Details
PLEASE NOTE THIS TOUR IS THE LOW SEASON OPTION. FROM 1ST JULY TO 31ST AUG IS HIGH SEASON. DURING THIS PERIOD PRICE GO UP AND IF AVAILABLE ON OUR SITE YOU SHOULD USE THE HIGH SEASON OPTION FOR BOOKING THIS TOUR. CURRENTLY PRICES ARE LOW SEASON PRICES. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT SHOULD YOU BOOK THE LOW SEASON PRICE TOUR DURING THE HIGH SEASON DATES (THE EXACT HIGH SEASON DATES CHANGE EACH YEAR - THIS IS A DECISION OF THE GUIDES / DRIVERS IN UYUNI)
Trips to the Salar de Uyuni are an unforgettable experience but unfortunately the general standard of facilities and services are not very high in this remote area. We would like to make it clear that things are not as reliable, comfortable and professional as we would like on these tours so for this reason we do not promise more than what you will receive for your money. The accommodations & food will be basic, the driver acts as a basic guide but he is unlikely to speak any English, or if he does it wont be a good level. Due to the harshness of the terrain vehicle breakdowns are common. Still interested? Good, you should be because if you can put up with a bit of hardship you should have a great time. It is not essential to have an English speaking guide for this tour as most of it is looking at landscapes and these are pretty self explanatory. Take some extra snacks, plenty of warm clothes and a sleeping bag (can be rented) and the accommodations won’t feel so bad. The drivers are used to breakdowns and are pretty adept at fixing their vehicles, they are always willing to help each other out and you are usually not stuck for long - so a bit of patience is often all you need. We believe if you are informed truthfully about the possible negative aspects of the tours you can prepare yourself better and will have a more positive experience.
The following is a typical tour but sometimes some things are omitted from a tour, sometimes additional things are included (such as train cemetery visits at the start or end of the trip) so this shouldn’t be seen as a rigid itinerary, although the most popular main sites are always included.. If there is something you really want included your group should stress this to your driver at the start of the tour so he can plan accordingly
IMPORTANT - To see the latest information on current conditions for the Salt Flats Tours and Transport to Uyuni Please go HERE - where you can read if conditions are effecting any parts of this tour or if there are problems with transport to Uyuni or not.
DAY 1 – UYUNI – COLCHANI – INCAHUASI / ISLA PESCADO – SAN JUAN
You will leave Uyuni in the morning around 10 am and travel to Colchani to see how the salt is processed. You will be driving over the incredible and surreal Salar de Uyuni – the largest salt desert in the world and witness surreal and awe inspiring scenery. Next the group will visit the “Ojos de Sal” to witness cold water bubbling up from holes in the salt before seeing a hotel made purely from salt. Next you head to Isla Incahuasi (often called Isla Pescado) which is home to giant cacti, provides incredible photographic opportunities and is a great place to stop for lunch. After lunch there is more driving on the Salar until we get to San Juan where we will visit an old church and stay the night
DAY 2 – SAN JUAN – PASO LEON – LAGUNAS – LAGUNA COLORADA
Today the scenery changes to mountains, volcanoes and arid lands. After showing your passport at Chiguana military check point we head toward “Pasa de Leon” for fantastic views of Volcano Ollagua. The rest of the day is for visiting lagoons and viewing mountainous landscapes including the Dali-esque “arbol de piedra” (tree of rock). You will witness flamingos feeding on the mineral rich waters of the lagoons and in the afternoon you will arrive at the rich red colored “Laguna Colorada” where you will stay the night.
DAY 3 – LAGUNA COLORADA – GEYSERS – LAGUNA VERDE – UYUNI
Today is an early start to visit the steam shooting geysers and bubbling mud pools at sunrise. You will be glad of the heat from the steam as it gets extremely cold here before sunrise. After wards the group heads towards some natural hot springs where you can relax and soak your aches away. After lunch the destination is the bright green waters of Laguna Verde which are over looked by snow capped volcanoes. After seeing the green lake those in the group that are heading to Chile are driven to the nearby border where there will be transport waiting to take you to San Pedro de Atacama. You will arrive in San Pedro de Atacama around midday
N.B - It is possible to have a mix of people returning to Uyuni or going to Chile in the same tour.
You need to get you passport stamped in Uyuni for your Bolivian exit stamp before leaving on the first day of the tour - your driver can assist you with this.
INCLUDED IN TOUR
- Transportation in 4x4 vehicle (usually max 6 persons)
- Drivers acts as basic guide
- Meals during the tour (take extra snacks as food can be quite plain)
- Accommodation in basic lodgings (often no showers or if available there is a extra charge)
- Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama , Chile..
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR
- Transport to Uyuni
- Entrance fees – 15Bs + 150 Bs = 165BS total for the 3 days minimum (some itineraries visit some small attractions with small entrance fees)
- Water - you recommend you purchase 2 liters per person , per day to take with you.
- Breakfast on first day, dinner on last day
- Sunglasses & Sun cream
- Additional snacks and beverages
- Torch - recommended
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This tour starts in Uyuni and DOES NOT include the cost of transport for getting there. We can arrange buses and bus/train combos for getting to Uyuni.
We recommend you take a sleeping bag to use in addition to the provided blankets in the accommodations - these can be rented on the morning your tour departs.
GROUP SIZES
Groups are max 6 persons in a vehicle.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
These tours visit very remote areas that have very limited facilities. If you are ill or there is an accident there are no medical facilities other than Uyuni town and even these are basic. If things go wrong you are faced with the reality of travel in a remote area of a developing country.
Altitude sickness - The salts flats tours travel to altitude of around 5000 meters so the majority of people will feel some effects. we recommend that you should be acclimitized to above 3000 meters before going on these tours and that you take headache tablets, altitude sickness :'soroche" tablets and any other medications that you may require.
HOW TO BOOK
Simply fill in the required details in the form boxes at the bottom of this page and when completed click "add to cart". Your product should appear in the mini cart on the right hand side and you can then continue shopping for more products or go to checkout by clicking on the "checkout" link at the top right hand section of the page
IMPORTANT
YOU MUST PROVIDE DETAILS FOR EACH PASSENGER THAT YOU ARE BOOKING FOR AND ALSO ENSURE THAT YOU CHANGE THE QTY BOX TO SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF PASSENGERS THAT YOU ARE BOOKING FOR. IF YOU PROVIDE ANY INCORRECT DETAILS YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL CHARGES THAT MAY ARISE DUE TO THIS. IF YOU DO NOT SUPPLY ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN PROCESSING YOUR ORDER AND WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROBLEMS THAT ARISE DUE TO THIS.
