3 days

Multi-Day

About this activity

Itinerary

Day 1: Uyuni - Colchani - Incahuasi Island - Pia Pia Island - Ajencha (1L;1D)

Stop At: Train Cemetery, Uyuni Bolivia
The first stop will be Uyuni's 'train graveyard', to see the first locomotives in Bolivia. You’ll then visit the small settlement of Colchani (salt miners’ workshops next to the salt flats). Here, you’ll see handicrafts made of salt, and textile art made of llama and alpaca fiber. The tour will continue onto the great Salt Flats of Uyuni, which are at an altitude of 3650m. Take photos as you cruise along the vast white expanse of salt, see Los Ojos de Agua Salada (‘salt water eyes’) and then visit a hotel made completely of salt! This amazing place currently serves as a museum.

Following this jam-packed morning, after lunch you’ll carry on to “Isla Incahuasi” (Fish Island), where you will have time to take a hike to the top of the island to see giant cacti, and rock formations made of petrified coral. Make sure you and your group pose for some fun perspective- and proportion-distorted photos, taken against the backdrop of the striking white surface of the salt flats.

Then, we’ll head to Pia Pia island, to see the beautiful sunset over the salt flats. Finish off at the village of Ajencha, and enjoy the unique experience of spending the night in a hotel made almost entirely of salt, called "Santiago Jukil".
Duration: 14 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Salt hostel "Santiago Jukil" in Agencha - double rooms.

Jan - April (rainy season) Hotel in Culpina or other location

Day 2: Chiguana Desert - Lagoons - Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Red Lagoon Sol de Mañana Geyser (1B;1L;1D)

Stop At: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna, Bolivia
Start the morning off at 7:00 am with breakfast, before going to visit the Chiguana Desert, located on the south side of the Uyuni salt flats. It is surrounded by volcanoes, such as the Ollague Volcano (5840m), one that is still active, and that can be seen from the lookout.

Next, we’ll continue along a rocky road - Pasito Tuntun - to the beautiful Andean lagoons, inhabited by 3 species of Andean flamingos. Marvel at three lagoons on the way: ‘Cañapa’ where you’ll spot the first pink flamingos, ‘Hedionda’ where lunch will be served, and ‘Chiarcota’ where you’ll see a wider variety of birds and altiplanic fauna.

We’ll then enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, and visit the Desert of Siloli, at 4550m (the highest and driest desert in the world). Make sure you take a photo next to the 'Rock tree', a lava rock formation. Before arriving to your final destination of the day, we will stop at the view point by the Red Lagoon, where you can spot more pink flamingos in their natural habitat, and admire this intense, red-coloured lake. Stay the night at a shared family lodging, "HAYLLAJARA".
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: "HUAYLLAJARA" basic lodge (dorm of 6 beds shared bathroom)

Day 3: Dali Desert - Green Lagoon – San Pedro de Atacama, Chile (1B;1L)

Stop At: Salvador Dali Desert, Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve Bolivia
At 5 a.m. Have early breakfast. Later start with a visit to Sol de Mañana Geyser, at 5,000m. You’ll walk alongside fumaroles, and steaming craters filled with boiling pots of mud at 150-200 Cº. Continue to the open air hot springs, and take a bath in 35ºC water.

The first place to visit is the Dali Desert, where Salvador Dali found inspiration for his work from the scattered boulders in the middle of the desert. You’ll then see the Green Lagoon - toxic copper water at the foot of the big Licancabur volcano, which sits at 6000m, a few kilometers from the Bolivia-Chile border.

For those that wish to finish at San Pedro de Atacama in Chile instead of going back to Uyuni: Guides will assist with your border crossing at 10:30 am, and you should arrive in San Pedro at 12:00 pm on the third day of the tour. The drop off is at San Pedro de Atacama’s main square.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.

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Included

2x Breakfast
2x Dinner
3x Lunch
Accommodation included: 2 nights
1 night in hostel in shared rooms
1 night in a salt hotel
Transportation in 4X4 Land Cruiser with rooftop luggage rack (up to 6 people per vehicle)
Local driver and English speaking guide
Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Pickup from airport, bus stations or Uyuni hotels (must be advised in advance)
Entry/Admission - Train Cemetery

Not included

Entrance Fees: Isla Incahuasi (30Bs*), Reserva Eduardo Avaroa Protected Area (150Bs*)
Additional snacks & water bottles
Toilets along the Way (20 Bs)
Hot Shower (10 Bs)
Gratuities for guide, driver and cook (Optional, however keep in mind that tipping is common in Latin America and would be greatly appreciated)
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
2-liter water bottle a day (can be purchased in hostels we stay at)
Entry/Admission - Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve of Andean Fauna
Entry/Admission - Salvador Dali Desert

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other forces beyond our control
During the rainy season (January to April), the salt flat fills with water so it is not possible to cross the salt flat in the same way as during dry season causing the itinerary to be modified during that period.
This trip takes place at a very high altitude. For example, the salt flats is around 16,000 feet (5,000 meters) above sea level. Most guests feel some effects of altitude (headache, lethargy, trouble sleeping) and we recommend acclimating yourself by staying above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) for a few days before embarking on this trip.
Bring medication for headaches and tablets for altitude sickness in case you feel unwell
Always drink LOTS of water to assist in acclimatization
The reality of visiting a remote area and immersing yourself in nature is that you will be far from modern facilities and the services may sometimes be slow and basic
Due to the harsh terrain, vehicle breakdowns are not uncommon, however, the drivers are skilled at fixing mechanical problems and delays are rarely excessive
The accommodations will be very basic with cots and shared rooms
Electricity and running water in the National Park are not as dependable as they are at home
Public toilet facilities will be available only on the first day and may have a small local cost
Bring snacks, toilet paper, and plenty of drinking water (minimum 2 gallons or 5 liters per person)
Temperatures can drop well below zero in the winter months and the wind chill can be harsh at all times so bring warm clothes and many layers
Also bring a sun hat, polarized sunglasses, high SPF sunblock, trekking shoes, swimsuit, towel, personal medication, a flashlight, a camera, extra batteries and memory card, chargers (electricity is available in most hotels), hand sanitizer, and personal first aid kit
Not wheelchair accessible
For those that wish to finish at San Pedro de Atacama in Chile instead of coming back to Uyuni: Guides will assist with your border crossing at 10:30 am, and you should arrive in San Pedro at 12:00 pm on the third day of the tour. The drop off is at San Pedro de Atacama’s main square.
Important: During the rainy season (from November to April), it is not possible to access Incahuasi Island. However, there is the possibility of visiting the island if on the day of your tour it does not rain. We also may sleep in a different location due to road access
Important: During the winter season (from May to August), it is not possible to access Eduardo Avaroa National Park (red lagoon, Dali dessert, green lagoon). However, there is the possibility of visiting black lagoon and rock valley, changes to the itinerary may be made without prior notice depending on the weather conditions. You may also sleep in different locations depending on vehicle access.
This tour is perfectly tailored for all arrivals in Uyuni, is by bus or by plane. The operator´s office is only 20 minutes away by taxi from the bus terminal and the airport
Most travelers can participate
During Jan - April (rainy season), the salt hostel is unavailable. Instead, you willl be staying in a hotel in Culpina or other location
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers