Embark on an unforgettable 3-day expedition through the vast and blinding-white salt flats of Uyuni (Salar de Uyuni) into the desert of southwest Bolivia to visit tiny villages lost in the desert, multi-colored lakes filled with flamingos, the Sol de Manana geyser at 5,000m and thermal hot-springs.
Uyuni Salt Flats - 3 Days
Salar de Uyuni Desert Tour
Trip Itinerary
Uyuni – Train Graveyard – Colchani – Incahuasi Island – AGencha
Start your tour at 10:30 a.m. with a drive to the Uyuni Salt Flats. The first stop is the haunting “Train Graveyard,” located on the outskirts of Uyuni. Here, you can see Bolivia’s first locomotives and learn about their history, which connected several major cities. Now corroded over time by the strong salt winds that sweep through this desert area, the trains make for a great photo setting.
Next, visit the small settlement of Colchani, home to salt miners’ workshops next to the salt flats. Here, you can also find handicrafts made of salt and textile art crafted from llama and alpaca wool, which make excellent souvenirs. Take photos as you cruise along the vast white expanse of salt and wade through “Ojos de Agua Salada” (saltwater eyes). You will also visit a hotel made entirely of salt, which is currently used as a museum and restaurant, the Flags of the World (where you can bring your own flag and place it there for free), and a Monument to Dakar Racing.
After a morning of exploration, lunch will be served near “Isla Incahuasi” (Fish Island). Following that, you will have time to hike to the top of the island to see giant cacti and rock formations made of petrified coral.
Next, take some time to organize your group for fun perspective- and proportion-distorted photos set against the blinding white surface of the salt flats. Playing around with the scene, you can be sure to capture some funny and memorable shots!
Finally, head to a spacious area for the unique experience of watching a beautiful sunset over the salt flats, spreading its dazzling colors across the Uyuni Salt Flats while you enjoy a glass of wine.
Arrive in the town of Agencha for dinner and an overnight stay at the hostel.
Accommodation: Agencha Hostel – shared rooms.
- Optional: You can upgrade your first night hotel for an extra $35 per person. This includes a private room, private toilet, toilet paper, and a towel.** During the rainy season (from January to April): Accommodation will be in a hotel in Uyuni City (the Salt Hostel is not accessible during these months).
The rainy season is the time to appreciate the mirror effect, which lasts from the first week of January to the first week of April.
Chiguana Desert – Ollagüe – Andean Lagoons – Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve – Siloli Desert – Stone tree – Red Lagoon.
Start your day with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. The first stop is the Chiguana Desert on the south side of the Uyuni Salt Flats, surrounded by volcanoes such as Ollagüe, which is still active and visible from the lookout point.
Next, continue along the rocky road to visit the Cañapa, Hedionda, and Chiarcota Lagoons, where you can see flamingos.
After lunch, enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Visit the Siloli Desert, the highest and driest desert in the world, and take a picture next to the 'Rock Tree,' a unique lava rock formation. Before arriving at your final destination, stop at the overlook point by the Red Lagoon to see more pink flamingos in their natural habitat and admire the intense red color of the lake. Spend the night at a hostel in Huayllajara.
Accommodation: Huayllajara Hostel - shared rooms
**Optional: You can upgrade your second-night hotel for an additional $35 per person. This includes a private room, private bathroom, toilet paper, and a towel.
Sol de Mañana Geyser – Hot Springs – Dali Desert – Green Lagoon – Uyuni.
Get an early start around 5:00 a.m. to visit the Sol de Mañana Geyser (5,000m). Walk next to fumaroles and steaming craters filled with boiling pots of mud at 150-200°C. Then, take the opportunity to bathe in an open-air hot spring with water at 35°C.
Next, appreciate the Dali Desert, named for its resemblance to the surrealistic paintings of Salvador Dalí. This desert offers an impressive view with its unique combination of colors and shapes. Explore the Green and White Lagoon, with its toxic copper water at the foot of the large Licancabur volcano, a few kilometers from the Bolivia-Chile border.
