Overview

A trip to the “Salar de Uyuni” and surrounding region is a highlight of any South American tour. Widely known as the world’s biggest salt flat, Uyuni is home to some of the most surreal sights on earth, from multi-colored lagoons and glorious peaks, to water-covered surfaces of salt that mirror your own reflection. If you want to experience the incredible richness of natural beauty and diverse landscapes that Bolivia has to offer, a tour of “El Salar de Uyuni” is a great way to do it! In this itinerary, you will not only explore the Uyuni salt flat but also you will discover colorful lagoons, bathe in thermal baths and see stunning geysers of southern Bolivia. You will climb up to a viewpoint that overlooks Moon Valley where tall, tan-colored pinnacles rise up from the eroded hillside, creating a maze of otherworldly geological formations. You will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of La Paz, visit traditional markets and learn about the rich cultural heritage of its indigenous population. Bolivia’s ethereal “Salar de Uyuni” salt flats will shake your worldview.

Memorable Moments

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 – San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) – Dali Desert, Geysers and Flamingos (Bolivia)
Day 2 – The Valley of Rocks – Colchani (Bolivia)
Day 3 – Uyuni Salt Flat
Day 4 – La Paz – Moon Valley – Departure

FAQ

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Full Itinerary

Early in the morning we will transfer you to Hito Cajon, the legendary Bolivia-Chile border crossing. Your English-speaking guide will help you with migrations and once in Bolivia you will head towards “Dalí Desert” where we will observe the beautiful Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and Blanca (White Lagoon). Then we will relax in the thermal / medicinal outdoor waters of Polques which are surrounded by the beautiful desert. Lunch and we will go to the Geysers of “Sol de Mañana”, natural fumaroles because of the volcanic activity of the place; then we will appreciate the Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) with its beautiful flamingos and to end the day a transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Jardines de Malku Cueva.

Following breakfast, we will visit “the Valley of Rocks” with interesting geological formations made the erosion of volcanic lava. Then we will visit the local town of Villa Alota and have lunch there. The journey continues in San Cristobal with its interesting history of mines and minerals (this miner countryside known as one of the biggest silver mine of South America). Then head to Uyuni and enjoy a private visit of the Train Cemetery (open museum with old locomotives that used to be part of the transportation of Bolivian minerals to Chilean ports). In the late afternoon, return to your Hotel in the city of Uyuni.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel

On the way to Uyuni salt flats, tour the town of Colchani, where we will appreciate the manufacturing process of salt by the local small local factories. Then, we will explore to the largest Salt Desert of the world and discover “Ojos de Agua” (natural under waters below the Desert), salt mounts (firs step of salt process) and the first Salt Hotel in the middle of the Desert beside Rally’s Dakar Monument. Lunch will take place at the Salt Museum Restaurant and we will drive around the Salt Desert with different stops along the best places of the Desert in order to take pictures and funny videos.

At the end of the afternoon, we will transfer you to the airport to take your flight to La Paz. In the evening, enjoy an interactive culinary experience at a popular local restaurant, including demonstrations on how traditional foods such as quinoa are integrated into modern fusion dishes. You’ll sample a variety of dishes and discuss the growing popularity of La Paz as a culinary destination.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Casa Grande Hotel

Awake in La Paz and take a tour to the traditional markets of the city and a complete overview of the city including its major attractions. Ride using the largest Cableway System of the World from where you will enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of La Paz. In the afternoon, leave the city behind and visit The Moon Valley, located 8 miles from downtown of La Paz´s city, a park full of rock-like formations so exotic and unique, they seem otherworldly. Return to the hotel for baggage pick up and transfer to the airport. End of our services.

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Offers

FAQ

The best time to go really depends on your preference of what you want to see. Some people prefer to go from May to November when the weather is mild, but the Bolivian salt flat plains will be dry.

The wet season is from January to April. The rain will make that beautiful mirror effect, an unbelievable image of infinity.

