Exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats: 3 Day Tour from Chile to Bolivia
Cañón de la Anaconda
A trip to South America isn’t complete without an adventure to Salar de Uyuni - the largest salt flats in the world. One day isn’t enough to experience all the magic this natural wonder has to offer. So make time to explore Salar de Uyuni on this 3 day/ 2 night tour from either Uyuni, Bolivia or San Pedro, Chile. It’ll be one of your best adventures yet!
Starting in San Pedro de Atacama..
Moon Valley in San Pedro de Atacama
Uyuni Elevation:
11,995 ft above sea level
San Pedro de Atacama Elevation:
7,900 ft above sea level
Altitude sickness is NO joke in South America. My original plan was to start in La Paz then make my way to Uyuni. But Kach & Jonathan from 2 Monkeys Travel recommended that I start in San Pedro, Chile to acclimate to the elevations. I wasn’t familiar with San Pedro de Atacama at first but it was a game changer to my itinerary - glad I started my South America travels here!
Where to Stay in San Pedro de Atacama?
San Pedro de Atacama is a quaint, backpacker, adobe style-desert town on the border of Chile and Bolivia. For my first 3 days I stayed at Hostal Ayni - a comfy hostel with an incredible view of the volcano and mountain range. The hostel was exactly what I needed for a short stay in San Pedro: friendly staff, convenient location, and comfortable beds. Before arriving, I contacted the hostel if they offered a 3 Day Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats. They responded quickly and arranged everything for me with their partner travel agency.
Pro tip for saving money on lodging AND excursions - stay at a hostel! They offer the cheapest rates for both.
3 Day/ 2 Night Salar de Uyuni Tour: 120,000 CLP (or $165 USD)
**All Accommodations & Meals Included**
View from Hostal Ayni
**DISCLAIMER FOR AMERICAN & AUSTRALIAN TRAVELERS:
You NEED a Visa to enter Bolivia!!!**
Unfortunately I made the mistake of not applying for a Bolivian visa or bringing the correct documents for the border. But after almost an hour of negotiation my guide (Omar) and new Chilean friend (Daniela) were able to convince the Bolivian officers to let me enter with the documents and extra money I had on hand (phew). If you have time before your trip, avoid the hassle by making an appointment with the Bolivian embassy to get your visa in advance.
What to Bring at the Border for Bolivian Visa
Printed copy of your passport
2 colored passport photos
Printed copies of hotel reservations in Bolivia
Printed copies of flight and bus reservations in Bolivia
Yellow Vaccination certificate
$250 USD in cash
Road to Uyuni
After the mini visa fiasco, we started the tour with a light breakfast at the border prepared by Omar. There were 6 of us on the tour and we transferred all our luggage to the 4x4 jeep that we were riding in for the next 3 days.
Omar was an amazing guide - he was friendly, patient, enthusiastic, and always offered to take pictures for us. Most of the Uyuni tour guides speak predominately Spanish, but Omar did a did a great job explaining everything in both Spanish and his limited English.
This tour is jam packed with activities. Every point of interest you could possibly think of is included in the tour. The 4x4 jeep is super comfy but be prepared for a bumpy journey - the roads are a mix of well paved roads and terrain. Some of us had car sickness, others altitude sickness, and a few both - yet the camaraderie remained strong in our group. All six of us were from different walks of life/ countries yet we felt like a family!
Alpacas on the road
I knew the Uyuni Salt Flats were going to be stunning but I had no idea how beautiful and diverse the natural surroundings would be. Every stop was more breathtaking than the next - pristine lagoons, exquisite rock formations, arid deserts, and (from flamingos to alpacas) wildlife casually roaming around. Every corner was a photo opp!
Uyuni Salt Flats
After 2 days of driving and trekking through Bolivia, it was time to finally see the Uyuni Salt Flats! Once a prehistoric lake, Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world at about 11,000 sq km. Salar de Uyuni’s semi-desert landscape, white salt, and cacti-studded islands feels like another planet.
Sunrise at Incahuasi Island
We arrived at 6AM to catch the sunrise over Salar de Uyuni at Incahuasi Island. It was a short hike to the viewpoint but due to the high altitude it felt like Mount Everest. Nonetheless it was breathtaking - the contrast of the salt flats, cacti, sun, and moon made this sunrise one for the books!
