Duration: | 3 Day(s) - 2 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Classic Tours |
Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) - Uyuni Tour 2 days
This 2-day tour of the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) is the perfect option for lovers of mountains, hiking, and spectacular views. Visit the train cemetery, the picturesque village Colchani, the “Ojos del Salar” and the "island" Incahuasi (often mistakenly called Fishermen’s Island). We spend the night at the foot of the Tunupa volcano in the north of the Salt Flats and on the second day of the tour we attempt to reach the viewpoint of the Tunupa at 4900m/16.080ft on foot.
Day 1: La Paz – Uyuni - Colchani – Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) – Incahuasi – Tahua
In the morning you are transferred from your hotel (La Paz center) to the airport in El Alto for your flight to Uyuni. During the short flight, you can observe the Altiplano, and if the weather permits you’ll have a great view of the different lakes and Salt Flats of the region. From the airport, you are transferred by a shuttle from the airline company (allow for approx. 8bs per person) to Uyuni.
We start our journey from Uyuni around 10h30 in the morning and our first stop will be the locomotive cemetery which is a vestige of more prosperous times. From here we continue to Colchani which is a small village situated on the edge of the Salar and whose inhabitants live from salt exploitation. In Colchani we discover how the salt is processed manually and we visit the small salt boutique, which also serves as a museum, where we can see large salt carvings and other objects (pottery, jewelry, tools, etc.).
After this impressive visit with the craftsmen on the top of the world we enter the famous Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats); the biggest salt desert in the world with an acreage of 10.582km²/4.086mi2.
One of the particularities of the Uyuni Salt Flats is that it contains a reserve of 9 million tonnes of Lithium which represents 40% of world production. We head to the Island Incahuasi which mistakenly is better known as the Fisherman’s Island. This geological formation is a remnant of petrified coral and is covered in giant cacti that can get up to 12m/39.37ft high.
From the top of the island, we have a wonderful 360° view of the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats). After lunch, we continue to the north of the Salar to Tahua at the foot of the Tunupa where we spend the night. L/D
Day 2: Tahua - Tunupa - Uyuni
After breakfast, we visit the archaeological center of the Chullpares (graves) of Coquesa and its surroundings. We then continue to climb the Tunupa all the way to the viewpoint (you have the option to go by car) from where we have a panoramic view of the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) . On the way down we pass the “Bofedales” (altitude wetlands) in order to see the rose flamingos and we return to Uyuni. We arrive in Uyuni around 18h00 and the evening is free. B/L
Day 3: Uyuni - La Paz
From Uyuni, you are transferred by a shuttle from the airline company to the airport (allow for approx. 8bs per person). Upon arrival in La Paz, a member of our team will transfer you to your hotel (La Paz center). B End of our services.
General Information
Highlights: Uyuni tour 2 days, Uyuni tour 1 day, Train Cemetery, Colchani, Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) , Incahuasi island, Tahua, Tunupa
Support Team: Spanish speaking driver/guide or Spanish speaking driver and English speaking guide depending on the chosen option
Guaranteed departure: from 2 people
Group size: 2 to 6 people
Transportation: Arrival from La Paz and departure to La Paz by plane
Difficulty Level: Short hikes and high altitude trek to the Tunupa viewpoint
Comfort: 2 nights in the hotel with a private bathroom
Elevation: La Paz between 3600m/11.810ft and 4200m/13.780ft, Uyuni 3650m/11.980ft/11.980ft, Tunupa viewpoint 4900m/16.080ft
Included in the price:
- Transfers and transport as outlined in the program
- Accommodation in hotel in Uyuni (1 night)
- Meals as indicated in the day a day program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, and D=Dinner)
- The assistance of your driver/guide or driver and guide depending on the chosen option and his expenses and fees
Not included in the price:
- Entrance fees to parks, sites, and museums
- Everything not mentioned in “Included in the price”
- Obligatory personal travel insurance
- Possible visa expenses
- Personal equipment
Expenses during the tour:
- Tips, drinks, and other personal expenses
- Meals not mentioned