SOUTH LIPEZ DESERT

It is located in south western Potosí department at an average altitude of 4.000 m. Nights are cold and winds are sometimes very strong. The desert of Tibet has been compared to this one, but the salt fields: Coipasa and Uyuni (the largest salt field of the world) with about 13.000 kms2, make this desert unique and worth exploring. All our trips show a fantastic array of different kinds of desert terrain, each of which contains volcanoes and colorful lagoons which appeal to a variety of aquatic fauna which are somewhat unsual for this region: pink and white flamingos, geese, ducks, coots, etc.
Only in isolated areas of Bolivia we can see volcanic phenomenon such as fumaroles and geysers. On the other hand we will also see animals like: viscachas, (andean hare), suris (andean ostrich), vicuñas and others; it is not as desert-like as it seems; it is actually inhabited even though it is rare to see human settlements nearby. Where have they gone?. Most of them emigranted to Chile, Argentina or to Bolivian cities.
This region is very rich in archaeological ruins belonging to very remote human settlements. In our regular short walks in the rocky places around volcanoes and across the hot sand of the desert, we can find ancient pre-Tiwanaku constructions.
On our way we will also visit the craters of the most important volcanoes.

SALT FIELD OF UYUNI + POTOSI
7 DAYS

1. day. LA PAZ ­ CHALLAPATA.- Departure in 4WD car to Challapata village, passing by Oruro city en route. Simple hotel. 6 hour trip.
2. day. CHALLAPATA ­ JIRIRA.- We continue by Huari, the sanctuary of Quillacas, the small salt field of Garci Mendoza, to arrive finally, at Jirira, a picturesque friendly village near the border of the Uyuni salt fields. Lodgings at a local family's house. 9 hour trip.
3. day. TREK AND CLIMB OF THUNUPA VOLCANO.- 8 hour journey.
4. day. JIRIRA - LOMO DE PESCADO ISLAND + TREK.- In the morning we visit some pre-columbian tombs. 10-20 kms. trek to Lomo de Pescado. Camp.
5. day. LOMO DE PESCADO - UYUNI ­ POTOSI.- 3 hour drive to Uyuni, the most important village near the salt fields. From Uyuni we continue for 5 hours on a winding road to Potosí. Nice views. Possible to stop for sightseeing. Hotel accomodations.
6. day. POTOSI CITY.- Visit to a private mine, the museum Casa de la Moneda and some other sights nearby.
7. day. RETURN TO LA PAZ.- 10 hour trip or connection to Sucre.

VARIATION
SALT FIELD OF UYUNI + POTOSI + SUCRE
9 DAYS

1. to 6. day. (THE SAME AS THE PROGRAMME ABOVE)
7. day. POTOSI ­ SUCRE.- 5 hour trip down to Sucre city located in temperate valleys. Hotel.
8 day. SUCRE: A city tour to visit a typical market, the convent of La Recoleta, museums and churches.
9. day. RETURN TO LA PAZ.- By plane.