Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
Discover the best tour to the Uyuni Salt Flats in 3 days
Briefing
The Uyuni Salt Flats Tour is the best option to discover the biggest attraction in Bolivia. During the first day, you will visit the train cemetery and the Salar de Uyuni, spending the night in a salt hostel. On the following days, you will access the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, visit the altiplanic lagoons, the Siloli desert, and the geyser field 'Sol de la mañana'. In total, you will travel 900km in a 7-seater 4x4.
✅ Book with us and you will take the tour with the best drivers/guides who will offer you a safe and unique experience.
Tour details
Included
- Transportation in 4X4 (Toyota Land Cruiser or similar)
- Expert driver
- Accommodation (first night at Salt Hostel)
- Food with vegetarian option
Not included
- Access to Incahuasi (30 Bs)
- Access to Eduardo Avaroa National Park (150 Bs)
- Acces to hotsprings (6 Bs)
- Hygiene products
- Sleeping bag (rent for $8 USD)*
- Guide (available as an extra)
Important information
It is very important to make a good acclimatization to the altitude before starting the tour, as the tour runs through high-altitude areas.
🌧️ During the rainy season (December to March) the itinerary may be modified, as the salt flat is flooded and some areas such as Inca Huasi Island, or some accommodations may not be accessible. The flooded areas change constantly, so depending on the situation at that time the driver will offer the best alternative to enjoy the tour.
🚗 The tour is done in 7-seater 4x4 vehicles. If no guide is included, there will be a maximum of 6 passengers and the driver. If a guide is included, the maximum number of passengers is 5, plus a guide and a driver.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! You can cancel this tour and you'll receive 100% refund of the amount paid if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance. After this time, or in case you do not show up, no refunds will be given.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 Uyuni - Train Cemetery - Refinery - Incahuasi Island - Salt Hostel
Departure from Uyuni to the Train Cemetery
They'll pick you up around 10:30 a.m. at your accommodation in Uyuni. Our first stop will be a few minutes after leaving in the Cemetery of Trains, where the old locomotives are abandoned, creating a very peculiar landscape.
Colchani and the Salt Museum
Then we will go to the Colchani village, where you will get to visit the salt museum and the salt refinery where we will get an insight into the extraction and refinement process and the local handicraft shops.
Arrival to the Uyuni Salt Flat
The group will then enter the salt desert at noon, visiting the salt heaps, the “ojos del salar” (small holes where you can see the underground water), and the fascinating Playa Blanca museum built solely with salt blocks of the Uyuni Salt Flats.
Incahuasi island 🌵
The next stop will be Incahuasi Island, a place that hosts a unique environment full of giant cacti and thanks to its elevation, becomes one of the best vantage points to enjoy the fascinating landscape. Be sure to take photographs from a different perspective of the Uyuni Salt flats. Later, we will take a short walk to lunch in the white plains before continuing the exciting adventure.
Sunset in the Uyuni Salt Flat - Salt Hostel
We will arrive at our accommodation, the Salt Hostel, at roughly 7:00 p.m. On the way to the hostel, you will have the chance to enjoy the beauty of the salt flats sunset. Once there, we will eat dinner together and spend the night in double or triple rooms with shared bathroom (chosen according to your preferences and availability), or in a private room and bathroom (available as an extra of the tour).
DAY 2 San Juan - Eduardo Avaroa Park - Siloli Desert - Laguna Colorada
Altiplanic Lagoons
We will begin the day with an early breakfast to leave in the direction of the famous Laguna Colorada, one of the largest and most scenic lagoons in the salt flats. We will pass first through the Chiguana salt flats and stop at the Ollague volcano viewpoint for additional panoramic views. Afterward, we will visit the Cañapa, Hedionda, Hona, and Ramadita lagoons, known as the altiplanic or colored lagoons.
Entrance to the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve
We will reach the Eduardo Avaroa national park passing through the Siloli Desert, located more than 16,404 feet (5000 meters) above sea level, which offers absolutely incredible volcanic landscapes of different colors and its famous stone tree. We will make a stop along the way to eat.
Laguna Colorada
Finally, we will reach the Laguna Colorada, inhabited by three different species of flamingos. There, we will have some free time and trek around the lagoon for twenty minutes to see all the different animals that inhabit this haven of life.
To finish the day, we will arrive at our refuge near the lagoon and have more free time to walk around the area until nightfall. Dinner will then be served and we will sleep in dorms (six beds) or a private room (available as an extra of the tour). Please, consider that the accommodation on the second day is humble.
DAY 3 Sol de la Mañana - Hot Springs - Salvador Dalí desert - Laguna Verde - Uyuni
Geysers field “Sol de Mañana”
We will get up very early to start the journey to the “Sol de la Mañana” geyser field since the activity is higher during the first hours of the day and only then will you be able to see the many active geysers, fumaroles, and even a small crater with volcanic lava.
Thermal waters: Termas de Polques
The trip continues to the hot springs where we can swim in a pool of natural thermal water. The Polques hot springs can only be visited with the Uyuni Salt Flats tour.
