Itinerary:
Enjoy a different kind of excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats / Salar de Uyuni. During this day you will not only visit the largest salt flat in the world, breathing pure air and basking in sunlight, but also get some excercise during a special bicycle ride.
It will be a thrilling day climbing the Incahuasi Island (Isla Incahuasi), visiting its giant cacti. Enjoy the beautiful sunset and the immensity of a sky filled with stars, followed by the sunrise inside the Uyuni Salt Flats.
Ready for adventure? Read the details of this unforgettable journey to the Uyuni Salt Flats.
Pick up from the Uyuni bus station, your Hotel in Uyuni town or Uyuni Airport.
10:00 Tour Private Tour: Reflections and Stars in the Uyuni Salt Flat (Salar de Uyuni) starts.
Our first journey stop will be at the Train Graveyard(Cementerio de Trenes), located about 3 kilometers from Uyuni town. The government of President Aniceto Arce, a great mining visionary, had purchased these trains. Unfortunately, the export of minerals to Europe failed due to the sabotage of the indigenous who did not want their lands invaded.
After a short visit to the abandoned locomotives, we will take you to the Colchani village, doorway to the fantastic Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni). Here you may buy some handicrafts made from salt and observe how the salt extracted from the salt flats is dried and packaged manually.
Continuing our trip we will take you to see the "Eyes of the Salt Flat" ("ojos del salar"), small holes that reveal the water flowing under the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni). These waters have healing properties thanks to their high mineral content.
Next we will head towards Incahuasi Island, stopping first at Playa Blanca Salt Hotel, now converted into a cafeteria. This ex-Hotel was construct entirely from blocks of salt. It has been closed by the authorities due to the environmental impact inside the salt flats. Here you will have some free time to take spectacular photos of the salt flats.
We will have lunch at Incahuasi Island.
Lunch includes a main course, dessert and drinks (soda, water). We offer a vegetarian menu on demand at no extra charge.
Incahuasi Island is home to hundreds of giant cacti. It is located in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni). Visiting it requires a bit of physical effort. From the top of the island you will have magnificent views of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni).
Incahuasi Island has two viewpoints. The first one is easy to access and does not require much physical effort to reach.
If you wish to visit the second viewpoint, you will participate in a good cardio workout. Reaching the second viewpoint requires more effort, but as a reward you will get precious views of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni).
After walking to the viewpoint(s), we will rest our feet taking pictures of this unique Island of giant cacti in the middle of a white desert.
Next, we will take you to a privileged place inside the salt flats. Here you can observe water covering the surface of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) during the dry season. We recommend that you take with you an extra pair of shoes, sandals or rubber boots to be able to walk in the water.
The water level here is not very deep, but enough to generate the famous "mirror-effect" that is so characteristic of the rainy season.
We will wait for sunset inside the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni), taking spectacular photos of the reflections in the water and the extraordinary sunset. This is a unique natural experience.
After sunset we will carefully drive back to Uyuni, arriving around 20:00 hrs.
The tour includes:
- Pick up from your hotel in Uyuni, Uyuni bus station or Uyuni Airport.
- Private transportation by 4x4 vehicle during the tour. (The number of passengers will depend on how many people are travelling with you.)
- Lunch, drinks during lunch.
- Responsible driver.
The tour rate does not include:
- Entry ticket to Incahuasi Island 30 Bs.- = 4,3 USD.-per person.
- Tour Guide
- Dinner and accommodation in Uyuni town.
Recommended additional activities
We highly recommend adding the following extra activities to your private Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) tour itinerary.
Bicycle ride
The bicycle ride leaves from Hotel Playa Blanca located in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) towards the Tunupa vulcano. Your driver will follow you during the ride. There is nothing like breathing pure air and doing a bit of exercise in such an extraordinary place as the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni).
The bicycle ride will take place before lunch, so that the sun will not burn you as much.
For your reference, the itinerary of our initial offer will not change, we will simply add this activity during the trip at a small extra charge.
Stargazing inside the Uyuni Salt Flat, waiting for sunrise.
