What is the best time to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat?

The Uyuni Salt Flat can be visited year-round. Between April and November you'll see white, dry landscapes, while between December and March the famous mirror effect may appear, depending on the rains.

What is the mirror effect of the Uyuni Salt Flat?

It's a natural phenomenon that occurs during the rainy season, when a thin layer of water covers the salt flat and creates reflections similar to a giant mirror.

Is it necessary to acclimatize before the tour?

Yes. Because of the altitude of the route, we recommend spending several days in San Pedro de Atacama before starting the expedition.

Do I need to be in good physical shape?

No technical experience is required, but the altitude, the cold and the long travel days can be physically tiring.

What documentation do I need to travel from Chile to Bolivia?

You must carry a passport or identity document valid for the border crossing, depending on your nationality. We recommend checking the immigration requirements before the trip.

What money should I bring for the trip?

We recommend bringing cash in Bolivian pesos for entrance fees, restrooms, tips, snacks or personal expenses along the route.

Can I bring a large suitcase?

We recommend bringing only the luggage you need for the 3 days of the expedition, ideally in a backpack or soft bag, due to the limited space in the 4x4 vehicles.

Can I charge a phone or camera during the expedition?

Some lodgings may have electricity, but it isn't always available consistently. We recommend bringing a power bank or extra batteries.

What clothing is recommended for the Uyuni Salt Flat?

We recommend thermal clothing, a windbreaker jacket, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable footwear for cold, altitude and uneven terrain.

Uyuni Comfort One Way

Name: Uyuni Comfort One Way
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

3 days / 2 nights (one way)

per person, from

US$ 380

Classic

Hostal
Transportation

Live an unforgettable expedition across the Bolivian altiplano with the Uyuni Salt Flat Comfort 3-day / 2-night one-way program from San Pedro de Atacama. This experience begins in Chile and ends in Uyuni, Bolivia, letting you continue your journey through the country without returning to your starting point.

Unlike round-trip programs, this one way option is designed for travelers who want to optimize their route and keep exploring Bolivia after visiting the Uyuni Salt Flat. It works well for those combining San Pedro de Atacama, the Bolivian altiplano and other destinations such as Uyuni, Potosí, Sucre or La Paz.

Along the way you will travel in a shared 4x4 vehicle through some of the most striking landscapes in South America, crossing high-altitude lagoons, desert plateaus, volcanoes, geysers, rock formations and the famous Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest salt flat in the world.

The program includes iconic areas such as Laguna Verde, Laguna Blanca, Laguna Colorada, the Siloli Desert, the Stone Tree, the Sol de Mañana Geysers, altiplanic hot springs and the Uyuni Salt Flat. Depending on the season, you can enjoy the mirror effect during the rainy months or the vast white surfaces typical of the dry season.

As a comfort program, it offers a more comfortable experience than the backpacker alternative, especially in the type of accommodation and rest along the route. It is a good choice for couples, families or travelers looking for an authentic expedition across the Bolivian altiplano, with better conditions of comfort during the trip.

To join this program keep in mind that you will cross from Chile into Bolivia, so you need to bring valid documentation, cash in Bolivian pesos for entrance fees and personal expenses, suitable clothing for extreme cold and only the luggage you really need for the expedition.

A good fit for travelers who are after high-altitude landscapes, photography, extreme nature and a practical way to continue their journey from San Pedro de Atacama into Bolivia.

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

Transport: Shared 4x4 vehicle

Accommodation: rooms with private bathroom

Day 1 | Altiplano Lagoons and VolcanoesActivity 1 of 9

Pick-up in San Pedro de Atacama

Between 6:30 and 7:00 hrs the adventure begins with a pick-up at your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama and transfer toward the Bolivian border.

Gate arch reading "Aduana Nacional de Bolivia – Apacheta Hito Cajones" over a dirt road with an SUV crossing into Bolivia's

Border crossing – Hito Cajón

We reach Hito Cajón, at the foot of the Andes mountain range. After completing immigration procedures, we switch to the 4x4 vehicle that will accompany us across the Bolivian altiplano.

Laguna Blanca

Our first great postcard of Bolivia. A lagoon of pale tones surrounded by volcanoes and open landscapes, at more than 4,000 metres of altitude.

Laguna Verde

At the foot of the towering Licancabur volcano we discover one of the most emblematic lagoons of the altiplano, known for the surprising tones it can take on depending on the light and the wind.

Dalí Desert.

We cross a landscape of mountains, rocks and wide plains that looks like it came out of a surrealist painting. One of the most singular settings on the whole route.

Polques Hot Springs

Time to enjoy a soak in natural hot springs, surrounded by the immensity of the altiplano. A perfect moment to relax before continuing the expedition.

Steam venting from geothermal fumaroles across a barren high-altitude volcanic landscape at Sol de Mañana, Bolivia

Sol de Mañana Geysers

We visit one of the most striking geothermal areas in Bolivia, with fumaroles, steam and mud pools in constant activity.

Laguna Colorada

We close the day facing one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Eduardo Abaroa Reserve: a lagoon of intense reddish tones where flamingos are commonly seen.

