Uyuni Salt Flats 4 days Tour from San Pedro de Atacama
4-day tour to the Salar de Uyuni with departure and return to San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
Briefing
Departing and returning to San Pedro de Atacama, the 4-Day tour to Salar de Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama is a classic among intrepid travelers. Working with the best drivers and accommodations available, Howlanders brings you an expedition to enjoy the marvels of Bolivia. Travel across a uniquely diverse Andean landscape, visit the Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, pass through the Salvador Dali Desert, the Polques Hot Springs, the Geyser Field, the spectacular highland lagoons, and the great Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni), where sunrises are magical.
This tour requires traveling over long distances in a 4x4, visits to rural areas with extreme weather, and in some locations, at altitudes of over 4,500 m. If you don’t want to sacrifice a bit of comfort, we advise selecting the private room option when booking this tour or to book our private tour staying in hotels.
🔊 This tour starts and returns to San Pedro de Atacama. We offer another Uyuni Salt Flats tour departing from San Pedro that ends in Uyuni.
🏘️ The accommodations is in hostels and always provide a private room on the second night of the tour. For the remaining two nights, travelers can choose a shared or private room.
Are you ready to see Chilean wonders in just 4 days? 🤩 Below are all the details:
Tour details
Included
- Pick up at your lodging in San Pedro de Atacama
- Transportation in a 7-seater 4x4 vehicle
- 1st & 3rd night in shared or private room (according to selected option)
- 2 nd night in private salt room
- Sleeping bag (June, July, August, and September)
- Full board
Not included
- Eduardo Abaroa National Park Entrance Fee ($22 / 150 BOB)
- Entrance to Hot Springs ($1 / 10 BOB)
- Incahuasi Island Park Entrance Fee ($5 / 30 BOB)
- Bolivian Border Exit Tax ($3 / 15 BOB)
- Other required border fees according to nationality
- Guide
Important information
🚗 The tour is conducted in 7-seater 4x4 vehicles occupied by 6 travelers and the driver. The seats of the vehicle are rotated among the travelers.
🙋 The shared service tour does not offer a guide. The driver gives short bits of information in Spanish or very basic English about the places visited. If you prefer to take the tour with a guide, you can book the tour in private service.
⌚ From April to September pick-up will be between 6:00 and 6:30 am.
🗻 It's important to be acclimated to the high altitude before starting the tour because the route passes through high-altitude areas.
❗ This tour includes two border crossings to access Bolivia and returns to Chile. Border crossing regulations may change, and we ask travelers to ensure they meet the requirements for entry to both countries ( i.e. health, immigration, and visas). You can find all the information about the nationalities required to apply for a visa and the necessary documentation to carry out the procedure by clicking here. The border crossing may be delayed during the outbound and return journey.
🌧️ During the rainy season (December to March) the itinerary may be modified if the salt flats are flooded and some areas such as Inca Huasi Island may not be accessible. The driver will offer the best alternative to enjoy the tour.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellations!
If you cancel at least 72 hours before the tour starts, you will receive a refund of 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show no refunds will be provided.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1 San Pedro de Atacama - Verde and Colorada Lagoons - Villa Mar
Accommodation in shared or private room (depending on the selected option)
San Pedro de Atacama
The 4-day tour to Salar de Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama will start at 7:00 am with pick up at your accommodation. First, you’ll board the shuttle bus that will take you to the Bolivian border. There, they will stamp your passport while the drivers prepare the 4x4 and load your luggage. Finally, you’ll have breakfast and when everything’s ready, the adventure begins!
Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde
The first stop on the tour is entry to Eduardo Avaroa National Andean Fauna Reserve, where you will spend most of the day. At the national park, you’ll see Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. Then continue to the Salvador Dali Desert, featuring large highland lagoons surrounded by imposing mountains. An incredible introduction to the high Andean landscape.
Polques Hot Springs - Morning Sun Geysers
The trail continues to the Polque Hot Springs, where after changing in the small changing rooms you’ll enjoy a bath in natural thermal water that contrasts with the cold weather. The challenge will be to get out of the hot springs and brave the cold!
After a meal overlooking the landscape surrounding the hot springs, the Sol de La Mañana Geyser Field awaits. Featuring fumaroles (vents where hot volcanic gases and vapors escape) and small geysers, the Sol de La Mañana Geyser is a unique landscape that projects the power of nature.
Red Lagoon (laguna Colorada)
Finally, you will arrive at the Red Lagoon, one of the most spectacular sights at the Altiplano (highlands) and undoubtedly the most photographed location of the itinerary. Take a short walk along the edge and explore this captivating place, home to three different species of flamingos. Then head to Villa Mar, where dinner awaits and a cozy bed in either a shared or private room (the type of room is chosen when booking your reservation).
