ITINERARY
SALAR DE UYUNI (UYUNI SALT FLATS) PROGRAM VIA SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
Not included:
- Meals not specified
- Other expenses not mentioned
- Other services not specified
- Personal insurance or travel insurance
- Beverages and snacks. We recommend bringing your own
- Entrance fees, taxes and access charges during the route (approx. 387 bolivianos per person)
- Technical clothing or appropriate attire for the activity, unless otherwise indicated in each excursion
- Toilet paper during stops along the routes in Bolivia. The accommodations do provide this service. We recommend bringing it from San Pedro de Atacama
What to bring:
- Personal water (mandatory)
- Camera or mobile phone with a fully charged battery
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the service, according to the destination and weather conditions
- Mandatory: Bring cash (bolivianos) for entrance fees, taxes, access charges during the route, water, restroom access, Wi Fi at the accommodations, purchases and souvenirs during the route (approx. 450 to 700 bolivianos per person)
Recommendation:
- The first two days in San Pedro are intended for altitude acclimatization, so it is ideal to take tours such as Piedras Rojas (Red Stones) or Ruta de los Salares (Salt Flats Route), as these are among the highest altitude tours, either directly in San Pedro de Atacama or with us as an extra service added to the program
Day 1
➜ Flight and transfer
Flight: Santiago – Calama:
Shared transfer: Calama Airport – Accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
Check In – accommodation: From 15:00 hrs
Day 2
➜ Free Day
Important information:
- It is recommended to bring water (minimum 1 liter per person) for entry into Bolivia and the corresponding excursion
- On this day, one day before entering Bolivia, you must complete your Bolivia entry form (valid for 24 hrs): Aduana.gob.bo
- It is recommended to carefully review the Responsible Uyuni Traveler Tips document, which is provided after the reservation
- Please go during the day to the indicated office, informed after reservation, to review the details of the departure for the following day
- It is recommended to bring toilet paper for the stops during the routes in Bolivia, as it is not available at the stops along the route. The accommodations do provide this service
Day 3
➜ Entry into Bolivia and excursion
This day marks the beginning of the journey through the Bolivian Altiplano, one of the most extreme and astonishing environments in northern South America, characterized by high altitude landscapes, intensely colored lagoons, geothermal activity and a unique biodiversity adapted to desert conditions. The experience allows you to connect with natural scenery distinguished by its vastness, color contrasts and geographic value within the Andes mountain range.
The journey begins with departure from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama, heading toward the border with Bolivia in a Chilean vehicle. At the border, there is time to enjoy the included breakfast while the team accompanies and assists throughout the migration process. Once the exit procedures from Chile and entry into Bolivia have been completed, there is a vehicle change to a 4×4 jeep with capacity for 6 passengers together with a Bolivian guide, officially beginning the Altiplano journey.
Along the route, some of the most representative landscapes of the Bolivian Altiplano are visited, beginning with Laguna Blanca (White Lagoon) and Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon), located at the foot of Licancabur Volcano. The route continues to the Desierto de Salvador Dalí (Salvador Dalí Desert), the hot springs of Polques Hot Springs and the Sol de Mañana Geysers, where fumaroles, volcanic fissures and geothermal activity can be observed. Later, Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) is visited, located at 4,380 MASL, an important nesting site for more than 30,000 flamingos and habitat for Altiplano wildlife. At the end of the day, transfer to the accommodation in the community of Villa Mar takes place, with dinner included.
Check-Out accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
- Departure time: (Departure from the accommodation)
- Between 06:00 and 06:30 hrs approx
Required documents for the Chile – Bolivia crossing:
- Chileans: national ID card or passport
- Foreign residents in Chile: Chilean ID card and the passport used to enter the country
- Foreign travelers in transit: passport and tourist card issued by PDI
- Bolivia entry form: Aduana.gob.bo (a screenshot is sufficient)
Includes:
- Breakfast at the border
- Lunch on the route
- Shared transportation from the accommodation to the border with Bolivia (minibus)
- Shared transportation in Bolivia (4×4 jeep)
- Accommodation at Hostel – Villa Mar, Bolivia
- Room with private bathroom and hot water shower
- Towel service
- Dinner included at the accommodation
- Breakfast included at the accommodation, served the following day
Important information:
- Approximate maximum altitude: 4,380 MASL
- Beverages and snacks are not included. We recommend bringing your own
- The day includes border crossing and vehicle change
- Wi Fi at the accommodation is not included, available for an additional charge
- During much of the route, there may be low or no phone signal
- You must carry your required documentation when crossing the border
- It is recommended not to consume alcohol or red meat the night before the route
- Bring: Water from San Pedro de Atacama, as no shopping stops are planned during this day
- It is recommended to bring toilet paper from San Pedro de Atacama for the stops during the routes in Bolivia, as it is not available at the stops along the route. The accommodations do provide this service
- The activity is subject to the climatic and operational conditions typical of the Altiplano
- Times may vary depending on border controls and route conditions
- If due to force majeure it is not possible to complete part of the route, the service will be considered as provided by the supplier
Day 4
➜ Volcanic rock formations and Salt Hotel
This day continues the exploration of the Bolivian Altiplano, crossing landscapes of great geological diversity, pre Inca cultural vestiges and extensive canyons, where nature reveals itself in its purest state. The route allows you to appreciate high altitude scenery with the natural and scenic richness characteristic of this part of the Andes mountain range.
The route begins with departure from the accommodation in Villa Mar, Bolivia, heading toward Tomás Lakha Rock Paintings, where it is possible to observe pre Inca rock paintings from the Quechua culture, in a natural setting that preserves traces of ancient Altiplano civilizations.
