UYUNI SALT FLATS, 4 Days
 Code: 4WUYUNI

A four-day trip to visit Uyuni salt flats; a unique surrealistic landscape of the largest salt concentration in the planet.
Dates: Upon request
Price: Upon request More information about prices (land services only)
Single Room Supplement: N/A More information about prices
Difficulty: Moderated More information about Difficulty grading
Accommodation: 3 nights in hotels.
 

Uyuni salt flats from Pescado island (J.Camarlinghi)The largest salt concentration in the world, originally called Tunupa salt flats by locals before the foundation of Uyuni Town in 1889, the Uyuni salt flats is a nature wonder. This huge 150 km width concentration of salt is one of the most impressive landscapes in the world. Located at an altitude of 3,653m (11,981ft) and with very low rain precipitation (100 to 325 mm per year), this is one of the driest areas in the Bolivian territory, a very delicate and particular ecosystem.

Although this is a high altitude desert that receives little precipitation, every rainy season - especially during the really wet years of “La Niña” -, the lake gets flooded with water flowing from the surrounding mountains. When this happened, the lake turn into a huge mirror that reflects and duplicates all the landscape, one of the most astonishing wonders of the nature. Unfortunately crossing the lake when flooded can be dangerous and sometimes impossible, which is why we slightly change the route when this happed.

This program have been developed to visit the Uyuni salt flats starting from La Paz and in the shortest time possible; spending two long driving days to get in and out but exploring calmly the lake and its surroundings in two full days. We spend one of the nights at “Luna Salada” (salty moon), the best accommodation in the region where all walls and pillars are completely built with salt bricks, the whole floor is covered with granulated salt and even the tables and chairs are made with salt. The other two nights will be spend in basic but charming hostels


This 4WD journey has been designed for those who would like to visit Uyuni salt flats but without going all the way to the lagoons further south. Please consider the program 4WLIPEZ if that is what you want.

Itinerary:

D1. Transp.to Tawa. Hotel de Sal.
D2. Transp.to San Pedro de Quemez. Hotel de Piedra.
D3. Transp.to Colchani. Hotel Luna Salada.
D4. Transp.to La Paz.

 Highlights:
  • Unforgettable journey exploring in depth Uyuni salt flats, its island and surroundings; a unique experience of bizarre surrealistic landscape.
  • Sightseeing the Bolivian highlands in the way in and out to the lake.

Day 1. Transport to Tawa. Hotel de Sal.
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Tawa 3,675m (12,054f)
Timing
Driving: 10-12 Hrs
Meals
L,D
Early morning we leave La Paz traversing the Bolivian highlands or “Altiplano” heading to Oruro city and continuing further south to Huary town where the paved road ends. From this point we turn west towards Tawa; a small sleepy town located at the foot of Tunupa volcano at the northern shores of Uyuni salt lake. On the way, during this last stretch from Huary, we will quickly visit the sanctuary of Quillacas and the town of Salinas. There we will stay in a charming salt hotel owned by the local Aymara community.


Day 2. Transport to San Pedro de Quemez. Hotel de Piedra.
Elevations
Quemez 3,701m (12,139f)
Timing
Driving: 7-8 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
We will start our journey driving along the northern shores of Uyuni salt lake towards Coquesa; a beautiful town with houses and dry walls all made with stones. Driving on a rough road, we will climb almost 500m and enjoy a spectacular view of the salt lake. A short hike will take us to a cave where we can pay a visit to ancient mummies, probably sacrificed centuries ago to the mountain gods. Once over the salt lake, we will navigate over the rock hard salt. In the midst of the Salar's blinding sea of white (take sunglasses!) there are several solid rock and earth islands each having distinct flora and fauna. We will make a stop at “Pescado” island (actually local know it as Fishback or Cujiri island) and make a short walk there. After lunch we will continue to the southern shores and drive inland to San Pedro de Quemez where we will stay in “Hotel de Piedra” (Stone hotel).
Day 3. Transpot to Colchani. Hotel Luna Salada.
Elevations
Colchani 3,665m (12,021f)
Timing
Driving: 6-7 Hrs
Meals
B,L,D
From this point of our route, we turn around and start returning north towards La Paz city. As we drive over the largest salt lake in the planet, our senses will find difficult to process the feeling of this surreal landscape. Naturally our mind refuses to believe that we are still in planet earth since everything indicates the contrary; the incredible metallic colors and the mirage effect, the amazingly simplified landscape reduced to two layers (blue and white), and – main of all – this huge open spaces that to not feel logic. On the way to Colchani on the eastern shores, we will visit another island; “Inca Huasy” (the Inca’s house) and maybe find some locals “mining” salt from the surface.
Day 4. Transport to La Paz
Elevations
La Paz 3,650m (11,972f)
Timing
Driving: 8-10 Hrs
Meals
B,L
A long driving day will take us back to La Paz. On the way we will make few short stops to rest and enjoy the landscape.


ALTITUDE CHART

SERVICES

Included

Not included

MORE INFORMATION

Please get into our “Resources” page in our website, there you will find plenty of information about pre-departure, National Parks, suggested reading, useful links and much more.

If you would like us to make additional hotel reservations besides the accommodation that is included in your trip, please get into our Reservations page