Day 16 - 4x4 tour - South Bolivia - 3 April 2012

Day 16 – 4x4 tour – South Bolivia – 3 April 2012

This morning we got up and ready for our 3 day/2 night 4x4 tour through the south of Bolivia.  We were picked up at about 8am by Cordilleria and made our way to the Chilean border control.  We waited here for about an hour just to get our departure stamps in our passports.  During this time Ann and I started talking to a couple of people who were in our tour group.  One fella was from oz and the other was a pom.

When our passports were finally stamped, we made our way to the Bolivian border which was about a 45 minute drive.  The drive was constantly uphill and subsequently we went from about 2,500 metres above sea level in San Pedro to about 4,000 metres above sea level at the Bolivian border.  When we got out of the shuttle we could feel the altitude.

After we went through customs we were split into two groups of six which each had a 4x4 and guide (driver).  Ann and I were put in a 4x4 with four other Germans.  Two of these girls were studying in Vina Del Mar, Chile, and one of the girls parents had come over for a holiday.

After we had paid our National Park entrance fees (150 Boliviano’s – about NZ$25 each) we started our journey.  Our first stop was the Lagoon Blanca – beautiful lagoon with reflections of the mountains in the backdrop.  A short while later we stopped at another lagoon – Lagoon Verdes.  We continued our drive through some beautiful terrain until we reached a thermal spring hotpool.  We went for a quick swim here.  We were only allowed to be in the water for about 15 minutes as we were at a high altitude and being in the water for any longer could cause sickness.  I can see what they mean by only allowing 15 minutes in the pool as I was feeling a wee bit lightheaded after my 15 minute dip.  When changed, we continued up the road with numerous stops at various sites.  One notable stop was at the geysers.  Nothing different from Rotorua, however these geysers are situated at about 4,800 metres above sea level.  I found myself puffing just walking to and from the car! 

At this point one of the Germans starting feeling dizzy.  He later became very ill and was unable to do the afternoon activities or have any dinner.  He was feeling the effects of altitude sickness.  I hate to say it but he bought it on himself as he only arrived in San Pedro at 11pm the previous night, and with San Pedro being at 2,500 metres above sea level, it is a good place to acclimatise to the altitude (Ann and I were in San Pedro for 3 nights).  So effectively he went up almost 5,000 metres in under 24 hours, can’t be good for you.

We arrived at our accommodation for the night.  It is effectively some shelter with four walls.  The accommodation was at just under 4,000 metres above sea level.  Still acclimatising to the high level of altitude.  We were put into rooms of 6 people (our 4x4 group).  We had a late lunch at the ‘hostel’, which was bangers and mash.  Surprisingly good as we have read bad reviews about the food on the trip.  After lunch we went to another lagoon, this one was called Colorado.  There were thousands of flamingos on this lagoon and the water was red.  There was a howling and freezing gale at this point, probably similar to Wellington on a good day.  After viewing this lagoon we went back to the hostel and started playing cards whilst waiting for dinner which was a three course meal of soup and bread, spagbol and a peach for desert.  We were told the lights were going out at 930pm so it was an early night.  The reason for the lights being off early was because the accommodation only had solar energy and conservation of power was the order of the day.  The night wasn’t too bad in terms of comfort.  I was expecting it to be freezing! It was cold, but easily bearable.

Cordiller Travel company - http://www.cordilleratraveller.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1