What is the Salar de Uyuni?
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world and is located in the southwest region of Bolivia. You may have seen mind-bending photos of the flats on social media or have been introduced to it in movies such as Star Wars, but what else should you know before visiting Salar De Uyuni?
Some basics: The Salar de Uyuni is the flattest place on the planet, sitting at an elevation of 3,656m (12,000 feet). When it rains, the flats transform into the world’s largest mirror. It’s also home to over half of Earth’s lithium reserves.
What many people do not know is that the surrounding area of the Atacama Desert is absolutely breathtaking. This area is overshadowed in popularity by Salar de Uyuni but is equally incredible. If you take a tour of Salar de Uyuni, you most likely will be spending a few days in the Atacama Desert as well, where you will get up close and personal with wildlife, volcanoes, headache-inducing altitudes and views of the stars like you’ve never witnessed in one of the most remote places on Planet Earth.
How Do You Get There?
Most people find their way to Salar de Uyuni via La Paz, the highest capital city in the world (3,650m / 11,975ft). We used Todo Turismo to book our bus tickets to Uyuni. The drive takes about 7-8 hours, so you most likely will be on an overnight bus that will have you arriving at Uyuni early in the AM to link up with your tour. We left at 9 pm and arrived a little before 5 am.
It will be easy to find a tour company in La Paz or you can find one online or even just figure it out when you get to Uyuni as well. We used FindLocalTrips to book our trip and connect us with a great local company called Perla de Bolivia. Perla de Bolivia was very well organized and made everything easy for us.
What Will You See?
Of course you will be visiting the infamous salt flats, but that’s just the start of the adventure. What you should know before visiting Salar De Uyuni is that there is so much more to see.
Salar de Uyuni
White salt landscapes as far as the eye can see. Make sure to take advantage of the loss of perspective that the flats produce and take some creative photos. Bring a prop. Enjoy the sunset in one of the most unique locations on the entire planet.
Train Cemetery
The first locomotives in Bolivia, built by British engineers in the late 19th century. This was part of a distribution hub to bring minerals to ports along the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia has a rough history of foreign countries coming in for their abundance of resources and leaving the local community high and dry, exporting the minerals and the money. When the mining industry collapsed in the 1940s, the trains were abandoned and are still there today.
Colchani Salt Processing Village
This small village (estimated population of less than 700) is where the workshops are for the salt miners. Here you will learn how the salt is processed and iodized to make it safe for human consumption. Meet el jefe, the boss man who has been running the show for over 50 years! There are also handicrafts and authentic locally made souvenirs available.
Isla Incahuasi
One of the top experiences of the entire tour. This former island in the middle of the flats feels like something out of a sci-fi movie (the flats used to be a lake, so now that the lake has dried up, it’s technically not an island surrounded by water anymore). The land mass is littered with mesmerizing, towering cacti and rock formations made of petrified coral. Combined with the expansive salt flat views in every direction, it’s a bizarre place to be that will leave you scratching your head in amazement and bewilderment.
Lagoons
Before visiting Salar de Uyuni, you should know that you’ll see some incredible lagoons of all different colors and mineral makeups. Some will be populated with flamingos! Laguna Cañapa, Laguna Hedionda, Laguna Colorada, Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde are all part of the itinerary.
Wildlife
You’ll see the 3 relatives: Llamas, alpacas and the lesser-known vicuñas. Previously mentioned flamingos will be abound. Keep your eyes peeled and you may spot viscachas (South American rodents that look like rabbits) and culpeos (Andean fox). Undoubtedly you will see some Llareta, a strange green plant that is hard like a rock and usually over 3,000 years old.
Árbol de Piedra & High Altitudes
Located in the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, you’ll see the picturesque Árbol de Piedra. Spanish for “Stone Tree”, its shape is derived from strong winds eroding the sandstone. This National Reserve is home to many other sites that are on this list, and you’ll encounter altitudes of over 4,900m (16,075 ft). Temperatures will drop quickly and snow will be coated over the ground. Dress accordingly.
