Cyber Sale ends soon! Last chance to book now and save up to 20% off* trips all over the world. Book Now

Real Bolivia & Argentina

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

5 out of 5 based on 13 reviews submitted.
18 to 29s
From
NZD $1,729
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

Get off the tourist trail on this extraordinary adventure through Bolivia, Chile and Argentina's wild interior. 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 29s
Destinations
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile
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 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
GGYB
This trip generates 58.4 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.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • From diverse landscapes to deep-rooted cultures and contrasting destinations, this trip covers a lot of ground across South America in a relatively short period of time
  • La Paz provides insight into the many sides of Bolivian culture. While young people flock to the city for its booming industry, traditionally dressed residents sell ancient potions at the Witches’ Market
  • The landscapes of Salar de Uyuni are so unique they’re almost extra-terrestrial. Embark on a three-day adventure via 4WD across the rocky Atacama Desert and the largest salt lakes in the world - passing cactus islands, train cemeteries and mineral lakes teeming with flamingos
  • The last stop of the trip gives you a lot of time to get under the skin of Buenos Aires. With its eclectic neighbourhoods, emphasis on food and wine and huge theatre scene, this is the perfect way to end your adventure

Is this trip right for you?
  • While in the Andean Desert, you’ll reach altitudes of up to 4,900 metres. La Paz, Potosi and Uyuni all have high altitudes too. Even at 2,900 metres above sea level, the air is a lot thinner and it can take a bit of time to adjust. Some people aren’t affected at all, but if you are, be sure to 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 altitude. During your trip, ensure you monitor your health carefully. It may even be a good idea to arrive into La Paz early so that you have time to acclimatise to the altitude. Please see the important ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip information (ETI) for more information.
  • Making your way across the Andean Desert and salt flats isn’t exactly luxurious. There will be 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 with you. 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. Without a doubt, this amazing experience will be one of the highlights of your trip to South America.
  • Bolivia is the least developed and most challenging country you’ll travel around during this trip. Facilities are basic and food might be simpler than what you’re used to. Transportation between different locations can be slow and isn’t as easy as it might be in developed countries. Yet this is all part of the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ charm and adventure that makes Bolivia such a great place to visit.
  • There are some long travel days and one overnight bus journey on this trip. Although the buses feature comfortable reclining seats, they are not beds. There’s also usually a toilet on-board, and some of the buses make toilet stops. These trips can be tiresome, but an adventure trip around South America wouldn’t be complete without an overnight bus journey.
  • Please note that our leaders are not able to organise a trip to the ‘Death Road’ to Coroico for you, due to safety concerns. Injuries are common along the road and there have been a number of fatal accidents. Our leaders are also unable to organise tours to the Potosi Mines for safety reasons.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2025

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 & Laguna Verde
  • Salta - Orientation walk
Add on activities
  • La Paz - Guided City Tour - USD18
  • La Paz - Chacaltaya & Moon Valley Tour - USD16
  • La Paz - Tiawanaku tour - USD39
  • La Paz - City Tour & Moon Valley - USD25
  • La Paz - Coca Museum - USD2
  • Bolivian Altiplano – Polques Thermal Baths - USD1
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Bike Rental - USD25
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Astronomic Tour - USD35
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Moon Valley - USD18
  • San Pedro de Atacama - Sandboarding - USD60
  • Salta - Archaeological Museum - USD2
  • Salta - Cerro San Bernardo Chairlift - USD3
  • Buenos Aires - Tango Show and Dinner - USD90
  • 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

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

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

5 out of 5 based on 13 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

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

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

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

Sarah · Traveled April 2023
I had an amazing time on this trip and our tour guide Karina Molina went above and beyond to make it so special! My favourite parts were the Bolivian salt flats - Karina took the best pictures and videos of us with a toy dinosaur and Pringles can which was so fun - the optional tour to the Valley of the Moon and touring Buenos Aires. Would highly recommend!
Review submitted 17 Apr 2023

Emma · Traveled November 2022
Our tour guide Mel was amazing and made the entire trip so enjoyable! I had no expectations for the trip at all but it exceeded any idea I had in my head! I could not have asked for more and I'm so glad I went and met so many fantastic people! Thank you!!
Review submitted 15 Dec 2022
Real Bolivia & Argentina
From
NZD $1,729