Potosi - Uyuni - La Paz Tour By Plane

Day 1: Potosi – Uyuni

Daily departures: Departure for Uyuni at 19h00. In the afternoon you are transferred to the bus terminal for the bus to Uyuni. This small town east of the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) was once a railway transit town and still has two train lines thanks to the Chuquicamata mine in Chile and tourism.

From Potosi, we cross the beautiful landscape of the Cordillera de Los Frailes. It basically consists of two parts; the western region is a volcanic field that dates back to the late Miocene and the eastern part, the so-called Maragua Syncline, which is much older, is a mountain range of sedimentary rock of Cretaceous-Paleocene origin in a north-south thrust. Upon arrival in Uyuni, the rest of the evening is free.

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. B/L/D

Day 3: Tahua - Tunupa - Uyuni

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 the evening is free. B/L

Day 4: 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 centre). 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 Potosi with evening bus - Departure for La Paz by plane

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

Comfort: 3 nights in the hotel with private bathroom

Elevation:

Potosi 4070m/13.350ft/13.350ft, Uyuni 3650m/11.980ft/11.980ft, Tunupa viewpoint 4900m/16.080ft und La Paz between 3600m/11.810ft and 4200m/13.780ft

Included in the price:

- Transfers and transport as outlined in the program
- Accommodation in hotel in Uyuni (2 nights)
- Meals as indicated in day to 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