Small Andean village with low buildings, dramatic rocky cliffs, and mountains under a clear blue sky

Night in Villa Mar

After a day full of extreme landscapes, we arrive in Villa Mar for dinner and rest in accommodation with a private room and bathroom.

Árbol de Piedra en el Desierto de Siloli, Bolivia, con cielo azul despejado y montañas al fondo.

Siloli Desert and Stone Tree

We travel through the spectacular Siloli Desert until we reach the famous Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree), a striking natural formation and one of the most iconic landscapes of the Bolivian altiplano.

Flamingos wading in Laguna Cañapa with arid Andean mountains and blue sky in the background

Cañapa, Hedionda and Chiarcota Lagoons

We continue among high-altitude lagoons of intense colours, mountains and volcanoes. In this area we can also observe some of the characteristic wildlife of the Andes, especially flamingos.

Chiguana Desert

The landscape changes once again as we cross an immense plain ringed by volcanoes. The sense of isolation and openness is one of the great draws of this part of the trip.

Aerial view of Colcha K village in Bolivia, nestled between arid hills with a river valley and flat saltplain in the

Night in a Salt Hostel

We end the day with a very special experience: sleeping in accommodation built with salt blocks, right in the surroundings of the Uyuni Salt Flat.

Vasta planície branca do Salar de Uyuni com padrões hexagonais de sal, montanhas ao fundo e céu azul com nuvens.

Uyuni Salt Flat

The most anticipated moment of the trip has arrived. We enter the largest salt flat in the world to travel across a seemingly endless white horizon, one of the most extraordinary natural landscapes in South America.

Incahuasi Island

In the middle of the salt flat rises this surprising island covered in giant cacti. From its surroundings you get some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Uyuni.

Ojos del Salar

We visit small natural openings in the salt crust where underground water rises to the surface, letting us see up close how the salt flat is formed.

Dakar Monument and Plaza de las Banderas

We visit the iconic Dakar Monument and the colourful Plaza de las Banderas, two of the most recognisable postcards of the Uyuni Salt Flat, located next to the old Playa Blanca Salt Hotel.

4WD vehicles parked along a dusty road beside the Colchani artisan market stalls under a clear blue sky

Colchani craft market

We visit this small village at the gateway to the salt flat, known for its tradition tied to salt extraction and its local handicraft market.

Train Cemetery.

Old locomotives and carriages rest in the middle of the desert, creating one of the most curious and photogenic settings in Uyuni.

Yellow clock tower and pink colonial building on a sunny plaza in Uyuni, Bolivia, with pedestrians and vehicles nearby

Lunch in the city of Uyuni

We arrive in the town of Uyuni, the main gateway to the salt flat. After lunch, around 15:00 hrs, the One Way programme ends here.

Location data is only shown as a references and may differ from reality.

Physical Demand

Medium

Expedition of medium to medium-high physical demand due to the extreme altitude of the route, which exceeds 4,500 meters above sea level in several sections. Although the walks are usually short and technically simple, the altitude, the cold, the wind and the long travel days can cause tiredness, headache or physical fatigue. We recommend doing this program after several days of acclimatization in San Pedro de Atacama.

Experience

For Everyone

No previous experience needed.

Day 1 | Altiplano Lagoons and Volcanoes

Pick-up in San Pedro de Atacama

Between 6:30 and 7:00 hrs the adventure begins with a pick-up at your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama and transfer toward the Bolivian border.

Border crossing – Hito Cajón

We reach Hito Cajón, at the foot of the Andes mountain range. After completing immigration procedures, we switch to the 4x4 vehicle that will accompany us across the Bolivian altiplano.

Laguna Blanca

Our first great postcard of Bolivia. A lagoon of pale tones surrounded by volcanoes and open landscapes, at more than 4,000 metres of altitude.

Laguna Verde

At the foot of the towering Licancabur volcano we discover one of the most emblematic lagoons of the altiplano, known for the surprising tones it can take on depending on the light and the wind.

Dalí Desert.

We cross a landscape of mountains, rocks and wide plains that looks like it came out of a surrealist painting. One of the most singular settings on the whole route.

Polques Hot Springs

Time to enjoy a soak in natural hot springs, surrounded by the immensity of the altiplano. A perfect moment to relax before continuing the expedition.

Sol de Mañana Geysers

We visit one of the most striking geothermal areas in Bolivia, with fumaroles, steam and mud pools in constant activity.

Laguna Colorada

We close the day facing one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Eduardo Abaroa Reserve: a lagoon of intense reddish tones where flamingos are commonly seen.

Night in Villa Mar

After a day full of extreme landscapes, we arrive in Villa Mar for dinner and rest in accommodation with a private room and bathroom.

Day 2 | Deserts and Andean Lagoons

Siloli Desert and Stone Tree

We travel through the spectacular Siloli Desert until we reach the famous Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree), a striking natural formation and one of the most iconic landscapes of the Bolivian altiplano.

Cañapa, Hedionda and Chiarcota Lagoons

We continue among high-altitude lagoons of intense colours, mountains and volcanoes. In this area we can also observe some of the characteristic wildlife of the Andes, especially flamingos.