Throughout the day, different natural formations and points of interest are visited, beginning with volcanic structures such as Camello (Camel Rock Formation) and Italia Perdida (Lost Italy), a sector of great geological value notable for its rock formations that evoke a petrified city. Later, the route continues to Laguna Vinto (Vinto Lagoon), where Andean flamingos can be observed, followed by the Cañón de la Anaconda (Anaconda Canyon), recognized for its panoramic views and the possibility of spotting the Andean condor, and the Cañón de Sora (Sora Canyon), characterized by its landscape and the presence of camelid fauna. At the end of the day, transfer to the Salt Hotel takes place, with dinner included.
Check-Out Hostel in Villa Mar
- Departure time: (Departure from the accommodation)
- Between 05:00 and 05:30 hrs approx, confirmed by the guide the night before
Includes:
- Breakfast at the accommodation
- Lunch on the route
- Shared transportation (4×4 vehicle)
- Accommodation at Salt Hotel, Bolivia
- Room with private bathroom and hot water shower
- Towel service
- Dinner included at the accommodation
- Breakfast included at the accommodation, served the following day
Important information:
- Beverages and snacks are not included. We recommend bringing your own
- Departure time confirmed by the guide the night before
- Wi Fi at the accommodation is not included, available for an additional charge
- During much of the route, there may be low or no phone signal
- It is recommended to buy water, minimum 1 liter per person, at the first available stop during the route
- It is recommended to bring toilet paper from San Pedro de Atacama for the stops during the routes in Bolivia, as it is not available at the stops along the route. The accommodations do provide this service
- The activity is subject to the climatic and operational conditions typical of the Altiplano
- Times may vary depending on route conditions
- If due to force majeure it is not possible to complete part of the route, the service will be considered as provided by the supplier
Day 5
➜ Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat) and sunrise in the salt desert
This day focuses on one of the most iconic highlights of the Bolivian Altiplano: the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat), the largest salt desert in the world, with an approximate area of 12,000 km². This natural setting offers a unique landscape, where the white immensity, reflections and the light of sunrise create an incomparable visual experience within the Andes mountain range.
The route begins with departure from the Salt Hotel, heading toward the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat) to witness sunrise over the salt surface.
After sunrise, different points of interest within the salt flat are visited, beginning with Isla Incahuasi (Incahuasi Island), a rocky formation located in the center of the salt flat, characterized by its giant cacti and panoramic views. Next, there are stops for perspective photography on the salt surface, continuing toward the Playa Blanca Salt Hotel, the Dakar Monument and the Ojos del Salar (Eyes of the Salt Flat). The route continues with visits to salt mounds, the town of Colchani and the Train Cemetery, ending in the city of Uyuni around 13:00 hrs to enjoy the included lunch, along with free time. Afterwards, the return to the community of Villa Mar begins, where transfer to the accommodation takes place with dinner included.
Check-Out Salt Hotel
- Departure time: (Departure from the accommodation)
- Between 05:00 and 05:30 hrs approx, confirmed by the guide the night before
Includes:
- Breakfast at the accommodation
- Lunch on the route
- Shared transportation (4×4 vehicle)
- Accommodation at Hostel – Villa Mar, Bolivia
- Room with private bathroom and hot water shower
- Towel service
- Dinner included at the accommodation
- Breakfast included at the accommodation, served the following day
Important information:
- Beverages and snacks are not included. We recommend bringing your own
- Departure time confirmed by the guide the night before
- Wi Fi at the accommodation is not included, available for an additional charge
- During much of the route, there may be low or no phone signal
- It is recommended to buy water, minimum 1 liter per person, at the first available stop during the route
- It is recommended to bring toilet paper from San Pedro de Atacama for the stops during the routes in Bolivia, as it is not available at the stops along the route. The accommodations do provide this service
- The activity is subject to the climatic and operational conditions typical of the Altiplano
- Times may vary depending on route conditions
- If due to force majeure it is not possible to complete part of the route, the service will be considered as provided by the supplier
Day 6
➜ Return to Chile
Early morning departure from Villa Mar on transfer toward the Bolivia – Chile border, on an approximately 4 hour journey. After completing migration procedures and the vehicle change, the transfer continues toward San Pedro de Atacama, arriving at the accommodation used during the nights of day 1 and day 2. Upon arrival, you may leave your luggage in storage and make use of the common areas, walk around the town, have lunch or rest before the airport transfer, bringing the program to a close with the return flights.
Check-Out Hostel in Villa Mar
- Departure time:
- 05:30 hrs approx, confirmed by the guide the night before
Arrival point: Accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama (same accommodation used during the nights of day 1 and day 2)
- Upon arrival at the accommodation, you may leave your luggage in storage and make use of the common areas, walk around the town, have lunch or rest before the airport transfer
Includes:
- Breakfast at the accommodation in Villa Mar, Bolivia
- Transfers
- From Villa Mar to the Bolivia – Chile border
- Continuation of the transfer from the Chile border to the accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama
Important information:
- Beverages and snacks are not included. We recommend bringing your own
- Departure time confirmed by the guide the night before
- During the route there may be low or no phone signal until arriving in Chile
- Estimated arrival at the accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama is between 12:00 and 13:00 hrs
- It is recommended to bring water, as no shopping stops are planned during the journey to the border
- During the journey to the border, no formal stops are planned. If necessary, pauses are made Inca style, in the natural surroundings
- Upon arrival at the accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama, you may leave your luggage in storage and make use of the common areas, walk around the town, have lunch or rest before the airport transfer
➜ Transfer and return flight
Shared transfer: Accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama – Calama Airport
Flight: Calama – Santiago
End of our services.
