Bike Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats | Full Day
Description
📝 Tour Overview
Explore the Uyuni Salt Flats in a unique and exciting way: by bike! This full-day tour combines the classic tourist attractions of the salt flats with the freedom and adrenaline of exploring stretches of the white desert on two wheels. Ideal for active travelers looking for a different, immersive, and environmentally friendly experience.
During the tour, you will visit places such as the train cemetery, the village of Colchani, the salt flats, the Dakar monument, the salt hotel, and Incahuasi Island. You will witness an unforgettable sunset over the salt flats while pedaling surrounded by a unique landscape.
Itinerary
📍 Itinerary – Bike Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats
The experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Uyuni around 10:30 a.m. We then headed to the agency offices to pick up our bikes and gear (helmet, gloves, elbow and knee pads).
🚙 4×4 Tours + Bike Rides:
Train Cemetery: Old locomotives in a nostalgic landscape, perfect for photos.
Colchani: Artisanal village where you will learn about salt processing and buy souvenirs.
Ojos del Salar and Salt Mounds: Natural formations within the salt flat.
Dakar Monument and Salt Hotel (now a museum): Where lunch is served in the middle of the salt flat.
🚴 First Bike Ride:
After lunch, begin your first bike ride along the salt flat esplanade, free to enjoy the silence, the immensity, and take creative photos.
Incahuasi Island: Visit by vehicle, where you will take a short hike to appreciate the giant cacti and panoramic views of the salt flat.
Second bike ride: another opportunity to pedal into open areas and capture the landscape from a different angle.
Third free sunset bike ride: enjoy the sunset reflected on the white surface as you freely ride the last few kilometers of the day.
We return by vehicle to the town of Uyuni at approximately
Includes
What does the tour include?
Pickup from your hotel in Uyuni: Our service begins with punctual pickup from your accommodation or a meeting point in downtown Uyuni, so you can begin your experience in comfort and peace of mind.
4×4 Vehicle Transportation (maximum 6 people): You’ll travel in all-terrain vehicles, ideal for exploring the salt flats and nearby trails. The group will be small, ensuring a personalized and comfortable experience.
Mountain Bikes in Perfect Condition: You’ll be provided with a high-quality mountain bike, ideal for exploring the extreme landscapes of the salt flats. The bikes are in excellent condition to ensure your safety and comfort.
Safety Accessories (helmet, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads): For your protection, we’ll provide all the necessary accessories to complete the tour safely, including a helmet, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads.
Local Spanish-speaking driver-guide: A local guide with extensive experience in the area will accompany you throughout the tour, explaining the geography, history, and interesting facts about the Salar de Uyuni, ensuring a pleasant and safe experience.
Lunch in the middle of the Salar: Amidst this surreal landscape, you will enjoy a typical Bolivian lunch, ideal for replenishing your energy. The food is fresh, balanced, and tailored to the needs of the tour.
First aid kit: All vehicles have a basic first aid kit for minor emergencies, ensuring your well-being throughout the tour.
Return to your hotel or bus terminal in Uyuni: At the end of the tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel or bus terminal in Uyuni to continue your journey or rest after a day of adventure.
Not included
❌ What’s not included?
Entrance to Incahuasi Island (Bs. 30 per person): Entrance to this island, famous for its enormous cacti and panoramic views of the salt flats, has an additional cost of Bs. 30 per person, payable directly on-site.
English-speaking guide (optional at an additional cost): The tour is conducted in Spanish, but if you prefer an English-speaking guide, one can be requested at an additional cost and is subject to availability.
Buses or flights to Uyuni: The tour does not include transportation to Uyuni from other cities. You can arrive in Uyuni by bus or plane on your own and arrange pickup at the terminal or airport.
Personal drinks or snacks: The tour includes lunch, but not additional drinks or snacks. It is recommended that you bring water or personal snacks if you wish.
Personal insurance: Medical and travel insurance are not included. It is recommended to purchase insurance that covers emergencies, especially for activities at altitude or on uneven terrain.
Tips (optional): Tips are not included in the tour price, but are welcome as a thank you for the guide and driver’s service.
Recommendations
🎒 Recommendations
Wear comfortable, thermal clothing for biking: The weather in the mountains can be cold, especially in the mornings and evenings, so it’s important to wear thermal clothing. Also, make sure it’s comfortable and flexible so you can move easily while cycling.
Wear sneakers or hiking shoes: The tour involves riding over uneven terrain and the salt flats, so comfortable and sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are required.
Sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm: Solar radiation is intense in the mountains, so protect your eyes with quality sunglasses and your skin with sunscreen and lip balm to avoid sunburn from the sun’s reflection on the salt flats.
Small backpack with water, camera, and snacks: Bring a small backpack with the essentials: water to stay hydrated, your camera to capture unique moments, and light snacks (such as energy bars) to replenish your energy during the trip.
Brightly colored clothing for perspective photos: To get the best photos on the salt flats, wear brightly colored clothing like red, blue, or yellow. This will help your photos pop and take full advantage of the salt flat’s mirror effect.
Passport or ID: Make sure to bring your passport or ID to check in at your accommodations and at checkpoints.
Money in bolivianos for personal expenses: Although the tour includes food, it is recommended to bring cash for additional personal expenses, such as entrance fees to tourist sites or souvenir purchases.
Avoid alcoholic beverages the night before: Due to the altitude and conditions of the high plateau, it is important to avoid alcohol consumption the night before the tour to prevent altitude sickness and ensure a better experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist to take the tour?
No. The cycling sections are flat and adapt to the group’s pace. It is ideal for people with a basic level of fitness.
How long is the total cycling time?
There are three free cycling routes, with a total duration of approximately 1 to 2 hours, distributed among the guided tours.
Can I take perspective photos?
Yes. During the free cycling routes, and especially on the central plain of the salt flat, there is dedicated time for creative photography.
Is the tour available year-round?
Yes, although during the rainy season (January to March), some routes may be modified if the salt flat floods.
Is it available as a private tour?
Yes. The tour is available for groups or private groups with daily departures (minimum 2 people).