Real Bolivia & Argentina Tour by Intrepid Travel

12 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

La Paz, Bolivia

Ends

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Highlights

Explore Bolivian culture in La Paz, from the city’s booming industry to the traditionally dressed residents selling ancient potions at the Witches’ Market.

Embark on a three-day adventure by 4WD across the rocky Atacama Desert in Salar de Uyuni and the largest salt lakes in the world. Pass cactus islands, train cemeteries and mineral lakes teeming with birdlife.

Enjoy heaps of free time to choose your own adventure and take part in optional activities like sandboarding on desert dunes, biking around the city streets of Salta and soaking in thermal baths in Bolivia.

Witness the ever-changing landscape through the Andean Desert, passing by volcanoes, lakes and mountains and spotting wildlife like flamingoes, foxes and llamas.

Get under the skin of Buenos Aires – with its eclectic neighbourhoods, thriving nightlife, food and wine culture and huge theatre scene, this is the perfect way to end your adventure!

Itinerary

Break away from the usual tourist routes with "Real Bolivia & Argentina," a 12-day adventure that traverses some of South America’s most dramatic landscapes. Starting in La Paz and ending in Buenos Aires, this small group tour is perfect for young adults who want to see another side of the continent.

Explore the mystical Witches' Market in the Altiplano, marvel at the vast Salar de Uyuni salt flats, and journey through the Atacama Desert’s volcanic and flamingo-filled wonders. Dip into San Pedro de Atacama before finishing in the lively streets of Buenos Aires, sampling market snacks and celebrating with new friends.

USP: The chance to witness some of the planet’s most surreal landscapes, paired with authentic local experiences and expert guidance. For those with a taste for the extraordinary, this trip delivers unforgettable adventure.

day 1 - La Paz (3500 m /11,483 ft)

Bienvenidos! Welcome to La Paz. The highest capital city in the world, this Bolivian hub rests on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau, 3500 m above sea level. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, why not head out to find the perfect dinner spot (your leader will have lots of recommendations) or explore the nightlife with your fellow travellers.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - La Paz

Today, you’ll head out on a brief guided walk with your leader. La Paz is a city renowned for its markets, especially the Mercado de Hechiceria (the Witches' Market), which sells potions, incantations, stones and artefacts. Ask a local about their significance – most people are happy to explain. Then, you’ll have some free time to explore. Maybe visit the Coca Museum, which isn’t too far from your hotel in the Rosario district. Late this afternoon, leave La Paz on an overnight bus to Uyuni. There are comfortable recliner seats on the bus, but it can be cold on board, so it’s important to bring warm clothing and wear base layers. There’s usually a toilet on the bus, and the driver will make a couple of stops along the way.

included:La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market', La Paz - Orientation Walk

accommodation:Overnight bus

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - Salar de Uyuni (3656 m/11,995 ft)

This morning you’ll arrive in Uyuni Town. This remote town sits on the edge of the high Altiplano – a wilderness area extending for hundreds of kilometres towards the border with Argentina and Chile. Over the next three days, you’ll explore Bolivia’s highlights and fascinating landscapes in a 4WD – an experience of a lifetime! The first stop will be an eerie Train Cemetery (a super unique photo spot), then, you’ll continue to Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flats. This is one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world and definitely a trip highlight, so make sure you take some amazing photos, explore on foot and take it all in. Make the most of your time on the salt flats before exploring Inka Wasi Isla – a rocky island covered in cacti and coral-like structures.

included:Uyuni - Salt flats tour, Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi', Uyuni - Orientation Walk, Uyuni - Colchani Salt Factory Visit, Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada

accommodation:Dormitory

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 4 - Bolivian Altiplano (4900 m/16,076 ft)

Today will be spent driving through the spectacular landscape of the Andean (Atacama) Desert, surrounded by volcanoes and lakes. Stop by the red lake of Laguna Colorada, where you’ll be able to spot wildlife like llamas, flamingos, viscachas and foxes feasting in the nutrient-rich waters. Tonight you’ll spend a night in the desert under the stars.