Chiguana Desert

The landscape changes once again as we cross an immense plain ringed by volcanoes. The sense of isolation and openness is one of the great draws of this part of the trip.

Night in a Salt Hostel

We end the day with a very special experience: sleeping in accommodation built with salt blocks, right in the surroundings of the Uyuni Salt Flat.

Day 3 | The Great Uyuni Salt Flat

Uyuni Salt Flat

Incahuasi Island

In the middle of the salt flat rises this surprising island covered in giant cacti. From its surroundings you get some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Uyuni.

Ojos del Salar

We visit small natural openings in the salt crust where underground water rises to the surface, letting us see up close how the salt flat is formed.

Dakar Monument and Plaza de las Banderas

We visit the iconic Dakar Monument and the colourful Plaza de las Banderas, two of the most recognisable postcards of the Uyuni Salt Flat, located next to the old Playa Blanca Salt Hotel.

Colchani craft market

We visit this small village at the gateway to the salt flat, known for its tradition tied to salt extraction and its local handicraft market.

Train Cemetery.

Old locomotives and carriages rest in the middle of the desert, creating one of the most curious and photogenic settings in Uyuni.

Lunch in the city of Uyuni

We arrive in the town of Uyuni, the main gateway to the salt flat. After lunch, around 15:00 hrs, the One Way programme ends here.

Frequently Asked Questions

A comfort program means the experience keeps the adventurous character of the journey across the Bolivian altiplano, but with better lodging and rest conditions than a backpacker program.

It's a recommended alternative for travelers who want to see the Uyuni Salt Flat and its most iconic landscapes, but value greater comfort along the route, especially when sleeping and recovering after long days at altitude.

A one-way program means the journey begins in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and ends in Uyuni, Bolivia.

This option is ideal for travelers who don't plan to return to Chile and prefer to continue their trip through Bolivia. Unlike round-trip programs, this alternative saves the time of the return leg and connects you with other Bolivian destinations.

The program begins in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, with a transfer to the border between Chile and Bolivia.

The journey ends in Uyuni, Bolivia, allowing you to continue traveling to other Bolivian destinations without returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

Yes. Temperatures can drop below zero at night and in the early morning, especially in winter (May to August) and in the higher-altitude areas. For this reason, we recommend bringing warm clothing and dressing in layers, which makes it easy to adapt to the temperature changes along the route.

Included

Transfers
In Chile with a van and in Bolivia with a 4x4 vehicle
Driver (only spanish speaking)
Serves as coordinator during the trip
Accommodations according to program
Expert advice and coordination
Personalized guidance and coordination of your experience via phone, email, webchat, WhatsApp, and scheduled video calls.
Booking Fee – Reservation Management
Included in the final price. This fee covers the administrative expenses associated with managing and confirming the reservation, processing payments, and coordinating the service with local operators.

Not Included

Visas and visa processing if required
Guide/Translator
It can be requested for an additional cost for the group.
Tickets to parks and museums
Park tickets are subject to change without prior notice, so it is recommended to reconfirm before leaving for the tours.
Medical, accident or travel insurance
Medical, accident or travel insurance

General Conditions

The driver is also your guide, a local Spanish-speaking guide. You can also request this tour with an English-speaking guide on a private basis.

The itinerary may change without prior notice due to weather conditions, road blockades, strikes or other force majeure situations. We will always do our best to respect the original program.

Between January and April, rainfall can flood the Uyuni Salt Flat and prevent the usual crossing. In that case, the stay at the salt hostel may be replaced by a standard hostel in Uyuni and only the accessible areas will be visited. The visit to Incahuasi Island is subject to ground conditions. When reaching it is not possible, safe areas will be sought to enjoy the characteristic mirror effect.

The route runs above 3,650 meters of altitude and you may sleep at up to 4,300 meters. We recommend acclimatizing beforehand above 2,000 meters, drinking plenty of water, eating light and carrying your usual altitude sickness medication, following medical advice.

Accommodations are simple and located in remote areas, with basic services. Private single or double rooms with private bathroom are used.

The trip is made in 4x4 vehicles, generally Toyota Land Cruisers. Due to terrain conditions, breakdowns or delays may occur, although the drivers are trained to handle them.

During winter, especially in June and July, temperatures can drop below −15 °C. Thermal clothing, a warm jacket, hat, gloves and scarf are essential.

We recommend traveling only with the luggage and clothing needed for the route.

Commercial Conditions

Cancellation Policies

Cancellations with 10 days or more before the service date: 90% refund.
Cancellations with 9 days or less before the service date are not eligible for a refund.

