Atacama to Uyuni Round Trip
3 day private tour to the Uyuni Salt Flat with departure and return to San Pedro de Atacama
Briefing
Discover the Uyuni Salt Flats from San Pedro de Atacama in only 3 days with this private tour. We work with the best guides and accommodations to offer a quality experience. And the tour includes two nights of lodging with a private room and bathroom. On the way we travel through a very diverse Andean landscape, passing through the Salvador Dali desert, the Polque hot springs, the geyser field, the spectacular altiplanic lagoons, the Eduardo Avaroa Natural Reserve, and the great Salar de Uyuni.
Are you ready to enjoy 3 unique days with the greatest comfort? We tell you all the details below.
🔊 This is the shortest option to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat starting and ending the tour in San Pedro de Atacama.
Tour details
Included
- Transfer San Pedro de Atacama - Hito Cajón Border Crossing Point
- Private transportation in a 7-seater 4x4 vehicle during the tour
- 2 nights of lodging (based on the selected option)
- Sleeping bag
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Guide in Spanish (English guide available as an extra)
Not included
- Eduardo Abaroa National Park Entrance Fee (150 BOB)
- Entrance to Hot Springs (6 BOB)
- Incahuasi Island Park Entrance Fee (30 BOB)
- Bolivian Border Exit Tax (15 BOB)
- Other border fees required according to nationality
Important information
🚨 This tour includes two border crossings to access Bolivia and return to Chile. Access regulations may change, and we ask travelers to make sure they meet the requirements for access to the country both in terms of health and immigration (visas). You can see all the information about the nationalities that need to apply for a visa and the necessary documentation to carry out the procedure by clicking here. Border crossings may be delayed both on the outward and return journeys.
🗻 It is very important to acclimatize to the altitude before starting the tour, as the tour passes through high-altitude areas.
🕗🌧️ During the rainy season (January-March) the ending time may be considerably delayed, so we recommend not to take any transportation or flight to another place for that same day. The itinerary may vary in adverse weather conditions or due to force majeure to ensure the safety of travelers. In case it is not possible to access the Incahuasi Island, the visit will be substituted by a sunset view of the salt flat.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you have booked the tour with hostel accommodation, in a shared or private room, and you cancel at least 72 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, the booking will be considered a no-show and no refunds will be given.
If you have booked the private tour with hotel accommodation and you cancel at least 30 days before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, the booking will be considered as a no-show and no refunds will be given.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 San Pedro de Atacama - Lagunas Verde and Blanca - Hotel de Sal Tambo Loma Colcha K
Lodging (according to the selected option)
- Private room in Tambo Loma Salt Hotel
- Private room in Hotel Palacio de Sal (or similar) ⭐⭐⭐
San Pedro de Atacama
The tour will start at 7:00 a.m. with pick up at our hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. We will board the minibus that will take us to the border with Bolivia. We will stamp our passport and get into the 7-seater 4x4 vehicle. The adventure begins!
Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde
Our first stop will be at Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. We will continue to the Salvador Dalí Desert, a large plateau surrounded by imposing mountains that remind us of the paintings of the famous painter.
Polque Hot Springs - Geysers
The trail continues to the Polque Hot Springs, where we will enjoy a bath in natural thermal water while outside the temperature is very low. Enjoy this relaxing experience!
The next stop will be the Sol de la Mañana Geyser field, full of fumaroles and small geysers that make it a unique landscape where we can feel the force of nature.
Finally, we will arrive at Laguna Colorada, one of the most spectacular of the altiplano.
Altiplanic Lagoons - Valle de Rocas - Colcha K
The tour will continue through the Siloli Desert, stopping at the Stone Tree to reach the Altiplanic Lagoons: honda, Chiarcota, and hedionda. We will stop at the Ollague Volcano Viewpoint, the Valley of Rocks, and finally the Train Station of San Agustin Julaca.
And we will put an end to our day after arriving at our lodging Hotel de sal Tambo Loma in Colcha K, where you will enjoy the comfort of a private room.
DAY 2 Uyuni Salt Flat - Villa Mar
Lodging (according to the selected option)
- Private room at Hostal Villa Mar
- Private room Hotel Mallku Cueva ⭐⭐⭐
Sunrise in the Uyuni Salt Flat
Today we have to get up early for a good reason. At 5:00 a.m. we will have breakfast and head for the Salar de Uyuni. When we arrive, we will see one of the most magical sunrises in the world. Take out your camera and capture that special moment.
Incahuasi Island 🌵
We will continue to Incahuasi Island, a place that houses a unique ecosystem full of giant cacti and, thanks to its elevation, becomes one of the best places to enjoy the views and take more pictures of the Salar de Uyuni.
