3-Day Classic Salt Flats Tour From Uyuni
Highlights
Uyuni
nature, trekking, photography
Group Tour
3 Days
Easy
English, Spanish
Description
Join us in Uyuni, Bolivia, to marvel at the breathtaking views of the world's largest salt flats: Salar de Uyuni. Discover the dramatic landscapes of the southwest, featuring snow-capped volcanoes, colorful lagoons, vast deserts, and fascinating native wildlife. Visit the iconic Incahuasi Island, home to towering cacti, admire the vibrant Red Lagoon filled with thousands of pink flamingos, and explore the picturesque Green Lagoon nestled at the foot of the majestic Licancabur Volcano. Relax in natural hot springs, stroll through steaming geysers, and take in the surreal beauty of the Siloli Desert, where the famous “Stone Tree” and other unique wonders await your exploration.
Itinerary
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Itinerary: Dry Season (Mid-april to December)
- Day 1: Salar De Uyuni – Isla Incahuasi
- Begin your adventure in Uyuni, meeting at a designated pickup point (bus, train station, airport, or hotel). Hop into our 4x4 vehicle for a short drive to the Train Cemetery, a fascinating spot just outside town. From there, head to the village of Colchani (approximately 30 minutes), where you'll learn about traditional salt mining and processing methods, as well as explore its colorful local market.
- Enter the stunning Salar de Uyuni, stopping by the famous multinational flag stand—see if you can spot your country's flag! Enjoy a delicious lunch in the heart of the world's largest salt flat before visiting Incahuasi Island, a rocky outcrop covered in giant cacti. Hike to the top for unmatched 360-degree views of the salt flats. Later, unleash your creativity with fun, perspective-driven photos (don’t forget to bring props!).
- End the day with a cozy evening in a small village on the edge of the salt flats, where a warm dinner and hot tea await.
- Accommodation Options:
- Basic: Basic lodge with private room and shared bathroom in a local village. [Click for details and photos.]
- Standard: Simple lodge with private room, private bathroom, and hot water. [Click for details and photos.]
- Plus: Stay at Hotel Palacio de Sal, Luna Salada, or Cristal Samana (based on availability). Private room, bathroom, and hot shower. [Click for details and photos.]
- Meals:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Day 2: Barren Deserts, Colored Lagoons, and Andean Wildlife
- Leave the salt flats behind as you journey south toward the captivating Laguna Colorada.
- Along the way, stop at the Ollagüe Volcano viewpoint, a semi-active volcano on the Bolivia-Chile border.
- Continue to visit several lagoons, including Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, and Honda, where you can observe flamingos and other Andean wildlife up close.
- Cross the surreal Siloli Desert, a barren landscape dotted with fascinating geological formations such as the famous Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree).
- Enjoy the scenic drive and make plenty of stops for photos and wildlife encounters.
- End the day near Laguna Colorada, where you'll settle in for a well-earned dinner and rest. (For the Plus package, Árbol de Piedra and Laguna Colorada are visited on Day 3 due to the location of Tayka del Desierto Hotel.)
- Accommodation Options:
- Basic: Basic lodge in a local village (dormitory rooms, no private bathroom or shower). [Click for details and photos.]
- Standard: Simple lodge with private room and bathroom (no hot shower). [Click for details and photos.]
- Plus: Hotel Tayka del Desierto (or Los Flamencos Hotel if unavailable). Private room, bathroom, and hot shower. [Click for details and photos.]
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: Steaming Geysers, Natural Hot Springs, and Laguna Verde
- Start the day early with a visit to Sol de Mañana (Rising Sun), a remarkable steaming geyser field located within a massive crater.
- Follow this with a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs of Polques, then continue to the stunning Laguna Verde, a surreal green lagoon at the base of Volcán Licancabur, marking Bolivia's southwesternmost point.
- On the return journey to Uyuni, enjoy scenic stops and breathtaking views.
- Arrive back in Uyuni by late afternoon, where the tour concludes.
- Optional: At Laguna Verde, you may opt to be dropped off at the border post (20 minutes away) to board a pre-arranged bus transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Please select this option when booking if desired.
- Accommodation:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 1: Salar De Uyuni – Isla Incahuasi
-
Itinerary Rainy Season (January to Mid-april)
- Day 1: Salar De Uyuni
- Starting the adventure in Uyuni this morning, we meet at a designated pick-up point (bus station, train station, airport, or hotel). Board our 4x4 vehicle for a short drive to the iconic train cemetery just outside town. Next, head to the village of Colchani (30 minutes away) to learn about salt mining and processing and explore its vibrant local market.
- Enter the expansive Salar de Uyuni, reaching as far as conditions allow based on the intensity of the rainy season. Typically, in January and April, it is possible to drive to Playa Blanca (about 10 km from the Salar’s edge), but from February through March, driving onto the salt flats might not be possible. Instead, we will navigate the perimeter of the salt flats to fully enjoy the breathtaking mirror effect, depending on the conditions.
- Rain boots will be provided for walking on the flooded salt surface, allowing you to experience the magical sky reflection (weather permitting, such as sunny skies with light clouds and no wind). Cap off the day with a stunning sunset before heading to your accommodation in Uyuni (Basic & Standard) or Colchani (Plus). Dinner and rest await!
- Accommodation Options:
- Basic: Basic hostel with private room and shared bathroom in the town of Uyuni.
- Standard: Simple hotel with private room, bathroom, and hot shower in Uyuni.
- Plus: Hotel Palacio de Sal, Luna Salada, or Cristal Samana (in preferred order, based on availability). Includes private room, bathroom, and hot shower.
- Meals:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Day 2: Barren Deserts, Colored Lagoons, and Andes Wildlife
- Leave Uyuni and the salt flats behind as we journey south towards the captivating Laguna Colorada*. Along the way, visit Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, and Honda lagoons to admire flamingos in their natural habitat. Traverse the Siloli Desert’s barren landscapes, encountering the famous Árbol de Piedra* (Stone Tree) and other impressive geological formations.
- This is a day of long but rewarding travel with surreal landscapes, Andean wildlife, and countless scenic stops along the way. In the evening, arrive at your accommodation near Laguna Colorada* for a warm dinner and much-needed rest.
- *Note: For the Plus package, Árbol de Piedra and Laguna Colorada are visited the following day due to the location of Tayka de Piedra Hotel.
- Accommodation Options:
- Basic: Basic lodge in a local village (dormitory rooms, no private bathroom, no shower).
- Standard: Simple lodge with private room and bathroom (no hot shower).
- Plus: Hotel Tayka del Desierto (or Los Flamencos Hotel if Tayka is unavailable), with private room, bathroom, and hot shower.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: Geysers, Hot Springs, and Laguna Verde – Return to Uyuni
- Today begins early with a visit to Sol de Mañana, an otherworldly steaming geyser field situated in a massive crater. Continue the adventure with a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs of Polques before arriving at the striking Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) at the foot of Volcán Licancabur** – Bolivia’s southwesternmost point.
- After bidding farewell to Laguna Verde, embark on a scenic drive back to Uyuni, with a few refreshing stops to take in the stunning views. Arrive in Uyuni by late afternoon, where the tour concludes.
- Optional: At Laguna Verde, you may opt to be dropped off at the border post (20 minutes away) to board a prearranged bus transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Please request this option when booking if desired.
- Accommodation Options:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 1: Salar De Uyuni
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
---|---|
1 to 30 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 30 | /person |
This is a group tour |