Self-Launched Bolivia & Atacama Desert Adventure

Land at El Alto (4,060m) and take a taxi or shared minibus down into La Paz (3650m) — around BOB 60-80 (£7-9) for a taxi, or BOB 10 by shared transport from the airport road. Check into a guesthouse in the historic centre near Plaza San Francisco (Hotel Nuevo Sol, Wild Rover or similar, £15-20 dorm/private budget). Take the afternoon very slowly: walk the colonial streets, then ride the Mi Teleférico network — a ticket is BOB 3 (£0.35) per line; ride the Rojo line to El Alto for the best views, hopping off at Estación 16 de Julio. Dinner: a set almuerzo or salteña dinner for BOB 25-40 (£3-4). Drink plenty of water and get an early night — altitude is the main thing to respect today.

🚌Taxi from El Alto airport into the city (~£8) + teleférico rides (~£1)

🛏Budget guesthouse, historic centre, La Paz (~£18)

• →Self-guided walk of the colonial centre and Plaza San Francisco
• →Mi Teleférico cable-car ride to El Alto viewpoints

Take a taxi or trufi (shared minibus, BOB 3-5) to the Valle de las Animas trailhead above the city (approx. BOB 50-60 / £6 by taxi). The marked trail through the rock spires is walkable independently — a 2hr, 5km loop at around 3,900m. Go slowly. Alternatively, join a small-group guided hike through GetYourGuide or a local La Paz agency for £20-25 if you'd rather have interpretation on the Andean spiritual landscape. Afternoon: wander the Mercado Rodríguez and the Witches' Market (Mercado de las Brujas) on Calle Linares — native potatoes, Andean grains, ritual offerings. Cheap lunch at a market stall (BOB 20-30 / £2-3). Evening free.

🚌Taxis/trufis to trailhead and around the city (~£8)

🛏Budget guesthouse, historic centre, La Paz (~£18)

• →Independent hike in Valle de las Animas (free)
• →Mercado Rodríguez and Witches' Market wander

Book a shared day tour to Charquini/Milluni with a local La Paz operator (e.g. via GetYourGuide or a city agency) — around £35-45 including transport, a local guide and lunch, versus a private transfer. You'll drive via La Cumbre (4,725m) and hike 2-3 hours past turquoise glacial lakes below Huayna Potosí, reaching roughly 4,950m. Many operators include the Aymara weaving community visit near Milluni — ask when booking. Take it very slowly, wear layers and bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Back in La Paz by early evening; dinner of api and pastel at a local stand (BOB 20 / £2) or a proper restaurant meal (BOB 60-80 / £6-9).

🚌Included in shared day tour

🛏Budget guesthouse, historic centre, La Paz (~£18)

• →Charquini / Milluni glacial lakes hike at 4,725-4,950m (shared day tour)
• →Optional Aymara weaving community visit

Fly La Paz–Uyuni with Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) or Amaszonas — book direct online; typical one-way fares £55-85 depending on how far ahead you book (the tour's internal flight is included in its price). From Uyuni airport it's a short BOB 20-30 taxi into town. Check into a basic hostal (Hostal La Magia de Uyuni, Piedra Blanca or similar, £12-18). Take an afternoon Salar de Uyuni sunset tour with a local 4x4 agency (BOB 150-250 / £18-28, booked in town or via GetYourGuide) covering Colchani, the Ojos del Salar, the Dakar Monument and — conditions permitting — Incahuasi Island cactus viewpoint (entry BOB 30). If you prefer, save the Salar for the multi-day circuit starting tomorrow and spend today acclimatising gently. Book tomorrow's 3-day 4x4 circuit tonight through a reputable Uyuni agency and confirm it ends at the Chilean border.

🚌BoA/Amaszonas flight La Paz–Uyuni (~£70 one-way)

🛏Hostal in Uyuni (~£15)

• →Afternoon Salar de Uyuni sunset 4x4 tour (self-booked)
• →Colchani, Ojos del Salar and Dakar Monument stops

Begin a self-booked 3-day shared 4x4 circuit (four to six passengers per vehicle, driver-guide; £90-140 per person including fuel, driver, food and basic accommodation — agencies in Uyuni compete hard, so compare two or three and check reviews). Today crosses the salt flat north to Coquesa village beneath Tunupa Volcano. Walk up to the mirador at around 4,200m (2-2.5hrs, slow pace), and if your driver-guide arranges it, visit a quinoa-growing family in the village. Lunch is usually a simple spread on the salt itself. Return across the Salar to Uyuni for the night or, more efficiently for onward travel, continue to your first reserve lodging — decide when booking so you don't backtrack. Dinner included in most circuits.

🚌Shared 4x4 with driver-guide (part of 3-day circuit)

🛏Hostal in Uyuni or basic lodge en route (~£15-20)

• →Tunupa Volcano viewpoint hike to ~4,200m
• →Coquesa village and quinoa-farm visit

A long but spectacular drive day south through the remote Altiplano. Stops typically include the Valley of the Rocks (Árbol de Piedra area), Laguna Colorada with its red mineral water and flamingos, and the Siloli Desert with the wind-sculpted Stone Tree. Park entry fees (approx. BOB 150 / £17) are usually extra on budget circuits — confirm what's included before you pay. Sleep at a very basic reserve lodge near Laguna Hedionda or Laguna Colorada (Los Flamencos-style eco hotel, or a simpler refugio, ~£20-30 in a shared room; electricity and hot water typically only in the evening). Bring warm sleepwear — nights fall well below freezing in winter.