Other Conditions

For a single passenger, a supplement of USD 80 for a single room must be added. Total program value: USD 460.
The company reserves the right not to operate any of these excursions due to force majeure.
Passengers must return to the vehicle at the times set by the guide during the excursion, and follow all recommendations and instructions. It is their responsibility to be on time at the indicated meeting point; otherwise, the passenger must pay for and arrange their own return transport.
In case of no-show at departure time, without prior documented cancellation, or late arrival, the TOTAL amount of the SERVICE will be forfeited.
The company is not liable for any accident and/or personal harm caused by the passenger's own carelessness.
The passenger understands that this trip takes place above 4,000 meters above sea level and that this may result in what is known as altitude sickness.
The passenger is responsible for being in good health or for having undergone medical examinations prior to the trip.
The company is not responsible for the loss of personal items left inside vehicles and accommodations.
Park and museum entrance fees are NOT INCLUDED, unless expressly included in the program.
Park entrance fees may change without prior notice, so we recommend reconfirming before setting out on the tours.
Prices subject to change without prior notice.
Bookings are valid once the requested payment and/or deposit has been made.

Our apply on everything not mentioned before.

Last updated: march 15th 2026

This document is a translation of the original Spanish version. In the event of any conflict or discrepancy between the two, the Spanish version shall prevail.

Great Chile SpA – Great Chile

These terms and conditions regulate the purchase of tourism services offered by Great Chile SpA (hereinafter “Great Chile”), through its digital platforms, websites torresdelpaine.com, sanpedroatacama.com, uyuni.cl, and other websites, sales channels, or associated sales representatives.

By making a reservation or purchasing tourism services, the client declares that they have read, understood, and fully accepted these terms and conditions.

1. General Conditions

All prices published by Great Chile are subject to change without prior notice until the reservation is confirmed and paid.
The prices published by Great Chile correspond to the final value of the service and include applicable taxes and administrative costs associated with the booking management (booking fee), unless expressly stated otherwise.
Tourism programs include only the services expressly indicated in the description of each product.
It is the passenger’s responsibility to evaluate their health condition and physical fitness before booking, ensuring it is compatible with the level of difficulty of the excursion or activity.
Many activities take place in high-altitude areas or locations with particular geographic conditions; therefore, consulting a health professional beforehand is recommended if there are any doubts.
Great Chile is not responsible for accidents resulting from imprudence, negligence, or failure to follow safety instructions by the passenger.
Likewise, the company is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to personal belongings during transfers, excursions, or tourism programs.

2. Customer Responsibility

The customer or passenger is responsible for:

Providing accurate and complete personal information for all passengers when making the reservation.
Informing relevant medical conditions that could affect participation in an activity.
Complying with schedules, meeting points, and safety instructions provided by guides or service providers.
Possessing valid travel documentation, including passport, visas, or other immigration requirements when applicable.

Great Chile will not be responsible for unused services due to delays, lack of documentation, or failure to comply with schedules by the passenger.

Likewise, Great Chile will not be responsible when delays in the provision of a service — for any reason, including weather conditions, operational issues, or force majeure — affect the performance of other services or reservations contracted by the passenger.

Great Chile will not be responsible for additional expenses, loss of services, travel modifications, or interruptions caused by circumstances beyond its control, such as adverse weather conditions, natural events, delays or cancellations of air, sea, or land transport, strikes, social unrest, decisions of authorities, operational failures of third parties, or other force majeure events.

Furthermore, Great Chile is not responsible for costs incurred by the passenger if, due to personal reasons, medical issues, accidents, or any other circumstance unrelated to the company, the passenger must abandon the program before completion or requires assistance, rescue, or evacuation during the trip.

For such situations, Great Chile strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations, trip interruption, medical expenses, evacuation, repatriation, and other contingencies related to tourism activities.

3. Reservations and Confirmation

Reservations made through the website or digital channels are subject to confirmation once payment has been received.
Reservations that are not fully paid at the end of the purchase process may be automatically cancelled by the system without manual intervention.
If a new reservation is made later, prices may vary compared to the initial quotation.
The reservation confirmation sent by Great Chile constitutes the official proof of the contracted service and will be considered valid evidence in the event of reviews, payment disputes, or verification by financial institutions.

4. Reservation Modifications

Once the reservation is confirmed, it is not possible to modify passenger information for online purchases.
Pre-established programs do not allow route changes, name changes, or refunds unless expressly authorized by the final service provider.
In exceptional cases where date or schedule changes are authorized, penalties or additional charges may apply according to the policies of the tourism provider.

All modification requests must be submitted in writing to:

reservas@greatchile.com

5. Cancellations

Cancellations of tourism services will be subject to:

The cancellation policies defined by the final operator or service provider, which are published on the product description page.
Administrative and banking fees associated with processing the reservation.

Cancellation requests must be made before the start date of the service. Otherwise, the service will be considered used and will lose its validity.

The client acknowledges and accepts that refund determinations will be defined by the final tourism service provider according to their operational and cancellation policies.

6. Booking Fee – Reservation Management

The booking fee corresponds to administrative costs associated with the management and confirmation of the reservation, including but not limited to:

payment processing
availability verification
reservation management
coordination of services with operators or local providers

This charge forms part of the total service price and corresponds to administrative costs incurred in the reservation process.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the booking fee is non-refundable.

7. Refund Policy

If a refund authorized by the service provider applies:

Great Chile will apply administrative and banking fees associated with payment processing and refund management.
These charges correspond to:
- 5% of the total service value for cancellations due to weather conditions or force majeure, corresponding to the booking fee associated with the reservation management.
- 10% of the total service value for cancellation requests made by the client within the allowed cancellation period.

