SALAR DE UYUNI VIA SAJAMA – 4 DAY TOUR FROM LA PAZ

DAY 1

SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK

Today we depart La Paz bound for Sajama National Park which includes many of the natural wonders which make this countryside unique. Enjoy a crowds-free day exploring the park’s top attractions which include a bubbling geyser field, quirky stone formations, vast wetlands teeming with local fauna, natural hot springs, traditional villages and more. All around Bolivia’s highest peak (Mt. Sajama, 6.542m).

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC DORMITORY-STYLE FAMILY LODGE. SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. LUKEWARM SHOWER MAY BE AVAILABLE IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: SIMPLE LODGE WITH PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AND TOILET/BATHROOM. HOT SHOWERS. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: ECOLODGE TOMARAPI WITH PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AND TOILET/BATHROOM. HOT SHOWERS IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 2

SECRET LAGOONS - WILDLIFE - DESERTS & SAND DUNES

This morning after breakfast we depart and drive southbound across vast deserts, moorlands and rivers shadowed by snow-capped volcanoes. The journey will take around 8 hours including stops for lunch and sightseeing with plenty of time to explore. Some of the scenic stops along the way will be at secluded lagoons filled with Andean flamingos and with good luck, other wildlife such as rhea (Andean ostrich), vicuña (wild relative of llamas), viscacha (Andean rabbit with squirrel tail) and more. Likelihood is very high since this region is still undiscovered and thus receives very few visitors.

Traveling further south, we will see sand dunes, vast deserts, archaeological pre-Inca remains, traditional villages and panoramic views of the Bolivian Altiplano (high plateau). Driving is on dirt tracks, a truly off the beaten path 4x4 expedition.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC DORMITORY-STYLE GUESTHOUSE. SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. LUKEWARM SHOWERS MAY BE AVAILABLE IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: SIMPLE GUESTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE ROOM BUT SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. WARM SHOWERS. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: NO AVAILABLE “PLUS” ACCOMMODATION. SIMPLE GUESTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE ROOM BUT SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. WARM SHOWERS

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 3

COIPASA SALT FLATS - MUMMIES AND LOST CITIES

This morning, we leave our accommodation for Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) stopping en route at Salar de Coipasa (Coipasa Salt Flats) and a lost pre-Inca citadel. Known as 'the great, unknown civilization of the Altiplano', it is particularly spectacular because of its mysterious tombs housing mummified corpses hundreds of years old.

Coipasa Salt Flats is not as well known or visited as Uyuni Salt Flats but this goes in our favor as we will have about 3.000 square kilometers of salt for ourselves when we traverse it during the day. By the end of the afternoon, we will arrive to the northern rim of Uyuni Salt Flats for a well deserved rest in the doorstep of this natural wonder.

*If you choose our Plus package, you might fit the Thunupa Volcano climb today instead of the following day because of hotel location

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC GUESTHOUSE. SHARED ROOM/TOILET/BATHROOM. LUKEWARM SHOWERS IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: SALT GUESTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AND TOILET/BATHROOM. HOT SHOWERS. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: HOTEL PALACIO DE SAL, LUNA SALADA OR CRISTAL SAMAÑA (PREFERRED ORDER. BASED ON AVAILABILITY). IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 4

UYUNI SALT FLATS - INKAHUASI ISLAND - THUNUPA VOLCANO

Continuing our adventure, our grand finale today will see us exploring Salar de Uyuni and its top natural attractions. Drive to a mesmerizing viewpoint at the base of Thunupa Volcano and hike as much as you wish with the salt flats extending like a white sea below you*. Later in the day, enjoy a mild hike to Inkahuasi Island for 360 degree panoramic views of the salt flats.

Have fun playing with the perspective effect in the middle of nowhere (don’t forget your props such as a dinosaur or anything you can imagine).

By sunset, we will exit the salt flats via Playa Blanca former salt hotel with its famous multinational flag stand and Dakar memorial.

Our trip ends in the town of Uyuni around 6 PM. We can transfer you onto the airport or bus station to make your flight/bus to La Paz or elsewhere (ask us if you want us to arrange this for you). Alternatively, book an extra night of accommodation at a salt hotel like Palacio de Sal, Luna Salada or any hotel in Uyuni on your own should you wish to relax an extra night.

*Thunupa Volcano climb may be done the previous day if our Plus package was chosen because of hotel location

ACCOMMODATION
NONE

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH

DAY 1

SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK

Today we depart La Paz bound for Sajama National Park which includes many of the natural wonders which make this countryside unique. Enjoy a crowds-free day exploring the park’s top attractions which include a bubbling geyser field, quirky stone formations, vast wetlands teeming with local fauna, natural hot springs, traditional villages and more. All around Bolivia’s highest peak (Mt. Sajama, 6.542m).

