10-Days Deserts Roadtrip in Chile and Bolivia: Atacama, Uyuni, Titicaca lake & La Paz 🇨🇱🇧🇴

What to do in San Pedro de Atacama?

The next morning, I explore the streets of San Pedro, which mainly consist of accommodations, restaurants, craft shops, and travel agencies.

💡: It is one of the best places in the world for stargazing due to its exceptionally clear night sky and absence of light pollution. ✨

In the afternoon, I set out to explore the famous driest desert on the planet: the Atacama Desert 🏜️😍.

The Valley of the Moon gets its name from its resemblance to the lunar landscape. 🌖

Rock formations, sand dunes, craters, and canyons create an almost otherworldly atmosphere, giving the impression of being on another planet. 🌵👽

The Valle de la Luna is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. The warm colors and the shadows cast on the rock formations create a stunning visual spectacle, creating a magical ambiance. 🌄

I hit the road from San Pedro de Atacama to reach Uyuni - a 3-day 4x4 excursion through the desert awaits me.

I booked with the Flamingo agency, and it was perfect! It costs me €125 for 3 days + €35 for park entrance fees. (update: this agency does not operate anymore)

💡: No network, no internet - this journey is a true disconnection 📴, and most things are paid in cash 💰.

First, you cross the Bolivian border and have breakfast there.

Then Day 1 includes several stops at beautiful landscapes:

• Laguna Blanca 🤍

• Laguna Verde 💚

• Dali Desert

• Polques Hot Springs

• Morning Sun Geysers

• Laguna Colorada 💗

Dali Desert:

Laguna Blanca:

Polques Hot Springs:

Morning Sun Geysers (Géiser Sol de Mañana):

Laguna Colorada:

Laguna Verde:

I spend the night in Villamar, staying with a local host, at an altitude of over 4000m! And you can feel it... Altitude can provoke shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, nausea. For me, it's mainly headaches (thank you, box of painkillers).

This circuit takes 3 days to gradually acclimate to the high altitude. During the day, our guide generously provided coca leaves to chew to help with altitude sickness.

💡: Staying hydrated, eating, and resting are essential at high altitudes - and when things are not going well, certain medications can help 💊.

Today, I visit:

• Valley of Rocks

• Lost Italy

• Anaconda Canyon

• World Cup

• Laguna Misteriosa 🖤

Then, I spend the night at the Salt Hotel, the iconic refuge in Uyuni, built with salt blocks. 🧂

Departure at 4 am to witness the sunrise on the Salar 🌅

The landscape stretches as far as the eye can see, and although there were many travelers at the refuge the night before, no cars are visible on the horizon. After all, the Salar covers 10,582 km2!

The famous mirror effect happens only during rainy season, from November to March:

It was even a stage of the Dakar Rally!

We conclude our expedition at the Salar and then head to the city of Uyuni to spend the afternoon.

In the evening, we have a 9-hour bus ride ahead to connect Uyuni to La Paz! (8:30pm - 05:40am ; €26) We arrived earlier than expected, the driver was driving super fast...

First things first, after getting some sleep, we decide to do a food tour with Red Cap Tour in the afternoon (easy to book on GetYourGuide) 🥘 And it was A-MAZ-ING! Highly recommend it

Visit the archaeological site of Tiwanaku and its famous Gate of the Sun 🌞

Tiwanaku is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is renowned for its impressive ruins including the iconic Gate of the Sun, a monolithic arch adorned with intricate carvings. Believed to have served as a ceremonial entrance to the ancient city, the gate features intricate depictions of celestial and mythological figures, offering valuable insights into Tiwanaku's religious and cosmological beliefs.

You will also witness the advanced engineering skills and agricultural techniques of the Tiwanaku civilisation.

While Tiwanaku reached its peak between the 6th and 10th centuries AD, its influence extended far beyond its borders. The Tiwanaku civilization played a significant role in shaping the cultural and religious landscape of the Andean region, influencing subsequent civilizations such as the Inca Empire.

This has always been on my dream travel list, so I was super excited about this excursion! Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America AND highest navigable lake in the world (3812 meters high).

Its elevated position contributes to its unique ecosystem and cultural significance to the Andean people. The most famous of the Andean cilivizations is the Inca Empire, who flourished in the 15th and early 16th centuries.

The islands of Lake Titicaca, particularly Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) and Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon), were considered sacred by the Inca civilization. According to Inca mythology, Isla del Sol is believed to be the birthplace of the sun god Inti, while Isla de la Luna is associated with the moon goddess Mama Quilla.

La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital, is a city of contrasts, where modernity meets tradition amidst the backdrop of the Andean mountains. From its bustling markets and lively street scenes to its historic colonial architecture and vibrant cultural festivals, La Paz is a melting pot of diversity and excitement.

We did a guided city tour of La Paz and its heights using the cable car, still with Red Cap Tour 🌆 (affordable and super educational tours)

The program? Learn how to take local transport to El Alto, stopping along the way in the cemetery district where you learn about local culture, check the beautiful street art and hear local ghost stories.

Then you take the teleferico up to the authentic witches market, where people still go often for spells and ceremonies. You can get your fortunes read in coca leaves.

For an extra cost you can check the Cholita’s Wrestling on Thursdays and Sundays.

Trip is over, it's time to return to Santiago de Chile, where I live and study! Bolivia has been truly a surprise, with landscapes more beautiful than the others. Its rich history and religious beliefs make it such an interesting country to visit.