The 2-day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour is perfect for those who want to explore beyond the traditional route. On the first day, you’ll visit the Train Cemetery, Colchani, and Incahuasi Island, and enjoy the sunset over the salt flats, ending with a night in a salt shelter.
The next day, the trip continues to the Ollagüe Volcano and the altiplano lagoons, where you can observe flamingos and unique landscapes. Thus, this 4×4 tour from Uyuni combines adventure, nature, and photography in an unforgettable experience through the Bolivian Altiplano.
ITINERARY
Day 1: UYUNI – TRAIN CEMETERY – COLCHANI – UYUNI SALT FLAT – INCAHUASI ISLAND – SUNSET – SALT SHELTER
10:30 a.m. – Departure from Uyuni:
The tour begins with a departure from the city of Uyuni. You can arrive at the meeting point or request pickup from your accommodation. You will board a shared 4×4 vehicle, ideal for exploring the salt flats and altiplano routes, with a maximum group size of 6 passengers.
Train Cemetery:
First stop is the Uyuni Train Cemetery, an iconic site where abandoned old locomotives lie, a symbol of Bolivian railway history. It is an ideal spot for artistic photography and to learn about the region’s industrial past.
Colchani and Local Crafts:
We will visit Colchani, a local community dedicated to artisanal salt production. Here you will learn about the extraction and refining process, and you can purchase salt-made souvenirs and Andean textiles directly from the artisans.
Entrance to the Uyuni Salt Flat:
We will enter the Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest salt desert on the planet. This impressive white blanket of over 10,000 km² offers a perfect setting for taking famous perspective photos. During the rainy season (January-March), it transforms into the so-called “mirror of the sky,” perfectly reflecting the horizon.
Incahuasi Island (dry season only):
In the middle of the salt flat is Incahuasi Island, an oasis of volcanic rock covered with giant cacti. From here, you can take a short hike to a 360° panoramic viewpoint. This is where a picnic lunch is served, with an Andean menu and a vegetarian option available.
Creative Photo Session:
After lunch, we’ll make stops to take classic optical illusion photos, guided by your driver/guide, who will carry props to capture original and fun images of the salt flat.
Sunset over the Salar de Uyuni:
Enjoy a magical moment watching the sunset over the Salar de Uyuni, when the sky is tinged with intense colors reflected in the salt. An experience you’ll never forget.
Arrival at your accommodation (salt shelter or local hostel):
We will spend the night in a typical altiplano accommodation, built in part with salt blocks or adobe. A simple dinner is included. At night, if the sky is clear, you can observe a stunning starry sky, free from light pollution.
Day 2: SALAR – OLLAGÜE – ALTIPLÁN LAGOONS – MIRADOR DE VÁNICA – UYUNI
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast and Departure:
After an early breakfast at the refuge, we prepare to continue our route through the high plateau region, where the combination of volcanoes, wildlife, and desert landscapes makes this day an unforgettable experience.
Ollagüe Volcano Viewpoint:
We stop at a panoramic point from which you can see the active and partially snow-covered Ollagüe Volcano. From here, you can also see the border with Chile and part of the Western Andes.
High Plateau Lagoons: Cañapa and Hedionda:
We continue to the high Andean lagoons, famous for their unique colors and the presence of Andean flamingos, parinas, and native birds. Cañapa Lagoon has an intense turquoise green color, while Hedionda Lagoon stands out for its high mineral content and the activity of wildlife.
Lunch En Route:
We enjoy an Andean box lunch in a sheltered spot amidst the high plateau landscape. This allows you to rest, appreciate the silence of the surroundings, and recharge your batteries for the return trip.
Desert and Panoramic Views:
On the way back to Uyuni, we cross areas of desert and volcanic landscape, where we make stops to observe eroded rocks, endless plains, and, with luck, more highland wildlife such as vizcachas and vicuñas.
Arrival in Uyuni:
Return to the city of Uyuni in the afternoon. The tour ends at your accommodation or at the Uyuni bus terminal, ideal if you have a connection to La Paz, Sucre, or Potosí.
INCLUDES
✅What does the 2-day / 1-night Uyuni Salt Flats tour include?
Transportation and guide:
- 4×4 vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser or similar) with an experienced driver, ideal for traveling through salt flats, deserts, and high plateau roads. Maximum capacity: 6 people per car.
- Local bilingual driver-guide (Spanish and basic English) with extensive knowledge of the area.
