La Paz - Uyuni - Potosi Tour By Bus

Day 1: La Paz – Uyuni

At 19h30 you are transferred from your hotel (La Paz centre) to the bus terminal in La Paz. The bus station is famous because it was built by Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower in Paris, France) and used to be the railway station of La Paz. At 21h00 we start our journey to Uyuni and our route takes us first to Oruro from where we descend through Challapata where the asphalt gives way to dirt tracks.

If the first 350km/218mi seemed easy, some of Bolivia’s worst roads lie ahead of us; holes, mud, river crossings, cold and detours. Finally, after this adventure, we arrive in Uyuni around 07h00 where you have time for breakfast before the tour starts.

Day 2: Uyuni – Colchani – Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) – Incahuasi – Tahua

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 3: Tahua – Tunupa – Uyuni – Potosi

After breakfast, we visit the archaeological centre 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 where you have time for dinner before getting the bus to Potosi. Upon arrival in Potosi, a member of our team will be waiting to bring you to your hotel. B/L 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 with touristic night bus - Departure for Potosi with evening bus

Difficulty Level: Short hikes and high altitude treks to the Tunupa viewpoint

Comfort: 1 night in the bus, 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, Potosi 4070m/13.350ft/13.350ft

Included in the price:

- Transfers and transport as outlined in the program
- Accommodation in hotel in Potosi (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 (allow for approx. 60bs (bolivianos – national currency) per person – this is an estimate and actual prices may vary)
- 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