Salar de Uyuni and Parinacota
- Exploring, hiking and climbing on the wild Bolivian altiplano
- Lake Titicaca and the Isla del Sol
- The amazing salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni
- Geysers, hot springs and volcanoes
- Optional ascents of Tunupa and Parinacota
This inspirational 2-week trekking holiday explores the bizarre landscapes of western Bolivia, from Lake Titicaca southwards to the vast white salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni. We spend a couple of days on and around Latin America's greatest lake, Titicaca, before flying south to Sucre and the silver-mining town of Potosi. From Uyuni, with its ‘train graveyard' we then cross the edge of the flats to reach the foot of Volcan Tunupa and hike into the crater of this multi-coloured mountain. Continuing our journey to the Sajama National Park, we see rustic churches, grazing vicunas and flocks of flamingos on remote lagoons. On a scenic hike to the Kasiri Lagunas, there is even a chance to swim in a fantastic natural hot pool. During a 2-day trek we then have the option to make an ascent of the non-technical perfect snow cone of Parinacota (6330m) - the icing on the cake of this breathtaking Bolivian trekking holiday.
Is this holiday for you?
This is principally a trip of exploration of Salar de Uyuni and the Sajama National Park. After some time spent acclimatising to the high altitudes in La Paz and on Lake Titicaca, we travel south to the amazing Salar de Uyuni. Here, we have a number of short hikes and a 2-day trek on Volcan Tunupa. Moving on to the Sajama area, we have another acclimatisation hike to the Kasiri Lagunas. Some of these days will be quite demanding not least because of the altitudes (over 4000 metres) involved. By far the most challenging day will be the optional ascent of Parinacota (6330m). Although this climb is non-technical this will be a very long day (typically 9 - 11 hours). Parinacota has an average slope of around 40 degrees. The route up it is via a straightforward zig-zag trail on scree, then patches of hard snow with penitentes (small ice pinnacles). As well as the tour leader, there will be 2 local climbing guides with the group on the ascent of Parinacota. Because of the vastness of the landscape there will inevitably be some longish days of driving during the holiday. We have given this trip the overall grade of DEMANDING on account of the generally high elevation and the tough summit day on Parinacota.
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