Huayna Potosi and Uyuni – 5 days

Now that you are acclimatised, you are ready to take on a glacial challenge! Take on Huayna Potosi at 6,088m before enjoying the magic of the Uyuni Salt Flats in 4x4

Difficulty
6,088m
5 days
Price per person (GBP)
Groups of 5+ £395

Itinerary

DAY ONE

Depart La Paz early morning for Huayna Potosi basecamp. With technical equipment in tow, we make our way to the base of the glacier to learn essential skills on the ice for the following day’s summit attempt. Continue trekking to high camp a 5,250m.

DAY TWO

An early start (2am) towards the summit of the Huayna Potosi mountain (6,088m). From the peak we will be able to enjoy views of the altiplano, La Paz, the valleys entering into the jungle, Lake Titicaca and the entire Cordillera Real. We will then start our descent back to base camp and onward to Laguna Zongo, where our vehicle will be waiting for us to return to La Paz.

After freshening up at the hotel, we will transfer to the bus terminal for an overnight bus to Uyuni.

DAY THREE

On arrival from the bus, meet with your private 4×4 and guide, and begin your adventure. Depending on the arrival time, there may time to visit the train cementery, before moving onto the village of Colchani, where it’s possible to view a salt processing plant in action.

From here you will continue onto the magnificent Salar itself, a mind-blowing landscape spreading hundreds of km in all directions. A short visit to a sculpture from Bolivian artist Gaston Ugalde, before continuing across the Salar towards one of the cactus covered islands.

A picnic lunch will be set up for you in the middle of the Salar (weather permitting), after which your guide will help you to discover some of the “ojos de sal”, small pools of water containing salt crystals. Also, depending on the season, there may be a chance to enjoy the reflection effect on the flooded plains.

Enjoy the sunset at the edge of the Salar before being taken to the village of Jirira, at the lesser visited northern edge of the Salar, where your accommodation awaits for the night (basic but warm, comfortable, private and en suite).

DAY FOUR

Two options are on offer today after breakfast. One is to trek up the Thunupa volcano. The peak itself is 5,400m, but the non-technical rock and gravel route will take you up to 5,200m. The sight of the Salar from this height, together with the multicoloured mineral stained rocks on the mountainside are a sight to behold. Descend from the volcano for a packed lunch by your vehicle and return to the hostel to pack up in preparation for a mid-afternoon departure across the Salar.

Option two is to drive around the rear of the volcano Thunupa to visit the rarely frequented archaeological site of Alcaya. In almost any other part of the world, a historical site of this significance would be teeming with visitors, however the remote location of this pre-Colombian settlement – only preserved by two local villagers – means that you may well have the place to yourselves. Visit the site with a local guide, and be introduced to the preserved mummified descendents of this valley. Lunch close to the site, before returning to the hostel.

A second opportunity to enjoy the magnificent sunset on the Salar, before driving across the Salar again and meeting your overnight bus back to La Paz.

DAY FIVE

Early arrival into La Paz and transfer to your hostel.

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