Complete Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats and Colored Lagoons
When you think of breathtaking landscapes, the Salar de Uyuni (or Uyuni Salt Flats) in Bolivia undoubtedly tops the list. Not only is this one of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, but it is also the largest salt flat on the planet. Whether you’re on a South America backpacking trip or simply someone in search of a once in a lifetime experience, the Uyuni Salt Flats have something for everyone.
In this blog post, I aim to cover everything you need to know about visiting one of the most extraordinary destinations in South America. Specifically, I’ll guide you through how to explore the Uyuni Salt Flats and the stunning Colored Lagoons on a 4-day tour, finishing at the border with Chile.
Overview of the Uyuni Salt Flats
It is difficult to put into words how incredible this place is and the only way to truly grasp its beauty is to experience it firsthand. For me, it was mind-blowing to learn that the Salar de Uyuni spans over 10,000 square kilometers. What’s even more fascinating is that, over 40,000 years ago, this area was a vast body of water. As the water gradually evaporated, it left behind a stunning expanse of salt that stretches as far as the eye can see.
But beyond its breathtaking beauty, the salt flats also hold immense economic value. Beneath the surface, they are rich in lithium. This is a vital resource that plays a crucial role in the production of electronics and semiconductors.
Itinerary and Map of the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
This 4-Day Road Trip begins in Uyuni, where you will spend 2 days exploring the iconic salt flats before heading to the colorful lagoons for the next 2 days. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the option to either return to Uyuni or continue your South America journey into Chile.
Choosing a Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
After leaving Peru and spending some days in La Paz, we continued the trip to Uyuni by night bus. Instead of booking a tour in advance, we decided to do some research online. Then, upon arrival, we visited a few agencies around Plaza Principal Aniceto Arce. Since most of the tour agencies are located along the same stretch of road, it was easy to compare options and find the right fit. In the end, we chose the only agency offering a 4-day tour.
However, we’re hesitant to recommend the agency for a couple of reasons. First, tour prices vary significantly based on whether you speak Spanish. Spanish-speaking travelers often paying much less. Additionally, the experiences offered by different agencies are quite similar, making price the main distinguishing factor. That said, we still enjoyed the tour, largely due to the great company of our fellow travelers.
Reflecting on our experience, we were somewhat disappointed with the organization of the Uyuni Salt Flats tour. Despite paying extra for an English-guided tour, Spanish was the primary language spoken, limiting our insights about the area. Also, the experience felt rushed, leaving little time to fully appreciate the breathtaking landscapes. Future travelers should prioritize tour operators that emphasize clear communication and ample time to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Uyuni Salt Flats.
If you don’t have 4 days to explore the Uyuni Salt Flats, you can opt for a 1-day or 3-day tour, or even plan your trip independently. However, be aware that navigating the salt flats and surrounding areas can be challenging without established roads. If you choose to go solo, consider hiring a local guide or rely on GPS.
Best Time to Visit the Uyuni Salt Flats
The best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni is the dry season, from May to October. This is when the salt flats are dry, neighboring areas are fully accessible and the landscape offers flat vistas.
During the rainy season, from November to March, the Uyuni Salt Flats becomes a vast mirror that perfectly reflects the sky and creates an illusion of endless infinity. If you’re a photographer, you definitively cannot miss it! But, remember that if you’re planning on visiting different parts of the salt flats, some areas might become inaccessible by car due to flooding.
South America Destinations to visit between May and October: Cusco, Arequipa, Atacama Desert
Day 1: Train Cemetery – Tunupa Volcano – Sunset – Salt Hotel
The morning after booking our tour, we boarded a 4×4 jeep. Firstly, we made our way to the Train Cemetery, just minutes outside of Uyuni. This intriguing site features the remains of steam locomotives from the 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, the site provides a glimpse into the region’s railway history and offers a striking backdrop for photos.
From this point, we ventured deeper into the Uyuni Salt Flats, where islands occasionally broke the endless expanse of white. These unique formations provided a striking contrast to the uniform salt crust. For lunch we stopped in front of the Tunupa volcano, next to a pond of water, which created perfect reflections.
After soaking in the stunning views of flamingos and alpacas, we set off to hike Tunupa Volcano, towering at an impressive 4,200 m (13,780 feet). Due to the high altitude in this area, allow at least 2-3 days for acclimatization before embarking on your trip. This way you’ll avoid altitude sickness and will fully enjoy the experience.
On our way to the viewpoint, we visited the caverns where the mummies of Coquesa are preserved. As we continued our ascent, we were gradually rewarded with the breathtaking views of the Uyuni Salt Flats. In fact, the vastness of the salt flats stretched endlessly toward the horizon, revealing the stunning beauty of this unique landscape.
On the way to the Salt Hotel, where we spent the first night, we stopped for a beautiful sunset. At night, despite the wind and the cold outside, we decided to try our luck with astronomy photography. After some trial and error, there it was: the Milky Way.
Day 2: Salt Hotel – Galaxy Cavern – Incawasi Island – Sunset
The following morning, we woke up early for the sunrise. Luckily, we had a warm breakfast waiting for us later.
Our next stop was the Galaxy cavern, a hidden gem we reached after driving for hours through the vast, remote landscape. Discovered only in 2003, the calcareous rock formation takes the shape of a cobweb, which resembles a galaxy. According to several theories, a volcanic eruption more than 200 million years ago created the cave, at a time when the salt flats were still underwater.
Sometimes nature makes its own rules, and this seems to be the case for Incahuasi island, the cactus island. In fact, this rocky outcrop is literally covered in cacti. While climbing it, we could enjoy a 360 degree view of the salt flats…. and what a view!
To finish the day, we drove to a stretch of water that provided perfect reflections. As the sun began to set, we enjoyed the moment with a glass of red wine and the company of new friends.
Day 3: Chain of Lagoons – Stone Tree – Laguna Colorada
After leaving the salt flats, we continued our journey toward the lagoons, passing through breathtaking landscapes and multi-colored volcanic rock formations. Along the way, we spotted groups of flamingos, adding a touch of wildlife to the stunning scenery.
Over the years, the relentless wind and sand have shaped the landscape, with the effects most evident on the Stone Tree. In fact, its unique form, created by natural erosion, stands as a testament to the power of the elements.
The last stop of the day was the Laguna Colorada, a stunning sight where the water’s natural red pigmentation is caused by algae and plankton thriving in the lagoon. Despite the harsh winds and low temperatures, three different species of flamingos call this lagoon home.
We spent a (cold) night at a hostel just around the corner of the Laguna Colorada. There are not many accommodation options near the reserve and this is one of the few available.
Day 4: Geysers – Hot Spring – Salvador Dali Desert – Chile Transfer
The following morning, at an altitude of 4,850m / 15,912 feet, we marveled at the bubbling underground hot springs of the Geysers.
Aside from the destructive power of volcanoes, for us, the volcanic area meant only one thing: hot springs! Trust me when I say that there is nothing better than 38°C / 100°F degree water after a freezing morning.
After crossing the Salvador Dali desert, we reached the last viewpoint, where we were looking up at the Licancabur volcano (5,960m / 19,554 feet), at the border with Chile. Here, we had our transfer to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.
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