After sunrise Omar prepared breakfast by our jeep then we drove (to what felt like the middle of no where) to a remote part of the salt flats to take photos. This was by far the funnest part of the tour. Omar was super creative with photos and videos - using props like dinosaurs and wine bottles. It was a great ending to our 3 day adventure!
San Pedro to Uyuni Itinerary
Laguna Blanca
DAY 1
7AM: Depart from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivia border
Immigration & transfer to the 4x4 jeep
Laguna Blanca
Laguna Verde
Desierto de Dalí
Aguas Termales de Polques
Geyser Sol de Mañana
Laguna Colorada
Laguna Capina
Spend the night at Villa Mar
Desierto de Dalí
DAY 2
Copa del Mundo
El Camellopetrificado
Ciudad de Piedra
Laguna Vinto
Laguna Misteriosa
Cañón de la Anaconda
Cañon de Sora
Craft beers at San Augustin
Ghost town of Julaca
Spend the night at the Salt Hostel in Puerto Chuvica
Salar de Uyuni
DAY 3
Sunrise at Salar de Uyuni
Incahuasi Island
Salt flats (fun pictures)
Museo de las banderas
Monument Dakar
Ojos del Salar
Market at Colchani
Train Cemetery
Lunch at Uyuni city
2PM: Tour Ends (option to stay in Uyuni or drive back to San Pedro)
Salt Hostel in Puerto Chuvica
How are Accommodations on the Uyuni Tour?
Don’t expect luxury amenities or even a private bathroom on this tour. Be prepared to pay for 5 minute hot showers and to layer up at night. Accommodations are simple but you’ll have the essentials for an overnight stay (a bed and bathroom). If you have money to spare, some travel agencies offer better accommodations at a higher price.
Useful Tips
1) Heat is limited in the rooms - layer up!
2) No toilet paper or toiletries in bathrooms - bring your own.
3) Hot showers and towels are NOT free - bring enough cash (although it’s VERY cheap.. like less than $1 cheap).
4) Ladies - bring dry shampoo! There are no blow dryers + heat is limited so skip washing your hair. Here’s my favorite travel size organic dry shampoo by Hair Dance.
How’s the Food on the Uyuni Tour?
Quinoa all day!
I normally find meals on organized tours disappointing but I was satisfied with EVERY meal on this tour. There was always a vegetarian option for me and my carnivore friends were delighted with their meals too.
Typical Breakfast
Pancakes, bread, jam, fruits, coffee/ tea
Typical Lunch & Dinner
Rice/quinoa, pasta, vegetables, potatoes, meat (chicken or steak), dessert (pastries & fruits), coffee/ tea/ soda/ water
What to Wear & Pack
for 3 Days in Uyuni?
August is the hottest month in NY and one of the coldest months in Bolivia (June to September is winter in South America). The best advice I got from a fellow traveller was to “dress like an onion”. So be sure to layer up - you’ll be adding and shedding layers constantly.
Ciudad de Piedra
CLOTHES
Warm down jacket
Windbreaker jacket or vest
Fleece sweater
Fleece leggings
Comfortable active leggings or pants
Wool socks
Long sleeves layers
Bathing suit (if you want to go in the hot springs)
Warm pajamas (limited heat at night)
Flip flops
Warm hat, scarf, and gloves
Train Cemetery
OTHER NECESSITIES TO PACK
Cash for 3 days (no ATMs on the road)
Water for 3 days & refillable bottle
Toilet paper and wipes
Snacks
Advil (altitude sickness is REAL)
Pepto Bismol
Backpack
Camera
Towel
Sunblock
Sun hat and sunglasses
Laguna Verde
If it isn’t already, this 3 day tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats should be on your adventure bucket list! It’s the best way to experience one of South America’s most iconic, natural landmarks.
If you’re torn on whether to start in Uyuni or San Pedro, I highly recommend starting from San Pedro then making your way to Bolivia! Take time to check out San Pedro and acclimate to the high elevations.
Have you been to Salar de Uyuni?
