Andean high plateau salt flats

Descripción del servicio

We'll leave town towards the east, towards the mountains, leaving behind the great basin of the Atacama salt flats by the majestic Likancabur volcano, to discover another world in the Andean high plateau. We'll pass next to the border with Bolivia, we'll see its lagoons and territory in the distance driving through the Chilean altiplano, a vast and arid landscape, surrounded by peaks that border 6000 mt (19600 ft) above sea level, there you'll know why this is a desert of height; the lack of oxygen, the dryness, the high radiation and the extremely sparse vegetation, will show us an extra-planetary landscape only comparable to Mars, the red planet. A group of vicuñas or a lonely fox will wake you up from the Martian dream. The water flows from the peaks, reaching basins that give life to the desert. Flamingos, Andean gulls, geese, ducks, rodents, reptiles and insects are part of a very unique and fragile ecosystem in the middle of the Andean plateau. Before returning we'll have a delicious lunch on site, according to your preferences or restrictions, prepared by an international chef, who prepares vegetarian and vegan food, please don't think "just lettuce", she also use local ingredients to make your experience even more enjoyable. Route: 1.Pick up at your hotel 2. We'll go east and climb the Andes, we'll stop to see the great basin of the Atacama salt flat from above, next to the Licancabur volcano. 3. We'll pass next to the border with Bolivia and we'll see Bolivian territory from the distance. 4. We'll stop at the Quepiaco viewpoint, to see an affluent of water in the middle of the Andean pampas that attracts birds. 5. We'll go to the highest point, 4800 mt (15700 ft) above sea level, before going down to “The monks of the Pacana”; impressive rock formations scattered over the pampa. 6. We'll enjoy two viewpoints in front of two salt flats; "Aguas Calientes I" and "Quisquiro". 7. We'll drive 15 more minutes to reach the border with Argentina where the border marker and the flags of both countries are in Chilean territory. 8. Somewhere in the way back we'll have lunch enjoying the landscape. Maximum altitude: 4800 mt (15700 ft ) above sea level. Total distance: 320 km (200 mi). Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Includes: Professional guide, private transportation, lunch, wine and juice. Recommendations: Don't drink alcohol or red meat the night before, wear warm clothing and layers, windbreaker, water, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.