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Planning a 3-Day Salar de Uyuni Expedition

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

Book your tour directly in the town of Uyuni at least one day in advance to secure a reputable operator. Pack layers, plenty of water, and extra cash, as the high-altitude environment is physically demanding and lacks ATM access.

Budget
$70 per day
Duration
3 days
Best Time
May to October (dry season, blue skies)
Visa Required
Depends; check if your nationality falls under Category 1, 2, or 3 for Bolivia visa requirements.

Step by step

  1. Get to Uyuni

    Take a flight from La Paz to Uyuni, or a comfortable overnight bus (e.g., Todo Turismo). Do not skimp on the bus; choose the 'cama' option for a flat-reclining seat to handle the rough road.

  2. Select a reputable operator

    Visit companies in person in Uyuni (near the main plaza) rather than booking online. Check vehicles for seatbelts and verify they have a satellite phone and oxygen tanks. Popular, reliable agencies include Red Planet, Quechua Connection, and Perla de Bolivia.

  3. Prepare for altitude

    Spend at least 2 full days in La Paz or Potosí to acclimatize before arriving in Uyuni, which sits at 3,656 meters. Consult your doctor about taking Acetazolamide (Diamox) if you are prone to altitude sickness.

  4. Check the logistics

    Confirm your tour includes the entrance fee for the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve (150 BOB) or clarify if you need to pay this in cash at the border entry gate.

Questions people ask

Do I need a private tour?

Not unless you want to spend significantly more. Group tours use 4x4 Toyotas and allow you to split costs with 5 other travelers. It is the social norm.

Can I do this tour in reverse?

Yes, many people start in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and finish in Uyuni. It is the same route, just in the opposite direction.

Details
Expect to pay 150-200 USD total for a 3-day group tour, plus 30 USD for park fees and extra snacks. Food is included in the tour, but you will need 20 USD/day for incidental water, snacks, and shared hostel upgrades.
Daily Cost
70 USD

Packing

  • Polarized sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen (the reflection is brutal)
  • Small denomination Bolivianos for park fees and bathroom stops
  • Heavy-duty thermal base layers and a down jacket for sub-zero nights
  • A 2-liter reusable water bottle (refill stations are rare)
  • Moisturizing lip balm and heavy lotion (the air is extremely dry)

Itinerary

  • 1 — Stay in a hotel made entirely of salt blocks in the village of Ajencha. — Enter the Salar de Uyuni salt flats; visit the train graveyard and the Colchani salt processing village. — Explore Incahuasi Island, a cactus-covered rock formation in the middle of the salt flats. — Bring polarized sunglasses; the sun reflection off the salt is blinding.
  • 2 — Stay in a basic hostel near Laguna Colorada. — Visit the Ollagüe Volcano viewpoint and a series of high-altitude lagoons filled with flamingos. — Cross the Siloli Desert, featuring unique rock formations like the 'Stone Tree'. — Temperature drops below freezing at night; bring a sleeping bag if your tour company provides a thin one.
  • 3 — Return to Uyuni town by 6:00 PM. — Watch the geysers at Sol de Mañana and bathe in the Polques hot springs. — View the surreal green and white lagoons before heading back to Uyuni or crossing to the Chilean border (San Pedro de Atacama). — Keep your passport in a waterproof bag, as sulfur dust from the geysers is corrosive.

Related: 3-day trips, adventure trips and mastering the art of versatile packing.