Southern Altiplano

Publicado el : 01 de Febrero de 2010

Southern Altiplano

From La Paz to La Paz, 6 - 8 Days

La Paz - Sajama National Park – Salar Coipasa – Salar Uyuni – Lípez Region –Eduardo Avaroa Reserve - Uyuni

This year I am proud to be able to offer the Southern Altiplano Tour, this cultural experience incorporates a tour of the salt flats, southern colored lakes, community’s and churches rich in history, spectacular views and an abundance of wildlife.

This cultural experience takes 6 to 8 days dependent on your request, fully catered for leaving you to sit back and relax taking in the wonders and the sights of all the Altiplano has to offer.

Having personally been on this tour twice in this last year, I am pleased to be able to offer this as a new addition to Zig Zag, confident that this will be a pleasurable and memorable experience for all.

Mario Nina

Tour Guide-Manager

ZIG-ZAG ECO TOURS-TREKS

Day 1

La Paz – Parque Nacional Sajama

After breakfast departure towards Sajama. Overnight Hotel in Sajama.

Chullpares of Callapa o Pacajes

As we travel to Curahuara Carangas from Patacayama we stop in chullpares de Pacajes when crossing the desaguadero river we can see the mummy’s dating back from the kollas period, these are a sight to behold as they are in original state and unmoved.

Curahuara de Carangas.

We then move on to Curahuara de Carangas where we get to see a charming adobe church covered with a thatched roof which has been dubbed the “Sistine chapel of Bolivia” with biblical scenes as the doomsday and the deadly sins covering the main hall.

In the Sacristy murals of Noah’s ark and the flood can be seen as well as the massacre of the innocents.

Also we can see Pucura Monterani a hill with a flat top which was used as an altar for offerings to Andean gods.

Yaraque Ruins is worth a visit notice the difference in style when chullpa stone Inca style, (unlike the adobe of the Aymara).

Sajama National Park

Sajama Village.

This is a particular place of interest made up of geological natural wonders made up hot springs stunning flora and fauna.

It was made a national park in 1939 due to its Keñua that grows on the hill sides also home to the highest forests in the world.

The lakes in Sajama make it an idealic place to observe birdlife such as the crested duck, the Andean Flicker, Puna Ibis, flamingos and the famous Rhea Pennata amongst many others.

What’s particularly striking in this region is the Seques which are lines in the ground running from the tops of the mountains to the plateau all meeting at the same point they appear much like a road and are centuries old and undamaged and without mark from vegetation.

The Catholic Church sensed its significance and built a chapel over the lines.

There is a small cemetery, possibly Sajama where you can see the mountains as a backdrop Payachatas.

Population: The people in the vicinity of Sajama (park and volcano) are shown Aymara and social organization, housing (circular) and traditions. The cemetery is also Aymara. You can see traditional livestock farms with llamas, alpacas and sheep. Nearby Sajama there is a small cemetery where you can see the mountains as a backdrop.

Day 2

Parque Nacional Sajama – Chipaya

Overnigth Hotel in Sabaya

Chullpares del Río Lauca

After breakfast we will travel on to Macaya village and lake before making our entrance into Chullpares Del Rio Lauca, Here you will see groups of cemeteries and burial places unique in Bolivia for its decoration which is based on chess, diamonds and concentric circles and blades raised on an imaginary line from north to south, bounded on the north by the Sajama volcano, south of the Sabaya and crossed from east to west across the river Lauca.

They were built in a period of Inca rule by the Aymara group Carangas.

There are seven groups the most interesting amongst them are the northern group and the southern group.

Chipaya

After visiting Chullpares Del Rio Lauca and having a short stop at Kewaya Lake rest and have some lunch we continue to Chipaya.

We visit the cultural village of Chipaya with huts made of mud and doors out of cactus wood made to face the east.

The women are known for their appearance earthy colored clothes and a distinctive hair design consisting of 60 small braids which are then joined into two braids and decorated with a pin in each of the temples.

Their religion is based on nature and is complex and symbolic, deifying the phallic images, stones, rivers, mountains, bodies of animals and ancestors.