Refund Conditions

• Refunds will be issued through the same payment method used for the original purchase whenever possible.
• If this payment method is not available, additional costs associated with the alternative refund method must be assumed by the client.
• In such cases, the refund amount may be affected by additional processing costs, which will be communicated to the client beforehand.

Processing Time

The estimated time to process authorized refunds is up to 30 business days.

8. No Show

If the passenger does not appear at the scheduled time or meeting point, the service will be considered No Show, and there will be no right to refund or rescheduling.

9. Operational Changes

Great Chile and its providers reserve the right to:

modify departure times
change the order of activities
substitute services with others of equal or higher category when possible

when necessary for operational, weather, safety, or availability reasons.

10. Weather and Natural Conditions

Excursions and tourism programs may be affected by weather conditions, natural events, or decisions by local authorities.

In the event of cancellations due to safety reasons or force majeure, the activity may be:

rescheduled, or
replaced with an equivalent service, subject to availability.

The client acknowledges that many destinations offered by Great Chile are remote natural areas where weather, operational, or safety conditions may change unexpectedly. In such cases, itineraries may be modified by operators to ensure passenger safety without generating additional compensation.

Great Chile is also not responsible for the total or partial loss of contracted services when this results from delays, cancellations, or changes in flights, buses, boats, or other transportation used by the passenger to reach the destination or service starting point.

11. Force Majeure

Great Chile shall not be responsible for cancellations, modifications, or interruptions resulting from force majeure events such as:

extreme weather conditions
natural disasters
strikes
social conflicts
closures of parks or protected areas
decisions by local or governmental authorities
pandemics or health emergencies

12. Payment Methods

Great Chile accepts the following payment methods:

bank transfers within Chile
national and international credit cards
national and international debit cards
national and international prepaid cards
payments via PIX processed through virtual payment platforms (Virtual POS)
payments in US dollars (USD) processed through the Stripe payment platform

In the case of international payments processed through Stripe, the charge may be processed through NG Mundo Group, which acts as a payment processor or intermediary for international transactions associated with Great Chile.

Depending on the payment method used, the charge on the customer’s statement may appear under the name Great Chile, NG Mundo Group, or the corresponding payment platform.

For international payments, the final amount charged may vary slightly due to bank fees, currency conversions, or exchange rate variations applied by the card-issuing bank.

13. Payment Disputes and Chargebacks

By making a reservation or purchase with Great Chile, the client expressly authorizes the charge corresponding to the contracted service through the selected payment method.

If the client files a dispute or chargeback with their bank or card issuer, Great Chile reserves the right to:

present the reservation confirmation, payment receipts, communications with the client, and acceptance of these terms and conditions as supporting documentation
provide additional evidence of the contracted service, including the participation of NG Mundo Group as the payment processor
suspend or cancel future services associated with the client until the dispute process is resolved
take legal action in the event of unjustified chargebacks

The client agrees to contact Great Chile first to resolve any issues related to the reservation before initiating a dispute with their financial institution.

14. Travel Insurance

Great Chile strongly recommends that all passengers purchase international travel insurance covering:

trip cancellations
transport delays or interruptions
medical expenses
baggage loss
contingencies related to tourism activities

The purchase of this insurance is the sole responsibility of the passenger.

15. Jurisdiction and Applicable Law

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Chile.

Any dispute arising from services contracted with Great Chile shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Santiago, Chile, with the parties waiving any other jurisdiction.

16. Company Information

Company Name: Great Chile SpA
Tax ID (RUT): 76.978.647-3

Address:
Av. San José María Escrivá de Balaguer 13,105
Office 717
Lo Barnechea
Santiago – Chile

5/5 (2 reviews)

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During the booking process we will request the following data per traveler: Full Name, Age, Nationality, Passport Number, Mail, Phone Number, Allergies.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

At GreatChile we value the privacy of those who visit our sites and use our services. This policy explains what personal data we collect, the purposes for which we process it, who we share it with, and what rights you have over it. It is written in accordance with Chilean law (Law No. 19.628 on the Protection of Private Life and its amendments) and applies criteria aligned with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for visitors from European jurisdictions.

1. Identity of the data controller

Legal name: Great Chile SPA
Tax ID (RUT): 76.978.647-3
Business address: Av. San José María Escrivá de Balaguer 13.105, Oficina 717, Lo Barnechea, Santiago, Chile
Operated websites: greatchile.com, greatpatagonia.com, torresdelpaine.com, sanpedroatacama.com, valparaiso.com, aysen.com, rutahistorica.cl, salaruyuni.cl, and associated subdomains.
Privacy contact email: privacidad@greatchile.com
Phone: +56 223 347 802

2. What data we collect and for what purpose

2.1 Data you provide to us

Source	Typical data	Purpose
Inquiry and booking forms (quote, contact, booking)	First name, last name, country of residence, email, phone/WhatsApp, travel dates, number of passengers, ages where applicable, customer notes, flight number and schedule where applicable	Attend to your inquiry, prepare the quote, coordinate the service with the corresponding providers, and confirm the booking.
Passenger data (full form prior to payment)	Full name of each passenger, ID / passport numbers, dates of birth, nationality	Issue named vouchers, comply with provider requirements (lodging, airlines, national parks), comply with Chilean tax obligations.
Payment data	Credit/debit card details or payment instrument data (bank transfer, PIX, etc.), depending on the chosen method	Process the booking payment. Payment-method data is processed directly by the providers listed in §4.2 (Stripe, Transbank, Virtualpos, Global66) and is not stored on our servers.
Communications with our chat (Freshchat)	Messages you send through the chat widget	Attend to online inquiries.
Reviews and ratings	Name (or pseudonym), rating, and comment	Publication of reviews on the corresponding pages, with your authorisation at the time of submission.

