunch in Uyuni. We shall arrive in Potosí at about 6 p.m., where our services end.

The Program Include:
	Hotel 2* (Salt Hotel) One night
	All trips to the Salar and Sud Lípez region include transport in 4x4 WD vehicles
	English-speaking guide/driver
	Cook and assistant cook and full kitchen equipment. Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the expedition
	Full camping organised

The Program NOT Include:
	Individual personal equipment
	Restaurant services in the cities
	Tips and extra drinks

The Participant mus bring:
	Warm clothes (Jacket, Polar, Gloves and hood)
	Light clothes, Sunblock, Good Sunglasses,Torch light
	Sleeping bag, Sunhat, Water Bottle, Kit Medical(Microspore tablets purification)