On Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama 2 Day Tour you’ll marvel the salt flats and stay at Palacio de Sal hotel and head to Atacama through lagoons and desert.
This is a private trip starting with the Salar of Uyuni exploration and funny perspective pictures, staying at Palacio de Sal Hotel, next day venture on a long journey to the Hito Cajon border and Atacama.
Your Tour Features
Tour Type Private
Tour Duration 2 Days
Pick-up time 4:00 AM
Drop-off time 8:40 PM
Pickup at Hotel, airport
Drop-off Atacama Hotel
What You’ll Do
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: You’ll depart from Palacio de Sal Hotel and head to San Pedro de Atacama Chile by a private transport with short stops at the train Sora Canyon, Valley of the Rocks, Laguna Colorada, Sol de Mañana Geysers, Dali desert, White and Green Lagoon. You’ll be dropped in Atacama Main Square or hotel.
Your Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
7:00 am – 8:40 am – 10:00 am – Eyes of the Salt
You’ll be collected by your guide and driver at your hotel in Uyuni town or at the Uyuni airport (if arriving from La Paz) or at any salt hotel in Colchani.
Your trip starts with the first stop at the 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.
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 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.
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.
Perspective Photos
It is time 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 (from December to April). 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.
Uyuni Salt Flats Sunset
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.
At the end of the tour you’ll be dropped off at Palacio de Sal Hotel.
Included:
- Private 4×4 WD transport
- English speaking tour guide
- Entry tickets to Incahuasi Island (dry season)
- Lunches/picnic in the Salar
- Gum boots (December to April)
- Drop-off at your hotel in Colchani village
- 01 night at Palacio de Sal Hotel
- Dinner at Palacio de Sal
Excluded:
- Breakfast
- Extra expenses
- Cameras
- Gratuities
- Photographer
Day 2: Uyuni to Atacama
4:00 am – 4:30 am – Departure from Uyuni to Hito Cajon Border
You’ll be picked up from Palacio de Sal by our team (driver and guide) then head to the Bolivian Chilean borderline with sightseeing stops along the way.
Sora Canyon
Your next sightseeing stop will be at the Sora canyon which is the ideal landscape to appreciate more Andean flora and grazing Llamas, Vicuñas, Alpacas and even some foxes can be seen at the place.
Valley of Rocks
The road continuing after the Laguna Colorada snakes between strange rocky formations, the Valley of Rocks, in one of the most isolated areas of the region.
The Valley of Rocks would easily turn out in one of the neatest stops in the isolated nature reserve as you will see stone formations with particular shapes as the Camel, World Cup and many others.
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 have the chance to see the Flamingos in front of the lodge. Dinner. Overnight.
Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon)
After many hours travelling off road from Uyuni to 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 Hito Cajon borderline.
Sol de Mañana Geysers (if time permits)
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.
Hito Cajón border (Bolivia)
Following that, your Bolivian tour guide will assist you at the windy Bolivian immigration office and introduce you to your new Chilean driver. Later, you’ll head by paved road to the Chilean Immigration office and San Pedro de Atacama.
NOTE: some countries and nationalities require getting Tourist Visa to enter Chile, make sure if you need one.
Paso Fronterizo Hito Cajón (Chile)
Your 2 Day Tour from Uyuni to Atacama will come to an end after you navigate throughout the Chilean immigration office. Once you arrive at Paso Fronterizo Hito Cajón, Chile you have to get your exit stamp on your passport as you driver waits for you. Finally, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or at the Main Square of San Pedro de Atacama.
Included:
- Hot drinks and sandwiches
- Private 4×4 WD transport
- English speaking tour guide
- Entry tickets to Hot Springs
- Lunches
- Entry tickets to Eduardo Avaroa Park
- Hito Cajon border to Atacama private transport
- Drop-off at Atacama Main Square or downtown hotel
Excluded:
- Hotel in Atacama
- Extra expenses
- Cameras
- Gratuities
- Photographer
- Tourist Visa for Chile (if required)
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.
If you have questions about Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama 2 Day Tour or need help making your booking, feel free to text me the number below and reference the name of the tour (or send the link). I’d be happy to help.
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Price:
| Nro PAX | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| PRICE | USD 2,460 | USD 2,960 | USD 3,180 |