Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from Calama | 3D/2N
Exploring the Salar de Uyuni from Calama is much more than a simple border crossing: it’s a total immersion in the magic of the Andean plateau. This tour connects the Chilean desert with the surreal landscapes of Bolivia, where every corner seems taken from another planet. From the infinite reflections of the salt flat to the colorful lagoons teeming with flamingos, the experience combines adventure, photography, and wonder in a single trip. For those looking for an authentic and unique tour from Chile, this route is the perfect option.
During the tour, you’ll not only enjoy the famous salt flat, but also colorful lagoons, active geysers, and starry skies. A complete adventure that combines photography, Andean culture, and unforgettable landscapes every mile of the journey.
ITINERARY
Detailed Itinerary: Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from Calama
Day 1: Calama – Eduardo Avaroa Reserve – Laguna Colorada
- Departure: 6:00 a.m. from your hotel or meeting point in Calama.
- Tourist bus to the Chilean-Bolivian border (Hito Cajón) via San Pedro de Atacama.
- Immigration procedures at the border, change of transportation, and welcome by your Bolivian guide.
🏞️ Places you will visit today:
- Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde: with the imposing backdrop of the Licancabur Volcano.
- Dalí Desert: with dreamlike landscapes that resemble surrealist paintings.
- Polques Hot Springs: free time for a relaxing soak.
- Sol de Mañana Geysers: geothermal field with fumaroles and boiling mud.
- Laguna Colorada: home to hundreds of Andean flamingos.
Day 2: Laguna Colorada – Salar de Chiguana – San Juan
- Departure: After breakfast, approximately 8:00 a.m.
🗺️ Today’s attractions:
- Stone Tree: a curious rock formation in the middle of the Siloli Desert.
- Altiplano lagoons (Honda, Hedionda, Cañapa, and Ramaditas): home to more flamingos and high Andean birds.
- Ollagüe and Tomasamil volcanoes: perfect panoramas for photography.
- Salar de Chiguana: a salt flat with railway tracks and desert landscapes.
- Ollagüe Volcano Viewpoint: an active volcano visible from the high plateau.
📍Day 3: Salar de Uyuni – Incahuasi Island – Uyuni
- Departure: Very early, around 5:00 a.m., to watch the sunrise over the salt flat.
🌅 Main Activities:
- Sunrise over the Uyuni Salt Flats: magical reflections and colors.
- Incahuasi Island: hike among giant, ancient cacti.
- Photo session with perspective: unique moments overlooking the endless salt flats.
- Salt Museum and Dakar Monument: in the center of the salt flats.
- Colchani Village: artisan market with salt products and textiles.
🚌 End of tour:
Arrival in Uyuni between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Optional:
- Night bus Uyuni – La Paz.
- Return to Calama.
INCLUDES
✅Includes
- Pickup in Calama and transfer to Hito Cajón (border).
- Experienced Bolivian driver-guide.
- Shared 4×4 transportation (maximum 6 people).
- Basic first-aid kit and oxygen in the vehicle.
NOT INCLUDED
❌Not Included
- Bus ticket to and from Calama or San Pedro.
- Entrance to Incahuasi Island (30 Bs).
- Soak in Polques Hot Springs (6 Bs).
- Bottled water and personal snacks.
- Travel insurance (mandatory and recommended).
- Tips for the guide and local staff.
RECOMMENDATIONS
💡Recommendations
- Bring warm clothing for freezing temperatures at night.
- Wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm.
- Have your passport with the appropriate immigration stamps ready.
- Bring cash in bolivianos.
- A camera with an extra battery to capture everything.
FAQs
❓Frequently Asked Questions about the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from Calama
Can the tour start from San Pedro de Atacama?
Yes, you can arrange pickup from San Pedro if you are there. Transportation to Hito Cajón departs from both points.
Are there restrooms and showers during the tour?
At the first refuge, the services are basic; at the salt hotel on the second day, there are hot showers (may have an additional cost).
Can I leave my large luggage in San Pedro or Calama?
Yes, many agencies offer this service free of charge or for a small fee.
Is it suitable for children or seniors?
Not recommended for children under 6 years old or people with heart or blood pressure problems due to altitude (over 4,000 meters above sea level).
