Real Bolivia & Argentina
Real Bolivia & Argentina
Tour Overview
Get off the tourist trail on this extraordinary adventure through Bolivia and Argentina's wild interior. Explore La Paz and travel across the sprawling, other-worldly landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni before arriving in vibrant Buenos Aires.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : La Paz
Location: La Paz
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to La Paz, the quirky Altiplano city of your dreams. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. As La Paz is 3600 metres above sea level, please ensure you take the necessary measurements in regards to altitude sickness (refer to ‘Is This Trip Right For You?’ and ‘Health’ sections for important information).
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
La Paz - Guided City Tour - USD18
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). ...more ...less
Day 2 : La Paz
Location: La Paz
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your second day in La Paz is free to explore after a brief guided walk with your leader. The city is renowned for its markets, especially the Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches' Market), which sells potions, incantations, stones and artefacts. Ask a local about their significance – most people are happy to explain. Perhaps visit the Coca Museum, which isn’t too far from your hotel in the Rosario district. You might like to take part in one of our Urban Adventure day trips, such as the Food With Altitude or To 3600 Metres, and Beyond tours.
Late in the afternoon, leave La Paz on an overnight bus to Uyuni (approximately 11-12 hours). 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 also make a couple of stops along the way.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
La Paz - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
La Paz - Chacaltaya & Moon Valley Tour - USD16
La Paz - Tiawanaku tour - USD39
La Paz - City Tour & Moon Valley - USD25
La Paz - Food With Altitude Urban Adventure - USD57
La Paz - To 3,600 Metres, and Beyond Urban Adventure - USD41
La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market' - Free
La Paz - Coca Museum - BOB12
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 3 : Salar De Uyuni
Location: Salar de uyuni, Uyuni
Accommodation: Dormitory
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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. The area is notorious for being extremely cold, so it’s important to pack warm clothing and base layers. Upon arrival to Uyuni (early morning) venture out on a three-day 4WD excursion. Be prepared for a busy few days ahead. The first stop will be at a rusty Train Cemetery before you continue on to Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flats. While this may be a typical stop for many travellers, it’s also often a highlight. Make the most of your time on the salt flats taking lots of photos and explore Inka Wasi Isla, which is a rocky island covered in cacti and coral-like structures.
Accommodation
Dormitory (1 night)
Included Activities
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 & Laguna Verde
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special Information
Please be aware that from December to March, there’s a risk of the salt lake being flooded. If this is the case, the itinerary will be adapted to accommodate this
Day 4 : Bolivian Altiplano
Location: Laguna Colorada, Atacama Desert
Accommodation: Dormitory
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will be spent driving through the spectacular landscape of the Andean (Atacama) Desert, which is sprinkled with volcanoes and lakes. Stop by the red lake of Laguna Colorada, where you’ll be able to spot wildlife such llamas, flamingos, viscachas and foxes feasting in the nutrient-rich waters.
Accommodation
Dormitory (1 night)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special Information
Accommodation in the desert is basic. Shower facilities can be unreliable and cold, as the pipes often freeze in the winter months. Electricity is generated by solar panels, so there won’t be enough power to charge electronic devices. In the rainy season, the itinerary may need to be altered depending on the accessibility of roads.
Be prepared today to reach an altitude of around 4900 metres.
Day 5 : San Pedro De Atacama
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning stop by the desert’s natural thermal baths for a soak and then head to the Bolivia/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. Use your free time to wander around, perhaps checking out the quaint Church of San Pedro de Atacama or the town’s central plaza.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 6 : San Pedro De Atacama
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Use today to get under the skin of this burgeoning tourist destination. San Pedro’s cafe and restaurant scene has grown considerably over the last couple of years. With a mix of Chilean, French and Italian influences, you’ll be sure to find a great spot for lunch and dinner. Perhaps head out on an optional tour to the Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) or join an astronomical tour once the stars come out, just chat to your leader for details.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
Sandboarding - CLP23000
San Pedro de Atacama - Bike Rental - USD8
San Pedro de Atacama - Astronomic Tour - USD35
San Pedro de Atacama - Moon Valley - USD18
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7 : Salta
Location: Salta
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today will be a long day of travel (approximately 12 hours), as you leave San Pedro and head for Salta, Argentina. Salta's rich history, colonial architecture, friendly locals and surrounding natural attractions make it one Argentina's main attractions.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 8 : Salta
Location: Salta
Accommodation: Overnight bus
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a free day to explore Salta and its 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. You can take a gondola (cable car) to the top if you’d prefer. Either way, the view from the top is magnificent.