2.2 Data collected automatically

Technical browsing data: IP address, browser identifier (user-agent), preferred language, referring site, pages visited, date and time of visits. Collected through the server and, when you give consent, through cookies.
Internal analytics data: when you give your analytics consent, we record aggregated metrics of your visit in our database (sessions, pages viewed, referrer, language, time on site). This data is independent of Google Analytics (see §4.2) and stays exclusively under our control, on our own infrastructure.
Cookies and similar technologies: see §6 for details. The current list of cookies and their purpose is shown in our consent-management banner, where you can adjust your preferences at any time.

2.3 Data we do NOT request

We do not request special categories of data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, health data, sexual life, biometric data). If on your own initiative you include health information relevant to your trip (for example, dietary restrictions or medical requirements) in the notes field, we process it exclusively to coordinate your service and for the time strictly necessary.

2.4 Technical data we do NOT store

By design of our system, we do not store the IP address or browser identifier (user-agent) in form-submission records. This data may be logged temporarily in the server logs (see §7) but is not associated with your submission.

3. Legal basis for processing

The processing activities described in this policy rely on the following legal grounds:

Performance of a contract or pre-contractual measures (GDPR art. 6.1.b / Law 19.628 art. 4): handling your inquiry, preparing the quote, managing the booking, and providing the travel service you request.
Consent (GDPR art. 6.1.a / Law 19.628 art. 4): express acceptance of this policy when submitting a form, and granular consent for non-essential cookies through our consent-management banner.
Legal obligation (GDPR art. 6.1.c / Law 19.628 art. 4 final paragraph): retention of tax and accounting records as required by Chilean law.
Legitimate interest (GDPR art. 6.1.f): site security, fraud prevention, operational improvements based on aggregated, non-identifiable data.

4. Who we share your data with

We share personal data only with third parties strictly necessary to provide the service you request, and under agreements that bind them to process the data solely for that purpose.

4.1 Tourism service providers

We share your data with providers only in two situations, and only the strictly necessary data in each case:

(a) To perform the contracted service. When we confirm a booking, we transfer the strictly necessary data — and only the strictly necessary data — to the operators and providers that appear in your itinerary: hotels, tour operators, ground and air transport companies, national parks, and other tourism providers. This transfer is essential to materialise the booking. Each provider uses the data exclusively to deliver the contracted service.
(b) To respond to a message directed at a provider. Some of our forms are designed for the visitor to inquire directly with a specific provider (for example, an inquiry directed at a hotel). In those cases, your message and your contact data are forwarded to that provider so they can reply. We retain a technical copy of the submission for one month (see §7).

