This is an adventure all in itself. The wealth of sights to see, including the Salar, Lagoons, Flamingo colonies and active volcanoes, warrants several days in the region. If time is limited however, this short visit at least allows you to enjoy the highlight of the area - the Salar itself.
Flights, meals, transport, tours and accommodation all included in this tour.
| Price per person (USD) | |
|---|---|
| Groups of 2 | $495 |
| Groups of 3 | $460 |
| Groups of 4 | $460 |
| Groups of 5+ | $425 |
| What's included? | |
Itinerary
DAY ONE
Early transfer to El Alto airport for a 45 minute flight to the small airport of Uyuni. Meet with your private 4×4 and guide, and begin your adventure. Depending on the flight time, there may time to visit the train cementery, before moving onto the village of Colchani, where it’s possible to view a salt processing plant in action.
From here you will continue onto the magnificent Salar itself, a mind-blowing landscape spreading hundreds of km in all directions. A short visit to a sculpture from Bolivian artist Gaston Ugalde, before continuing across the Salar towards one of the cactus covered islands.
A picnic lunch will be set up for you in the middle of the Salar (weather permitting), after which your guide will help you to discover some of the “ojos de sal”, small pools of water containing salt crystals. Also, depending on the season, there may be a chance to enjoy the reflection effect on the flooded plains.
Enjoy the sunset at the edge of the Salar before being taken to the village of Jirira, at the lesser visited northern edge of the Salar, where your accommodation awaits for the night (basic but warm, comfortable, private and en suite).
DAY TWO
Two options are on offer today after breakfast. One is to trek up the Thunupa volcano. The peak itself is 5,400m, but the non-technical rock and gravel route will take you up to 5,200m. The sight of the Salar from this height, together with the multicoloured mineral stained rocks on the mountainside are a sight to behold. Descend from the volcano for a packed lunch by your vehicle and return to the hostel to pack up in preparation for a mid-afternoon departure across the Salar.
Option two is to drive around the rear of the volcano Thunupa to visit the rarely frequented archaeological site of Alcaya. In almost any other part of the world, a historical site of this significance would be teeming with visitors, however the remote location of this pre-Colombian settlement – only preserved by two local villagers – means that you may well have the place to yourselves. Visit the site with a local guide, and be introduced to the preserved mummified descendents of this valley. Lunch close to the site, before returning to the hostel.
Return mid-afternoon towards Uyuni, enjoying the sunset as you cross the Salar for one final time, and transfer to the airport for your flight back to La Paz. Transfer to hotel.
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