DAY 2 Villa Mar - Valle de las Rocas - Hotel de Sal en Colcha K
Accommodation in private room in a salt hostel
Valley of Rocks and Lost Italy
After breakfast, visit Italia Perdida, natural geological formations reminiscent of the desert landscapes of old Western movies. Close by is the Valley of Rocks, a plain littered with volcanic rocks in which erosion has mold the rocks into fascinating shapes (such as the World Cup or The Camel). This is where you’ll have time to spend taking fun pictures.
Vinto Lagoon and Black Lagoon
The route continues past an array of lagoons until reaching the Vinto Lagoon and weather permitting, a short hike along its shores. Otherwise, the group will continue straight to the Negra Lagoon (or Escondida Lagoon) where you’ll have about an hour to walk down the road to the lagoon and through the valley. This valley has a surprise! It’s full of llamas. Next, return to the car where your driver will be waiting with a table set for lunch. You’ll eat with the group and continue on your adventure.
Anaconda Canyon and Sora Wetlands
The Anaconda Canyon offers panoramic views of the meandering river in the ravine. From the natural viewpoints, appreciate the immensity of this site. For the final stretch of the day, make one more stop at the Sora Wetland, home to an array of birds and many camelids. The diversity of the wetlands extends to the endemic flora as well.
We like this particular place because it starkly contrasts with the other slightly more arid landscapes and allows travelers to see the diversity of the Bolivian Altiplano.
Salt lodging
Before arriving at the salt lodge, your guide will make a short pit stop on the way. Take a break from the car in a little village that has a store where you can try local beers (yes, artisanal beers from the Bolivian Altiplano) and, technology permitting, connect to Wi-Fi. Finally, at sunset head to the best salt hotel in the area, where you’ll dine overlooking the Altiplano and rest in a private room built entirely of salt.
BONUS COMFORT HOWLANDERS💙
Howlanders' 4-day Uyuni tour from San Pedro de Atacama includes a comfort bonus for the second night. On this day, you’ll stay in one of the best salt hostels in the area and you will have a private room and bathroom: The Tambo Loma Hostel. Even if you booked a shared room, you’ll be able to take advantage of this perk!
If you'd like to enjoy the comfort of a private room during the 3 nights, you’ll have to select the option with PRIVATE ROOM when booking the tour.
DAY 3 Salt Hotel in Colcha K - Salar de Uyuni - Uyuni Pueblo - Villa Mar
Accommodation in shared or private room (depending on the selected option)
Uyuni Salt Flats
Today will be an early start! Dress warmly because at 5:00 am, you’ll set off for Salar de Uyuni. After arriving, you’ll wait with the group to then experience one of the most magical sunrises in the world. Don’t forget to take out your camera and capture the special moment.
Incahuasi Island 🌵
Next: Incahuasi Island, a place home to a unique ecosystem of giant cacti and (thanks to its elevation) is one of the best locations to enjoy the views and take pictures of Salar de Uyuni with a unique perspective. Enjoy your breakfast at the foot of the island and recharge your batteries. We’re sure that this will be one of the most memorable and delicious breakfasts you’ve ever experienced. Now it's time to head to the next stop: a photo session in Salar de Uyuni.
Uyuni Salt Flats - Colchani
Now that you’ve seen a good portion of Salar de Uyuni, it's time to take some photos. During the rainy season (January-March) you’ll go to the flooded area to see the surreal mirror effect, however in the dry season, you’ll go to the center of the salt flats to take some incredible pictures. You just might be amazed by your driver's photography skills.
Dakar Monument - Island of the Flags
The last stops in the salt flats include the Dakar Sculptures and the famous Isla de Las Banderas. When you’ve finished touring the sculptures and banderas, you will leave behind a long morning in the salt flats and head to Colchani. Colchani is a great opportunity to visit the local artisan stores and purchase souvenirs for your adventure.
Lunch in Uyuni town - Train cemetery - Villamar
After two days of lunching in the style of "meals on wheels" (all thanks to the skill of your driver) today is the day to enjoy a sit down restaurant in Uyumi Village. Thisleisurely lunch will be a welcome change to the itinerary.
After lunch, head to the outskirts of Uyuni Village, to see the train cemetery, a landscape formed by the remains of what was once a symbol of Bolivian development. Afterwards, head back to Villa Mar, ultimately returning to the hostel where you spent the first night.
DAY 4 Villa Mar - Hito Cajón Border - San Pedro de Atacama
Return to San Pedro de Atacama
At 5:00 am, eat breakfast in the lodge's dining room, then head for the Chilean-Bolivian border, about a four hour journey. Upon arrival, complete the corresponding formalities and board the private shuttle bus that will be waiting to return you to San Pedro de Atacama, where you will arrive around 1:00 pm. This brings about the close of your adventurous 4-Day Tour to Salar de Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama.
