Day 1 Arrive La Paz
Arrive in La Paz at any time. Founded by Alonso de Mendoza in 1548, La Paz\'s proper name is La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (the City of Our Lady of Peace). Although Sucre is the official capital, La Paz is the Bolivian centre of commerce, finance and industry, and the de facto capital. This is a busy modern city, with its centre at the base of a canyon 5 km (3 miles) wide and sprawling impromptu housing all the way up the surrounding hillsides. The city is at nearly 4000 m (13,120 ft) above sea level, so visitors should be prepared for cool evenings and mornings. Explore the city’s many fine museums or its historic ecclesiastical structures, such as the Iglesia de San Francisco, whose architectural details reflect the indigenous and mestizo heritage of modern Bolivia. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market), where Paceños and visitors may purchase potions and incantations made from all sorts of herbs, seeds, and secret ingredients to remedy any number of illnesses (real or imagined) and protect from evil spirits. With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the street and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience. There is also a thriving black market and a Carnaval market, where locals purchase carnival costumes. You’ll also find a wealth of shops selling all sorts of handicrafts, mainly alpaca wool products, silver jewellery, woven textiles and leather goods. Optional activities in La Paz include museums, a tour of the Valley of the Moon, or a visit to the world’s highest ski resort, Chacaltaya (5600 m/18,368 ft). To the south of the city is the Valley of the Moon, with crater-like formations made of sand.
Day 2 Night bus to Potosí
Staying in the Bolivian highlands, we travel south to the city of Potosí. The highest city of its size in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has had a tumultuous history as a silver mining centre during colonial times. Take an option to descend into a working mine for a close-up look at methods basically unchanged in decades, if not centuries.
Day 3 Potosí
Situated at 4070m (13,350 ft), Potosí is the highest city of its size on earth. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in1987 in recognition of its tragic history in the mining of silver during the time of Spanish colonization. Potosí provided a large share of the silver mined and shipped back to Spain until the early 1800s, when both the supply of silver and world market prices began to decline. Working conditions for miners were appalling, and a large portion of the indigenous population was decimated. African slaves were brought in to replace the native workers, and it is estimated that as many as eight million indigenous people and Africans died in the mines during the first three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. There is time for an optional tour to the working mines of the Mountain of Silver, an eye-opening excursion.
Day 4 Uyuni
Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favourite Daughter). Most of its hardy residents are either Public Sector workers or salt miners in the dried out lakebeds, with tour operators a close third. The main attraction in town is the Train Cemetery, a collection of rusting railway relics, just southwest of the present train station.
Day 5-6 Uyuni / 4x4 Atacama Desert Crossing Excursion (2B, 2L, 2D)
We embark on our 3-day desert crossing. We spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert (Chile), exploring by four-wheel-drive vehicles. Driving across the salt flats is a fantastic experience, particularly for the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. The area’s unusual landscape of mountains, active volcanoes, and geysers is like nowhere on earth. Twice submerged by a large, high-altitude lake, the salt flats now cover a total area of over 12000 square km (7440 square miles) and are one of the country’s main salt mining centres. The last large lake dried up about 8000 years ago, leaving the small lakes of Poopó and Ururu, as well as the salt flats of Uyuni. Absorb stunning views of the salt-encrusted lakebed surrounded by golden-hued mountains, snow-capped peaks and an endless azure horizon that will forever engrave itself in your memory. The tour takes us through Laguna Colorada, 4278 m/14,031 ft (a large red lagoon, the colour of which is due to algae & plankton growth in the mineral-rich waters), and Laguna Verde, at 5000 m (16,400 ft), a striking blue-green lake (high concentrations of lead, sulphur, copper and other minerals). The numerous geysers, boiling mud pools, and thermal baths, and Licancabúr volcano 5960 m (19,549 ft), which looms just behind the lagoon are clear evidence of the region’s association with volcanic activity. Surprisingly, both wildlife and flora manage to survive and even thrive in the desolate landscape; this includes vizcachas (of the rodent family), flamingos (3 varieties), and assorted varieties of cacti.
Day 7-8 San Pedro de Atacama
In the morning we take a bus further south to the dry desert regions of Argentina and Chile, where we stop in the little town of San Pedro de Atacama, on the edge of the Atacama desert—the driest place on earth. There are plenty of optional excursions here, like biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, and a tour of the Valley of the Moon.
Day 9-10 Salta
We make our way to Salta, situated in the Lerma Valley of northern Argentina. Salta is home to Empanadas Salteñas - the delicious local specialty, and no visit to the town will be complete without giving them a try. In the evening experience the local celebration at one of the \"Peña\" folklore shows. On day 10 we will travel by van from Salta through the scenic Quebrada de las Conchas on our way to Cafayate, famed for it´s wine, especially Torrontes. We will have a brief winery visit and tasting, however in this case the destination is not the point, the journey is. Travel through multi-coloured valleys as you make your way through the foothills of the Andes starting in Salta. You will surely be awed by your surroundings.
Day 11 Buenos Aires
Enjoy a half-day in Salta. In the afternoon we fly to Buenos Aires, the Paris of the Americas. The capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires is the ultimate cosmopolitan city. Travellers find that it has more in common with the cities of Europe than the rest of South America. Nearly 40 per cent of Argentina\'s 33 million citizens live in Greater Buenos Aires, and the Porteños are justifiably proud of their home. The city is comprised of a number of distinct neighbourhoods, some of which have become top tourist draws. For many, the highlight of their time in the capital is a visit to San Telmo for the weekend antiques market and street artistís displays. La Boca was originally settled by the successive waves of immigrants that contribute to the capital\'s unique character. Its brightly coloured walls and buildings draw Porteños and tourists alike, and it is here that the world-class football team, Boca Juniors, plies its trade. A Sunday afternoon match at the fabled Bombonera is not to be missed. Posh Recoleta, with its cafes, museums and cemetery, is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. During colonial days Buenos Aires was the seat of the Viceroy of La Plata. Almost completely rebuilt since the turn of the century, the heart of the city is the Plaza de Mayo, with the historic Cabildo (Town Hall), where the Independence movement was first planned, the Casa Rosada (Government Palace) and the Cathedral where San Martín, the father of Argentine independence, is buried. When you are done exploring, settle your weary feet and enjoy a drink in one of the many sidewalk cafes and restaurants and you will begin to understand the contemplative Argentine way of life. Try the succulent bife and parrilladas! Please note: You should be especially careful when wandering about the capital city on your own, particularly at night. Tourists are easy prey for individual pickpockets or groups of two or more people working as a team on the streets. Pay particular attention to anyone who \'accidentally\' spills anything on your clothes or belongings (mustard, etc.) and then apologizes and offers to help clean up. They will clean you out instead! Be safe and leave your passport, credit cards, travellers cheques and cash funds you won\'t be using immediately in the hotel\'s safety deposit box. Most Porteños are honest and genuinely helpful and friendly, but be safe and enjoy the city!
Day 12 Buenos Aires
Depart at any time.

