Uyuni
Uyuni, a small Bolivian town, is famous for the immense Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, stretching over 10,000 square kilometers. Created by the evaporation of ancient lakes, its surface is so flat that NASA uses it to calibrate satellite altimeters.
During the rainy season, roughly from mid-December through mid-March, it transforms into a massive natural mirror, perfectly reflecting the sky. Salar de Uyuni also contains vast lithium reserves and supports unique wildlife, including pink flamingos. Its breathtaking scenery draws tourists and photographers from around the globe.
You can explore the Salar de Uyuni on a day tour, or make it part of a 3-day adventure through southern Bolivia. Days 2 and 3 take you to stunning locations in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. At the end of the trip, you can return to Uyuni or continue south, crossing the border into Chile. This extended tour offers an unforgettable journey through Bolivia’s diverse landscapes, making it perfect for both sightseeing and travel between countries.
A 3-day program exploring Uyuni and the surrounding national parks in Bolivia will offer you a mix of stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and cultural experiences. Here's a detailed itinerary of the first day at the Salt Flats, the rest you can read on the next page.
Day 1: Uyuni Salt Flats - Salar de Uyuni
Morning
Start in Uyuni
Begin your journey in the town of Uyuni, where you'll meet your guide and group.Train Cemetery
Your first stop is the famous Train Cemetery just outside Uyuni, where you’ll see the rusting remains of old steam locomotives that once transported minerals.
Lunch
Enjoy your lunch in a unique salt house/restaurant in the middle of the Salt Desert. This place is best known because of all its international flags!
Midday
Colchani
Visit the small village of Colchani, where you can observe the traditional methods of salt extraction and processing. You'll also find local handicrafts made from salt and other materials. The perfect place to buy some souvenirs. This is normally a short visit.Salar de Uyuni
Enter the vast, otherworldly Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. Explore its seemingly endless white expanse and marvel at the hexagonal patterns on the ground. Spend time capturing the famous optical illusions and unique photographs that the flat, white surface allows. Your guide will probably bring some plastic dinos or beer cans to do so.
Afternoon
Isla Incahuasi
Head to Isla Incahuasi, a rocky outcrop covered in giant cacti, offering panoramic views of the salt flats. Enjoy a small hike here, surrounded by this surreal landscape.
Evening
Sunset on the Salt Flats
As the sun sets, watch the landscape transform into a beautiful palette of colors, reflected perfectly on the salt flats. Your driver will stop at a quiet spot somewhere in the desert.Overnight in Salt Hotel
Return to Uyuni or stay in a nearby salt hotel, a unique accommodation made almost entirely from salt blocks.
I highly recommend doing the 3 day adventure in this area of the country.