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC DORMITORY-STYLE FAMILY LODGE. SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. LUKEWARM SHOWER MAY BE AVAILABLE IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: SIMPLE LODGE WITH PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AND TOILET/BATHROOM. HOT SHOWERS. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: ECOLODGE TOMARAPI WITH PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION AND TOILET/BATHROOM. HOT SHOWERS IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 2

SECRET LAGOONS - WILDLIFE - DESERTS & SAND DUNES

This morning after breakfast we depart and drive southbound across vast deserts, moorlands and rivers shadowed by snow-capped volcanoes. The journey will take all day including stops for lunch and sightseeing with plenty of time to explore. Some of the scenic stops along the way will be at secluded lagoons filled with Andean flamingos and with good luck, other wildlife such as rhea (Andean ostrich), vicuña (wild relative of llamas), viscacha (Andean rabbit with squirrel tail) and more. Likelihood is very high since this region is still undiscovered and thus receives very few visitors.

During the rainy months of January to April, the route may have to be modified and take a couple of hours longer if the conditions don’t allow for the usual route.

Traveling further south, we will continue our expedition enjoying panoramic views of the Bolivian Altiplano (high plateau). Driving is on dirt tracks, a truly off the beaten path 4x4 expedition.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC DORMITORY-STYLE GUESTHOUSE. SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. LUKEWARM SHOWERS MAY BE AVAILABLE IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: SIMPLE GUESTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE ROOM BUT SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. WARM SHOWERS. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: NO AVAILABLE “PLUS” ACCOMMODATION. SIMPLE GUESTHOUSE WITH PRIVATE ROOM BUT SHARED TOILET/BATHROOM. WARM SHOWERS. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 3

CHIPAYA CULTURE, SAND DUNES, UYUNI

This morning, we leave our accommodation for Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats). We will first visit some natural places such as a fascinating cactus forest. Later, we will visit Chipaya town where one of the oldest cultures in the American continent lived in primitive conditions until not long ago. It is fascinating to see their architecture of round, beehive-shaped former houses for a cultural experience.

We will spend the rest of the afternoon driving across the vast Altiplano through a paved highway en route to the town of Colchani on the edge of Salar de Uyuni where we will await sunset by the world’s largest salt lake. Along the way we stop at interesting geological formations and other interesting sights.

Arrive in the town of Uyuni (Basic, Standard) or stay in Colchani (Plus) for dinner and rest.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC HOSTEL IN THE TOWN OF UYUNI WITH PRIVATE ROOM BUT SHARED BATHROOM. HOT SHOWER AVAILABLE
STANDARD: HOTEL IN THE TOWN OF UYUNI WITH PRIVATE ROOM , BATHROOM AND HOT SHOWER AVAILABLE
PLUS: HOTEL PALACIO DE SAL, LUNA SALADA OR CRISTAL SAMAÑA (PREFERRED ORDER. BASED ON AVAILABILITY). IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 4

UYUNI SALT FLATS

Continuing our adventure, our grand finale today will see us exploring Salar de Uyuni and its magical mirror effect.

During the morning we will have the opportunity to explore the picturesque Cementerio de Trenes (Train Graveyard) just out of Uyuni (done at the end of the day if in Plus package).

We will later have the opportunity to visit the town of Colchani’s colorful market and its salt processing rustic plant.

The rest of the day will be spent in Uyuni Salt Flats enjoying its magical reflection. Isla Incahuasi is not reachable if the level of water is high (typically February to April) which is why we will be limited to the edge of the salt flats and if possible, drive as far as Playa Blanca (famous multinational flag stand).

Drop off is at the bus station, airport or downtown Uyuni at the end of the day where the tour ends.

ACCOMMODATION
NONE

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH

• Ideal if you would like to be picked up in your La Paz hotel or airport
• This trip covers the region between La Paz and Uyuni but not further south
• Sajama National Park is not as visited as other parts of Bolivia. If you want to avoid the crowds, this is the perfect place
• The road from Sajama to Uyuni has remote natural lagoons with flamingos but these are not the famous red or green lagoons
• Accommodation is overall basic. You should be ready to do without modern comforts regardless of the package you choose
• Not an ideal trip if you wish to continue to/start from San Pedro de Atacama. See our Classic 3 Day TourClassic 3 Day Tour instead

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

WHY TAKE THIS TRIP WITH US?

• This trip has a perfect safety record with no accidents or serious incidents ever recorded
• Our drivers and guides are trained to put safety as priority
• No surcharges or hidden fees during the tour (see exclusions)
• We are a local company with more than 8 years’ experience running this type of trips in Bolivia and Peru

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.
• The Salt Flats 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 most 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.