We can extend the itinerary of your private tour by adding a stargazing activity inside the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) for a small extra charge. You can participate in this activity from 21:00 hrs or alternatively at 04:00 a.m.
The advantage of stargazing at 04:00 a.m. is that you will not only see the stars, but also wait for sunrise.
You may chose any of these two available schedules. The stargazing activity is about two hours long.
The stargazing activity can be done during the rainy or dry season. The schedule during the rainy season may vary due to cloudy skies. We will try to pick the best time based on the climatic conditions.
In order to add the stargazing activity and the sunrise to your itinerary, you will need to include and an additional night of accommodation in Uyuni town. You can participate in this activity before or after your private Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) tour. Please don't hesitate to ask us for recommendations about the options for accommodation in Uyuni according to your budget.
Barbecue in the Salar - Highly recommended for groups
With the aim of enriching your experience during your visit to Uyuni, we offer a service of organizing a barbecue inside the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni).
This special lunch is generally offered to groups of 4 or more. Please contact us for more information about the extra cost of this service.
IMPORTANT:
- We are a serious Tour provider around the Uyuni area. We make sure that our clients will take a tour with responsible drivers and tour guides.
- The Uyuni area is very remote and road conditions are bad. This may cause vehicles to be damage. Please be patient if a wheel needs to be change, the drivers are experienced and will get the job done quickly.
- It is important that you get a medical health check in your country before taking this tour. The tour reaches high altitudes that might affect your blood pressure. Even though there is a first-aid kit in the car, we recommend you take with you basic medications for headaches or stomach problems.
- Please note that the tour will take you to remote areas where emergency medical help may not be available. The nearest health center is located at Uyuni town, 35 minutes away from the Uyuni Salt Flat.
- Due to weather or road conditions the itinerary might vary without notice to ensure traveler safety. Please take the previous detailed itinerary only as a reference.
- This is a private tour, meaning that you won't share transportation with other travelers.
- Meals are served with a variety of vegetables and fruits. There is a special menu for vegetarians at no extra charge.
- Please dress appropriately: comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and hats are recommended. Sun block is a must. Do not forget your extra shoes, sandals or boots to walk in the water covering the salt.
- During winter carry gloves, scarf and warm clothes. (May, June, July and August).
- The company rents sleeping bags during the route at extra charge.
- This tour does not cover traveler insurance. If you want to purchase it please contact us.
- The service doesn't include tips or extra beverages.
We can also arrange for you:
- Direct fllight La Paz - Uyuni - La Paz
- Flights Santa Cruz - Uyuni - Santa Cruz
- Private transfers to Sucre, Potosí, Tupiza, Calama, Oruro, San Pedro de Atacama, La Paz.
- Bus Tickets: La Paz - Uyuni - La Paz
- Uyuni town hotel bookings and booking in other cities of Bolivia.
- Travel insurance
Location and Map
How to get to Uyuni ?
How to get from La Paz to Uyuni?
You can travel from La Paz to Uyuni by bus, by plane or by train.
La Paz to Uyuni by Bus
There are only overnight buses from La Paz to Uyuni. The travel time by bus from La Paz to Uyuni takes approximately 12 to 15 hours. We recommend you to travel using the following Bus companies:
Trans Titicaca Bolivia Bus with daily departures at 22:00, highly recommended.
Titicaca Bolivia Bus operates the route between La Paz and Uyuni with MarcoPOLO G7 Buses. The bus features:
- 3 line bed seats – full reclinable sofa bed seat
- WiFi Internet
- 220 V Charging points of board
- Reading light available for each seat
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Bathroom
- 1 pillow and 1 blanket
- Todo Turismo with daily departures at 21:00 hrs. (highly recommended). The company counts with semi bed seats buses and provides dinner and breakfast on board. The Bus features bathroom, heating and Wi Fi Internet.
- Panasur Bus with daily departures at 19:00 hrs. The company counts with bed and semi bed seat buses. The bus features bathroom and heating.
- Trans Omar. The Company features semi bed seat buses. The bus departs at 19:00 hrs.