Deserts
The Salvador Dalí Desert is named after the Spanish surrealist artist because of its landscapes which resemble his paintings. The Atacama Desert is an extremely remote desert that covers parts of Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and Peru. It is the driest nonpolar desert in the world and has been used as a site for Mars expedition simulations.
Volcanoes
Ollagüe is a beautiful massive stratovolcano on the border of Bolivia and Chile. It is potentially active because of fumarolic activity, an opening that is emitting steam and gases. Licancabur is another stratovolcano on the Bolivia-Chile border near Laguna Verde. Finally, Geotermas Sol de Mañana is a volcanic region and geothermal area in southwestern Bolivia. An awesome site to see, but you have to be aware of where you are walking. You will be surrounded by intense volcanic activity, a sulphur springs field full of mud lakes and steam pools with boiling mud. Watch your step!
Breathtaking Night Skies
In the area of the Atacama Desert you will be treated to one of the best views of the cosmos that exists on Planet Earth. The desert with its high altitude, low cloud cover, lack of light pollution and radio interference creates some of the best conditions for astronomical observatories. Some of sciences’ best telescopes are stationed here, and that means even the untrained naked eye will get a spectacular show. Don’t forget to look up.
What Should You Bring?
- Sunblock. You should know before visiting Salar de Uyuni that the sun will hit the ground and reflect right back at you very strongly! Be forewarned.
- Sunglasses
- Long sleeved t-shirt
- Sun hat / Beanie
- Coat
- Gloves
- Comfortable shoes for light trekking
- Warm clothes
- Bottled waters
- Snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Bathing suit for hot springs
- Towel
- Camera
- Charged up electronics
How Many Days Should You Spend?
If you are planning to visit one of the most incredible areas of the world, you shouldn’t try to squeeze it into a day trip. We think the 3 Day / 2 Night tour is the perfect amount of time to soak it in and appreciate the remote landscapes. We met other travelers who went for a single day trip and were disappointed with their decision and how rushed they were. Do yourself a favor, spend the extra time. It’s not just about the Salar de Uyuni, but all of the other amazing sites in the surrounding area as well.
Where Will You Sleep?
- On the 1st night you will stay at a salt hotel in Agencha town. The floor, the bed foundations, almost everything is made of salt. Accommodations include double, triple, 4-beds, 5-beds and 6-bed rooms + private toilets. (Hotel Santiago Wara Wara)
- On the 2nd night you will sleep at a shared family lodging in Huayllajara. Accommodations include triple, 4-beds, 5-beds and 6-bed dorm-style rooms and shared toilets. Do not expect a hot shower or running water. Do expect a wonderful hot spring to enjoy a hot soak and amazing hospitality from a friendly, loving local family. (Hotel San Marcelo)
How Much Does it Cost?
$190 USD per person for 3 day tour which includes:
- Accommodation for 2 nights
- Local driver
- Private English speaking guide
- Meals: 3 lunches / 2 dinners / 2 breakfasts
- Airport / Bus pickup
$84 for round trip bus to Uyuni/La Paz
- Included in the price of a ticket is a hot meal & breakfast.
$4.25 for entrance to Isla Incahuasi
$22 to enter Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa
$0.50 to enter the hot springs
$$ Extra cash
- Tips for guides/drivers/cooks
- Toilets
- Beers, waters and random spontaneous snacks like llama sausage.
Is it Worth it?
Without a doubt, the answer is YES. It was worth every penny and is a once in a lifetime experience. Our tour guide Oscar was informative, knowledgeable, helpful and overall just an awesome dude. He allowed us to live in the moment and enjoy the show, not bogged down with worries about logistics. He taught us about astrology, geology, earth science, wildlife, Bolivian and Inca culture and traditions and so much more. Visiting Salar de Uyuni is a must-do experience on your South American travels.
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Traveling around Bolivia, or Latin America? Check out our posts on:
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