Accommodation
Overnight bus (1 night)
Included Activities
Salta - Orientation walk
Optional Activities
Salta - Cerro San Bernardo Chairlift - ARS300
Salta - Archaeological Museum - ARS200
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 9 : Salta
Location: Salta
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a free morning in Salta, take an included flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires. This evening, you might like to enjoy a tango show, a football match or a steak and glass of Malbec in one of the city’s fashionable restaurants.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 10 - 11 : Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The next two days are free to explore Buenos Aires. 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, Boca Juniors. Perhaps take part in an Urban Adventure centred on the city’s love of food, such as the Malbec Trail of Palermo or the Gourmet Buenos Aires Food tour (contact us for more information). If you need to rest your feet, settle down at one of the many street side cafes to watch the world go by with the locals.
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights)
Optional Activities
Buenos Aires - Gourmet Buenos Aires Food Urban Adventure - USD113
DISCONTINUED Buenos Aires - Tango, Tango, Tango! Urban Adventures - USD90
Buenos Aires - Malbec Trail of Palermo Urban Adventure - USD113
Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
Meals Included
Breakfast (2)
Day 12 : Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, your adventure around Bolivia and Argentina comes to an end. There are no activities planned for the final day so you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time after you check out.
Meals Included
Breakfast
What's Included
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Salta - Orientation walk
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La Paz - Orientation Walk
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Uyuni - Salt flats tour
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Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'
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Uyuni - Orientation Walk
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Uyuni - Colchani Salt Factory Visit
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Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada & Laguna Verde
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Meals
11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
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Accommodation
Dormitory (2 nights), Hotel (8 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)
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Transport
Plane, Overnight bus, local bus, 4x4
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
Plane , Overnight bus , Local bus , 4x4
Included Activities
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 Colorada & Laguna VerdeSalta - Orientation walk
Accommodation
Dormitory (2 nights), Hotel (8 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)
Check out our Q&As
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Are internal flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Is this trip right for you
While in the Andean Desert, you’ll reach altitudes of up to 4900 m. La Paz, Potosi and Uyuni all have high altitudes and the air is a lot thinner, so it can take time to adjust. It may be a good idea to arrive in La Paz early so that you have time to acclimatise. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, drink plenty of water and take it easy. Although altitude sickness can affect anyone, it’s important that you’re healthy enough to travel, as pre-existing medical conditions can worsen at high altitudes. Please see the important ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more information.
Bolivia is the least developed and most challenging country you’ll travel around during this trip. Transportation can be slow and isn’t as easy as it might be in developed countries. Additionally, making your way across the Andean Desert involves long travel days spent in 4WDs on dusty and bumpy tracks. Temperatures in the area can be very cold, especially at night, so bring warm clothes. Meals are simple, toilet facilities are basic, showers can be cold, and the multi-share accommodation is dormitory style. This is all part of the adventure. Undoubtedly, this amazing experience will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America.
This trip includes an overnight bus journey. Although the buses feature comfortable reclining seats, they are not beds. There’s also usually a toilet on board, and some buses make toilet stops. These trips can be tiresome, but an adventure around South America wouldn’t be complete without an overnight bus journey. ...more ...less -
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No, this trip is catered for those aged 18-29 years
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025Monday - Friday
Jul 21, 2025 - Aug 01, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Real Bolivia & Argentina
12 Days Starting in La Paz, Bolivia and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Visiting: La Paz, Salar de uyuni, Uyuni, Laguna Colorada, Atacama Desert, San Pedro de Atacama, Salta, Buenos Aires, ሀመር። ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GGYB
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
18-29 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians