What to Pack for Your Trip to Uyuni: The Definitive Packing Checklist

CLOTHING — The Layering System

Think of your clothes as a flexible shell, not a single suit of armor. A good layering system lets you adapt to the dramatic temperature swings of the Altiplano—from freezing pre-dawn starts to warm midday sunshine. It's simple: you add and remove layers as needed to stay comfortable, not overheated or frozen.

Layer 1 — Base layer (worn directly against skin)

Thermal underwear top and bottom. Merino wool is the best material — it insulates when wet, doesn't hold odour after multiple days of wear, and regulates temperature in both cold and warm conditions. Synthetic thermal (polyester) works well and dries faster. Cotton does not work — it holds moisture and makes you colder.

Bring 2 sets minimum for a 3-day tour. You won't shower between nights 1 and 2 on the circuit.

Layer 2 — Mid layer (insulation)

A fleece or light down jacket. This is your primary warmth layer. It should be warm enough to wear alone in mild cold (around 5°C) and thin enough to fit under your outer shell.

Layer 3 — Outer shell (wind and water protection)

A windproof jacket is essential — not just for rain but for the altiplano wind, which drops the effective temperature well below what the thermometer shows. Waterproof is a bonus, particularly in wet season (December–April). Even in dry season, unexpected afternoon rain is possible.

Layer 4 — Insulating outer layer for nights and early mornings

Your warmest jacket. This goes on at sunset and comes off when the vehicle warms up mid-morning. Down is ideal for dry-season cold. For wet season, a synthetic fill jacket is better because down loses insulation when wet.

What else to bring for clothing

Trousers: 1 pair of warm hiking trousers (not jeans — jeans take forever to dry and offer no insulation when wet). 1 pair of lighter trousers or leggings for warmer days.

Socks: Bring more than you think you need. Merino wool hiking socks — at least 3 pairs for a 3-day tour. Your feet will get wet crossing the flat in wet season. Cold wet feet at 4,200 m at night are genuinely miserable.

Gloves: Two pairs. A thin inner glove for camera work (you need dexterity) and a warm outer mitt or glove for pre-dawn and evenings. At Sol de Mañana at 4:30 AM, bare hands on a camera body are extremely cold.

Hat: A warm beanie that covers your ears. Non-negotiable for early mornings and nights. A sun hat or cap for daytime UV protection — a wide brim is better than a baseball cap because it protects your ears and the back of your neck.

Buff or neck gaiter: One of the most versatile items on this list. Works as a neck warmer, pulled-up face covering against wind, or dust protection.

Swimwear + small towel: The Polques hot springs on Day 3 of the 3-day circuit are one of the most memorable stops on the entire tour. You get into 28–30°C thermal water at 4,400 m with views of a flamingo lagoon. Forgetting your swimsuit here is a genuine regret.

Hiking boots or shoes: Waterproof trail shoes or light hiking boots are ideal. In wet season, water will get into regular trainers within the first hour on the flat. In dry season, comfortable trail shoes are fine.

SUN PROTECTION — Non-Negotiable at This Altitude

Sunscreen

SPF 50 minimum. Apply it before you get out of the vehicle, not after. The UV exposure at 3,656 m is approximately 40% higher than at sea level. The reflective salt surface amplifies this. Apply to your face, neck, ears, the back of your hands, and — critically — under your chin and the underside of your nose. These are the surfaces the salt flat reflects sun onto that you don't think to protect.

Reapply every 2 hours. Bring more than you think you need — a 200ml bottle for a 3-day tour per person is not excessive.

Sunglasses

UV400 or polarised lenses. The salt flat is one of the most intense glare environments on Earth — more so than the beach, more so than snow. Looking across the flat without eye protection for a full day will cause eye fatigue and temporary vision problems. Polarised lenses cut the reflective glare from below as well as from above.

Lip balm with SPF

The air at 3,656 m is extremely dry. Your lips will crack and burn faster than anywhere you've been before. Bring an SPF lip balm and apply it constantly. This sounds minor until you're on Day 2 with bleeding lips and no pharmacy for 200 km.

HEALTH & ALTITUDE ITEMS

Altitude medication

Altitude sickness can hit anyone. We've seen marathon runners struggle and 70-year-olds hike with ease. It's about how your body responds, not your fitness.

Talk to your doctor before travel about acetazolamide (Diamox) — the standard prescription medication for altitude sickness prevention. Many travelers take it starting 24 hours before ascending. It is available over the counter in pharmacies in Uyuni town and in most Bolivian cities.

Ibuprofen is useful for altitude headaches. Paracetamol works too, though slightly less effectively. Bring both.

Personal first aid

1. Plasters and blister treatment — the salt flat terrain is uneven
2. Rehydration sachets — altitude increases fluid loss through respiration
3. Any personal prescription medication for the full duration of your trip, plus 2 extra days of supply

Altitude sickness — what to watch for

Mild symptoms (headache, fatigue, nausea) are common and usually pass with rest and hydration. Serious symptoms (persistent vomiting, difficulty breathing, confusion, loss of coordination) require immediate descent. Your guide will know what to do. Tell your guide if you feel unwell — do not try to push through serious symptoms.

TECHNOLOGY & PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera

The Uyuni Salt Flat is arguably the best photography location in South America. Bring your best camera. Bring every lens you own. Shoot in RAW if you can. The wide white expanse with no horizon reference is what makes perspective photographs work — your guide will know the classic spots.

Extra batteries — critical

Cold temperatures drain camera batteries 3–4 times faster than normal. A battery that lasts all day in a warm city will last 2–3 hours in pre-dawn cold at 4,850 m. Bring at least 2 spare batteries per camera, charged before you leave Uyuni. Keep batteries in an inside pocket close to your body to keep them warm between shots.

Memory cards

Bring more than you think you need. Most travelers take more photos at Uyuni than anywhere else on their entire trip. An extra 64GB or 128GB card costs almost nothing and prevents the worst possible moment: a full card at Laguna Colorada at golden hour.

Power bank (charged)

There is no electricity on the circuit between nights 1 and 2 — some basic hostels have a generator that runs for 2 hours in the evening. Charge your phone, camera batteries, and headlamp before you leave Uyuni. A power bank with at least 20,000 mAh will cover a full 3-day tour.

Headlamp or torch

Nights at the basic hostels on the circuit are dark. Very dark. A headlamp is essential for moving between rooms, finding the bathroom, and the 4:30 AM alarm on Day 3. Head torches are better than phone torches because they free your hands for carrying gear.

Offline maps and travel info

Download Google Maps offline for the Uyuni region before you leave. Save this article, your tour itinerary, and any accommodation confirmations to your phone before you lose signal. There is no mobile coverage once you leave Uyuni town.

FOOD, WATER & CASH

Water

Stay hydrated — altitude increases water loss through faster respiration even when you don't feel thirsty. 3-day tours include meals and usually provide water, but having your own 1-litre water bottle to refill is useful. Do not drink tap water at the basic hostels.

Snacks

Tour meals are included, but the gaps between them are long. Chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars are ideal — high calorie, lightweight, and they don't freeze solid. Salty snacks are less useful given the environment.

Cash in Bolivianos (BOB) — no exceptions

There are no card terminals anywhere in the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve. Withdraw Bolivianos from the ATM in Uyuni town before you leave. The minimum you need:

1. Eduardo Avaroa park entrance fee: BOB 150 per person
2. Isla Incahuasi entrance fee: BOB 30 per person
3. Polques hot springs (if not included): BOB 10–20
4. Community restroom fees along the route: BOB 2–5 per stop
5. Tips for your driver and guide: your discretion, but BOB 50–100 per person per day is appropriate for good service

Total minimum: approximately BOB 250–350 per person plus tips. Withdraw BOB 500 per person to be comfortable.