TRAVESIAS EXPLORA

South America is one of the least-known areas in the world, and it is also one of the least explored. Traveling to South America promises an unforgettable trip and a grand experience.

Here you will find freedom, few inhabitants, and many places to explore that are unique from beginning to end. The vast and remote region is centered along the Andes mountain range and in the Patagonia area. It is a region open to our imagination, with much to explore: volcanoes, salt flats, 1000-year-old forests, lakes and rivers. But at the same time South America offers a journey through history, as the cultures that originated here thousands of years ago have maintained their ways until today. The anthropological and archeological wealth found here, and the vitality of present-day villages that are testament to the past and guardians of traditions, enrich a visit to this region.

For more than 10 years, explore has offered two travel programs in this region: the first in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, at the Hotel Salt Chico (explora en Patagonia); the second in the Atacama Desert-the driest in the world-at the Hotel de Larache (explora en Atacama), in the San Pedro oasis. After so many years of experience, during which many travelers from all five continents have visited and shared with us our passion for exploration, explora has become a worldwide landmark. Recognized, esteemed and highlighted by all. Selected among the most notable wilderness destinations in the world by those in-the-know, and by specialized travel entities and the media.

Now explora plans to go one step further with TRAVESÍAS explora, which will give travelers the opportunity to explore other regions in South America that compliment our traditional programs, and allow visitors to heighten their experience in this unique region of the world.

TRAVESÍAS explora emphasizes the idea of a "journey"-undertaking longer distances instead of being centered in a fixed area and thereby creating a more intense experience of traveling. We partially use explora hotels during this journey, and in other destinations we use the best accommodations available that reflect the explora style. These may be small lodges, antique homes or sometimes, when there is no infrastructure, "explora campsites." These campsites have bathrooms with hot and cold water, and they are compatible with the climatic conditions of the area. TRAVESÍAS explora are always accompanied by our guides, drivers and vehicles, and our cooks. We always take part in active explorations; that is, we embrace unique natural surroundings "in our way" so that we may have experiences that are difficult to forget.

TRAVESÍAS explora are indispensable compliments to a journey to South America.

TRAVESIA TO THE SALAR DE UYUNI AND THE
HIGH PLAINS OF BOLIVIA AND CHILE
ATACAMA, SALAR DE UYUNI AND THE HIGH PLANS

The TRAVESÍA to these remote and attractive places constitutes perhaps one of the greatest experiences one can have.

The Atacama Desert and its oasis San Pedro are undoubtedly a last frontier. In spite of its aridity and extravagance, it is a place that still provides a place where man can live yet conserve large spaces.

The "Altiplano" (High Plains) reach 3,700 meters in height, and its extreme, the Salar de Uyuni, is a continuation of the Atacama in that it provokes the imagination and provides romantic remembrance of purity and vastness; it is, nevertheless, the opposite of the Atacama because it does not offer great hope of survival nor a place to set down roots. If the Atacama as the driest desert symbolizes the end of habitable land, the Altiplano appears as another world, an enigma more than an opportunity, food for thought, not for the stomach.

For this trip, guests arrive at San Pedro de Atacama where, gradually and through explorations at different altitudes, they acclimatize themselves in order to continue the trip on the morning of day 5. Guests arrive at the Salar de Uyuni after 2 days of travel across the Altiplano, and they remain there for 2 days more. The Salar de Uyuni is one of the largest salt flats that exists in the world, and it is the highest. The last 2 days are spent leaving Bolivia and arriving at the Chilean Altiplano, arriving at Iquique on day 10.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Length:
11 days / 10 nights.

Departure:
From the Hotel Larache, explora en Atacama.

Trip season:
April to December.

Trip starting dates 2005:
April 8 to April 18
May 6 to May 16
June 3 to June 13
July 5 to July 15
Aug. 6 to Aug. 16
Sept. 3 to Sept. 13
Oct. 5 to Oct. 15
Nov. 2 to Nov. 12
Nov. 30 to Dec. 10

Requirements:
Full acclimatization at explora en Atacama. Health compatible with the demands of the trip. Capacity for exercise at high altitudes.

Altitude:
The San Pedro oasis is at 2,500 meters in altitude; during the acclimatization period excursions take place at up to 4,200 meters (6,000 meters if the visitor is in good physical condition). Later, the trip to the Salar de Uyuni fluctuates between 3,600 and 4,200 meters in altitude.

Temperatures:
During the day, between -6°C and 15°C; during the night, as low as -20°C.

Lodging:
4 nights in explora en Atacama.
5 nights at explora campsites.
1 night in the town of Iquique.

Number of travelers:
Maximum 6.

PROGRAM:

Day 1
Arrival at explora en Atacama.

Day 2-3-4
Full days of exploration in the Atacama Desert.

Day 5
Leave explora en Atacama. Enter Bolivia through the "Hito Cajón." Cross the high plains, passing through active geothermic fields, the Colorada Lake and many other sites. Trekking excursion. Arrive at the first campsite.

Day 6
Trekking excursion. Travel through the high plains. Second campsite.

Day 7
Arrival at the Salar de Uyuni. Cross the salt flat (110 km). Visit the islands in the salt flat. Excursion. Arrival at the third campsite on the shore of the salt flat.

Day 8
1st alternative: Cross the Salt Flat toward the town of Uyuni.
2nd alternative: Climb the Tunupa Volcano (5,432 meters high), or travel around the volcano, for a lighter excursion.
Lodging at the third campsite.

Day 9
Leave crossing the salt flat, toward the Chilean border. Cross the Salar de Coipasa. Numerous natural attractions. Trek. Enter Chile at Colchane. Lodging at 4th campsite.

