Below is a typical itinerary - this can and does change (rainy season can mean some parts of the salt flats are unreachable). Please confirm with your guide before departing if there is something you especially want to see to ensure you arrange to visit it.
Note: if you arrive to Uyuni by flight or bus before 09:30am then you can start your Jeep Tour the same day you arrive.
DAY 1 - UYUNI - COLCHANI - INCAHUASI / ISLA PESCADO - AGUA QUISA
You will depart Uyuni at about 10.30 am and start with a visit to the train cemetery, where you will have the chance to look at the old corroding trains which used to service this area many years ago. Soon after this you will visit the small town of Colchani to see the way the salt from the salt flats is refined for consumption. Next you will begin your exploration of the actual Salt Flats, checking out the "Ojos de Sal", where water bubbles up throughout the salt flatlands. You will discover where the locals collect salt, placing them in cone-shaped piles ready to be shifted to the refineries, before a visit to the original salt hotel (no longer used for visitors). Next you head to the Inca Huasi (Fish Island) to look at the gigantic cacti and enjoy wonderful 360 degree panoramic views of the salt flats. You will have enough time to take astonishing photos of the area before proceeding toward the Cave of Galaxies, along with its unique rock formations. You end up at the small town of Agua Quisa, where you will spend the night.
The first night the sleeping arrangements are in basic double and triple rooms.
DAY 2 - AGUA QUISA - PASO LEON - LAGUNAS - LAGUNA COLORADA
Today the scenery changes to mountains, volcanoes and arid lands. After showing your passport at Chiguana military check point we head towards "Pasa de Leon" for fantastic views of Volcano Ollagua. The rest of the day is spent visiting lagoons and viewing mountainous landscapes. You will witness flamingos feeding on the mineral rich waters of the lagoons and in the afternoon you will arrive at the rich red colored "Laguna Colorada" where you will stay the night - very cold here so sleeping bag advised.
Tonight you will sleep in basic share dorms.
DAY 3 - LAGUNA COLORADA - GEYSERS - LAGUNA VERDE - UYUNI
Today is an early start to visit the steam shooting geysers and bubbling mud pools at sunrise. You will be glad for the heat from the steam as it gets extremely cold here before sunrise. Afterwards the group heads towards some natural hot springs where you can relax and soak your aches away. After lunch the destination is the bright green waters of Laguna Verde which are over looked by snow capped volcanoes before heading back to Uyuni.
The Salar de Uyuni or 'salt flats' is a one of the highlights of a trip to Bolivia and shouldn't be missed as it is a unique place in the world. The terrain in this area is harsh and conditions are basic so you should not expect a lot of comfort but if you can rough it for a few days the rewards are well worth it.
Trips to the Uyuni Salt Flats are an unforgettable experience but unfortunately the general standard of facilities and services are not very high in the area. We would like to make it clear that things are not as reliable, comfortable and professional as we would like on these budget tours so for this reason we do not promise more than basic standards. The accommodation & food will be basic, and due to the harshness of the terrain the vehicle breakdowns are common.
Still interested? Good, you should be because if you can put up with a bit of hardship you should have a great time. Take some extra snacks, plenty of warm clothes and a sleeping bag and the accommodations won't worry you. The drivers are used to breakdowns and are pretty adept at fixing their vehicles, they are always willing to help each other out and you are usually not stuck for long - so a bit of patience is often all you need.
We believe if you are informed truthfully about the possible negative aspects of the tours you can prepare yourself better and will have a more positive experience.
A trip to the salt flats makes you an instant photographer as you´ll find unique shots everywhere! For instance, there are giant cacti and salt piles in the middle of a white salt landscape, where also sometimes recent rains cause an incredible reflection effect which your camera will capture for you to make your friends back home extremely jealous. The endless whiteness of the landscape also allows you to play with perspective in your photography and by bringing everyday objects (or kids toys) you can make them life-size, appearing eye to eye with them in photos! To see examples on our Facebook page click here: Uyuni Salt Flats Photos!
When designing your bus pass you can click Continue Trip and add-on a product that gets you to these places:
- Inca Trail
- Rurrenabarque
- Lima
- Cusco
- Amazon
- Rio Carnival
- Plus More!
Please Note: It is not unusual for Jeep Tours to stray from advertised itineraries due to road and weather conditions, especially during the months of January & February. We reserve the right to change the Jeep Tour itinerary and bus to/from La Paz route if such conditions make it necessary to do so!
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