SALAR DE UYUNI - 2 DAY TOUR (SALT FLATS ONLY)

Day 1 - Welcome to Uyuni

A trip of a lifetime finally come true!

After pick up either in downtown Uyuni, airport or bus station, we will head out for the eerie Cementerio de Trenes (train cemetery) for picturesque photos and some free time to roam around.

Continuing our expedition, we will now head north to the town of Colchani, the gateway to the salt flats. Here, we will take some time to visit the colorful market of salt handicrafts as well as a rustic, salt processing family operation.

Next, enter Salar de Uyuni and:

Dry season (May to November)

Upon entering the salt flats, we will be mesmerized by the vastness and whiteness of it. Drive directly north, with plenty of opportunities to take it all in. If you enjoy photographs, this is your personal playground (10.000 square Km of it) or simply enjoy walking in the middle of its vastness.

Lunch will be served in the middle of the salt flats.

Use your time available in the afternoon to explore the northern rim of the salt flats, which includes the base of Volcan Thunupa - a gorgeous extinct volcano with a myriad of colors visible from afar. If you are into hiking, climb as far as you would like in order to be awed by the endless white of the Salar. Alternatively, let our team take you off the beaten track to secret sites such as a cave full of petrified coral or an ancient cemetery with mummies in it. You will definitely learn more about the natural history of this region and its salt flats

Rainy season (December to April)

Upon entering the salt flats, we will be awed by the the world reflected beneath our feet. The feeling is indescribable, with a few inches of water flooding the surface of the salt flats, it’s like being able to walk or drive on the surface of the sea. Slowly making our way further into the flats (it is not possible to driver faster than about 5-10 Km an hour due to the corrosive nature of brine that could render our vehicle useless in a matter of seconds if going faster), we will find the perfect reflection spot to try to capture it in our cameras.

Lunch will be served in the middle of this surreal setting

The afternoon will give us free time for more photographs or just take it all in. At sunset, join us for an unforgettable sensory experience (colors, sounds, taste) that will be forever ingrained in our brains (weather permitting). We go home for the night after an overdose of beauty and peacefulness.

MEALS INCLUDED
Lunch, Dinner

ACCOMMODATION

STANDARD: Private room with private bathroom and hot shower in remote village in the north part of the salt flats (dry season) or in the town of Uyuni (rainy season). Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: In order of availability: Hotel Palacio de Sal, Luna Salada, Cristal Samaña or Tayka de Sal Please click/tap here for details and pictures

SPECIAL INFORMATION
Please note the difference between the dry and rainy season in terms of itinerary

Day 2 - Salar de Uyuni

Our second day has several surprises in store for us, depending on the time of year in which you visit us:

Dry season (May to November)

Time is plentiful for an easy morning hike at the base of Volcan Thunupa. Having stayed mere meters from the salt flats the night before, you are free to roam around this morning and get a feeling for lifestyle in this part of the world.

Later in the morning, climb aboard our 4WD to venture to the heart of the Salar: Isla Incahuasi. On the way, stop as many times as you would like to for fun, deep-perspective photographs.

After lunch, take your time to hike to the top of Incahuasi Island (easy/moderate) for the impressive 360-degree views of the salt flats all around.

The afternoon will give us a few more opportunities to get that perfect deep-perspective photo before we reach Playa Blanca (the first salt hotel in the world, now turned into a visitor center with a colorful flag stand now home to almost every flag from the world).

Next, we exit the salt flats and head to the town of Uyuni to drop you off at any location of your choice (including airport or bus station).

Rainy season (December to April)

Today we enjoy a second day of “mirror of the sky” exploration. Our morning is spent slowly driving to a different area and take our time to capture that perfect reflection photo or just have fun.

Lunch is once again served in an unbeatable location with a terrific view.

Our afternoon is left to enjoy the last of the salt flats looking for that perfect spot to get the best reflection.

We exit the salt flats nearing the evening in order to arrive on time at the airport, bus station or just hotel in Uyuni.

MEALS INCLUDED
Breakfast, Lunch

SPECIAL INFORMATION
Please note the difference in itinerary between dry and rainy season

• Please note this trip is ideal if you would like to get to know Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) only
• It is not the right trip for you if you wish to see the Andean lagoons and deserts south of the salt flats. See our other 2-day trip instead
• This trip does not allow you to transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama
• This trip is suitable if you are concerned about high altitude as in the case of our Classic 3-day tour since it does not go above 3.600m/11.800ft

PLEASE NOTE THAT PARK AND OTHER SITES' ADMISSION FEES - IF APPLICABLE - ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE (READ BELOW)

WHAT TO BRING

• Camera/drone
• Effective sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
• Warm layers as temperatures drop considerably in the evenings and mornings
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Money in Bolivianos for national park entrance fees and personal spending (drinks, souvenirs, tips, etc) unless you request admission fees to be included in the final price

WHY TAKE THIS TRIP WITH US?

• We are a tour operator, not a travel agency. We organize this trip by putting everything from transport to accommodation providers together to make sure it works as flawlessly as possible. Our trusted partners both in Chile and Bolivia have been tried and tested and we put our name confidently up front because we trust the safety and reliability they offer. A travel agency merely books you with a tour operator earning a commission for themselves and not giving a lot of care to your experience
• We put safety at the top of our priorities. We know Bolivia and Chile inside out and the roads, towns, villages, deserts, etc. that are safe to travel through. By using our services, you can rest assured that we will get you to your destination at the end of every day safely

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO CONSIDER

• The itinerary may suffer changes without previous notice due to factors outside our direct control such as weather and road conditions. If we are forced to alter the itinerary in any way, it will be based on good judgment and necessary modifications for your own safety and comfort and you will be promptly notified. We never alter or skip attractions in the itinerary without explaining the reasoning behind any possible change and providing adequate proof that such change may be necessary. Therefore, you should not take the above itinerary as “set in stone” and we will not he held liable for any loss or damage that you may feel arising from such changes made for your benefit.
• Please note that the itinerary differs in the rainy season from the itinerary in the dry season. We will not be held liable/responsible for failure to read this information
• This region is a remote area that lacks the usual comforts of the modern world. You should not expect high standards of accommodation, hot water is available some of the time (according to respective package) and electricity is available for a few hours or more where possible.
• Food is handled hygienically and it is our priority and job that you are satisfied with the limited resources available in this region. Vegetarians are welcome, but should not expect special menus as we do what we can to serve appropriate portions of vegetables and fruit in the vegetarian menu
• During the rainy season (December to March/April) some parts of the salt flats may be inaccessible such as Incahuasi Island and time on the actual salt flats is limited. Most of the regular itinerary is followed as normal

The following are dates in which other people have shown interest in forming a group for this tour. Use the ENQUIRY tab to request a new date or join one of the dates below to form a group and obtain the respective price. The number of interested persons is shown for your reference and you will be updated via email if other people are interested in the same date. If your party consist of four persons, we suggest booking a tour outright to confirm departure.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Pick up and drop off at any location
• 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol vehicle
• Spanish speaking driver or English speaking guide (price varies)
• 1 night’s accommodation according to selected package
• 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Incahuasi Island and Thunupa Volcano (dry season) admission fees of BOB 30 each respectively (you can choose to have this included at the time of booking).
• Soft/fizzy and alcoholic drinks
• Optional tips/gratuities (highly appreciated, but not mandatory)