4.2 External processors

Provider	Function	Shared data	Main location
Stripe, Inc.	Card payment processing in international currencies (mainly USD). Because Stripe does not operate directly in Chile, the merchant account that receives these payments is operated by NG Mundo Group (see next row)	Order ID, amount. Card data is processed directly within Stripe’s environment (PCI-DSS) and is not stored on our servers	United States
NG Mundo Group	US-based payment intermediary, commercially affiliated with Great Chile SPA. Operates the Stripe merchant account that receives our customers’ card payments and transfers them to Great Chile SPA via international bank transfer	Cardholder name, billing address (when Stripe captures it), amount, order ID	United States (Miami, Florida)
Transbank S.A. (Webpay)	Card payment processing in Chilean pesos (CLP)	Order ID, amount. Card data is processed directly within Transbank’s environment and is not stored on our servers	Chile
Virtualpos SpA	PIX payment processing for customers in Brazil	Order ID, amount, and data required by the PIX flow (cardholder name, CPF where applicable)	Chile
Global 81 SpA (Global66)	Reception of international bank transfers in local currencies	Order ID, amount, source-account and account-holder data	Chile
Freshworks Inc. (Freshdesk, Freshchat)	Support ticketing system and unified messaging. Freshchat consolidates in a single inbox the conversations from the site chat and from the external channels WhatsApp Business, Instagram Direct, and Facebook Messenger (the latter provided by Meta Platforms, Inc. — see next row)	Name, email, content of the inquiry or conversation	United States / India
Meta Platforms, Inc. (WhatsApp Business, Instagram Direct, Facebook Messenger)	Channels for receiving messages that the customer sends through Meta’s networks. Conversations are automatically routed to our Freshchat inbox. Use is strictly reactive and transactional: we reply to customer-initiated messages and do not use these channels for marketing campaigns	Profile identifier on each network, message content, phone number where applicable (WhatsApp)	United States
Google LLC — Analytics 4 + Tag Manager	Aggregated site-usage metrics	Technical identifiers, navigation events — only when you give analytics consent	United States
Google LLC — Ads (conversions)	Measurement of advertising-campaign effectiveness	Conversion identifiers, objective event — only when you give marketing consent; blocked by our consent-management system until then	United States
Google LLC — reCAPTCHA	Protection against automated abuse on forms	Technical browser identifiers, behaviour during interaction with the form	United States
Google LLC — Workspace (Gmail / Vault)	Sending and receiving email communications between GreatChile and our customers and providers	Email content and metadata	United States / European Union
Meta Platforms, Inc. (Pixel, via Google Tag Manager)	Measurement of advertising campaigns on Meta	Conversion-event identifiers — only when you give marketing consent; blocked by our consent-management system until then	United States
Calendly, LLC	Scheduling of appointments with advisors	Name, email, selected time	United States
Trustindex Kft.	Aggregated display of reviews	Reading of identifiers from review platforms	European Union (Hungary)
Cloudflare, Inc.	Distribution network and protection against abuse for the integrated external services (Freshchat, Calendly, etc. operate behind Cloudflare)	Technical browser data, IP	United States
Defiant, Inc. (Wordfence)	Protection and firewall system for our sites. Analyses incoming traffic, blocks IP addresses associated with attacks, and maintains local lists updated through a global threat feed. To feed that feed, it may transmit technical information about traffic identified as malicious (including IPs and attack patterns) to its headquarters	Visitor IP addresses and technical traffic data, mainly when suspicious activity is identified	United States
Siete PM SpA (RUT 76.701.118-0)	Managed hosting: technical administration of the servers and operational maintenance of the site. Maintains two backup layers (see §7): a daily copy overwritten in each cycle, and a small set of older point-in-time backups (up to 24 months), kept as contingency against security incidents detected after the fact.	Technical server access; under normal operating conditions they do not consult the contents of the database	Chile
DigitalOcean, LLC	Cloud infrastructure provider: physical hosting of the servers that run the site and store the database	Technical access to the underlying infrastructure. Servers operate in the SFO3 region (San Francisco, United States)	United States

Google Ads and Meta Pixel advertising identifiers are loaded via Google Tag Manager, but the corresponding tags do not fire until the visitor grants explicit marketing consent through our consent-management banner. Without that consent, no advertising events are sent to these platforms.

4.3 Authorities

When there is a binding judicial or legal requirement (tax, law-enforcement, or judicial authority), we will share the data strictly required.

5. International transfers

Several of the processors listed in §4.2 have their headquarters outside Chile (mainly the United States and the European Union). In such cases:

The companies mentioned have published data-protection policies and adhere to frameworks such as the EU-US Data Privacy Framework where applicable.
These providers process the data as data processors, exclusively for the agreed purpose.

If you need specific information about the safeguards applied, you can request it via the email indicated in §1.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies so the site works, to remember your preferences, to measure its use, and — when you accept — to personalise advertising content. Cookies are grouped into the following categories:

Functional (always active): session, language, currency, cart contents, consent preferences. Without these, the site cannot function correctly.
Analytics: site-usage measurement via Google Analytics (external service) and via our internal analytics tool (data stored locally in our database), both only with your consent.
Marketing/Advertising: Google Ads (conversions), Meta Pixel (when active), only with consent.
Embedded third-party cookies: Freshchat, Calendly, YouTube, and reCAPTCHA may set their own cookies when you interact with their widgets or iframes. Their privacy policies additionally apply when you do so.

The detail per individual cookie (name, purpose, duration, origin) is available in the consent-management banner, where you can also change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time.

The banner’s behaviour adapts automatically to your jurisdiction of residence, according to applicable local regulation:

Visitors from the European Union, United Kingdom, Brazil, or South Africa: prior-consent model (opt-in). Non-essential cookies remain inactive until you accept them explicitly.
Visitors from the United States, Canada, or Australia: notice-with-opt-out model. Some cookies may activate on first access; you can disable them at any time and, where applicable, exercise specific rights (for example, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information for California residents under the CCPA/CPRA) directly from the banner.

In all cases, the banner displays the cookie notice specific to your jurisdiction and lets you consult and modify preferences at any time.