The altitude at Bolivia, Uyuni is more than 3,500m (12,000 feet) above sea level and, believe it or not, during your trip you will climb even higher! For example, at Laguna Colorada, in the Eduardo Avaroa National Park, the altitude is 4,800m (15,700 feet).

This is a trip for Travelers who have a high fitness level, expect a vigorous pace, are comfortable participating in up to eight hours of physical activity per day, and enjoy challenging themselves physically.

Most tours are at a very active pace, with full day tours and a demanding daily schedule of physical activities such as trekking. Walking/Hiking tours can be on difficult terrain (up to 14 miles on uneven terrain, city hills, or narrow trails along steep hillsides with no railings). Travelers may be in remote and rugged regions with challenging terrain, possibly at high altitudes with steep ascents/descents. Leisure time may be limited (sometimes only in the later evenings). You should also take into account your stamina when traveling long distances and/or with multiple flight changes.

Altitude sickness can strike anywhere from elevations of 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) and upwards, although the vast majority of people will suffer no discomfort at all at that altitude. Interestingly, there is no correlation at all between age, fitness levels or gender and the extent to which people are prone to suffering from altitude sickness.

San Pedro de Atacama lies at the entrance to the driest desert on earth, the Atacama Desert. The town itself sits at an average of 2,407 meters, just over the threshold for altitude sickness so a minority of visitors experience mild discomfort such as dizziness or headaches. Again it’s not the town itself but the excursions you take while you’re there that tend to reach really high elevations. The explosive and unmissable Tatio Geysers are found at over 13,400 meters, which can cause minor problems for some, but should be fine for most.

Prior to your trip, we will provide you with packing tips and  recommendations to avoid altitude sickness in Atacama Desert and Uyuni Salt Flats.

Summer (November through March) is the best time to visit Southern Patagonia and Atacama Desert. The months from September to November and March to May are considered shoulder season for visiting the Atacama Desert. These months are the best to take advantage of pleasant temperatures and desert atmosphere.

During the summer months the average temperatures are around 27°C (81°F) during the day and 16°C (61°F) at night.

No, you will have very little to no signal and/or internet connection during your Salar de Uyuni trip. You will have wifi and cell phone signal at the hotel but it may be weak sporadically.  Make the best out of this tour and take the opportunity to relax, unwind and forget about staying online for a while.

In Uyuni salt flats you will be in a very remote place with no restaurants, pharmacies or shops nearby. The tours are all-inclusive and they provide all the food you need (and the food is good, I must say), but you have to make sure to bring everything you may need with you (such as painkillers or other medicine you have to take ,etc).

If you have any dietary requirements or food intolerances (you are gluten-intolerant, vegetarian etc.) please tell us beforehand and discuss all these details with your coordinator in order to have everything you need by the time you arrive at these destinations.

Swimsuit, warm weather clothing, sunblock, hat and sunglasses. Warm jacket, trousers, sweater, fleece, windbreaker, gloves and hat. Binoculars for wildlife-watching and camera equipment for capturing your surroundings. Prior to your trip, we will provide you with packing tips and  recommendations to avoid altitude sickness in both destinations, Atacama and Uyuni Salt Flats.

Yes. All passengers must present a negative COVID 19 (PCT-TR) test dated within 3 days of the flight  if coming from a country bordering Bolivia, within 7 days of the flight if coming from within South and Central America, and within 10 days of the flight if coming from North America, Europe or Asia. All passengers will have their temperature taken prior to entering airports and the pre-boarding areas. Individuals with a fever or a temperature over 38°C (100.4°F) will be referred to the airport medical unit for a medical evaluation.

Given the fluidity of the situation, updated entry requirements will be provided 30 days prior to travel.

Bolivia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination. The vaccine is recommended for travel to Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija departments. Talk to your physician about which vaccinations are recommended for you and which medicine and health-related items are most important for you. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

After you sign up for a trip with us, you will receive several pre-trip mailings with specific information about your destination; packing suggestions, etc. You will be able to download our app and have your own password. You will have access to your itinerary, real-time flight alerts and relevant information to help you prepare for your trip.

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