Tours from La Paz to San Pedro de Atacama is an overnight bus ride, salt flat guided tour, off road ride to Atacama and stay at Palacio de Sal and Tayka hotels.
The Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia have become the most popular destination and must-see for everyone. This one-day tour will give you plenty of time to soak in the magic of Salar de Uyuni and capture jaw-dropping perspective photos.
Your Tour Features
Tour Type Private
Tour Duration 3 Days
Pick-up time 8:00 PM
Drop-off time 3:00 PM
Pickup at Airport
Drop-off Hotel
What You’ll Do
NIGHT 1: You’ll be transferred from your hotel in La Paz to Todo Turismo bus company office. The next day you’ll meet up with our team in Uyuni and start the tour of the Salt Flats.
DAY 1: Your day begins with the visit of the Eye of the Salts, Dakar Monument, Playa Blanca First Salt hotel then head to Incahuasi Cactus Island. Here you’ll hike up the Cactus Island then after have lunch in the salt flats. Later, take the funniest perspective pictures and wait for the magic sunset.
DAY 2: Today you’ll depart from Palacio de Sal Hotel in Colchani village and head towards Siloli desert along the way you’ll stop at the train cemetery, San Cristobal village, Sora Canyon, the Black Lagoon, Lost Italy and the Valley of the Rocks before arriving at Tayka del Desierto Hotel.
DAY 3: You’ll be transferred on a private vehicle from Siloli desert to Atacama through Hito Cajón border. From Hotel Tayka del Desierto you’ll ride off to the Bolivia Chile border with sightseeing stops at the Laguna Colorada, Sol de Mañana Geysers, Polques Hot Springs, Dali desert, White and Green lagoons.
Your Tour Itinerary
Night 1: La Paz to Uyuni
8:00 pm – Hotel to Bus Station
You’ll be picked up at your hotel in La Paz and driven to the Todo Turismo bus station by our friendly driver. Based on the location of your hotel it normally takes 15 – 35 minutes.
9:00 pm – La Paz to Uyuni overnight ride
The bus will depart from La Paz to Uyuni and drive for more than 8 hours.
Day 1: Uyuni Salt Flats Tours
7:00 am – Pick-up at the bus station
Our team (Ema) is going to meet you at the bus station upon your arrival from La Paz. After a quick pick-up at the Todo Turismo bus station, you’ll have time to go having breakfast.
9:30 am – Train Cemetery
You’ll start your day trip with the visit to the train cemetery which is located on the deserted outskirts of Uyuni town, a small trading region high in the Andean plain. You’ll be driven to Uyuni city which is located in the opposite direction of the salt flats.
If you do not have a hotel in Colchani village then you can take this moment for having breakfast in Uyuni downtown.
You’ll be later driven to the the train cemetery by our team and get a guided visit. If you’re staying at Palacio de Sal, Luna Salada or Cristal Samaña hotel then you might skip the train cemetery as it is located some 55 minutes away.
Here steel giants have been abandoned and destroyed by salt winds becoming a cemetery for trains, for locomotives. Most of the trains that can be found in the Graveyard date back to the early 20th century and were imported from Britain. There are many train cars with unique structure and occasional graffiti.
In other places in the world, the mighty steel trains would have held up better. The salt winds that blow over Uyuni, which hosts the world’s largest salt plain, have corroded all of the metal. Without guards or even a fence, these pieces were picked over and vandalized long ago.
Following that, your trip will continue on to the world’s largest Salt flats.
You’ll drive for more than 70 minutes by a private 4x4WD vehicle. You’ll enter the more than 10,000 square kilometers that form the Salar de Uyuni and stop at the Salt Eyes still.
10:45 am – Eyes of the Salt
Eyes of the Salt, literally means “Ojos de Sal”, these are where you could see how the salt flats were formed. These bubble springs are outlets for subterranean rivers flowing under the surface of the meters thick salt but thereafter just salt as far as the eye can see and Fish Island will maroon in the salt.
The Salt Flat is covered with water during the rainy season after raining (from December to March). Then the sun and the wind dry the surface and a layer of white crust is formed. The crust will eventually crack as the salt, which is still wet, underneath dried up and protrude to the surfacing. The end result is polygon patterns that you see during the dry season.