Colchani - Salt Museum - Dakar Monument
The next stop will be in the town of Colchani, where we will visit the Salt Museum and the refinery where it is processed, in addition to its local handicraft stores. If you want to take home a souvenir or souvenir is the best time to buy it. We will also visit the Dakar monument.
Train cemetery
We will arrive at the next stop: the train cemetery. It is a landscape formed by the remains of what was once a symbol of Bolivian development. After the visit, on the way back, we will pass through the Andean villages of San Cristobal, Culpina K, Villa Alota and spend the night in a hostel in the town of Villa Mar.
DAY 3 Villa Mar - San Pedro de Atacama
Return to San Pedro de Atacama
Today we have to get up early! At 5:00 in the morning we will have breakfast and head for the border of Chile and Bolivia in a journey of approximately 4 hours.
Upon arrival, we will go through the corresponding formalities and change vehicles to the minibus to get to San Pedro de Atacama, where the 3-day uyuni tour from San Pedro and back will end.
What to bring to Atacama to Uyuni Round Trip
- Cash (Bolivianos)
- Passport
- Warm clothing
- Waterproof jacket
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable footwear
- Sunscreen and lipstick
- Personal hygiene items
- Camera
- Medication against altitude sickness
- Toilet paper
Where does the tour Atacama to Uyuni Round Trip start
The tour starts in San Pedro de Atacama. If you arrive in San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago de Chile, the best option is to fly directly to Calama. At Howlanders you can also book a private transfer between Calama airport and San Pedro de Atacama.
If you are arriving from Peru you will most likely be arriving from Cuzco or Arequipa. In this case we recommend you to take a bus that crosses the Arica-Tacna border and then takes you to San Pedro de Atacama, although it is a somewhat complex combination, since it is necessary to combine several buses.
Finally, you can also get to San Pedro directly from Salta (Argentina) by a direct bus that takes approximately 11 hours.
Questions & Answers
Do I need a visa to cross the border?
All nationalities need the Tarjeta Única Migratoria (TUM), which you will receive together with the stamp in your passport when entering Chile. Regarding access to Bolivia, some nationalities need to obtain a visa or pay a fee at the border. From Howlanders we recommend you to consult with the corresponding embassy.Does the tour depart every day?
Yes, every day at 7:00 A.M. the tour starts at 7:00 A.M. except for the dates not available on the web booking calendar.How are the vehicles used for the tour?
Tours to the Uyuni salt flat are conducted in 7-seater 4x4 vehicles, mostly of the Toyota Land Cruiser make and model. Six seats are occupied by travelers while one is for the driver.Is it possible to choose a special diet: vegetarian, gluten-free...?
Yes, you just have to indicate it when you make your reservation and the driver, who will cook during the tour, will prepare a menu adapted to your diet. Please note that in the case of very strong allergies to any food, special attention must be paid. In the case of vegetarian/vegan diets, high-protein foods such as tofu or tempeh will not be available, so we recommend that you bring an additional meal or snack.What is the temperature during the tour?
From April to September temperatures are very low. During the day it is approximately 10ºC (50ºF) while at night it drops to -5ºC (23ºF). Of all these months, June, July and August are especially cold. Temperatures are warmer from October to March and can exceed 20ºC (68ºF) during the day, dropping to 5ºC (41ºF) at night.How much luggage can I carry?
You can carry as much luggage as you need, as this tour does not return to San Pedro, but it is recommended that the weight of your luggage does not exceed 18 kilograms. The luggage will be placed on the roof of the 4x4, protected by a waterproof insulator. We recommend that you carry a small backpack for your camera, water, snacks, etc. The items located on the roof will only be accessible upon arrival at the lodge.When can the mirror effect be seen?
The mirror effect occurs during the rainy season (January, February and March). This phenomenon, also known as reflections, causes the sky to be reflected in the salt flat itself.Do I need to bring water or are drinks included?
Drinks are included but only during meals. You have to bring a 2 liter bottle of water for the first day of the tour, then you can buy water during the tour, so it is important to bring Bolivian pesos.Is there WiFi connection during the tour?
Yes, during the first night you will have WiFi connection but the connection is very slow.Will I be able to buy snacks, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages during the tour?
Yes, during the tour, at some stops, we will find small stores where to buy them. In this case, the price is double that in Uyuni.Can money be exchanged at the border?
No, there are no exchange houses or ATMs available. You can exchange Bolivianos at the exchange houses in San Pedro de Atacama.How can I avoid altitude sickness?
Due to the altitude at which the Salar is located, it is possible to suffer from altitude sickness. That is why we recommend staying a day or two in San Pedro de Atacama to get your body used to the altitude. We also recommend drinking plenty of water, eating light meals, avoiding alcohol and taking a pill for altitude sickness.Does the driver speak English and will he/she explain and help us take pictures?
The drivers speak basic English, so you can't expect a guide service. But they will certainly help you take nice pictures :)
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