3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Adventure to San Pedro de Atacama

3.0 (2 reviews) Uyuni, Bolivia
Duration3 days
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesSpanish
Group sizeUp to 20 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Embark on an expedition in a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser to explore the Uyuni Salt Flat, area deserts, local villages, multi-colored lakes with flamingos, geysers, and more on this 3-day, one-way, guided adventure from Uyuni, Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Guide, private transportation, accommodation, meals, and border crossing assistance included.

What's included

  • 1 Night shared hostel accommodation
  • 1 Night accommodation in Salt Hotel, basic dorm-style rooms w/ shared bathroom
  • Local driver and English speaking guide
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • 4WD transport on tour (max 7 people per car)
  • Toiletries (towels, toilet paper, soap,etc)
  • Other meals & drinks
  • Toilets along the way (20 BS)
  • Tips for guide, driver and cook
  • Personal expenses
  • Change to Vegan meals
  • Change to Gluten Free Meals
  • Entrance fee to Incahuasi Island (approx. 30 Bs)
  • Entrance fee to Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (approx. 150 Bs)
  • Sleeping bag (must be requested in advance rental available for 50 Bs)
  • Hot shower at the lodges (approx. 30 Bs)

What to expect

Day 1: Uyuni-Villa de Candelaria, Bolivia (L/D)
  1. Train Cemetery
    14h · Admission ticket included
    At 10:30 AM, we will start the tour by visiting the Cementerio de trenes which is a unique and interesting train graveyard located in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flat. Then, we will continue to El proceso de sal en Colchani to see how salt is extracted and processed. After that, we will visit the Artesanías de sal to see the various ways in which salt is used to create beautiful and unique crafts. We will also visit the Montones de sal to see the vast expanse of salt flats, and the Ojos de sal which are small pools of water that are surrounded by salt flats. Lastly, we will visit Isla Incahuasi, which is a small island located in the middle of the salt flats and is home to cacti and other unique plants. Then, we will check-in to the Hotel de Sal, which is built entirely out of salt bricks and provides guests with an opportunity to experience what it's like to sleep on a bed of salt.
    8:00 PM we check-in at the Hotel de Sal and we will enjoy dinner together.
Day 2: Chiguana Desert - Lagoons - Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Red Lagoon Sol de Mañana Geyser (B/L/D)
  1. Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna
    1 day · Admission ticket not included
    We will start the day with a 7:30 AM breakfast before departing at 8:00 AM. We will visit Volcán Ollague which is an active volcano, as well as Lagunas con Flamencos (Cañapa Hedionda - Honda), which are saltwater lagoons that are home to thousands of flamingos. We will also visit Desierto de Siloli (Siloli Desert) which is a desert that is located in the Andes Mountains and is known for its unique rock formations. After lunch, we will visit Montañas de 7colores (7-Colored Mountains), El árbol de Piedra (The Stone Tree) and Laguna Colorada (Huayllajara) which is a red-colored lagoon that is home to thousands of flamingos. We will spend our second night at the Albergue Laguna Colorada (shared bathroom)
Day 3: Dali Desert - Green Lagoon – Uyuni(B/L)
  1. Uyuni
    12h
    We'll start the day at 5:00 AM with visits to Geiseres and Thermal Waters for relaxation. After breakfast, we'll explore Rocas de Dalí, Laguna Verde, Laguna Blanca, and Valle de Rocas. The tour concludes with visits to Culplina and San Cristobal before returning to Uyuni by 6:30 PM. Alternatively, for those heading to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, border crossing assistance will be provided at 10:30 AM, arriving at San Pedro's main square by 12:00 PM on the third day of the tour.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Alternatively, you can meet us at our meeting point at 64 Avenida Bolivar, between Ferroviaria and Potosí

End point

This tour ends at San Pedro de Atacama’s main square by 12:00 p.m

Pickup details

Pick-up from Uyuni airport (only the day the tour starts), Uyuni bus stations or Uyuni hostels (or travellers can meet us at the meeting point). This must be booked in advance. Transfers from airport to accommodation have an extra cost 5 USD).

Additional information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other forces beyond our control
  • During the rainy season, the salt flat fills with water so it is not possible to cross the salt flat in the same way as during dry season causing the itinerary to be modified during that period. The salt hostel is unavailable. Instead, you willl be staying in a hotel in Culpina or other location
  • This trip takes place at a very high altitude. For example, the salt flats is around 16,000 feet (5,000 meters) above sea level. Most guests feel some effects of altitude (headache, lethargy, trouble sleeping) and we recommend acclimating yourself by staying above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) for a few days before embarking on this trip. Bring medication for headaches and tablets for altitude sickness in case you feel unwell. Always drink LOTS of water to assist in acclimatization.
  • The reality of visiting a remote area and immersing yourself in nature is that you will be far from modern facilities and the services may sometimes be slow and basic. Due to the harsh terrain, vehicle breakdowns are not uncommon, however, the drivers are skilled at fixing mechanical problems and delays are rarely excessive
  • 1 Night accommodation in Salt Hotel, basic dorm-style rooms w/ shared bathroom (hot shower included in the first night) 1 Night shared family lodging (dorm of 6 beds with shared bathroom without light) If you’d prefer a private room for both nights, there is an additional cost of 250 BS (approx 36 USD) per person. This is subject to availability so please inquire in advance.
  • Electricity and running water in the National Park are not as dependable as they are at home
  • Public toilet facilities will be available only on the first day and may have a small local cost
  • Bring snacks, toilet paper, and plenty of drinking water (minimum 2 gallons or 5 liters per person)
  • Temperatures can drop well below zero in the winter months and the wind chill can be harsh at all times so bring warm clothes and many layers. Also bring a sun hat, polarized sunglasses, high SPF sunblock, trekking shoes, swimsuit, towel, personal medication, a flashlight, a camera, extra batteries and memory card, chargers (electricity is available in most hotels), hand sanitizer, and personal first aid kit.
  • Important: During the winter season (from May to August), it is not possible to access Eduardo Avaroa National Park (red lagoon, Dali dessert, green lagoon). However, there is the possibility of visiting black lagoon and rock valley, changes to the itinerary may be made without prior notice depending on the weather conditions. You may also sleep in different locations depending on vehicle access.
  • This tour is perfectly tailored for all arrivals in Uyuni, is by bus or by plane. The operator´s office is only 20 minutes away by taxi from the bus terminal and the airport
  • Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions,

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

3.0 (2)
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