Bolivia

UYUNI SALT FLAT – WHITE DESERTS - COLORFUL LAGOONS (3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS)

4.9(128)

Tour Description

The Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt desert, covers an area of ​​12,000 km² and is located at 3,650 meters above sea level in southwest Bolivia, forming part of the high-altitude region of the Andes mountain range.

This remote and rugged landscape is a sublime testament to beauty and solitude. Surrounded by imposing mountains and volcanoes that rise above 5,000 meters above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni offers an indescribable panorama. The salt layer varies in depth from 10 centimeters to 8 meters, hosting around 10 trillion tons of minerals. Additionally, it is known for harboring one of the largest reserves of lithium in the world.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Salar de Uyuni – Incahuasi Island – San Juan.

  • 10:00. The tour starts by welcoming passengers at the office in Uyuni, then we will board a vehicle (Land Cruiser - 4x4) destined for the largest salt desert.
  • We will visit the train cemetery where ancient locomotives that were part of Bolivia's industrial development are located. We will visit the town of Colchani, which is near the salt flat.
  • We'll continue the journey to the salt hotel or museum in this tourist area where we will enjoy lunch.
  • We'll arrive at Incahuasi, better known as Fish Island, located in the middle of the salt desert, where giant cacti with heights of over 10 meters grow. From the top, we'll contemplate the wonderful landscape of the salt flat.
  • In the afternoon, we'll visit the locals of San Juan where we will spend the night in family homes.

Day 2: San Juan - Lípez Altiplano - Ollagüe Volcano - Siloli Desert - Colorful Lagoons.

  • 06:00. Breakfast.
  • 07:00. We'll continue our adventure, this time heading to the Colorful Lagoon. On the way, we'll observe the active Ollague volcano, the Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota, and Honda lagoons, which are populated by flamingos.
  • At noon, we'll stop on the way for lunch and in the afternoon, we'll continue our journey passing through the Siloli Desert where we'll observe an interesting rock formation known as the Stone Tree.
  • In the late afternoon, we'll arrive at the Colorful Lagoon, located in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (REA).
  • In the vicinity of this lagoon where we'll spend the night, accommodation will be in a simple and basic hostel with shared rooms with other tourists, the only place to spend the night.

Day 3: Geysers – Hot Springs – Green Lagoon – return to Uyuni.

  • 05:00. Tour starts to appreciate the geysers - fumaroles in the volcanic zone, better known as "Sol de Mañana" then we'll continue to the Polques hot springs, where we'll have breakfast and then continue to the White and Green Lagoons, located at the foot of the Licancabur volcano, at an altitude of 4,350 meters above sea level. The green color is due to the high magnesium content in the geological formations of the area.
  • After our visit to the lagoons, we'll return to Uyuni and on the way, we'll have a lunch stop and continue our journey passing through the Valley of the Rocks and typical towns of Villa Alota, Kulpinaka, and San Cristóbal.
  • 18:00. We'll arrive in Uyuni.
  • End of the tour.

Includes

  • Assistance one day before the tour.
  • Food: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners.
  • First aid equipment.
  • 1 night in a salt hostel.
  • 1 night in Huaylla Jara hostel.
  • Shared transportation (Land Cruiser - 4x4 - 3 days).

Does not include

  • Others not mentioned in the program.
  • Entry to Incahuasi Island (30 bs or 5 usd$ per person).
  • Entry to the national park (150 Bs. or 22 usd$ per person).
  • Public bathroom fees vary between 2 and 5 bolivianos.

Recommendations

  • 1.CONSIDER BRINGING:
  • 2.Camera, toilet paper, and extra batteries.
  • 3.Snacks, cookies, candies, etc.
  • 4.Light and warm clothing.
  • 5.Sunscreen and sunglasses.
  • 6.Rainproof clothing (jacket and pants if available) or a rain poncho.
  • 7.Flashlight.
  • 8.Sleeping bag.
  • 9.Autumn and winter: cold and wind (bring a light coat). Spring and summer: rain (waterproof jacket and umbrella).