The cemetery is something quite shocking as well as interesting as many of the tombs are open where people leave gifts and offerings to the dead.

Day 3

Chipaya – Salar de Uyuni (Volcán Tunupa · Jirira)

Overnight lodge in Jirira

Salar de Coipasa

Explore the salt flats of Salar de Copasa also known as the Mirror of Heaven this expanse terrain is surrounded by spectacular volcanic landscape.

See the camp with huts built out tiny blocks of salt built in the early nineties for exploitation of the salt the rains flooded the salt and the camp had to be abandoned.

You are able to see the process of exploiting the salt around the camp each ring cut with an axe with a blade more than a meter long before being carried by truck to processing plant.

The salt flats are less exploited than the salt flats of Uyuni an unmissable opportunity and well worth a tour.

Salinas Garci-Mendoza

Salinas Garci Mendoza: Pueblo founded in 1609 by Jose Gutierrez de Garci Mendoza who was originally a mining settlement argentiferous. The town was a major settlement until the early twentieth century by agriculture, mining and ranching.

The town is now a quiet village with its square lined with roses and trees.

The church within the town is an example of kitsch art must be seen inside. Nearby, is St. John's wit Huayko Spanish dedicated to processing the silver.

You are able to observe the lift that held the wheels powered by water which in turn hammer action that the material sprayed silver and then separate the silver, also part of the oven.

Volcán Tunupa

Volcano Tunupa (and vicinity): Volcano 5432 meters, on the slopes of the volcano there are archaeological sites, such as cemeteries.

There are several towns and attractions around, but more interesting is the rise to Mirador del Tunupa, from which you have superb views of the Salar de Uyuni, and some of its deposits of mummies. These can be visited both Jirira, Tahua, as Coquesa.

Day 4

Salar de Uyuni · Norte (Volcán Tunupa · Jirira) – Salar de Uyuni · Sur (San Juan)

Overnight Salt Hotel in San Juan

Volcán Tunupa

Having had our nights rest in the village of Jirira you will get a final chance to see the mummies of Tunupa, if you have not been able to visit the previous day, before leaving the base Tunupa.

The Small village of Coquesa located at the foot of volcano Tunupa at its eastern slope.

The area surrounding the village is an area dotted with ancient villages in ruins and burial sites with a profusion of mummies. In the village there is a museum with a large collection of ceramics and mummies.

Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni has the biggest salt desert in the world, covering over 10.500 square kilometers. Located in a region of rugged beauty and pure and an altitude of 3,650 m, is a pool of nine million tons of lithium, in addition to significant amounts of potassium, boron and magnesium. In the dry season is the appearance of a vast white desert where the polyhedral shapes in which the mineral crystallizes, extend to infinity, forming a giant puzzle.

Incahuasi Island (Isla Pescado): this island is quite striking in appearance full of Cactus, home to two species of large cacti: The Yausakiru, with a single trunk circular section with no arms and a flower Wanca rosacea and larger, often with arms and a white flower. Both cactus, gives a very juicy fruit (the pasacana) between January and April. Around the island, one can see a vast expanse of salt hexagonal tiles.

You will see Hotel de Sal On the way from the island Colchani and Incahuasi this is a building constructed entirely of salt blocks unfortunately its not currently in use.

Ojos del Salar: Below the salt, there are channels of brackish water which manage to surface in some points from it. At these points, they were known as Ojos del Salar.

Egg Shell Island named appropriately from the vast quantities of egg shells that cover this area.

Colchani

Colchani is a small village situated 12 km from Uyuni, here you can visit the salt mining center where you are able to see the salt extraction methods that differ greatly from those used in Coipasa.

Also you can visit the Cooperative Rosary Workshop in which salt blocks are transformed into elements of decoration and furniture.

San Juan

San Juan is a small town with a charming church, In the vicinity of several volcanic rock tombs and burial places towers (chullpares)

The town cemetery is an interesting place to see.

Also not far from the village is the site Chulcha Palaeolithic, a camp dedicated exclusively to Lytic weapons.

A little more than 1 km from the village there is a burial area very well preserved, taking advantage of the calcareous rocks for that purpose.