Day 10
Tour the Chilean Altiplano. Visit the geothermal camp Puchuldiza or the Berenguela thermal baths, depending on climatic conditions. Arrival at Iquique in the afternoon. Night in Iquique. Dinner at restaurant of choice.

Day 11
Departure on morning flight to Santiago.

EXPLORA STAFF
explora guide, Bolivian guide, cook, driver and assistant.

EQUIPPMENT
Shoes for walking, boots for trekking, thermal wear (both interior and exterior), parka, gloves, hat, sunglasses with lateral protection, sunscreen, 20-40 liter backpack. Passport and Bolivian visa if needed.

BAGGAGE
We suggest bringing only baggage necessary for the trip. Any non-necessary baggage will be brought directly to Iquique.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location:
The trip begins in San Pedro de Atacama and continues to Bolivia, entering at the Sur Lípez, at the extreme southwest of that country, and then traveling past the majestic line of volcanoes that begins with Volcano Licancabur. The trip continues through the Bolivian Altiplano at 3,800 to 4,200 meters in altitude, crossing geothermal fields, lakes, old mines, and more, until reaching the Salar de Uyuni situated between 20 and 21 degrees latitude south, and 68 degrees longitude west, with a surface of more than 10,000 km squared. This zone is located within the Potosí province.

Then, in the direction of Chile, we cross the Salar de Coipasa at 19 degrees south, arriving at the Colchane border and the town Enquelga (in Chile), in the Isluga National Park. Iquique is located at 20 degrees south and 66 degrees west, approximately.

How to arrive:
Fly to Santiago on an international flight, and connect with a flight to Calama, about 2 1/2 hours from Santiago. explora staff shuttles guests by vehicle to explora en Atacama hotel, about a 1-hour trip.

After completing the trip across the Bolivian altiplano, our trip concludes at the Chilean city Iquique, where guests can take a 2 1/2-hour flight to Santiago. An explora shuttle will take guests to the airport in the morning on this, the 11th day.

Climate:
In the Atacama, the climate is excellent throughout the year, with more than 90% sunny days. During the winter (June, July and August) the average temperature during the day fluctuates between 9ºC (48ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). During the summer (January, February, and March) the temperature is warmer, reaching highs of 32ºC (90ºF). Between January and March, there exists a phenomenon called the Altiplanic Winter, with occasional rain, especially around the Uyuni territory, which can be quite intense. During the rest of the year, if the Uyuni is as dry as the Atacama, the higher areas are colder, reaching from between -6°C (21ºF) and 15°C (59ºF) during the day, and dropping to as much as -20°C (-4ºF) during the night.

Altitude:
The first portion of the trip takes place in San Pedro de Atacama, at 2,443 meters high. Nevertheless, some explorations in this area can reach almost 4,000 meters high. If a guest would like to climb a peak, the altitude can reach from between 5,500 and 6,100 meters high. All of this is good conditioning for the second part of the journey in the Bolivian territory, which fluctuates between 3,600 and 4,200 meters in altitude.

Lodging:
During the first four nights, lodging is in explora en Atacama, in the Larache neighborhood of San Pedro. The hotel has 50 rooms, all 33 square meters in size, with a living area, Jacuzzi, gourmet dining, a bar, room service, a store selling explora clothing and local arts & crafts, in-room telephone with national and international access, library, 4 outdoor pools, saunas, massage and horseback riding.

Once the second phase begins toward the Salar de Uyuni, lodging is in explora campsites for 5 nights. The campsites have a common living area, a kitchen and dining area serving gourmet food designed with the excursions and altitude in mind. Bathrooms have hot and cold water.

Finally, the last night's lodging is in the city of Iquique.

Season:
The hotel explora en San Pedro de Atacama is open year-round; however the rainy conditions of the Uyuni mean that this journey takes place from April to December only.

RATES
PROGRAM 10 nights
SINGLE ROOM, USD 7635.-
DOUBLE ROOM, USD 5240.-

PRICES IN US DOLLARS, PER PERSON.

4 nights at explora en Atacama, 5 nights at the explora campsites and 1 night in Iquique.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Programs include:
* Roundtrip transfer from the Calama airport and explora, and to the Iquique airport, the final destination of the trip.
* Lodging at explora en Atacama, in traditional but remodeled houses and in explora campsites. 1 night hotel in Iquique.
* Full board. All fixed menus. Bar.
* Daily explorations in groups of 6 people maximum, with bilingual guides, and equipment.
* Rates are per person, expressed in US dollars.
* Rates in US dollars are tax exempt according to decree D.L. 825 art. 12 for guests who are foreigners, not residents of Chile and pay in dollars.

Kids:
The trip to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is only recommended for kids older than 12, due to temperature and altitude conditions.

Pets:
It is not possible to bring pets on any TRAVESÍA explora.

Reservations:
All reservations must be made via written confirmation, either by fax (56-2 228 4655) or
e-mail (reservexplora@explora.com). explora will confirm reservations in the same manner as sent. Reservations will be considered tentative until the guest confirms and pays 30% of the total reservation fee. The remaining must be paid 30 days prior to the guest's arrival at the hotel. Programs at explora are non-divisible and cannot be transferred.

Changes:
Changes to confirmed reservations are allowed according to availability.

Penalties for cancellations are the following:
o 60 to 30 days prior to check-in: US$ 200 per room.
o 29 to 10 days prior to check-in: 30% of the total value of the reservation.
o 9 to 0 days prior to check-in: 100% of the total value of the reservation.

Liabilities:
explora reserves the right to alter, change or eliminate parts of the exploration itineraries without prior notice, when advisable for the well-being or safety of guests.

OTHER TRAVESIAS EXPLORA:

Travesía to the Salar de Uyuni and the High Plains of Bolivia and Chile

Crossing the Andes Mountain Range

Travesia to Patagonia

Trip to Easter Island

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RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

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