STONE CITY, SAJAMA & UYUNI SALT FLATS, 5 Days
 Code: 4WSAJUYU

Certainly the most difficult but exiting way to travel to the Uyuni salt flats traversing the bizarre landscape of Stone city and the spectacular Sajama national park.
Dates: Upon request
Price: Upon request More information about prices (land services only)
Single Room Supplement: N/A More information about prices
Difficulty: Moderated More information about Difficulty grading
Accommodation: 1 nights in hostels, 3 nights camping.
 

Volcanic rock sculptures (J.Camarlinghi)Although it is little known, Stone City or “Ciudad de Piedra” in Spanish is one of the most extraordinary creations that nature could have made. Millions of years ago, a lava flow covered a huge extension that due to erosion caused by water and wind, have become a bizarre maze of canyons and valleys surrounded by big walls and monolithic stone sculptures that remain Dali’s surrealistic paintings. There is no better way to enter to Sajama National Park than crossing though this labyrinth.

According to a very old legend, the supreme god Wiracocha punished Mururata mountain by cutting its head off and making it fly south for form what it is Sajama volcano. Nowadays, Sajama is still the highest mountain of Bolivia, actually an old volcano covered with glaciers. Besides hosting the highest mountain of Bolivia, this park is one of the most interesting landscapes in the highlands. It was the first protected land in Bolivia. Their main attractions are the Alpacas and Vicuñas living in these plains, and the highest woods on earth; the indigenous Keñua trees (Polylepis Tarapacana), living as high as 5,200m (17,056ft). Several hot springs and geysers can also be found in this park.

Following a secondary road parallel to the border with Chile and crossing Coipasa Slat Flats we will get to Uyuni salt flats, the largest salt concentration in the planet and a wonder of the nature. Originally called Tunupa salt flats by locals before the foundation of Uyuni Town in 1889, this huge 150 km width concentration of salt is one of the most impressive landscapes in the world. Located at an altitude of 3,653m (11,981ft) and with very low rain precipitation (100 to 325 mm per year), this is one of the driest areas in the Bolivian territory, a very delicate and particular ecosystem.

Itinerary:

D1. Transp.to Stone City. Camp.
D2. Transp.to Sajama. Camp.
D3. Transp.to Pescado island. Camp.
D4. Hike to Tunupa view point. Transp.to Jirira. Basic hostel.
D5. Transp.to La Paz

Highlights:
  • Short visit to Comanche granite quarry to spot the unique Puya Raymundy century plants.
  • Spectacular rock formations in "Ciudad de Piedra".
  • Great sightseeing of the highlands and Sajama National Park on the way to Uyuni salt flats.
  • Unforgettable journey traversing Coipasa and Uyuni salt flats; unique salt concentrations surrounding by bizarre surrealistic landscape.

Day 1. Transport to Stone City. Camp.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f
Stone City 4,000m (13.120f)
Timing
Driving: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
L,D
First we will drive south towards Comanche where we will visit the prehistoric-locking bromeliad “century” plant called “Puya Raimundi”, a rare giant that grows up to 12m (40ft) or more, and produce flowers every several tens of years. Later, we will continue west following a secondary dirty road through the lava canyons of “Stone City”. There we will choose a good spot to set our campsite in the middle of this strange and unique geologic formation that looks like a moon landscape.


Day 2. Transport to Sajama. Camp
Elevations
Tomarapi 4,260m (13,972f)
Timing
Driving: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
A rough but pleasant drive traversing the maze of canyons and stone sculptures will take us to Sajama National Park; volcano that we will contour from north to south. On the way to our campsite we will pass by Tomarapi village and then drive to the Keñua forest from where enjoy the fantastic views of the park and the surrounding volcanoes like: Sajama, Parinacota, Pomarape or Anallajchi to name some of them. We will camp at the shores of a crystalline warm-water river near to the hot springs and Alpaca farms. After setting our campsite, we can choose beetwing visiting the geysers or taking a relaxing bath at the hot springs.


Day 3. Transport to Pescado Island. Camp
Elevations
Pescado island 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Driving: 8-10 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
Today we will have an early start since we have a long distance to cover. Our route goes south through a beautiful high-altitude desert towards Coipasa salt lake; on the way we will cross several rivers; ideal places to spot Andean wild life. After several hours driving we will arrive to Sabaya village near to “Tata Sabaya” volcano; the holiest mountain in the area after Tunupa. There we will have lunch and later head south traversing a road pass with spectacular views towards Uyuni salt lake. In the midst of the Salar's blinding sea of white (take sunglasses!) there are several solid rock and earth islands each having distinct flora and fauna. There we will set up camp in “Fishback” island, later afternoon we can walk up to the island’s Summit or around the island in order to observe the sunset.


Day 4. Transpot to Jirira. Basic hostel.
Elevations
View point 4,100m (13,448f)
Jirira 3,675m (12,054f)
Timing
Driving: 5-6 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
As we cross the salt lake it is hard to take in its immensity, it really is one of the most impressive views of South America. During the morning, we visit another island; “Inca Huasy” (the Inca’s house) and one of the most bizarre buildings; a hotel totally built with salt bricks. During the afternoon, we head north to Jirira village where we will spend the night in the house of a Indian family. En route we stop off to drive up to a spectacular view point near the village of Coquesa.


Day 5. Transport to La Paz
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972)f
Timing
Driving: 6-7 Hrs
Walking: 1-2 Hrs
Meals
B,L
A long driving day will take us back to La Paz. On the way we will make few short stops to explore three interesting places: the ruins of a pre-Inca market, a gigantic meteoritic crater, and the church of Quillacas.


ALTITUDE CHART

SERVICES

Included

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MORE INFORMATION

Please get into our “Resources” page in our website, there you will find plenty of information about pre-departure, National Parks, suggested reading, useful links and much more.

If you would like us to make additional hotel reservations besides the accommodation that is included in your trip, please get into our Reservations page