SalarUyuni.cl


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  • Experiences

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Cross the Bolivian altiplano from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, combining adventure, extraordinary landscapes and a higher level of comfort.

Set out on a 3-day, 2-night expedition by 4x4 through some of the most striking scenery of the Bolivian altiplano. From San Pedro de Atacama we cross the Andes to discover Laguna Blanca, Laguna Verde, the Salvador Dalí Desert, the Polques Hot Springs, the Sol de Mañana Geysers and Laguna Colorada, before heading on to lesser-known landscapes such as Tomas Lakha, Italia Perdida, Laguna Vinto and the Anaconda and Sora canyons.

The third day is devoted to the vast Salar de Uyuni, taking in iconic spots such as Incahuasi Island, the Ojos del Salar, the Dakar Monument and the Plaza de las Banderas, along with visits to Colchani and the Train Cemetery. The journey ends in the town of Uyuni, ideal for travelers who want to continue on to other destinations in Bolivia without returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

The Comfort option lets you enjoy this authentic expedition with better conditions for rest: both nights are spent in private rooms with a private bathroom and shower, including a special night in a lodge built from blocks of salt.

Ideal for travelers drawn to 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

Transportation: Shared 4x4 vehicle

Accommodation: rooms with private bathroom

Day 1 | Altiplano Lagoons and VolcanoesActivity 1 of 9

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

Physical Demand
Medium
An expedition of moderate to moderately high physical demand due to the extreme altitude of the route, which exceeds 4,500 meters above sea level in several sections. Although walks are usually short and technically easy, the altitude, cold, wind and long days of driving can cause tiredness, headaches or physical fatigue. We recommend taking 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

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Pickup in San Pedro de Atacama

Between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m., the adventure begins with pickup at your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama and a transfer to 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 arrive at Hito Cajón, at the foot of the Andes. After completing immigration formalities, we switch to the 4x4 vehicle that will take us across the Bolivian Altiplano.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Laguna Blanca

Our first great Bolivian landscape. A pale-toned lagoon surrounded by volcanoes and wide-open scenery, at more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Laguna Verde

At the foot of the towering Licancabur volcano, we'll discover one of the most emblematic lagoons of the Altiplano, known for the striking colors it can take on depending on the light and wind.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Dalí Desert.

We'll cross a landscape of mountains, rocks and vast plains that looks like something out of a surrealist painting. One of the most unusual settings along the entire route.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Polques Hot Springs

Time to soak in natural hot springs, surrounded by the vastness 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'll visit one of Bolivia's most impressive geothermal areas, with fumaroles, steam and bubbling mud pools in constant activity.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Laguna Colorada

We end the day facing one of the most remarkable landscapes in the Eduardo Abaroa Reserve: a lagoon of deep reddish hues 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'll reach Villa Mar for dinner and rest in accommodation with a private room and bathroom.

Day 2 | Deserts and Andean Lagoons

Ancient red ochre pictographs depicting human figures and animals painted on a cracked sandstone rock surface.
Tomas Lakha – Rock Paintings

After breakfast at the hostel, we'll head to Tomas Lakha, where we'll see ancient pre-Incan rock paintings associated with the

Camel-shaped rock formation in a high-altitude desert landscape, with a person sitting on top and barren hills behind.
El Camello

We'll continue our journey by visiting this striking volcanic rock formation, naturally shaped over time until it took on a

Aerial view of eroded red rock ruins at Italia Perdida, Bolivia, with two small SUVs parked nearby and Andean plains beyond
Italia Perdida

We'll visit Italia Perdida, a fascinating group of rock formations that looks like a true petrified city. A surprising landscape

Flamingos wading at Laguna Vinto's salt-crusted shores with snow-capped Andean peaks under a vivid blue sky
Laguna Vinto
Aerial view of Cañon Anaconda with a winding green river cutting through arid rocky desert landscape and sandstone cliffs
Anaconda Canyon

We'll continue on to the impressive Anaconda Canyon, one of the most distinctive landscapes along this route and a place

Llamas and alpacas grazing near a reflective wetland at Caños de Sora, with red rock cliffs under a blue sky
Sora Canyon

The route continues toward Sora Canyon, surrounded by altiplano landscapes and areas where it's common to spot llamas and other

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

We end the day with a very special experience: sleeping in accommodation built from salt blocks, right in the surroundings of the Uyuni Salt Flat, with twin and double rooms, all equipped with a private shower and bathroom.

Day 3 | The Great 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'll 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.

Isla Incahuasi covered in tall cacti overlooking the vast white Salar de Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia under cloudy skies
Incahuasi Island

In the middle of the salt flat rises this surprising island covered in giant cacti. From around it, you'll get some of the most striking panoramic views of Uyuni.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Ojos del Salar

We'll see small natural openings in the salt crust where groundwater rises to the surface, giving us a close-up look at how the salt flat was formed.

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Dakar Monument and Plaza de las Banderas

We visit the iconic Dakar Monument and the colorful Plaza de las Banderas, two of the most recognizable sights of the Uyuni Salt Flat, located next to the former Playa Blanca Salt Hotel.

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

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

Uyuni Comfort One Way
Train Cemetery.

Old locomotives and railcars 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 Uyuni Town

We arrive in the town of Uyuni, the main gateway to the salt flat. After lunch, at around 3:00 p.m., the One Way program 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 option for travelers who want to see the Uyuni Salt Flat and its most iconic landscapes while valuing more comfort along the route, especially when it comes to 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 option saves you the return journey and lets you connect with other Bolivian destinations.

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

The journey ends in Uyuni, Bolivia, so you can continue your trip to other Bolivian destinations without returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

Yes. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night and in the early morning, especially in winter (May to August) and in the highest-altitude areas. For this reason, we recommend bringing warm clothing and dressing in layers, which lets you easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the journey.

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

Your driver will also be your guide, a local Spanish-speaking guide.

An English-speaking bilingual guide can optionally be booked at an additional cost. This service provides explanations and assistance in English throughout the journey.

Important: Booking the bilingual guide does not change the shared format of the tour, nor does it make the guide or the vehicle exclusive. The Jeep is still shared with other passengers, up to a maximum of 6 people, and the bilingual guide serves the whole group traveling in the vehicle, regardless of who booked the supplement.

If you would like to travel with an exclusive vehicle and guide, you can request a quote for a private tour.

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 follow the original program.

Between January and April, rain can flood the Salar de Uyuni and prevent the usual crossing. In that case, the night at the salt hostel may be replaced by a standard hostel in Uyuni, and only accessible areas will be visited. The visit to Incahuasi Island will depend on ground conditions. When it is not possible to reach it, 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 bringing 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 journey is made in 4×4 vehicles, usually Toyota Land Cruisers. Due to terrain conditions, breakdowns or delays may occur, although drivers are trained to handle them.

In 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 journey.

Commercial Conditions

Cancellation Policies

  • Cancellations with 7 days or more before the service date: 90% refund.
  • Cancellations with 6 days or less before the service date are not eligible for a refund.

Other Conditions

  • For a single passenger, a USD 80 supplement for a single room must be added. Total program price: 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 the guide's recommendations and instructions. It is their responsibility to be at the designated meeting point at the indicated time; otherwise, the passenger must pay for and arrange their own return transportation.
  • Failure to show up at departure time without prior documented cancellation, or late arrival, will result in the loss of the FULL amount of the SERVICE.
  • The company is not liable for any accident and/or personal injury caused by the passenger's own carelessness.
  • The passenger understands that this journey 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 checkups prior to the trip.
  • The company is not responsible for the loss of personal belongings left in vehicles or lodgings.
  • Entrance fees to parks and museums 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.

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