What to bring to Uyuni Salt Flats 4 days from San Pedro de Atacama tour
Keep in mind that during the tour you will be above 13,123 ft (4,000 m) sea level, therefore it’s very important to acclimatize to the altitude. Warm clothes are also essential from June to September because the weather is particularly cold at those times. Below we have included a list of essentials to pack:
- Cash (approximately about $43 / 300 Bolivianos)
- Passport
- Warm clothes (as low as 26°F at night)
- Waterproof jacket
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sandals
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunscreen and lipstick
- Personal hygiene items
- Toilet paper
- 2 liters of water per person
Where does the tour Uyuni Salt Flats 4 days from San Pedro de Atacama start
The tour's starting point is in San Pedro de Atacama and includes pick up at your accommodation. If you’ll be arriving in San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago de Chile, the best option is to fly directly to Calama. Howlanders also provides the opportunity to book a private transfer between Calama Airport and San Pedro de Atacama.
If arriving from Peru, you will most likely be coming from Cuzco or Arequipa. In this case, we recommend taking a bus that crosses the Arica-Tacna border to San Pedro de Atacama. Although it is a somewhat complex combination, it is necessary to combine several buses.
Finally, you can also get to San Pedro directly from Salta (Argentina) via direct bus in about 11 hours.
Questions & Answers
What are the differences between shared and private rooms in hostels?
Shared rooms have three to six beds and the bathroom is shared with other rooms. To take a hot shower on the first night, it'll cost 10 Bolivianos or $1.50. The private room has a private bathroom with hot water for both nights and it is not shared with other travelers.
What are the hostels like?
On our tour, the accommodations at the Uyuni Salt Flats are of higher quality than other accommodations in the area. Also with Howlanders, you will always be assigned a private room. The accommodations at Villa Mar are slightly more basic, due to a lack of high-quality accommodations in the area. Both accommodations have hot water and heating in common areas. For some, this may not reach the level of comfort desired, therefore we recommend booking our private tour with stays at hotels. Keep in mind that this tour is an expedition to a very rural and economically underdeveloped area.
What vehicles are used for the tour?
The cars used on the tours are typically 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers that seat seven (six seats for the travelers and one for the driver). The seating arrangement might change between travelers throughout the tour.
Why doesn't the tour include a guide, is it necessary?
In our opinion, the role of a guide on this tour does not weigh heavily on the outcome and quality of the experience. This is because the most important aspects of the tour revolve around visiting sites and rely less on the information and history regarding them.
The driver is very familiar with the area and can explain some aspects of the sites throughout the tour, however, they typically don't fulfill the role of a guide and they also don't speak English. In most cases, a traveler in the group understands Spanish, and can translate for the driver.
At Howlanders, we are convinced that whether you hire a tour with a shared service without a guide or in private service with a guide, you will enjoy the experience in both cases.
Do I need a visa to cross the border?
Everyone (regardless of nationality) will need a “single migratory card" or Tarjeta Única Migratoria (TUM). This is a document you will receive with the stamp on your passport when arriving in Chile. For entry to Bolivia: some nationalities are required to obtain a visa or pay a tax at the border. At Howlanders, we recommend consulting your corresponding embassy.
Is it possible to choose a special diet: vegetarian, gluten-free...?
Of course! Don’t forget to write your dietary restrictions in the “notes” section when making your reservation. Please list all foodborne allergies, especially if you might need special/medical attention.
For vegetarian/vegan diets: high-protein foods such as tofu or tempeh will not be available, so we recommend bringing an additional supplement or snack.
What is the temperature during the tour?
From April to September the temperatures are very low. During the day temperatures reach around 50ºF (10ºC) but at night drop to 23ºF (-5ºC). The months of June, July, and August are particularly cold. From October to March, the temperature is warmer, where days often rise to 68ºF (20ºC) and nights drop to 41ºF (5ºC).
How much luggage can I carry?
We recommend not exceeding 40 lbs (18kg). Your luggage will go on top of the 4x4 and will be protected with a waterproof insulator. We recommend bringing a small bag for your camera, water, snacks, etc. You will only have access to your luggage when you are in the accommodations. If your tour includes the transfer to Chile there is no luggage limitation.
When can the mirror effect be seen?
The mirror effect is produced during the rainy season (January, February, and March). It is a phenomenon also known as reflections and it causes the sky to be reflected in the salt flat itself.
Is the itinerary modified during the rainy season?
Only if the conditions do not allow the original itinerary to be maintained, however, we will always visit the main attractions of the tour: the Uyuni Salt Flat and the Laguna Colorada. The two most common modifications are a result of:
- Inaccessibility of Incahuasi Island due to excessive flooding in the surrounding area.
- Inability to cross the Hito-Cajones border (requires modifying part of the first and fourth day's itinerary)
Can I get altitude sickness during the tour?
Due to the high altitude of the Salar, altitude illness is a possibility. That is why Howlanders recommends staying a day or two in San Pedro de Atacama to get your body used to the altitude. We recommend drinking a lot of water, eating lightly, avoiding alcoholic drinks, and taking pills for altitude sickness (if you think you'll need them). Although no physical exertion is required during the tour, in some areas you will be close to 16,400 ft (5,000 m) above sea level, so it is important to acclimatize to the altitude before starting the tour.
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