7. How long we retain your data

Data type	Retention period
Submissions to provider-direct contact forms (the inquiry is forwarded to the provider and we keep a technical copy)	1 month from submission. Identifying data (name, email, phone, subject, message) is deleted; the technical trace copy is anonymised for aggregate analysis.
Submissions to inquiry / quote forms that did not result in a booking	1 month from submission (same procedure as the previous point).
Submissions to the passenger-data form during the booking process	1 month from submission; these records are deleted in full (not just anonymised), since the canonical copy of the passenger data is linked to the corresponding order.
Orders and bookings — customer billing data (name, email, phone, RUT/document)	90 days from the trip check-in date. After that period, the order’s billing fields (first name, last name, email, phone, document number) are deleted. The order is retained as a commercial record.
Orders and bookings — administrative notes	Order notes related to payment are retained for accounting reasons; other notes are deleted 90 days after check-in.
Tax documents (boletas, invoices, credit and debit notes)	Minimum 6 years under article 17 of the Chilean Tax Code. In practice, tax documents actually issued are retained indefinitely as an accounting backup. Draft tax documents that never reach the SII (cancelled, corrected, or abandoned) are purged at month-end close. For boletas mainly the customer name is retained; for invoices the full data of the receiving company is retained (legal name, RUT, business line, address, contact).
Support tickets (Freshdesk)	18 months from the last interaction on the ticket; then deleted or anonymised according to the provider’s configuration.
Chat communications (Freshchat)	12 months from the visitor’s last interaction; then deleted according to the provider’s configuration.
Emails sent from our Google Workspace mailboxes (confirmations, replies to inquiries, coordination with providers)	Up to 24 months from sending; older emails are deleted in periodic reviews. Copies kept by the recipient in their own email are outside our control. We do not maintain a duplicate local log on our website. (Pending confirmation: if Google Workspace Vault is enabled, this period will be reduced to 18 months with automatic enforcement.)
Internal user accounts (operators)	While the user is active, and for the legal periods applicable after termination.
Published reviews	Indefinite while they remain published; may be withdrawn at the author’s request.
Technical browsing data (server logs)	12 months.
Internal analytics data (sessions, pages viewed, referrer, language, time on site)	24 months in the active database. After that period, the tool generates an aggregated backup file stored on the server; the specific retention policy for this file is defined in our internal operational procedures.
System backup	We maintain two layers of system backups. (a) Daily copy of the full system, overwritten in each cycle: when we delete personal data according to the retention periods above, its trace in this copy disappears within a maximum of 24 hours. (b) Older point-in-time backups (up to 24 months retention), kept as contingency against security incidents detected after the fact — for example, intrusions that compromise system integrity and require restoring a verified prior point. These backups are not used in normal operation; if after a restore personal data reappears that should already have been deleted, the corresponding deletion procedure is applied again.
Cookies	According to the duration indicated for each cookie in the consent banner.

After the applicable period expires, personal data is irreversibly deleted or anonymised. Deletion processes run automatically via daily scheduled tasks.

8. How we protect your data

We apply reasonable technical and organisational measures proportionate to the risk:

Encryption in transit via HTTPS/TLS on all sites.
Processing of payment methods through specialised providers (Stripe, Transbank, Virtualpos, Global66) in their respective secure environments — we do not store full card numbers or banking credentials on our servers.
Access control to internal tools (Freshdesk, admin panel) by user and minimum necessary permissions.
Protection against automated abuse via reCAPTCHA.
Backups and regular infrastructure auditing.

No system is 100% secure. If we detect a breach affecting your personal data, we will notify you within the timeframes and through the channels required by applicable law.

9. Your rights

As a personal data subject you have the right to:

Access the data we process about you.
Rectify inaccurate or out-of-date data.
Delete (“right to be forgotten”) data whose processing is no longer necessary, subject to the legal retention obligations indicated in §7.
Object to processing and withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.
Request portability of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Lodge complaints with the competent authority. In Chile, the Council for Transparency and the ordinary courts currently handle these claims; with the entry into force of the new personal data protection law, the Personal Data Protection Agency will be the responsible body.
Additional rights under your jurisdiction. If your local law grants you rights beyond those listed above — for example, California residents under the CCPA/CPRA (right to know, right to delete, right to correct, right not to sell or share personal information), or specific rights under Brazil’s LGPD, Canada’s PIPEDA, South Africa’s POPIA, among others — you may exercise them by contacting us at the email indicated in §14. We will handle each request applying the standard most favourable to the data subject.

To exercise any of these rights, write to us at the email indicated in §1. We will reply within a maximum of 30 calendar days from receipt of the request. We may require additional information to verify your identity before processing the request.

10. Automated decisions and profiling

We do not take decisions that produce legal effects on you based solely on automated processing. Nor do we carry out profiling beyond the typical segmentation of aggregated advertising campaigns (when you accept marketing cookies).

11. Minors

Our services are aimed at persons over 18 years of age. When a trip includes underage passengers, their personal data is provided by their parents or responsible guardians, who guarantee that they have obtained the corresponding consent.

We do not deliberately request or collect personal data from minors under 14 years of age without the express consent of their parents or legal representatives. If you believe a minor has provided us with data without such authorisation, contact us so we can delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices, in the technology used, or in applicable law. The date indicated at the beginning reflects the current version. If the change is substantial, we will notify you through the channels we usually use.

13. Binding language of this policy

This policy may be available in other languages (English, Portuguese) to make it easier to read for visitors who do not speak Spanish. The Spanish version is the only one that is legally binding. In the event of any discrepancy between the versions, the Spanish text prevails.

14. Contact

For any inquiry, exercise of rights, or complaint regarding the processing of your personal data:

Phone: +56 223 347 802

Email: privacidad@greatchile.com

Postal address: Av. San José María Escrivá de Balaguer 13.105, Oficina 717, Lo Barnechea, Santiago, Chile

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

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