11:00 am – Dakar Statue
After the first stop in the edge of the Salar and taking the first perspectives pictures, you’ll migrate towards the Dakar Monument.
A slat statue honoring the annual rally raid started in 1978, organized by the Amaury Sport Organization, contestants driving across South America in this off-road competition with different motor vehicles – crossing dunes, crossing dunes, mud, camel grass, rocks, and erg.
The Uyuni Salt Flat was the stage of the rally since 2014, and the dramatic terrain of the Bolivian highland and the salt flats remained one of the most awaited parts by spectators.
Playa Blanca First Salt Hotel
You’ll continue your journey and you’ll reach an old fashioned hotel in the heart of the salt flat. The Playa Blanca Salt Hotel was once in operation, but now it’s a pit spot for tourists to take pictures of the flags and have a walk inside.
The outside of the hotel has many country flags hanging on a series of poles. In fact, these flags were brought there by the tourists.
12:00 pm – Incahuasi/Cactus Island
After the openings in the salt you’ll head to what they call an Island on the Salt!
You’ll arrive on time for lunch/picnic in the Salar. This lunch will have you revived to explore more spots in the area such as the Incahuasi Island, an island full of cactuses!
Well, since it’s a salt flat, the entire area is really, just salt.
There are several “Islands” in the salt flat and the Incahuasi Island is in the center of the Salar. It’s undeniable that the Incahuasi Island is a visually captivating place. The island is a hilly and rocky outcrop of the land – “Incahuasi” literally means “Inca House” and the island is a giant rock that is filled with coral-like structures and gigantic cactuses.
That’s why sometimes it is called the “Cactus Island” as well. It is also a great view once you reach the top of the island. The view of the salt flat is boundless, and it looks so much more amazing if the salt flat is filled with water but it’s not reachable.
Drive away in the endless white layer for perspective photos with toys, llamas, dinosaurs, etc.
3:00 pm – Perspective Photos
It is t3ime for taking the craziest and funniest optical illusion pictures. The reflection of the water after the rain is the perfect setting for epic photos that allows you to show off to your friends. True, that’s probably the reason that you visit the salt flat. But in case the weather doesn’t go your way, the vast, white flatland is still very impressive.
The dry land may be even friendlier for you to take optical illusion pictures. Imagine the flatland is filled with nothing but salt as far as your eye can see. This is the perfect canvas for taking optical illusion pictures and letting your mind go wild. Play with proportions, and play with distance – the horizon will give the perspective that the objects nearer to the camera are larger than those farther away, and there is nothing else in the frame to ruin your illusion, and there is nothing else in the frame to ruin your illusion.
6:00 pm – Uyuni Salt Flats Sunset
How the Sunset in the rainy season (from January to March) would look like.
By the late afternoon before the sun is gone, before you return to your hotel in Colchani or Uyuni town, bundle yourselves into warm jackets and go out the 4WD transport to watch the sunset over the salt flats.
The vast expanse of salt will turn pink as the sun sinks and the sky deepens to an orange glow reflecting on the ground, this would be the perfect mirror to what is above, an amazing sight which augured well for the days to come.
Since the area is so flat you’ll likely witness some insane color in the sky which provides a great juxtaposition to the endless white color of the ground.
When the tour comes to an end you’ll be dropped off at your hotel Palacio de Sal.
Included:
- Pick-up at La Paz hotel
- Hotel to Todo Turismo bus station transfer
- La Paz to Uyuni Todo Turismo bus ticket
- Private 4×4 WD transport
- English speaking tour guide
- Entry tickets
- Lunches in the Salar
- Gum boots (December to March)
- 01 Night at Palacio de Sal
- Dinners
Excluded:
- Extra expenses
- Breakfast in Uyuni
- Cameras
- Gratuities
- Photographer
Day 2: Uyuni to Tayka Hotel
8:00 am – 9:00 am – Departure from Uyuni to Tayka Hotel
You’ll be picked up from Palacio de Sal by our team (driver and guide) then head to the Siloli Desert with sightseeing stops along the way.
Train Cemetery
Here steel giants have been abandoned and destroyed by salt winds becoming a cemetery for trains, for locomotives. Most of the trains that can be found in the Graveyard date back to the early 20th century and were imported from Britain. There are many train cars with unique structure and occasional graffiti.
