Atacama and Uyuni Mythical Deserts of Chile and Bolivia

Travel for miles along the tracks of the Atacama, opening your window to the blue and white emptiness of the Uyuni salt desert... This broadly sums up the complete change of scenery your trip offers - with a sense of escape running through it. This circular route begins and ends in Santiago. The Chilean capital thrums with a vibrant energy, a city full of character, crammed with monuments and landmarks that, for some, recall its European roots and, for others, mark its place in the global village. In the bars, life is a celebration, the night is always young and infused with pisco (grape brandy). Then take a flight to the extremes of the north: the Atacama Desert, where you will experience absolute silence. The shadows of the miners still linger over the region’s ghost towns, beneath a heavy sun. The desert sits on the altiplano, watched over by sentinel volcanoes, concealing incredible oases fed by the meltwater of the Andean snows, salt lakes tinged pink by flamingos, and high-altitude plains, home to vicuñas and huasos, the people who work the Chilean land. From there, we cross the border to reach another iconic site: the Salar de Uyuni , Bolivia’s signature panorama. The largest salt desert in the world, perched at 3,650 metres (11,980 feet) above sea level, is a vast, pristine expanse, crystallised by the sun. A breathtakingly flat area that catches or diverts the eye, a sheet of pure white as far as the eye can see. And in the middle, sitting like a UFO, is Isla Incahuasi, with its giant candelabra cacti towering over the salt flat. Back in Chile, a coastal shock awaits in Valparaiso . Many sailors and adventurers have sung the charms of this bay and its 42 cerros (hills), arranged like an amphitheatre above the Pacific. A world of small, peaceful neighbourhoods full of colourful houses, winding cobblestone alleys, sea captains’ homes, and funiculars that have scaled the steep slopes since the early 20th century. Its vibrant energy is intrinsic to the very identity of the city, narrated by the building facades of colourful street art.

Your Trip

From transport and experiences to accommodation, every detail of this trip has been carefully thought out so that once you have arrived, you only have to think about one thing: enjoying yourself! The balance between scheduled activities and free time allows you to fully experience each stop of the journey, with no need to rush and no time to get bored. In Santiago, you’ll experience the city like a local, thanks to the insights of your host, who lives there all year round. In the Atacama Desert, spend time relaxing with a guide who knows the desert like the back of their hand. It’s a wonderful opportunity to prepare for your upcoming explorations. These experiences are made possible thanks to the services of a private driver who’ll make sure you don’t miss any of the region’s beauty by organising excursions and activities, including walks around the desert lagoons, hikes in the Valley of Death, and exploring the El Tatio geysers. Finally arriving in Valparaiso, you have a date with a local chef to cook a typically Chilean meal. At each stop, your accommodation contributes to your understanding of the place: an elegant listed building with charming decor in Santiago; a chic, bohemian retreat in the Atacama; a small salt palace and rustic lodges in the heart of Uyuni’s breathtaking landscapes; and finally, an arty house with a view in Valparaiso. And if you have any concerns or last-minute requests, you will have the contact details of our on-site Concierge throughout your trip, who will go out of their way to assist you on site.