Salt, Stone & Starlight
The Southwest Circuit & Altiplano Wilds — 9 Days
About this Journey
A deep dive into the high-altitude wonders of the Altiplano, featuring extensive Uyuni salt flat explorations and the Eduardo Avaroa lagoons. At Orígenes Journeys, every element of this itinerary can be adjusted to your pace, interests, and travel style. The days below are a starting point — a framework to spark ideas, not a constraint.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive La Paz
Arrive into La Paz and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon acclimatisation walk through the historic centre. Welcome dinner with views over the city at dusk.
Day 2 — La Paz: Above the City
Morning ride on the Mi Teleférico cable cars connecting La Paz and El Alto. Visit the El Alto market — one of the largest open-air markets in South America. Afternoon visit to the Valle de la Luna, an eroded landscape of clay spires and canyons just outside the city.
Day 3 — Fly to Uyuni / Salar
Morning flight to Uyuni. Afternoon private transfer onto the salt flat. Visit the Isla Incahuasi at golden hour — giant cacti silhouetted against the white horizon. Overnight in a unique salt-construction lodge at the edge of the salar.
Day 4 — Salar de Uyuni: Deep Expedition
Full day on the salt flat with a specialist guide. Explore the geometric salt patterns, visit the eye of the salt flat, and experience the disorienting scale of the landscape. Sunset photography session.
Day 5 — Southwest Circuit: Laguna Colorada
Depart by private 4×4 south into the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Drive through volcanic rock formations and reach Laguna Colorada by late afternoon — a shallow crimson lake tinged red by algae and borax deposits, populated by thousands of flamingos.
Day 6 — Sol de Mañana & Laguna Verde
Early start to reach the Sol de Mañana geothermal field at dawn — geysers and fumaroles steaming in the cold air at 5,000 metres. Continue to the stunning Laguna Verde, a mineral-green lake at the foot of Volcán Licancabur on the Chilean border.
Day 7 — Fly to La Paz
Morning at leisure before transfer to Uyuni for an afternoon flight back to La Paz. Check in and evening free to explore a restaurant scene.
Day 8 — La Paz to Tiwanaku
Private transfer west to the ancient ceremonial site of Tiwanaku — the spiritual and political centre of one of South America's most important pre-Inca civilisations.
Day 9 — Depart La Paz
Morning at leisure and transfer to La Paz for departure flights, with time to stop at a craft market on the Altiplano highway.
Journey Details
- Duration9 Days
- RouteThe Southwest Circuit & Altiplano Wilds
- Days9 stops
Highlights
- Arrival & Views
- Golden Hour
- Fauna & Red Lagoon
- Return Flight
- Departure
Initial Consultation — No Commitment