In other places in the world, the mighty steel trains would have held up better. The salt winds that blow over Uyuni, which hosts the world’s largest salt plain, have corroded all of the metal. Without guards or even a fence, these pieces were picked over and vandalized long ago.
Following that, your trip will continue on to the Bolivian highland.
San Cristobal Village
This is a village located 45 minutes away from Uyuni city and characterized by the silver mining. Stop at this place if you’d like to use bathroom.
You’ll drive off road for more than 5 hours throughout the Bolivian highland. You’ll stop at Sora Canyon, Rock Valley, and Hidden Lagoon.
Lost Italy
What is amazing about these rocks, apart from all the bizarre shapes, is the extent of these stunning boulders. You can see these rocks and their crazy formations extending across the valley floor for miles wondering through endless pathways of these boulders.
It’s another amazing attraction to blow your mind. The Lost Italy, locally called Italia Perdida, is an isolated landscape with red rock formations one of the intriguing Bolivian highland Andes stone phenomena geological wind erosion under the Altiplanic blue sky in the serenity and peaceful wanderlust scenery.
Black Lagoon
The Black Lagoon is a captivating out of this world place due it’s outlandish landscape sprinkled with plants that look like rocks and rocks that seem sculptures, around an odd lake populated by Andean wild animals which makes Laguna Negra a succession of marvels, each one more impressive than the last.
Your lunch place might be at this area surrounded by llamas, in the small green valley that leads to the lagoon, and some endemic birds, making funny sounds, living in this quiet and disturbing pond.
In the meantime, while you explore the Black Lagoon, the driver will prepare the lunch for you.
From our point of view this is one of the most remarkable stops of this second day of your journey.
Stone Tree
You’ll stop at the Stone Tree (Árbol de Piedra) which will have you all in awe. This particular rock projecting out of the sand dunes of the Siloli Desert, has been whittled down into the shape of a tree over time by sand and 120 km/h winds that whip across 4,000 m high Bolivian Altiplano in the colder months.
The Stone Tree is about 7 m high, its shape, particularly the thin stem, are due to strong winds carrying sand and eroding the soft sandstone.
In the endless sand desert you would get easily lost without your expert driver.
Your driver has a great knowledge about the roads and routes. He’ll take through the many serpent ways.
You’ll stay at Tayka del Desierto Hotel. Dinner. Overnight.
Hotel Tayka del Desierto
After driving for almost 01 hour 15 min you’ll arrive to your accommodation the hotel Tayka del Desierto Ojito de Perdiz, the only one in the area.
It was ideally placed for exploring the colorful lagoons, geysers, fumaroles and bizarre rock formations of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve besides of observing Andean fauna, migrating birds, and enjoying the stargazing.
Hotel Tayka del Desierto Ojo de Perdiz is a small lodge amid one of the world’s most unique and epic landscapes. It offers basic comforts in rustic lodging on your way to Bolivia’s otherworldly Salar de Uyuni.
This simple, rustic property blends into its natural surroundings while providing shelter against the strong winds. The property was built by the local community and is very much in tune with its environment, with friendly service and local food.
This remotely located hotel accommodates 47 guests in simple, suite and triple rooms adorned with local textiles, constructed from local volcanic stone, with private bathrooms, hot water and basic amenities. There are also snug feather duvets and heaters.
There are solar panels on the roof that generate electricity and hot water in the evenings. It is limited to a few hours a day, and extra blankets and candles are available upon request.
The restaurant serves an American breakfast and a variety of local and international dishes for lunch and dinner, complemented by local wines and beers.
Included:
- Breakfast at Palacio de Sal
- Pick-up at your hotel Palacio de Sal
- Private 4×4 WD transport
- English speaking tour guide
- Entry tickets to Avaroa National Reserve
- Lunches
- 01 night at Tayka Hotel
- Private bathroom, limited hot shower, limited electricity
- Dinners at the lodge
Excluded:
- Extra expenses
- Cameras
- Gratuities
- Photographer
Day 3: Tayka Hotel to Atacama
7:00 am – Green & White Lagoon
Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon)
After a few hours travelling off road from the border of Chile, you’ll arrive to a rare natural wonder a Red Lagoon, filled with hundreds of pink flamingos. There are more flamingos during the rainy season (from December through April).