accommodation:Dormitory

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Bolivia/Chile Border- San Pedro de Atacama (2400 m/7874 ft)

This morning, rise and shine early to embrace the cold and stop by the desert’s natural thermal baths for an optional soak. Then head to the Bolivia and Chile border, where the Bolivian part of your trip comes to an end. Pass by geysers, salt flats and snow-capped volcanoes on your way to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. As a small oasis town, San Pedro is surrounded by extraordinary scenery. Arriving around 3 pm, your night is free to find a delicious local dinner with your group.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - San Pedro de Atacama

Over the next two days, get under the skin of San Pedro. The local cafe and restaurant scene has grown considerably over the last couple of years, with a mix of Chilean, French and Italian influences, so you’ll definitely find a great spot for lunch and dinner. Take a self-guided walk around the old square and people-watch with a cup of coffee or consider joining an astronomy tour tonight once the stars come out and bring out your inner stargazer – just chat to your leader for details.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 7 - San Pedro de Atacama

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - Chile/Argentina border - Salta

Today will be a long day of travel as you leave San Pedro and head for Salta, Argentina. Salta's rich history, architecture, friendly locals and natural surroundings make it one of Argentina's main attractions. Grab a window seat or a good book and watch the scenery pass you by. Tonight, you’re free to rest or head out for a late dinner when you arrive.

included:Salta - Orientation walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 9 - Salta

After breakfast, today is a free day to explore Salta and its many attractions. If you’re after something active, hike up the 1070 steps to the summit of Cerro San Bernardo, the mountain that looms over Salta. If you'd prefer, you can also take a gondola (cable car) to the top to take in the views of the mountainous city below. Either way, the view from the top is magnificent!

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 10 - Salta - Buenos Aires

After breakfast and a free morning in Salta, you’ll take an included flight to Buenos Aires – Argentina's capital. When you arrive, you might like to head to a local tango show or a football match. Maybe grab a steak and glass of Malbec (the steak and wine combo are what Argentina is known for) in one of the city’s fashionable restaurants for dinner.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 11 - Buenos Aires

This morning, head to San Telmo market with your leader and sample some empanadas (a must-try in Buenos Aires) and some local ice cream (Argentina’s famous dulce de leche). The rest of the day is free to explore the city. Join the tourists and walk among the tombs at the La Recoleta Cemetery – the final resting place of Eva Peron. There are also some great museums to check out in the Recoleta district. Visit the neighbourhood of La Boca, home to the colourful Caminito artists’ street and world-renowned soccer team, the Boca Juniors. If you need to rest your feet, settle down at one of the many streetside cafes to watch the world go by with the locals. Tonight, why not head out to a couple of bars with your group for some classic Argentinian nightlife?

included:Buenos Aires - San Telmo Market Visit with Snacks

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 12 - Buenos Aires

After breakfast, your adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned for today, so you can leave the accommodation at any time after check-out.

meals:1 Breakfast

Get Trip Brochure & Exclusive Discount

Download a detailed PDF brochure and unlock an exclusive discount for this tour

What's Included

Accommodation

Dormitory (2 nights), Hotel (8 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)

Meals

11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches

Transport

Plane, Overnight bus, Local bus, 4x4

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market'La Paz - Orientation WalkUyuni - Salt flats tourSalt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'Uyuni - Orientation WalkUyuni - Colchani Salt Factory VisitEduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna ColoradaSalta - Orientation walkBuenos Aires - San Telmo Market Visit with Snacks

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

Loading availability...

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Why Book with Bookmundi

Earn USD 56+ in travel credits.

Best price guaranteed.

No credit card or booking fees.

100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.

Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.

25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.66/5

Excellent based on 805 customer reviews from

Karen

Excellent booking process. Easy to do online - simple and straightforward plus the 1 query I did have was quicckly solved due to customer service being on hand to help

1 day ago

Europe

Asia

South America

Africa

North America

Oceania

Polar

Food, wine, events and nightlife

Adventure and sport

Wildlife, landscapes and nature

Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife

Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history

Air tours, road trips and transfers

Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation

Special interests and hobbies

Hi there

Highlights