Green and White lagoons
After the swim, we will go to the Salvador Dalí desert and visit the Green and White Lagoons. The incredible views, with the volcano Licancabur in the background, create the perfect setting to explore the area.
End of the Uyuni Salt Flats tour
At this point the group have two options:
Take another vehicle that will lead us to the center of San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) arriving at 1:00 p.m.
Start the road back to Uyuni which crosses the Black Lagoon, the Valley of Rocks, and the San Cristobal village church. We will arrive in Uyuni town around 5:00 p.m. After that, you will put an end to this incredible experience of the Uyuni Salt Flats tour.
What to bring to Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
- Passport
- Warm clothing
- Raincoat (between December and March)
- Sleeping bag (can be rented for $8.00 USD)
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes (if possible hiking boots)
- Swimwear (for hot springs)
- Towel
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal hygiene articles and medication
- Flashlight
- Cash for possible additional expenses
- Camera (the Uyuni Sal Flats are an opportunity for photography lovers)
- Medication against altitude sickness (if you deem them necessary)
Where does the tour Uyuni Salt Flats Tour start
✈ If you are planning to arrive from La Paz you can fly directly to Uyuni, check the current options.
🚌 If you plan to travel to Uyuni by land you should take a bus. We recommend taking the night bus which departs La Paz at 8 p.m. with the company Bus Titicaca or Bus Cisne. Upon arrival, you will have time for breakfast before starting the tour.
*If you arrive in Uyuni on the same day as the tour starts, we offer you a free transfer from the bus station or airport to Uyuni. If you arrive in Uyuni before the day the tour starts, your pickup point will be your accommodation in Uyuni.
Questions & Answers
Can I finish the tour in San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)?
Yes, it is possible to start the tour in the city of Uyuni and end it in San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). If you want to end the tour in San Pedro, select the extra Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama [PAY AT DESTINATION] when making your reservation. The payment of the extra will be made at the destination.What is the price of the transfer to San Pedro de Atacama?
The price of the transfer to San Pedro de Atacama is variable and will be confirmed the day before the tour starts. The price can vary between 100 and 150 Bolivianos (14-22 USD). Payment for this service will be made at the destination.How is the transfer to San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)?
The transfer to San Pedro de Atacama is a 50-seater bus that leaves from the Bolivia-Chile border crossing at approximately 10:00 am and arrives at the San Pedro bus station at 1:00 pm. The 4x4 driver will take you to the border crossing, tell you which bus to take and give you the bus ticket.Can I finish the tour at the Calama airport?
You can add the transfer to San Pedro de Atacama and from there take a private transfer to Calama airport. You can book it by clicking here.
Does the tour depart every day?
Yes, the Uyuni Salt Flats tour deaprts every day at 10:30 a.m. the tour starts, with the exception of not available dates in our website calendar (December 30 and 31 + January 1).How are the vehicles in which you travel during 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.
How are the accommodations on the tour?
The accommodations are basic. The first night is in a salt hostel. Unlike many Uyuni tours, this salt hostel is smaller and with better common areas and more bathrooms (subject to availability). On the second night, accommodation is in a small hostel near the Laguna Colorada. None of the accommodations have heating in the rooms and winter nights are cold. For this reason, you will have the option of requesting a sleeping bag by leaving a note in the reservation and paying for it at the destination. In general, throughout the area, the supply of accommodation is very limited and there are only lodgings managed by the villagers. They are very humble accommodations without any kind of luxury. If you need a more comfortable and higher quality accommodation it is necessary to book a private tour with 3 star hotels (there is no intermediate quality).
What are the differences between shared and private rooms?
The shared room has capacity for 4-6 travelers and the bathroom is shared with other rooms and the hot shower may have an additional cost of 10 BOB. The private room has a private bathroom with hot shower for two nights and is not shared with other travelers. In addition, you will have plenty of bedding and warm blankets, so it will not be necessary to use the sleeping bag. However, please note that both shared and private rooms are basic.
Can I sleep in a hotel?
Yes, by booking a private tour, in which the accommodations are at the Hotel Palacio Sal and the Hotel Taika de Desierto or similar. You can book it on our website at the following link: Salar de Uyuni Private Premium Tour.Can I choose a special diet: vegetarian, gluten free…?
Yes, you just have to write it in notes when you are making the booking and the driver that will cook during the tour will have a menu ready for your type of diet. It is necessary to be especially careful with strong allergies to a particular kind of food that would need special attention. If it is the case of vegetarian or vegan diets, have in mind that it will not be available with high protein value like tofu or tempeh, that is why we recommend bringing in some additional supplement or snack.It is specially cold during the tour?
From April to September the temperatures are really low. During the day around 50 ºF (10ºC), but during the night they go down to 23 ºF (-5ºC). The months of June, July and August are really cold. From October to March, the temperatures are more warm, during the day they can rise to 68 ºF (20ºC) and during the night they get down to 41 ºF (5ºC).How much luggage can I bring?
It is recommended that the weight does not exceed the 40 lbs (18kg). Your luggage will go at the top of the 4x4, protected with a waterproof insulator. We recommend bringing a small bag for the camera, water, snacks, etc. You will only be able to have access to the luggage on the top once you are in the accommodation. If it is the case that you tour includes the transfer to Chile there is no luggage limitation for obvious reasons.When can we see the mirror effect?
