Salar de Uyuni Tours from Uyuni and San Pedro de Atacama
Explore the Uyuni Salt Flats on trips from Bolivia or Chile, with shared and private options
- RETURNS TO SAN PEDRO
Uyuni Salt Flats 4 days Tour from San Pedro de Atacama
(192 reviews)San Pedro de Atacama, Chile4 daysSpanishFree cancellation! - SAN PEDRO - UYUNI
Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from San Pedro de Atacama – 3 Days
(195 reviews)San Pedro de Atacama, Chile3 daysSpanishFree cancellation! - TRAVELER’S CHOICE
- PRIVATE TOUR
Private Tour Uyuni Salt Flats from Uyuni (Bolivia)
(25 reviews)Uyuni, Bolivia3 daysSpanishFree cancellation! 
Private Tour to the Uyuni Salt Flats from Atacama (3 days)
(2 reviews)San Pedro de Atacama, Chile3 daysSpanish and EnglishFree cancellation!
Private Uyuni Salt Flat Tour from Atacama round trip 4 days
(5 reviews)San Pedro de Atacama, Chile4 daysSpanish and EnglishFree cancellation!
Private Salar de Uyuni Tour from San Pedro roundtrip - 3 day
(6 reviews)San Pedro de Atacama, Chile3 daysSpanishFree cancellation!
Discover the Uyuni Salt Flats from Bolivia or Chile
The Uyuni Salt Flats are one of those places that are difficult to imagine until you see them for yourself. Covering more than 4,000 square miles (10,500 km²), this is the largest salt flat in the world and one of Bolivia’s most extraordinary landscapes. During the dry season, the white salt stretches all the way to the horizon. In the rainy months, a thin layer of water can transform the surface into a giant mirror reflecting the sky.
At Howlanders, you can find a range of Salar de Uyuni tours departing from both Uyuni, Bolivia, and San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Choose a one-day trip to see the salt flat’s main highlights or spend several days traveling through the Bolivian Altiplano, staying overnight in simple local accommodations and discovering landscapes that extend far beyond the salt flats.
Multi-day trips visit some of the region’s most remarkable places, including Laguna Colorada, the high-altitude lagoons, Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Incahuasi Island, and the Uyuni Train Cemetery. You can also choose between shared and private tours, as well as routes that end in Uyuni or return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Browse the available Uyuni Salt Flats tours and choose the option that best fits your travel plans, the time you have available, and where you want to begin your trip. Whether you visit the endless white landscape during the dry season or travel in search of the famous Bolivia mirror effect, the Salar de Uyuni offers some of the most unique scenery and photography opportunities in South America.
What makes the Salar de Uyuni special, and why is it worth visiting?
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world and offers a landscape unlike almost anywhere else. During the dry season, its vast white surface is covered with geometric salt patterns. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water can turn it into a giant mirror. Multi-day tours also visit colorful lagoons, volcanoes, geysers, and other landscapes across the Bolivian Altiplano.
How many days do you need to visit the Salar de Uyuni?
One day is enough to see the salt flats, the Train Cemetery, and some of the main nearby attractions. However, we recommend three days if you also want to visit Laguna Colorada, the high-altitude lagoons, and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. The best option depends on whether you only want to see the salt flats or explore the wider Altiplano region.
What is the best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni?
There is no single best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni. From approximately May through November, the salt flats are usually dry, making it possible to explore a larger area. From December through March, there is a greater chance of seeing the mirror effect, although rainfall can change the itinerary and make places such as Incahuasi Island inaccessible.
When can you see the mirror effect at the Salar de Uyuni?
The mirror effect usually occurs during the rainy season, especially between January and March. It requires a thin layer of water and little wind, so it cannot be guaranteed even during these months. When the salt flats are heavily flooded, some areas may be closed to vehicles.
How do you get to the Salar de Uyuni, and what is the closest city?
Uyuni is the closest city and the main gateway to the salt flats. Most Salar de Uyuni tours depart from there. It is also possible to reach the area from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile on a multi-day route that crosses the Altiplano and the border into Bolivia.
Is it better to visit the Salar de Uyuni from Uyuni or San Pedro de Atacama?
It depends on your travel route. Departing from Uyuni is usually more convenient if you are already traveling in Bolivia and gives you a choice of one-, two-, or three-day tours. San Pedro de Atacama is a better starting point if you are arriving from Chile. From there, you can take a longer tour that ends in Uyuni or choose a round-trip route back to San Pedro.
What places can you visit besides the Uyuni Salt Flats?
Longer tours may include Laguna Colorada, high-altitude lagoons, geysers, hot springs, and the landscapes of Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Near the salt flats, tours also commonly visit the Train Cemetery, Colchani, and Incahuasi Island. The exact itinerary depends on the tour length and weather conditions.
What should you pack for a Salar de Uyuni trip?
Bring layered clothing, a warm jacket, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water. For multi-day and overnight tours, toiletries, snacks, a portable charger, and warm clothing for the cold nights are also useful. If your tour crosses the border between Chile and Bolivia, you must carry your passport and check the entry requirements for your nationality in advance.