🏜️ Salar de Uyuni Tour 2 Days / 1 Night | The Magic of the White Desert
Description
🌄 Tour Description
Enjoy an unforgettable experience touring the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. Over two days and one night, you’ll discover unique landscapes, vibrant Andean culture, and the endless beauty of the Bolivian Altiplano.
The tour will take you to the most iconic sites: the Train Cemetery, the village of Colchani, the salt flat’s springs, the Dakar Monument, the Plaza de las Banderas, Incahuasi Island (during the dry season), and the salt sculptures (during the rainy season).
You’ll also enjoy lunch in the middle of the salt flat, take classic perspective photos, and contemplate a magical sunset on the horizon. The second day explores highland lagoons, hot springs, a colonial church over 500 years old, and unique landscapes that reveal Bolivia’s natural and cultural riches.
Itinerary
📅 Itinerary
Day 1 – Salt Flats, Natural Art, and an Unforgettable Sunset
Departure: 10:30 a.m.
We begin the adventure by heading to the Train Cemetery, an iconic site where old locomotives and rusty wagons rest among the sands of the highland, recalling the railway boom of the last century.
We then continue to the village of Colchani, where you will learn about the traditional salt refining process. Locals demonstrate how salt is extracted, dried, and packaged from the salt flats, and offer unique handcrafted products carved from this natural mineral.
Next, we’ll head into the immense Salar de Uyuni, a white landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. During the tour, we’ll visit the springs, small cavities where underground water springs up; the first salt hotel (now a museum), the Dakar Monument, and the Plaza de las Banderas, where flags from around the world fly.
Lunch approximately: 1:30 p.m.
We’ll enjoy a typical Bolivian lunch in the middle of the salt flat, surrounded by a completely white horizon. Afterward, you’ll have free time to take photos and videos from a perspective, one of the most popular activities of the tour.
During the dry season (April to November), we’ll visit Incahuasi Island, a rock formation covered in giant cacti that offers 360° panoramic views of the salt flat.
During the rainy season (January to March), instead of the island, you’ll see salt sculptures and natural reflections, where the ground acts as a giant mirror reflecting the sky.
Sunset: 6:30 PM
We end the day enjoying the sunset over the Uyuni Salt Flats, a natural spectacle where the colors of the sky merge with the earth on an endless horizon.
The tour ends around 7:00-8:00 PM, with transfer to your selected salt hotel for the night, where you can relax and unwind under a starry sky.
Day 2 – Tradition, Nature, and Hot Springs
Breakfast: 8:00 AM | Departure: 9:30 AM
After breakfast, we begin the second day by visiting a colonial church over 500 years old, a testament to the cultural and religious heritage of the Altiplano.
The tour continues to the natural hot springs, where you will have time to relax in the outdoor pools while admiring the mountainous landscapes surrounding the area.
Next, you will visit a water-powered stone mill, a jewel of ancient engineering that continues to function thanks to the natural flow of a river. Lunch: approximately 1:30 p.m.
En route, we will enjoy lunch with typical dishes made with local products.
In the afternoon, we will visit Laguna Verde and Laguna Orko Kasilla, two natural lagoons surrounded by mountains and rock formations, habitats for flamingos, Andean ducks, and other highland birds.
Return: approximately 6:30 p.m.
The tour concludes with our return to Uyuni at approximately 6:30 p.m., where this two-day experience filled with spectacular landscapes, vibrant culture, and a connection with Bolivian nature culminates.
Includes
✅ What’s included?
Pickup from your hotel or meeting point in Uyuni: Our team will pick you up from your accommodation or a designated meeting point to get your adventure off to a smooth start.
Transportation by 4×4 vehicle (maximum 6 people per vehicle): Off-road vehicles equipped for traveling the roads of the Bolivian Altiplano, ensuring comfort and safety.
Local driver-guide in Spanish: A professional with extensive knowledge of the Salar de Uyuni, its history, geography, and culture, will accompany you throughout the tour.
Overnight in a salt hotel (1 night): Simple but cozy accommodation built with blocks of salt, offering a unique experience in the heart of the Altiplano.
All-inclusive meals:
Day 1: Lunch at the salt flat and dinner at the salt hotel.
Day 2: Breakfast and lunch during the tour of the lagoons and hot springs.
Guided tours to all the aforementioned attractions: Train Cemetery, Colchani, salt flat springs, Dakar Monument, Plaza de las Banderas, Incahuasi Island (during the dry season), salt sculptures (during the rainy season), hot springs, stone mill, lagoons, and viewpoints.
First aid kit: Each vehicle includes a basic first aid kit for minor emergencies.
Personalized coordination and assistance: On-site assistance before, during, and after the tour to ensure a comfortable and safe experience.
Not included
❌ What’s not included?
