Our Tours.
Bolivia - Salt Lakes & Volcanoes
This three week motorbike adventure trip will take you to the scenic Andes of northern Argentina, northern Chile and southwest Bolivia.
It is packed with highlights: be dazzled by the infinite whiteness of the salt lakes, gaze up in awe at gigantic volcanoes, be amazed by the power of geysers, explore ancient Indian ruins, remote Andean villages and a whole lot more!
Get to know La Paz and Lake Titicaca with its picturesque island Isla del Sol.
Enjoy riding through these lonely landscapes!
This trip can be done in a 4 x 4 off road vehicle, too!
Day 1
You will be picked up at the airport in Salta and brought in the Hotel from where the tour starts next day. After an introduction to the bikes and the tour and some general information about Salta, you have the rest of the day at your free disposal.
Day 2
A winding road across a woody landscape takes us to the city of Jujuy. From here, the road leads into the picturesque valley of Quebrada de Humahuaca, which has been declared a natural and cultural heritage site by UNESCO thanks to is impressive landscapes and rich culture.
We will have lunch in the traditional town of Purmamarca before continuing to climb La Cuesta de Lipán, a pass which takes us to 4180m above sea level where we'll find the plains of La Puna and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes. We will spend our first night in Susques.
Day 3
After crossing the Argentinean Puna which is more than 4500m above sea level, we arrive in Chile and the town of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis at the foot of Licanbur Volcano (5930m above sea-level) situated in the driest desert on earth: the Atacama desert.
We'll go for a ride and watch the sunset in the Valle de la Luna.
Day 4
We will leave early to start the journey across the desert, passing la Calama and the biggest copper mine in the world, before dropping to sea level and arriving at the city of Tocopilla on the Pacific Coast. On a winding motorway, we will border the coast until we reach the beach town of Iquique.
Day 5
Day at leisure on the beach.
Tour details
Duration:
19 days / 18 nights
Distance:
about. 4000km, 20% gravel roads
Route:
Participants:
4 - 10 riders
Dates:
please see our tour calender
Level of experience:
The trip is suitable for any experienced motor-biker with some basic off-road experience. People having lung, heart or blood circulation problems should consult their doctor for the altitude.
Prices
| on BMW F650 GS: | 6900 US$ |
| on BMW F800 GS: | 720 US$ |
| on BMW R1200GS: | 7600 US$ |
| on BMW R1200 Adv.: | 7900 US$ |
| pillion/passenger: | 3900 US$ |
| single room surcharge: | 900 US$ |
Climate & Season
The Atacama Desert is known as the driest place on earth. The climate of the Bolivian Altiplano is also characterized by a pronounced dry season. We try to undertake our trips in the dry season, but rainfall is always possible. The dry season of this region falls during the southern winter, so cold temperatures - especially at night - are possible.
Day 6
Still in the Atacama Desert, we will ride through these hugely scaled landscapes, crossing three deep canyons to get to Arica, the northernmost town of Chile. From there we climb up into the mountains on a twisty tarmac road to the town of Putre, lying on 3500 m at the entrance to the Lauca National Park.
Day 7
A very scenic road takes us through the Lauca National Park and the border with Bolivia. On the Bolivian side we will stay in the little village of Sajama, at the foot of the highest mountain of Bolivia, the volcano Sajama, enjoying a bath in the natural hot springs, looking at this impressive mountain.
Day 8
On our way to Lake Titicaca we pass La Paz with stunning views on the mountain range of the Cordillera Real before crossing a narrow stretch of the lake on an adventurous wooden "ferry" to get to the town of Copacabana at the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Day 9
The bikes stay in Copacabana and we set off for the beautiful island Isla del Sol, for a short hike. In the afternoon we sail back to Copacabana.
Day 10
Riding back to La Paz, we make a detour and stop at the ruins of Tiahuanaco, one of the best preserved Pre-Inca ruins before riding into the highest capital city of the world.
Day 11
You have the day at your disposal to visit the colourful markets and other interesting sites in La Paz, one of the highest cities in the world, at 3800m altitude.
The ones who are in for more adventure can join us and ride down into the Yungas and coca leave plantations on the most dangerous road in the world!
Day 12
Over the plains and through colourful mountains ride takes us on a twisting tarmac road to Potosí, a mining town famous throughout Spanish colonial times, for its legendary mountain Cerro Rico "The Rich Mountain".
Day 13
Today is at your disposal - you can visit the mines of legendary Cerro Rico, the historic town and the money museum.
Day 14
We snake through the Andes on winding gravel tracks to reach the high planes of the Altiplano. Despite the somehow exhausting riding, the high peaks and the gorgeous valleys are totally enjoyable. We stay over night in a beatuifull Hotel built entirely of salt at the edge of the biggest salt flat of the world - the huge Salar de Uyuni.
Day 15
Today is the big salt-lake experience, as we drive across the seemingly endless Salar de Uyuni. Be dazzled by the unearthly lights and bizarre salt formations, and enjoy the easy ride on the almost endless plains of this white sea of salt! Take a break on the Isla del Pescador, a rocky island overgrown with cactuses which rises from the middle of the massive whiteness.
We stay over night in Uyuni, the town next to the next to the salt flats.
Day 16
We snake through the Andes on winding gravel tracks to reach the pleasant town of Tupiza with it's warmer climate. If the road is in good condition, we might get a chance to enjoy the swimming pool at this place!
Day 17
We leave Tupiza and continue the trip towards La Quiaca where we cross the border with Argentina and have lunch. Then we leave behind the plains of the Argentinean Puna and travel through la Quebrada de Humahuaca where we visit the charming town of Humahuaca, the famous church of Uquia and the Tropic of Capricorn.
Overnigh stay in Tilcara.
Day 18
The winding cornice route through the lush cloud forests of Jujuy finally brings us back to Salta where we end the journey with a well deserved asado on courtesy of Horizonte Tours.
Day 19
We will bring you to the airport to catch your flight. You will take awesome impressions, great memories and a Horizonte present with you on your way back home.
Adventure Northwest Argentina