The Laguna Colorada is a shallow salt lake and contains white borax islands, whose white color contrasts with the reddish color of its waters, which is caused by red sediments and pigmentation of some algae. Curiously, the flamingos are naturally white; they look pink because the red algae stains their feathers. It spans 6000 hectares, but is less than a meter deep.
Thanks to Laguna Colorada’s abundant supply of plankton three of the world’s six species of flamingo can be found here: the Chilean, Andean and the James’ Flamingo.
James’ Flamingo is only found in the high Andean plateaus and was thought to be extinct until a small population was rediscovered in 1956.
You will have lunch at this spectacular landscape after exploring its surroundings and before heading towards your hotel located in Siloli Desert.
Sol de Mañana Geysers
The next stop will be at the Sol de Mañana Geyser field, a great site at almost 15,000 feet (4,570 meters), only reachable through a very rocky road by expert driver and guide.
There are lots of smaller mud holes, one largish geyser as well as a smaller one, and lots of water vapor coming out of the natural burrows. It creates surreal atmosphere, unexpected and interesting feature. One thing for sure is that there will not be too many other people about to share your experience.
There is strong dour of hydrogen sulphide gas, lots of minerals and hot bubbling mud. The walk around there could be a real health issue to infirm of any sort, be cautious of the danger.
The fumaroles place is quite small and would probably need only 5 minutes to walk around. The steady streams of hot vapor are not like geysers in Iceland or Yellowstone. If you have visited them then you can pass this place!
Polques Hot Springs
The adventure continues on to the Polques Hot Springs, where you will like this remote natural hot springs in the Bolivian High Andes, because taking a bath in the warm thermal water is a really nice and relaxing treat after the bumpy off-road ride to get there.
One of the best things about the Polques Hot Springs is the view from the thermal pools overlooking the picturesque pastel landscape of Salar de Chalviri.
Dalí Desert
It is a large plateau surrounded by imposing mountains that remind us of the paintings of the famous Spanish surrealist artist painter.
White and Green Lagoons
Our first sightseeing stop will be at the Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. We will continue to the Salvador Dali Desert.
Estación Avaroa
Your last control check point near the border will be at Estación Avaroa, which is basically entry ticket control for the national reserve.
Aduana Nacional
After your documentation in Bolivia immigration, you’ll be driven away for a few minutes until you reach at the National Customs check point (Aduana Nacional) for a quick check.
NOTE: some countries and nationalities require getting Tourist Visa to enter Bolivia, make sure if you need one.
Hito Cajón border (Bolivia)
Following that, you’ll drive for an extra 15 minutes to the Bolivian immigration office. Upon arrival, you’ll meet up with your personal Bolivian tour guide and driver. They will assist you on the border crossing and documentation in the Bolivian immigration office.
You’ll have breakfast, provided by the Chilean transport, and proceed with your paper documentation.
Hito Cajón border (Bolivia)
Following that, you’ll drive for an extra 15 minutes to the Bolivian immigration office. Upon arrival, you’ll meet up with your personal Bolivian tour guide and driver. They will assist you on the border crossing and documentation in the Bolivian immigration office.
You’ll have breakfast, provided by the Chilean transport, and proceed with your paper documentation.
Paso Fronterizo Hito Cajón (Chile)
Your 3 day tour adventure to Uyuni Salt Flats begins from 6:00 am with the pick up at your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. It’s more likely your Chilean driver will text you before he arrives at your hotel to avoid delays then board the shared minibus that will take you up to the border with Bolivia on a 1 hr drive through a paved road.
Once you arrive at Paso Fronterizo Hito Cajón, Chile you have to wait on the line for the exit stamp on your passport as you will see many other vehicles transporting people to the Bolivian Hito Cajón borderline up on the windy Mountain.
Included:
- Breakfast at Tayka Hotel
- Private 4×4 WD transport
- English speaking tour guide
- Entry tickets
- Hito Cajon to Atacama private transport
- Drop-off at your selected hotel in Atacama village
Excluded:
- Hotel in Atacama
- Lunches and dinner
- Extra expenses
- Cameras
- Gratuities
- Photographer
What to bring:
- Warm clothes
- Small back pack with toiletries
- Hat, cap, scarf
- Local cash currency
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Warm, light jacket
- Comfortable shoes
Get more. Do more.
Hey! I’m Fredy, one of the support team members, responsible of answering your emails and inquiries at headquarter.
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