Uyuni Salt Flats Private Tour

Discover the Immense Uyuni Salt Flats

Go on a Uyuni Salt Flats private tour with a local Bolivian guide. On this 3 day / 2 night tour you’ll get plenty of time to explore the world’s largest salt flats. Plus, having a private driver and guide will allow you to go at your own pace and have a flexible schedule – so you don’t feel rushed.

This tour includes private transportation, private accommodation, customizable itinerary, an English-speaking or Spanish-speaking guide, and can accommodate up to 6 people

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights beginning and ending in Uyuni
Pick-up Time: 10:30 AM
Drop-off Time: 5:00 PM

Highlights

• Visit the world’s largest salt flat in Uyuni
• Take incredible photos on one of the most photogenic landscapes on earth
• See flamingos, llamas, and other wildlife at the high altitude lagoons
• Relax in natural hot springs located in the middle of the desert

Itinerary

Day 1: Explore the Vastness of the Uyuni Salt Flats
Today, you’ll be picked up at your hotel in Uyuni at 10:30 AM (or at your preferred time) and head to the first stop, the Train Cemetery. This is a great place to be a big kid and climb on top and inside the old trains – just be careful when climbing up. You’ll then head to the small village of Colchani, where you’ll get the opportunity to learn about how salt is processed and visit the Salt Museum.

Time for the main attraction! From Colchani you will drive into the Salt Flats and spend the afternoon exploring this true natural marvel. No picture or video can really express the magnitude of actually being there. You’ll also have the chance to see the Salt Mountains, salt extraction facilities, and the ‘Eyes of the Salt Flat.’ You will also visit Isla Incahuasi, an island of coral and giant cacti in the middle of the desert.

The day ends in the town of San Juan, where you will stay in a hostel made completely of salt – Villa Candelaria Salt Hostel.

Places visited on Day 1:
– Uyuni Salt Flats
– Train Cemetery
– Incahuasi Island
– Hotel de Playa Blanca
– Salt Eyes (Ojos de Sal)
– Salt Mounds (Montoneras de Sal)

Day 2: Visit Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve
Welcome to your second day! In the morning, you’ll make your way to the small community of Mallku Villa Mar. This area is home to some of the most spectacular ancient rock paintings with drawings of humans and animals. Then off to the Valley of the Rocks, where massive stones have eroded due to the strong winds in the high deserts.

You’ll also visit the Black Lagoon – black in color (hence it’s name) and covered in black volcanic rocks on the bottom. This area is full of different birds, including Tawas (black ducks with yellow faces) and high-altitude Geese. Then, the beautiful Catal Canyon with winding frozen rivers and enjoy a simple picnic lunch. Then heading to a fresh water waterfall, you’ll enjoy an beautiful view of the valley which is home to many small Andean towns as well as llamas and alpacas farms.

Tonight’s lodging is in at a basic hostel in Huayllajara. Depending on the weather and where other tour groups are heading today, the exact order of the sights you’ll see will change.

Places visited on Day 2:
– Cave Paintings (Pinturas Rupestres)
– Valley of the Rocks
– Black Lagoon
– Catal Canyon
– Mysterious Lagoon (Laguna Misteriosa)
– Mirador de la Cascada de Agua Dulce

Day 3: Laguna Colorado, Dali Desert, & Natural Hot Springs
Today after an early morning breakfast, you’ll head to Laguna Colorado, a nesting ground for over 30,000 flamingos. In the morning, you’ll also visit the Geysers of the Morning Sun – incredible natural spouts of steam that shoot up from the ground at over 90°C (194°F).

From there, you will go to the Polques hot springs, where you can relax in the natural hot pools before continuing on to the Dali Desert. Surrounded by towering volcanoes, the scene is surreal – just like one of Salvador Dali’s paintings. From here you continue to White Lagoon (Laguna Blanca) and Green Lagoon (Laguna Verde), both located at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano.

You’ll then begin the return journey to Uyuni (about 7 hours). You will stop for lunch around midday, but otherwise there are not many other stops on the way back. You will arrive back in Uyuni around 5:00 pm (17:00).

Places visited on Day 3:
– White Lagoon
– Green Lagoon
– The Dali Desert
– Hot springs
– Morning Sun Geyser
– Colorada Lagoon

What’s Included

• Private pickup at your hotel or hostel in Uyuni
• Experienced English-speaking guide
• All meals with the exception of dinner on Day 3
• Private 4×4 vehicle and driver
• Basic private acommodations for 2 nights (based on double occupancy)
  • 1st night – Villa Candelaria Salt Hostel
  • 2nd night – Refugio in Huayllajara

What’s Not Included

• Entrances to hot springs & national park (approx. 200 Bolivian pesos)
• Bolivia Visa (prices vary, can be upwards of $100USD)
• Tips for guides & extra drinks during meals

Important Notes About the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

• Cancellation policy: The booking is cancellable without penalty up to 14 days before the start of the tour. Within 14 days of the start of the tour, the payment is not refundable.
• The exact pickup time on the first day depends on you and your guide. If you’d like a different start time, please note it at the time of booking
• There are 6 passengers seats in each vehicle; this means if you would like a English-speaking guide, there are 5 remaining passenger seats in the vehicle
• The exact itinerary is subject to change with weather. This is especially true during the months of February and March.
• Please note that they generally do not have food in Uyuni that accommodates gluten-free or vegan diets
• The road conditions around the slat flats are quite bad, but the tour uses 4×4 trucks that can handle it; the trucks are not new but they are kept in good shape and consistently maintained
• We highly recommend you get travel insurance before this trip – between crossing an international border and the weather, there are lots of unpredictable factors that could affect the trip. We recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance

What to Bring

• 350 Bolivian pesos (for entrances fees and extra personal expenses). Here is a breakdown of some of the expenses to expect:
  • Park entrance fee (required): 250 Bolivianos
  • Hot springs entrance fee: 30 Bolivianos
  • Toilets: cost between 2-8 bolivianos per stop, most do not include toilet paper or soap
• 5 liters of water per person – this may sound like a lot, but remember you’re in the driest place on Earth, may suffer from altitude sickness, and you cannot buy water on the way.
• Swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel
• Closed-toed shoes or boots
• Toilet paper – none will be provided in the bathrooms
• Warm clothing

Lodging on the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

This tour includes “basic accommodation”. These are hostels and small hotels that are extremely remote, in the northern desert in Bolivia. The small towns are very poor and lack the infrastructure that most travelers are accustomed to.

Huayllajara Hostel

• Very basic private room with a private bathroom
• Electricity is only available between 19:00 – 21:00

Villa Candelaria Salt Hostel

• Private accommodation with a private bathroom & hot water
• Electricity is available at all hours (unless there is a power outage)

Map

Uyuni Salt Flat

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Uyuni Salt Flat -20.133777, -67.489134