Day 5

Salar de Uyuni (San Juan · Sur) – Laguna Colorada (P.N. Eduardo Avaroa)

Overnight Lodge at Laguna Colorada

Salar de Chiguana

Here we can see the great plain south of San Juan which outlines the Ollagüe volcano, this volcano remains active.

There is also particularly interesting point called the Mirador del Ollagüe.

Lagunas Altiplánicas.

We travel onwards toward the Siloli desert we enter Laguna Hedionda so called because of its concentration of sulfur in the water and the abundant odor.

The terrain becomes rugged but the area is breathtaking, rich in minerals and multiple lakes most of which with a stunning mountain backdrop.

The area is abound with wildlife, colonies of flamingos can be seen among scores of other bird life.

Desierto de Siloli

After passing the area of gaps we enter the National Park's boundaries through Eduardo Avaroa Siloli Desert. This is a spectacular landscape in ocher with rocks shaped by sand and wind, one of which going by the name of Stone tree due to its extraordinary shape.

Both Siloli desert as the NP, are found at altitudes ranging from four to six thousand meters. The area is very dry and cold and virtually no human settlements throughout the area.

Along with Stone Tree there is a great wall of petrified lava that resembles an exhibition of extravagant figures carved by the wind;

Laguna Colorada

Laguna Colorada (or red lake) is situated at an altitude of 4278m and with an average depth of 35cm, this shallow lake has an intense red color to the water because of Lagash and the plankton that grows in mineral-rich waters.

The lagoon also has the largest habitat of flamingos in Bolivia and is home to three species of flamingos: The Salmon Tokoko the chururu, white plumage and rather Jututu, pink. In the area there is a Tourist Information Center and two viewpoints.

Covering the shores is a white sediment consisting of sodium, magnesium, borax and gypsum. Water sediments are also rich in diatoms, a tiny fossils used in the production of fertilizers, paints and toothpaste.

Day 6

Laguna Colorada (P.N. Eduardo Avaroa) – Uyuni

End of our service or continuo either La Paz or Potosi/Sucre

Géiseres Sol de Mañana

Continuing south, the Laguna Colorada, bringing us to Sol de Mañana, this is an area of high volcanic activity of about 1 square km north of the Salar de Chalviri. The area is characterized by the abundance of fumaroles, emitting as a geyser of water vapor and hot mud that can reach a height of between 80 and 100meters.

The place must always be visited before dawn, as it is at this time of day when the crater reaches its maximum point of activity but be careful not to step to close to the vents due to the high temperature of the fumes.

Termas de Polques

Here you will have the opportunity to take a dip in one of the pools, don’t worry its hot making it a welcome change after the cold temperatures of the highlands and the high levels of minerals and salts within the pool  are ideal for those suffering with skin or rheumatic conditions, or those just wishing to relax! As we continue we enter the Salvador Dali desert due to it surrealist landscape, also known as the Stone of Salvador Dali.

Salar Chalviri

Here you will see a salt flat with a large population of flamingos and ducks, In the heart of it is a holding of borax a mineral which is extracted from the salt flats.

Laguna Verde

Here we arrive at our most southern point of the journey this lagoon is divided into two bodies of water, occupying an area of 17 square miles. The intense green color of its waters is due to the high concentration of magnesium.

Unlike other lakes this holds no aquatic life due to the volume of salts and metals such as lead arsenic giving it a deep green colour at noon.

There is a small hill near the lagoon making an ideal look out point here you can see the majestic volcano Licancabur rising up from the lake side to a height of 5960 meters.

Laguna Blanca

In this vast area of lakes several of them are colored like milk, all of them known as Laguna Blanca, one of them is at the southern end of the PN Eduardo Avaroa.

Valle de las Rocas

On the return to Uyuni the route turns northeast going through a valley which has eroded to form some strange shapes in the rock this area is known as the valley of the rocks, from here we go via Alota which will take approximately 5hrs to the end of our journey.

Uyuni

As we arrive back into Uyuni we can either return to la Paz or go to Potosi Sucre or you can enjoy a final night in Uyuni.

Note. We end our service also in San Pedro de Atacama Chile, if that so you will be transferred after Laguna Verde towards San Pedro.

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