- Trans Illimani with daily departures. The company features bed buses with bathroom and heating. The highway from La Paz to Oruro is paved until Challapata town. From there the road is a dirt road, which means that during the rainy season the transit is difficult.
La Paz to Uyuni by train
The train to Uyuni departs only from Oruro city. If you want to take the train to Uyuni you will need to travel by bus from La Paz to Oruro. The travel time is about 4 hours on paved road.
Once in Oruro, you can take the train to Uyuni. The train company does not sell tickets online. It is possible to purchase the train tickets at the La Paz train station office.
You need to schedule one full day in your itinerary for this trip.
La Paz to Uyuni by plane
Currently only Amaszonas and BoA airlines offer La Paz - Uyuni - La Paz flights.
There are 4 to 6 daily departure flights from La Paz to Uyuni. The travel time is 45-60 minutes, the flight is directly from La Paz to Uyuni. Amaszonas uses jets for this service. Each jet transports 41 passengers per trip.
We recommend you to take the early morning flights to Uyuni. This way you will be able to start your Uyuni Salt Flat tour the day of your arrival in Uyuni.
For the way back to La Paz there are also 4 to 6 daily flights available. We recommend you to take the last flight going back to Uyuni. The flight departs at 20:30 hrs. You can take this flight as soon as you end your tour in Uyuni. The Uyuni tours usually end by 18:00 hrs.
Because this is a domestic flight you need to be at the airport at least one hour before the departure time of your flight. The Uyuni Airport is new and it is located 10 minutes by car from Uyuni town.
How to get from Oruro to Uyuni?
Oruro to Uyuni by train.
There are two train companies traveling from Oruro to Uyuni. For your reference the trains also travel from Oruro to Tupiza and Villazón.
Train companies Oruro - Uyuni
Expreso del Sur with departures on Tuesdays and Fridays at 15:30
Wara Wara del Sur with departures on Wednesdays and Sundays at 19:00
Oruro to Uyuni by bus.
We recommend you to travel from Oruro to Uyuni on board of the Trans Azul bus company. The bus features semi bed seats and has daily departures from Oruro to Uyuni at 21:00 hrs. Please take into consideration that the bus arrives in Uyuni at 4:00 a.m.
How to get from Sucre to Uyuni?
The travel time between Sucre and Uyuni is about 7.5 hrs. The buses leaving Sucre generally make a stop in Potosí city and later continue the trip to Uyuni. Generally the trip by bus during the day takes longer because of the waiting time in Potosí.
You can also travel from Sucre to Uyuni using a private transfer and avoid wasting your time making a stop in Potosí city.
You can travel from Sucre to Uyuni at night in a direct bus. The bus departs from Uyuni at 21:00 hrs and arrives in Sucre at 5:00 a.m. The bus features semi bed and bed seats. You can choose to travel on board of the Emperador Bus company or the Diana bus company.
How to get from Potosí to Uyuni?
You can travel from Potosí to Uyuni by bus or private transfer. The travel time between this two cities is about 4 hours on a well maintained paved road. Unfortunately there are no flights from Potosí to Uyuni.
The recommended bus companies are:
Diana Tours with daily departures two times a day at 11:00 and at 18:30 p.m.
Emperador Bus Company with daily departures twice a day at 12:00 p.m. and at 19:00 p.m.
How to get from Villazón to Uyuni?
Villazón to Uyuni by train
The Expreso del Sur train departs from Villazón on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 15:30 and arrives in Uyuni at 23:35
The Wara Wara train departs from Villazón on Mondays and Thursdays at 15:30 and arrives in Uyuni at 1:00 a.m.
Both train make a short stop in Tupiza.
Villazón to Uyuni by bus
The buses travel from Villazón to Uyuni via Tupiza. There are daily departure buses from Villazón to Tupiza at 4:00 and 14:00 hrs. The travel time between Villazón and Tupiza is about 3 hours.
Once in Tupiza you can take a bus to Uyuni. There are daily departure buses from Tupiza to Uyuni at 10:00 a.m. The travel time between Tupiza and Uyuni is 6 hours.
How to get from Cochabamba to Uyuni?