Admission to Incahuasi Island (approx. Bs. 30 per person): Admission to this island, covered in giant cacti and with panoramic views of the salt flat, is not included. Payment is made directly on-site.
Entrance to the Coquesa Mummies archaeological site (approx. Bs. 15 per person): The visit to the pre-Columbian mummies of the Tunupa Volcano is optional and has an additional cost, which must be paid directly to the local community.
Medical or travel insurance: Medical and travel insurance is not included. It is recommended to purchase insurance that covers medical care and altitude emergencies.
Personal drinks and snacks: While full meals are included, additional personal drinks and snacks are not part of the tour.
Use of restrooms en route: Some public restrooms managed by local communities have a nominal fee (approx. Bs. 5) that must be paid directly.
Guide in English or other languages (optional at an additional cost): The standard service is in Spanish. If you would like a guide in another language, you can request one in advance for an additional cost.
Transfers to/from hotels outside the city of Uyuni: The pick-up and drop-off service applies only to centrally located accommodations in Uyuni. If you are staying outside the city, an additional transfer can be arranged.
Tips (optional): Tips for the guide or driver are not included. It is recommended to leave a voluntary contribution as a token of appreciation for the service received.
RECOMMENDATIONS
🔆 Travel Recommendations
Bring warm clothing
Temperatures in the mountains can drop considerably, especially in the early morning and at dusk. It is recommended to bring thermal clothing, a windbreaker, gloves, a scarf, and a hat to protect yourself from the cold.
Wear comfortable, waterproof footwear
If you travel during the rainy season (January to March), the salt flat is partially covered with water. Wear waterproof boots or sneakers that allow you to walk without getting wet.
Protect your skin and eyes
The sun’s reflection on the white surface is very intense. Wear sunglasses with UV filter, high-factor sunscreen, and lip balm to avoid sunburn or dryness.
Bring your ID or passport
It is required for check-in at accommodations and at some checkpoints.
Cash (Bolivianos)
Many places do not accept cards, so it is important to carry enough cash for entrance fees, public restrooms, or purchasing handicrafts.
Small Backpack
Bring a light backpack with your personal items, such as water, snacks, a camera, an extra coat, and sunscreen.
Camera or cell phone with a good battery
The Salar de Uyuni offers some of the most photogenic landscapes in the world. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries or a portable charger to capture every moment.
Brightly Colored Clothing
If you want to get photos with an original perspective, wear brightly colored clothing like red, blue, or yellow, which contrasts with the white of the salt flat.
Snacks and Extra Water
Although the tour includes food, it is recommended to bring extra drinking water (1 liter per person) and light snacks such as energy bars or nuts.
Personal Hygiene Items
Include toilet paper, a small towel, a toothbrush, and sandals if you plan to use shared bathrooms or showers.
Care for the Environment
Do not litter, extract salt, or damage natural formations. The Salar de Uyuni is a fragile ecosystem, and its preservation depends on the respect of each visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📍 Where does the tour start and end?
The tour begins in the city of Uyuni, with pickup from your hotel or a prearranged point in the city center.
At the end of the second day, the tour ends in Uyuni, where you can arrange your accommodation or transportation to other destinations such as Potosí, Sucre, La Paz, or San Pedro de Atacama (Chile).
🕓 What time does the tour start?
Departure is approximately 10:30 a.m., although the schedule may vary depending on weather conditions or group coordination. Return on the second day is around 6:30 p.m.
🧳 What type of accommodation is included?
The package includes one night in a salt hotel, a rustic but cozy accommodation built entirely from salt blocks. The rooms are shared (basic option) and have enough warm clothing for cold nights.
🍽️ What type of food is offered?
All meals are included during the tour: lunch, dinner, and breakfast. The dishes are typical Bolivian, nutritious, and adapted to the altitude. If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.), please inform us when booking.
🚙 How many people travel per vehicle?
Each group travels in a shared 4×4 vehicle, with a maximum of 6 passengers, plus the guide-driver. This ensures a comfortable and personalized experience during the tour.
🧭 Can Incahuasi Island be visited year-round?
Incahuasi Island is visited only during the dry season (April to November), as access may be restricted during the rainy season (January to March). Instead, other viewpoints with the famous mirror effect of the salt flat are visited.
🧤 What clothing should I wear?
Due to the low temperatures of the high plateau, it is important to bring thermal clothing, a warm jacket, comfortable and waterproof shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and brightly colored clothing for photos.
💧 Are there restrooms available during the tour?
At some points along the route, there are basic restrooms run by local communities for a nominal fee (approximately Bs. 5). It is recommended to bring toilet paper and wet wipes.
🗓️ Is it necessary to reserve in advance?
Yes. It is recommended to reserve at least 48 hours in advance, especially during peak season (June to August and December to March), as availability of vehicles and salt hotels is limited.