Head back to Uyuni, passing by beautiful scenery and enjoying a picnic lunch along the roadside. On the way, pass through Rock Valley (Alota) and make a small stop at San Cristobal Village. Arrive in Uyuni town at 6:30 p.m. END of services.
Note: For those who prefer to conclude their journey in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, instead of returning to Uyuni, our tour guides will provide assistance for your border crossing at 10:30 a.m. The drop-off point is San Pedro de Atacama’s main square. The additional price is $40 per person. Travelers who choose the transfer to San Pedro de Atacama forfeit the trip back to Uyuni. If you prefer to connect to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, please book this transfer in advance.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.
ACCOMMODATION/ FACILITIES:
The accommodation on the Uyuni Salt Flats tour will be basic with basic cots in shared rooms. On occasion there may not be electricity or running water due to lack of infrastructure and services in the national park. You will be traveling in the middle of the desert - toilet facilities will only be available on the first day of the Uyuni tour and might have a small local cost.
Additional Trip Info
- English Speaking Guide.
- Local Driver
- Transportation in 4WD with rooftop luggage rack.
- Accommodation in shared rooms
- Meals: 3 Lunches / 2 Dinners / 2 Breakfasts. ** (2 lunches, if you finish in San Pedro de Atacama)**
- Entrance tickets (approx US$30-35 per person)
- Personal Expenses
- Drinks.
- Sleeping Bag (rent price = 50 BOB / 2 nights) (Winter time From April to August) Pay it in the office in Uyuni City, before your tour. It's only a recommendation if you are in share room.
- Tips.
- Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama
- Travel insurance.
- Transfers from the bus station or airport.
- Travel Insurance - We recommend World Nomads, or Global Rescue
* Bring cash in Bolivianos, USD or CARD will not be accepted during the tour.
At what time does the tour start and end?
- Meeting point: Local Office in Uyuni at 10:00 a.m.
- Departure time: Local Office in Uyuni at 10:30 a.m.
- Arrival time: Arrival at local office in Uyuni on the 3rd day at 6:30 p.m.
Are the driver and guide the same person? No, the tour guide and the local driver are different people. The tour guide is a licensed, bilingual (English-Spanish) expert, and the local driver is another licensed expert with many years of experience.
How large are the tour groups? Typically, the tour consists of 2 cars, 1 guide, and 2 drivers.
- Car A: 6 people.
- Car B: 5 people + English-speaking guide.The tour guide makes frequent stops and provides explanations about the sights to everyone, ensuring that all participants receive the same information.
Where can I leave my big bag or suitcase? On the first day of your tour, you can leave your belongings at the office in Uyuni and pick them up upon your return.
Can I finish this tour in Chile? Yes, you can finish the tour in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, instead of returning to Uyuni. This option is only available on the 3-day tour. After visiting the Green Lagoon, the guide will assist you in crossing the border. You will take a transfer from the Bolivian side to Chile, arriving in San Pedro de Atacama no later than 1:30 p.m. The drop-off is at San Pedro de Atacama’s main square, and the transfer costs $40 USD per person. Please note that lunch is not provided before the transfer, so we recommend having a good breakfast or bringing extra snacks.
What should I bring to the tour?
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Bottle of water
- Long-sleeved t-shirt
- Sun hat / woolly hat
- Coat
- Gloves
- Trekking shoes
- Warm clothes
- Hand sanitizer
- Bottled water (2L)
- Snacks
- Camera
- Batteries
What kind of weather can we expect in Uyuni?
- January to May (Rainy Season): During the day, temperatures can reach 18°C, but at night they can drop to 4°C.
- June to December: During the day, temperatures can reach 18°C, but at night they can drop to -15°C.In general, it is cold, dry, and windy from 5 p.m.
How does the wet season affect the tours? Some places, such as Incahuasi Island and the salt hotel museum, can become inaccessible. We may also need to sleep in a different location due to road conditions.
How long does it take to get to the office in Uyuni from the airport or bus station?
- From the bus station: It is a 3-minute walk (1 block).
- From the airport: It takes 10 minutes by car. You can add an airport transfer for an additional $40 per route.