The mirror effects is produced during the rainy season, January, February and March months. It is a phenomenon also known as reflections, it makes the sky reflect in the own salar.It is the itinerary modified during the rainy season?
It depends on the conditions but it is really common during this season (January to March) some areas get swamped and the itinerary is modified for security. Normally, Incahuasi it is not accessible and other areas are visited.How can I get yo Uyuni from La Paz?
The best way to get to Uyuni from La Paz is by plane or by bus. By plane, you can fly the same morning that the tour starts, since it starts at 10:30 a.m. and the flights arrive earlier, moreover the pick up from the airport the same day is included. If you prefer the bus option, from Howlanders we recommend you to take a night bus from the company Transomar. This bus arrives to Uyuni at 6 a.m. and the pick up from the bus station is also included. This bus and many others can be booked through: this web pageAre the 4x4 cars equipped with oxygen and satellite phone?
Yes, the vehicles include a single use oxygen bottle. The satellite phone is not necessary anymore due to improvements in the telecommunications infrastructure and there is a reception during the most part of the journey.Do I have to bring water or the drinks are included?
Drinks are included but just during the meals. You have to bring a half-gallon or 2-liter water bottle for the first day of the tour, after that you can buy water during the journey but it is important to have pesos Bolivianos to pay it.Do I need to bring money during the tour?
Yes, because the access to Incahuasi, Eduardo Avaroa Park and the thermal waters are not included and you have to pay it in pesos Bolivianos, not US dollars. Moreover, during the tour, you may want to buy water, soda or souvenirs. That is why it is recommended to have around 300 pesos Bolivianos.There are plugs to charge my phone and camera battery?
During the first night, you can charge any device and in the second one only for two hours. The plugs are A and C.There is WIFI in the accommodation?
Since it is an isolated area the connexión works slowly and sometimes it does not even work, that is why we cannot assure the service. Have in mind that during the tour in some areas you will not even have reception.There are toilets during the tour?
Yes, you have toilets in the accommodation and during the tour in some stops, sometimes you will have to pay some pesos Bolivianos for using them.Can I buy snacks, sodas or alcoholic drinks during the tour?
Yes, in some stops during the journey you can find small shops where to buy them. The price is double that in Uyuni town.Do I rent the sleeping bag once I get there?
Yes, it does not matter what kind of room you are in that the price is the same and it is paid once you arrive in Uyuni, but it is convenient that you write in notes when you are making the booking so it can be ready.Can I pay with credit card in Uyuni or during the tour?
No, all the payments are in cash in Dollars or pesos bolivianos.Can I start the tour in Hotel Palacio de Sal or other hotels that are not located in Uyuni?
Yes, it is possible to start the tour from another point. For example, Hotel Palacio de Sal located in Colchani. You just have to make sure that your accommodation is in the original route. If you have any questions, contact us and we will confirm you if it is possible.
In which hotels is pick-up not included?
The hotels Hotel Palacio de Sal, Hotel Luna Salada, Hotel Cristal Samaña and Hotel Sumaj Rijcharij do not include pick up. We offer two options, free pick up when the tour passes through the area (after visiting the train cemetery and Colchani) or the extra that includes pick up and transfer to Uyuni to start from the beginning with the whole group.At what time does the tour ends?
The tour gets back to Uyuni at 5:00 p.m., so you will not have a problem to take a bus that same afternoon back to La Paz, mostly depart at 8:00 p.m.. If you want to finish the tour in San Pedro you will arrive at 1:00 p.m. to the bus station where you can take a taxi that will leave you in the city center in a few minutes.Can I change money in the border?
No, there is no currency exchange places or ATM, you can change to pesos Chilenos once you arrive at San Pedro.How can I not have altitude sickness?
Due to the altitude of the Salar is possible to have altitude illness, a big amount of travelers arrive from La Paz so their bodies are used to the altitude, but anyway we recommend drinking a lot of water, eat lightly, stave off alcoholic drinks and if you think you will need it, having with you pills for this sickness.Does the driver speak english? Will the driver give us explanations and help us to take photos?
The drivers speak basic English. During the stops of the tour, they give information about the visited area, even though you can not expect a guided kind of service. No doubt he would help you to take some pictures :)If I select the extra: English speaking guide , can the driver and the guide be the same person?
Yes, if you select the extra: English speaking guide, in some cases, your guide can also be the driver of the vehicle. Depending on the availability of the staff and the size of your group, selecting this extra, you will travel in the 4x4 vehicle accompanied by 1 guide + 1 driver or only one guide who will also be the driver.Where can I have breakfast or dinner in Uyuni?
The best place to eat breakfast is The Guardian coffee shop. Also, we recommend without doubt Tuika restaurant and Hotaru restaurant for their international food. If you want to try authentic local food, the best option is Restaurante Luci.Can I book a private tour just for my group?
Yes! If you'd rather live this experience just with your group, you can book the Salar de Uyuni Private Premium Tour.
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