This 3-day, 2-night tour takes you through the highlights of the Uyuni Salt Flats and the surrounding desert! Hike on an island of giant cacti, watch geysers spout at sunrise, and stargaze from relaxing natural hot springs. This is a one-way tour that starts in Uyuni and ends in San Pedro.
On this no-frills tour, experts in navigating the desert’s rough terrain will take you to all the highlights of the Uyuni Salt Flats region. A local guide will explain the history of the flats, local Bolivian culture, and fascinating geology of the area. You’ll see the otherworldly salt desert, island of giant cacti, train graveyard, volcanos, colorful lagoons, rock formations, geysers, and unique wildlife.
The tour includes two nights accommodation in comfortable but basic hostels. You have the option to choose private, rather than shared, rooms for a higher price. All the lodging and meals during the 3 days of the tour are included in the price. You can also choose between a guaranteed English or Spanish-speaking guide for the trip.
Day 1: Road trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats
The tour begins with pick up at your hostel/hotel in Uyuni between 10:30-11:00 am. The first stop is at a Train Cemetery, where you will see the remnants of old trains that were abandoned just outside of Uyuni. After taking some Instagram-worthy photos, the group will head to Colchani and see how salt is processed before consumption or export.
Next, you’ll visit the Uyuni Salt Flats for the first time on the trip, and see the “Ojos de Sal” (Salt Eyes), where water bubbles up into the salt flats. In this area, you will also see the Salt Mounds, piles of salt that have been prepared for transport, plus the original Salt Hotel (which no longer accepts guests).
The last sight in this area is Isla Incahuasi (Fish Island), which is home to giant cacti and a fantastic 360 view of the salt flats! After ample time to take salt flats photos, the group will head to the village of Atulcha and spend the night in a hostel made of salt.
Accommodation: Kachi Wasi (English tour) or Samarikuna (Spanish tour)
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Spot wildlife at high-altitude lagoons and stargaze from hot springs
After a very early wake up and breakfast, the group will hop in the jeep and head south. The first stop is the Sora Canyon, where you’ll see llamas grazing in their natural habitat. Next is Chuguana, where you will be able to see extinct volcanos, plus Volcan Ollague, which is semi-active.
As the group continues through the desert, you will pass high altitude lagoons that are home to 3 species of flamingo. At the Siloli Desert, you will see the “tree of rock” (a unique geological formation), before continuing on to Laguna Colorada — a red lagoon full of flamingos!
Here, the group will enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Park. In the late afternoon, you will visit the Morning Sun geysers. The day ends in Polques, where you will have time to relax in natural hot springs under a fantastically starry sky.
Accommodation: A community-run hostel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 : Enjoy scenic views of the desert before the transfer to San Pedro
The day’s adventure starts at 5:00 am with a visit to the Morning Sun geysers for some incredible sunrise views. (If the group did not visit the hot springs on Day 2, you will have some time after breakfast to enjoy them).
The next stop is the Dali Desert, home to Laguna Verde, which (when conditions are correct) has fascinating green water with Volcan Licancabur as a backdrop. From here, you will board a separate transfer bus to San Pedro, arriving around midday (12:00 pm).
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
After you book your experience, you will receive a confirmation email from us confirming that your payment went through. You will then be connected directly to the tour operator, in case you have any further questions. We are also happy to answer any questions about the tour, or travel in general in your country of destination.
There are no reviews yet.