Experience Incredible Scenery on this Salar de Uyuni 3 Day Tour

On this Salar de Uyuni 3 Day Tour, you will visit some of the best natural attractions of Bolivia. You will also enjoy 2 comfortable nights in 3-star and 4-star Tayka Hotels. This trip was designed for travelers who want to fit a whole lot of adventure in a short amount of time. You’ll love the beautiful landscapes, unique wildlife, and fascinating salt flats of this tour!

Highlights

Discover fantastic natural attractions in Bolivia such as geysers and lagoons
Witness the wide salt flats of Uyuni
Visit Uyuni attractions such as the Salt Mine and Salt Museum
Learn about local culture and handicrafts as you visit a village

Tour Information

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Start and end location: San Pedro de Atacama
Availability: Year-round

Itinerary

Day 1 – Cross into Bolivia and Enjoy its Lagoons, Mountains, Geysers, and Wildlife
Your Salar de Uyuni 3 Day Tour starts at 7:00 am as you are picked up in a minibus from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. From there, you will travel to the border and cross at Hito Cajones. You will switch from minibus to 4W vehicle at the border.

As you are driving to the border, you will be able to see the Licancabur Volcano in the distance. Once you cross the border, you will get to see the volcano up close, along with the nearby Green Lagoon (Laguna Verde) and White Lagoon (Laguna Blanca). These two pools of Eduardo Avaroa Natural Reserve are brightly colored due to high amounts of copper in the water.

Next, you will go on through the Salvador Dali Desert. You will stop for a swim at the Polques Hot Springs. Then, you will see the volcanic activity of the Geysers of the Morning Sun (Géiseres del Sol de Mañana).

In the afternoon, you will admire the brightly colored flamingos of Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada). There, you can find 30,000 flamingos of three different species that have made the lagoon their main nesting ground. After that, you will go through the highlands, admiring the surrounding mountains, volcanic rocks and the Stone Tree (El Arbol de Piedra). At night, you will rest at Hotel del Desierto Tayka Ojito Perdiz.

Day 2 – Experience the Uyuni Salt Flats and Surrounding Attractions
On the second day of your Salar de Uyuni 3 Day Tour, you will start with Kara Lagoon and Chullunkani Lagoon, admiring the local flora and fauna. You will also see the Zepita Galaxies that were created in the stalactites of sub-aquatic Lake Minchín bacteria 40,000 years ago.

Next, you get to see the main attraction of this tour: the Uyuni Salt Flats! Walk along a nice path to the top if Incahuasi Island, where you can admire 360-degree vistas of the salt flats. You will also see the natural beauty of Cactus Valley (Echinopsis). Afternoon attractions include Ojos del Salar (Salt Eyes), the Salt Museum, the Salt Mines, and the salt handicrafts of Colchani Town. You will stay for the night at Hotel de Sal Luna Salada.

Day 3 – Return to San Pedro de Atacama, Stopping by Villages on the Way
You will leave Hotel de Sal and take an 8-hour drive to the Bolivia-Chile border. You will get to visit Andean mountain villages along the way. After switching again from 4W to minibus, you will drive to San Pedro de Atacama, arriving at 18:00 pm. This is where your Salar de Uyuni 3 Day Tour comes to an end.

What’s Included

Pick up at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Private transportation (minibus in Chile/4×4 in Bolivia)
Spanish-speaking guide/driver
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Accommodation for the 1st night in 3-star Hotel Desierto Tayka and the 2nd night in 4-star Salt Hotel Luna Salada, both with private bedroom (single, double, triple), private bathroom (with hot shower), Wi-Fi, and heater

What’s Not Included

Border tax (15 bolivianos per person–about $2 USD)
Entrance tickets to museums
Entrance tickets to the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (150 bolivianos per person–about $22 USD)
Entrance tickets to Incahuasi Island (30 bolivianos per person–about $4 USD)
Snacks, drinks, and tips
Everything not mentioned in the above program

What to Bring

Light wind-blocking clothes that cover arms and legs
Sunscreen, sunglasses, towel, hat, and swimsuit
Close-toed trekking shoes
Warm clothes for the winter months (gloves, hats, scarves, etc.)
Cameras and batteries
Sleeping bag, toilet paper, and lip moisturizing balm
2 liters of water for the first day (after then you can buy on the way)
Around 400 Bolivian pesos per person for personal expenses (equivalent of about $58 USD)
Valid passport and immigration card that you receive at each immigration border (in case of visa, please consult your sales agent to prevent any delays with the immigration offices in Chile or Bolivia)
A copy of your passport

Important Notes

The itinerary is subject to changes in case of high plateau winter rains (from January to March) that might modify the order of the places to visit and/or the included accommodations. In any case, we will always work on maintaining the level and conditions of the lodging.