🚌Shared 4x4 with driver-guide across the Altiplano (~9hrs driving with stops)

🛏Basic reserve lodge near Laguna Hedionda (~£25, all meals usually included in circuit)

• →Valley of the Rocks and Stone Tree
• →Laguna Colorada flamingo walk
• →Siloli Desert scenic drive

Early start for Sol de Mañana geyser field (4,800m) at its most atmospheric, then a soak in the Polques hot springs (small entry fee, BOB 10-20) before crossing the Salvador Dalí Desert to Laguna Verde beneath Licancabur volcano. Your driver drops you at Hito Cajón border post; complete formalities on foot (have your onward ticket and accommodation details ready), then catch the shared minibus or a transfer down to San Pedro de Atacama (typically BOB 100-150 / £12-17, or arranged as part of your circuit for roughly £20-30). San Pedro is a low 2,400m — a welcome change. Check into a budget hostal or adobe guesthouse a few minutes from the plaza (Hostal Villamañe, La Casa de Mi Abuela or similar, £15-22) and book tomorrow's El Tatio tour and a stargazing session tonight through a local agency.

🚌4x4 to Hito Cajón + shared minibus to San Pedro (~£20)

🛏Budget hostal in San Pedro de Atacama (~£20)

• →Sol de Mañana geysers
• →Polques thermal springs soak
• →Laguna Verde and Salvador Dalí Desert stops

Book a shared El Tatio sunrise tour in town or via GetYourGuide the day before (CLP 25,000-35,000 / £20-28, including park entry and a simple breakfast). Pickup is 04:30-05:00 — dress in every layer you own; it's around -10°C at dawn at 4,300m. Watch the steam columns rise as the sun climbs, and scan the high wetlands for vicuñas on the way down. Back in town by midday: refuel with a menú del día (CLP 7,000-9,000 / £6-8), then take the afternoon easy — wander the adobe streets, the 17th-century church and the craft stalls, or rest at the hostal. Free evening.

🚌Shared tour minibus pickup (included in tour)

🛏Budget hostal in San Pedro de Atacama (~£20)

• →El Tatio geysers sunrise tour
• →Vicuña and Andean bird spotting en route

Hire a mountain bike in town (CLP 12,000-20,000 / £10-16 for a half day; several shops on Caracoles and Toconao streets) and ride the 20km out to Valle de la Luna. Park entry is CLP 6,000-10,000 (£5-8) — check current regulations, as some areas require a guide or timed entry. Ride the sculpted salt ridges and dunes, stopping at the miradors, and aim to be on the Cordillera de la Sal side for sunset colours. Return before dark (bring lights and water — it's a desert). Back in town for dinner (CLP 8,000-12,000 / £7-10), then join an astronomy tour booked locally or via GetYourGuide: CLP 25,000-35,000 / £20-28 for a small-group session with telescopes, southern constellations and the Milky Way. Book the altiplano lagoons tour for tomorrow before you go out.

🚌Bike hire and own steam (no transfers needed)

🛏Budget hostal in San Pedro de Atacama (~£20)

• →Self-guided Valle de la Luna mountain-bike ride (20km)
• →Small-group stargazing with telescopes

Take a shared full-day tour to the altiplano lagoons (CLP 35,000-50,000 / £28-40 including transport, guide and park entries; book in town or online). Climb to the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons at 4,300m beneath the volcanoes, walk the gentle lakeside trails looking for vicuñas and Andean gulls, then continue to the Salar de Talar and the red-hued Piedras Rojas. Bring a packed lunch (buy sandwiches and fruit the night before for CLP 4,000-6,000 / £3-5) — tours often stop at the high-altitude village of Socaire where a cheap set lunch is also possible. Back in San Pedro by late afternoon: farewell dinner of Chilean seafood or a parrillada (CLP 12,000-18,000 / £10-15).

🚌Shared full-day tour minibus (included in tour)

🛏Budget hostal in San Pedro de Atacama (~£20)

• →Miscanti & Miñiques lagoons walk
• →Piedras Rojas and Salar de Talar
• →Vicuña spotting on the altiplano

Take the shared transfer or public bus from San Pedro to El Loa Airport in Calama (shared transfer CLP 12,000-20,000 / £10-16; buses from the town terminal are cheaper but less frequent). The drive is 75-90 minutes, so leave at least three hours before your flight. Fly Calama–Santiago (LATAM/Sky, book early for CLP 40,000-80,000 / £33-65) and onward. If your schedule allows, add a night or two in Santiago — the Bellavista and Lastarria neighbourhoods make a good, cheap city stop before the long flight home.

🚌Shared transfer to Calama airport (~£14) + domestic flight Calama–Santiago (~£40)

🛏None (departure day) — book a hostel in Santiago if extending (~£18)

• →Departure transfer and onward flight connections