Transport
1 flight (1hr); 6 road transfers.
Accommodation
This adventurous holiday visits remote locations where accommodation options are limited, however we have selected good value hotels some of which have a good deal of charm.
Meals
Breakfast daily, lunch days 6, 11, 14; full board day 5.
Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
Included excursions
• Highlights of Humahuaca Gorge.
• Tupiza: Guided excursion.
• South Bolivia: Salar de Uyuni (salt flats).
• Potosí: Visit to the mines within Cerro Rico.
• Potosí: City tour and visit to the Casa de la Moneda museum.
• Sucre: Guided day trip to Potolo.
• La Paz: Guided walking tour.
• Lake Titicaca: Boat trip to Isla del Sol (Sun Island).
Summary of nights
15 days, 14 nights: Buenos Aires 2, Salta 1; Humahuaca 1; Tupiza 1; ; Uyuni 2; Potosí 2; Sucre 2; La Paz 3.
Included in the journey price
• Services of our team of experts in our London office.
• Services of Journey Latin America local representatives and guides.
• All land and air transport.
• Accommodation as specified.
• Meals as specified.
• Excursions as specified, including entrance fees.
Not included in the journey price
• International flights to Latin America.
• Tips and gratuities
• Meals other than specified.
• Airport taxes, when not included in the ticket
• Optional excursions.
Currency
The unit of currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso. In Bolivia it is the peso Boliviano.
How to take it
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns in both countries, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
Since you are visiting remote places with few facilities, we recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused.
Tipping
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 - 12% in restaurants.
Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our
Travel Insurance page.
Airport taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
Journey grade
There are a few long days of travel on this trip, but there are plenty of stops. This holiday is suitable for all but if you have a disability or other special requirements, please call us.
Climate
In Buenos Aires December to March are the hottest and most humid months, with temperatures sometimes reaching 40°C, and rain which falls in brief, heavy showers. From June to September, temperatures in Buenos Aires are more moderate (10-18°C) and there is plenty of sunshine, but cold fronts can usher in periods of up to several days of cloud and drizzle.
Salta has plenty of sun throughout the year but it can be cool in winter (Jun-Sep), when the trees and vines have lost their leaves. It is drier though, with little rain falling Apr-Oct.
On the salt flats, most rain falls between January and April when the roads can be very muddy and the itinerary around Uyuni is subject to change. The dry season, Jun-Sep, guarantees sun and an easy drive across the flats, but it is even colder at night. Uyuni is always cold at night.
Most rain falls Dec-Mar in both Sucre and Potosí: there is a little less sunshine in this period in what are otherwise sunny cities. Potosí is at a higher altitude and can be very cold at night, especially in Jun-Jul.
The weather in La Paz is dry and sunny Apr-Oct, but it can be cold at night. Dec-Jan can be dull and chilly at this altitude (3,500-3,800m).
Altitude
Because the trip gains altitude slowly, most people are only mildly affected and if you drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatise (don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol for the first couple of days at altitude), you’ll probably be OK. Symptoms vary: most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. If you don’t recover in a day or two speak to our representatives; in very rare instances it is necessary to descend to lower altitudes.
Clothing and special equipment
If you travel in the Andean dry season, May to October, it will be warm in the sunshine but at altitude chilly in the shade, and at night so you’ll need layered clothing, including fleece, hat, scarf and gloves. From November to April you can expect some rain so you should add waterproofs. In both seasons sunblock, sunglasses and good walking shoes or boots are necessary.
Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements, including advice on yellow fever immunisation.
You can also find helpful information on the
Masta Travel Health website.
Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.