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, 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 – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - HITO CAJON– LAGUNA VERDE – GEYSERES – LAGUNA COLORADA – VALLE DE LASROCAS – UYUNI
You will be pcked up from your central hotel in San Pedro de Atacama around 8am to be taken to the border at Hito Cajon (border of Chile /Bolivia). After passing through the border formalities it is a short jounrey to reach Laguna Verde where we will see the emerald green waters of this mineral rich lake (n.b. only green if there is some wind churning up the mineral - if calm there is a beautiful reflection of the volcanoes). We then head towards the geysers "Sol de Mañana" to witness the bubbling hot mud pools and shooting of steam many meters into the air.Next stop will be Laguna Colorada - a fasinating lake with red water and we can see many flamingos feeding along its shores. Here we will stay in a basic hotel for the night
DAY 2 - Laguna Colorada - Desierto de Siloli - Laguna Honda - San Juan
We depart on this second day after breakfast around 8am and we have a chance to see Laguna Colorado again as we pass by a different side of the lake. We will travel through the Siloli desert area and see surreal rock formations.Further along today we pass by Laguna Honda to witness its sulphury smell and pass by some other high altiplano lakes. In the evening we arrive in the town of San Juan where we will stay the night.
DAY 3 – Full day on Salt Flats - Salar de Uyuni
Today we will visit the amazing salt flats. Here we will see the "ojos del sal" were water is bubbling up through holes in the Salar, we will see where local workers gather salt into mounds and visit Isla Incahausi (also referred to as Isla Pescado) where we will find giant cacti and have great panaramic views of the surrounding salt flats.After leaving the salt flats we will visit the town of Colchani to see how the salt is processed and you can also ask your driverif he can take you to the Train Cementary for the final stop on the tour before arriving in Uyuni.There will be plenty of time to stop and take photographs of the incredible salt flats throughout the day before we return to Uyuni in the evening around 3-5pm.
INCLUDED IN TOUR
- Transportation in 4x4 vehicle (usually max 6 persons), Transfer to Border from San Pedro is by bus where you change to 4x4.
- 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)
- Pre Tour Briefing the day before of the Tour.
- Hotel pick up in the morning of the Tour.
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR
- Transport to San Pedro de Atacama
- Entrance fees – 30Bs + 150 Bs = 180BS total for the 2 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.
- Sleeping Bag - highly recomended as the high altitude means cold nights!
- Breakfast on first day, dinner on last day
- Sunglasses & Sun cream
- Additional snacks and beverages
- Torch - recommended
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This tour starts in San Pedro de Atacama and DOES NOT include the cost of transport for getting there. We can arrange buses for getting from Uyuni to La Paz after your tour.
Please not that weather and conditions during rainy season may mean that some items on this tour are inaccessible - you will be advised of this at time of booking if this is the case.
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.