- Fuel throughout the tour.
- Pickup from your accommodation in Uyuni (only hotels within the city limits) or at a meeting point indicated by the agency.
Included visits:
- Train Cemetery, to learn about the remains of Bolivia’s railway history.
- Colchani community, where you can observe the salt extraction process and visit artisan markets.
- Entrance to the Uyuni Salt Flats, with stops for perspective photos and free time for exploration.
- Incahuasi Island, during the dry season (April to November), with a hike to a panoramic viewpoint among giant cacti.
- Sunset at the salt flats, with a special stop for photos of the reflection or the golden tones of the landscape.
- Stargazing, weather permitting.
- Altiplano route north of Uyuni, visiting the viewpoint of the active
- Ollagüe Volcano.
- Cañapa Lagoon and Hedionda Lagoon, habitats for flamingos, vizcachas, high Andean gulls, and other native species.
- Stops in desert landscapes for photography: rock formations, volcanic plains, and strategic points overlooking the Western Cordillera.
Meals:
- Day 1 lunch: picnic-style served on Incahuasi Island or in the middle of the salt flat.
- Dinner on Day 1: Homemade menu at the salt shelter (soup, main course, and hot drink).
- Breakfast on Day 2: Coffee, bread, jam, egg, coca tea, or herbal tea.
- Lunch on Day 2: Box lunch with vegetarian options upon prior arrangement.
- Basic drinks included with meals: water or juice.
Accommodation:
- 1 night in a basic salt shelter or family hostel, with a shared room and a single or double bed (subject to availability).
- Bed linens, blankets, pillow, and a coat are provided by the hostel.
Additional services:
- Basic first aid kit available in the vehicle.
- Guide assistance throughout the tour.
- Arrangements to drop you off at the bus terminal at the end of the tour if needed.
NOT INCLUDED
❌WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR?
Entrance fees and en-route fees:
- Entrance fee to Incahuasi Island: Bs. 30 per person (dry season only).
- Entrance fee to the Lagoon Reserve: Bs. 30 per person.
- Public restrooms during the tour (approximately Bs. 2 to 5 per use, depending on the point).
Personal services not included:
- Personal travel insurance (it is recommended to have insurance that covers accidents and illnesses at high altitude).
- Additional lunches or dinners outside the itinerary (before or after the tour).
- Snacks, alcoholic beverages, or additional beverages not specified in the program.
- Personal hygiene items (toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, small towel, etc.).
- Extra water outside of meals (it is recommended to bring a minimum of 2 liters per person).
- Tips for the guide or driver are optional but appreciated if the service was satisfactory.
Transportation and accommodation outside the tour:
- Bus tickets or flights to/from Uyuni (the tour starts and ends in Uyuni).
- Accommodation in Uyuni before or after the tour, in case you need an extra night.
FAQs
❓Frequently Asked Questions about the 2-Day/1-Night Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
Where does the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour start from?
The tour begins in the city of Uyuni. Pickup can be provided from your accommodation (if it’s downtown) or from the agency’s office. If you arrive by night bus from La Paz or Potosí, you can arrange a meeting point in advance.
Is the 2-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour available year-round?
Yes. The tour operates every day of the year. During the dry season (April to November), Incahuasi Island is visited. During the rainy season (January to March), the salt flat becomes a natural mirror, although the island may be closed for safety reasons.
What should I bring on the tour?
It’s recommended to bring warm, layered clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat for the cold and sun, water, snacks, toilet paper, toiletries, a small towel, and a camera. A power bank to charge your cell phone is also useful.
What meals does the tour include?
The tour includes a picnic lunch and dinner on the first day, and breakfast and a boxed lunch on the second. If you have a special diet (vegetarian, gluten-free), you must notify us at the time of booking.
Where do I sleep during the tour?
The night is spent in a basic refuge or salt lodge. The rooms are shared and have beds, blankets, and electricity until a certain time. In some cases, private rooms are available for an additional charge.
Are there bathrooms and showers during the tour?
Yes, but they are basic services. There are bathrooms at stops, with a cost of Bs. 2 to Bs. 5 per use. The accommodations have shared bathrooms and sometimes hot showers for an additional charge.
Can I take perspective photos?
Yes. During the tour, there are several stops for perspective photos. The guide usually carries props to take fun shots. During the rainy season, the reflection of the salt flat is also taken advantage of.