Duration - 12 days

Physical Rating - 3

Prices are updated frequently and are subject to change. Please call 1866 940 0214 for most up to date pricing.

Tour Departure Dates	Pricing
Sat Jul 07 2012 to Wed Jul 18 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jul 28 2012 to Wed Aug 08 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Sep 01 2012 to Wed Sep 12 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Oct 06 2012 to Wed Oct 17 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Oct 27 2012 to Wed Nov 07 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Nov 10 2012 to Wed Nov 21 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Dec 01 2012 to Wed Dec 12 2012	$1999** per Adult
Sat Dec 22 2012 to Wed Jan 02 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jan 05 2013 to Wed Jan 16 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jan 19 2013 to Wed Jan 30 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Feb 02 2013 to Wed Feb 13 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Mar 02 2013 to Wed Mar 13 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Mar 23 2013 to Wed Apr 03 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Apr 06 2013 to Wed Apr 17 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Apr 27 2013 to Wed May 08 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jun 01 2013 to Wed Jun 12 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jun 22 2013 to Wed Jul 03 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jul 06 2013 to Wed Jul 17 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Jul 27 2013 to Wed Aug 07 2013	$1999** per Adult
Sat Aug 10 2013 to Wed Aug 21 2013	$1999** per Adult

** Taxes and fees included. Airfare not included.