The Trans Omar bus company is the only company that provides this service. The bus travels from Cochabamba to Uyuni every Saturday. The bus departs at 20:00 hrs. The travel time is about 12 hours.
The bus departs from Uyuni to Cochabamba every Friday at 21:00 hrs and arrives in Cochabamba by 06:30 a.m.
The bus features semi bed seats, bathroom and heating.
You can also travel from Cochabamba to Uyuni by train, taking the train in Oruro. You will need to take a bus from Cochabamba to Oruro (travel time 4.5 hrs) and take the train from Oruro to Uyuni. Please read the information on how to get from Oruro to Uyuni detailed in this article.
Unfortunately there is no direct flight from Cochabamba to Uyuni. If you want to travel by plane to Uyuni, you will need to take a flight from Cochabamba to La Paz and from there to Uyuni.
How to get from Santa Cruz to Uyuni?
Because of the distance between Santa Cruz and Uyuni we don't recommend travelling by land.
You can take a plane from Santa Cruz to La Paz and from there take a flight to Uyuni. Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Santa Cruz to Uyuni.
You can also travel by plane from Santa Cruz to Sucre and from Sucre you can take a bus or a private transfer to Uyuni.
We don't recommend you to travel by train from Santa Cruz to Uyuni because the travel time will be too long. You will need to take a bus or plane from Santa Cruz to Cochabamba and from there take a bus to Oruro where you can take the train to Uyuni.
For your reference the travel time from Santa Cruz to Cochabamba is about 12 hours. You will need to add another 4.5 hours to travel from Cochabamba to Oruro and other 6.5 hours to travel by train from Oruro to Uyuni.
How to get from Chile to Uyuni?
You can travel from Chile to Uyuni via Calama. There are buses traveling from Calama to Uyuni on specific days. The bus travels to Uyuni via the Ollague border crossing. The road is paved in some parts and mostly unpaved on the Bolivian side.
If you are in San Pedro de Atacama wanting to get to Uyuni, we recommend you to take a tour from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, the most common tours are the 3 days/2 nights. There are no buses going to Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama.
How to get from Cuzco to Uyuni?
You can take a flight from Cuzco to Uyuni via La Paz.
You can also take a bus from Cuzco to La Paz and once in La Paz travel to Uyuni by bus, train or plane.
How to get from Argentina to Uyuni?
We recommend you to travel to San Salvador de Jujuy and from there take a bus to La Quiaca. Cross the border to Villazón and from there take a train or bus to Uyuni.
Travel tips
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Sucre and Potosí city are beautiful colonial towns worth to visit. We recommend you to travel from La Paz or Santa Cruz to Sucre by plane. Visit Sucre and later take a taxi, a bus or a private transfer to Potosí. The travel time between Sucre and Potosí is 3.5 hours. After a visit to Casa de la Moneda, San Felipe de Neri Museum or The Cayara Hacienda in Potosí, you can take a bus to Uyuni. The travel time between Potosí and Uyuni is 4 hours.
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There are no flights from Sucre to Uyuni and from Potosí to Uyuni.
If you decide to travel by bus in Bolivia we recommend you never accept any beverage, meal or candy from strangers.
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We recommend you to travel with a small blanket in the buses as sometimes the heating in the buses is not working properly.
If you arrive early in the morning in Uyuni, don't worry about your safety. Uyuni is a small and safe town.
Rates and Booking
Nearby tourist attractions:
Uyuni Salt Flats
Green Lagoon
Red Lagoon
Rock Tree
Salvador Dalí desert
Colchani village near Uyuni
Polques Hot Springs
Town of Uyuni
Cementerio de Trenes - Train Graveyard
Town of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile
Andean Fauna
Incahuasi Island
Eyes of the Salt Flat (Ojos de Sal)
Amazing Lagoons
Cañapa Lagoon
Ramaditas Lagoon
Shiarkhota Lagoon
Honda Lagoon
Salar de Chiguana
Siloli Desert
Eduardo Avaroa Reserve
Thermal waters and geysers
San Cristobal town
Licancabur Volcano
Tunupa Volcano
Ollague Volcano