Real Bolivia & Argentina

12 Days | Travel from Bolivia down to Buenos Aires and experience South America's wild interior

4.9 out of 5 based on 10 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
USD $1,554
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 35 year olds

Get off the tourist trail on this extraordinary adventure through Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Kick things off in the Altiplano city of La Paz and check out the potions and artifacts at the local Witches' Market. Journey to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, one of the most remarkable landscapes on the planet. Drive through the Atacama Desert past volcanoes, lakes, llamas and flamingos, then dip into San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to soak up more untamed desert scenery. Your adventure wraps up in the charming and lively city of Buenos Aires in Argentina, where you can put your feet up after your wild adventure or get them moving at a local tango hall.

Trip overview

Map of Real Bolivia & Argentina including Argentina, Bolivia and Chile
Start
La Paz, Bolivia
Finish
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
Argentina, Chile, Bolivia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
GGYB
This trip generates 58 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

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.

Itinerary

Map of Real Bolivia & Argentina including Argentina, Bolivia and Chile

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Plane, Overnight bus, Local bus, 4x4

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • La Paz - Visit to the 'Witches Market'
  • La Paz - Orientation Walk
  • 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
  • Salta - Orientation walk
Add on activities
  • La Paz - Guided City Tour - USD40
  • La Paz - Tiawanaku tour (min. 2 participants) - USD50
  • La Paz - City Tour & Moon Valley (min. 2 participants) - USD40
  • La Paz - Coca Museum - USD3
  • Bolivian Altiplano – Polques Thermal Baths - USD1
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Bike Rental - CLP10000
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Astronomic Tour - USD35
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Sandboarding - USD60
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Meteorito Museum - CLP5000
  • Salta - Archaeological Museum - USD2
  • Salta - Cerro San Bernardo Chairlift - USD3
  • Buenos Aires - Tango Show and Dinner - USD120
  • Buenos Aires - Football game (subject to availability) from - USD120
  • Buenos Aires - Polo day - USD185
  • Buenos Aires - Recoleta Cemetery - USD7
  • Buenos Aires - Ateneo Bookshop - Free
  • Buenos Aires - Caminito Street - Free

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (overnight bus), Days 3 and 4 (Dormitory) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2.Nationals from the United States need a visa to enter Bolivia and you we highly recommend you obtain this visa in advance from your nearest Bolivian consulate or Embassy. Not obtaining the visa in advance is likely to cause long delays at the border. Please see the 'Passport and Visas' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
3. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
4. Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. Please read our Essential Trip Information to learn more about altitude sickness.
5. In addition to a Traveler’s Affidavit, and health insurance, entry into Chile currently requires submitting proof of vaccination in advance of travel or proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of departure. As this validation process can take a while, it is recommended that you submit your electronic validation request 30 days in advance of Travel. The link to submit and more information is available here: https://www.chile.travel/en/traveltochileplan/
6.We highly recommend you take US Dollars with you to Argentina and change it locally. While ATMs are widely available, there is a daily limit for withdrawals and the exchange rate does fluctuate.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 10 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Jade · Traveled January 2024
Be prepared for very long travel days in return for once in a life time scenery and experiences.
Review submitted 12 Jan 2024

Florence · Traveled December 2023
This is a great trip to get a taste of South America! So glad I decided to do it
Review submitted 26 Dec 2023

Thomas · Traveled October 2023
The trip is great for the beginning of October and visits alot of attractions on the west coast of South America. Loved it and made some great friends! Hi Anna!
Review submitted 27 Oct 2023

Alice · Traveled October 2023
This has been an incredible trip. I have ment such an amazing group of like-minded people. This was the prefect re-start I needed from work.
Review submitted 27 Oct 2023

Caroline · Traveled June 2023
Wendy Yllatarco was the best guide for my time in South America! She's fun, enthusiastic, organized, kind, and helpful and worked tirelessly to ensure that I had the best time on the trip. I cannot thank her enough for all of her effort and help!
Review submitted 21 Jun 2023
Real Bolivia & Argentina
From
USD $1,554