The tour has confirmed departures all days of the week, the whole year.
3-day Uyuni Salt Flat Private from Atacama: Hostels
Bestseller
4.9 / 545 reviews
Atacama - Uyuni - Atacama
Tour to the Uyuni Salt Flat, starting and ending in San Pedro de Atacama, with private transportation, hostel accommodation, and meals included.
Prices
- 1 person: US$ 1,640.
- Group of 2 people: US$ 850 per person.
- Group of 3 people: US$ 600 per person.
- Group of 4 people: US$ 485 per person.
- Group of 5 people: US$ 430 per person.
If your group has 6 or more people on the same itinerary, add the tour to the cart multiple times: once per vehicle (max. 5 passengers per vehicle).
How to book
- Select the departure date on the calendar.
- Select the number of travelers.
- Click on “Add to cart.”
- Pay the total price of the program online.
- You can reschedule or cancel your booking (with a 100% refund) up to 15 days before the tour starts.
Included
- Pickup at your accommodation (urban area).
- Drop-off in downtown San Pedro de Atacama or at the bus terminal.
- Transportation:
- Shared transportation from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian border.
- Private transportation in Bolivia.
- Shared transportation from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian border.
- Spanish-speaking driver.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (starting with breakfast on the first day and ending with breakfast on the fourth day).
- Three nights in hostels, in a private double room, with private bathroom, hot shower, and heating in common areas:
- 1st night in a hostel in Villa Mar.
- 2nd night in a hostel in Colcha K.
- 3rd night in a hostel in Villa Mar.
Not included
- Round-trip transfer between Calama Airport and San Pedro de Atacama.
- Guide.
- Border tax (Bs. 17 per person).
- Towels.
- Heating in the room.
- Park entrance fees (Bs. 210 per person):
- Admission to Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (Bs. 150 per person).
- Admission to Polques Hot Springs (Bs. 30 per person).
- Admission to Incahuasi Island (Bs. 30 per person).
- Access to bathrooms along the route (approx. Bs. 6 each).
- Rubber boots (required in case of rain; rental for Bs. 30 per person).
Optional services
- English-speaking driver for the first 3 days of the tour (the fourth day is always with a Spanish-speaking driver): US$ 320 per booking.
What to bring
- Comfortable and warm clothing.
- Comfortable shoes (preferably trekking shoes).
- Swimsuit (for the Polques Hot Springs).
- Towel.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen.
- Toilet paper.
- Personal hygiene items.
- Water (1 liter per person for the first day; you can buy more along the way on the following days).
- Between Bs. 350 and Bs. 500 for expenses not included in the tour (entrance fees, taxes, restrooms, souvenirs, etc.)
Restrictions
- Because the tour reaches 5,000 m (16,404 ft) above sea level and takes place in a limited-space vehicle, the following people cannot participate:
- Children up to 7 years old (minimum age required: 8).
- Adults over 65, unless they present a medical certificate stating they are in optimal condition to do activities above 5,000 m (16,404 ft).
- People who weigh more than 100 kg (220 lb) (due to the vehicle’s limited space).
- Pregnant women.
- People with high blood pressure, heart failure, asthma, or similar conditions.
Itinerary
Start: Day 1 at 7:00 am from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama.
End: Day 4 at 1:00 pm in downtown San Pedro de Atacama or at the bus terminal. (Please note that this time may change due to weather conditions or force majeure. We recommend planning your departure from San Pedro for the day after the tour ends.)
Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama - Bolivian Altiplano - Red Lagoon - Villa Mar
After picking you up at your hotel, we’ll travel by shared transportation to the border crossing between Chile and Bolivia, where you’ll complete migration formalities. From there, you’ll switch to a private 4x4 to begin exploring the Bolivian Altiplano:
- Green Lagoon & White Lagoon: crystal-clear lakes at the foot of the impressive Licancabur Volcano.
- Polques Hot Springs: a chance to relax in thermal waters surrounded by mountain landscapes.
- Sol de Mañana Geysers: steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud craters at more than 4,900 m (16,000 ft).
- Red Lagoon: a breathtaking natural wonder with deep red waters and thousands of Andean flamingos.
- At the end of the day, we’ll head to our lodge for dinner and rest.
Accommodation: hostel in Villa Mar.
Day 2: Villa Mar - Lost Italy - Anaconda Canyon - Colcha K
We’ll start the day heading to surreal landscapes with volcanic formations and striking contrasts of colors. You’ll visit:
- Lost Italy (Italia Perdida): a fascinating valley of volcanic rock formations that resemble the ruins of an ancient city.
- Vinto Lagoon: a beautiful high-altitude lake, ideal for spotting local wildlife.
- Anaconda Canyon: a scenic viewpoint overlooking a winding river shaped like the famous Amazonian reptile.
- At the end of the tour, we’ll arrive at our lodging to enjoy dinner and rest.
Accommodation: hostel in Colcha K.
Day 3: Sunrise at Uyuni Salt Flat - Incahuasi Island - Train Cemetery - Uyuni - Villa Mar
We’ll rise early to witness one of the most magical moments of the trip:
- Sunrise at Uyuni Salt Flat: watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the endless white expanse.
- Incahuasi Island: walk among giant cacti and hike to the summit for breathtaking 360° views of the salt flat.
- Salt Museum & Dakar Monument: discover salt sculptures and take photos at this iconic landmark.
- Colchani Village: the best place to see traditional salt production and shop for local crafts.
- Train Cemetery: explore rusting locomotives that create a one-of-a-kind open-air museum.
- Uyuni Town: a short visit before continuing on to Villa Mar, where we’ll spend our final night.
Accommodation: hostel in Villa Mar.
Day 4: Villa Mar - Border - Return to San Pedro de Atacama
On our last morning, we’ll depart early from Villa Mar toward the Bolivian-Chilean border to complete the necessary formalities. From there, you’ll continue by shared transportation back to San Pedro de Atacama, where this unforgettable journey through the Altiplano comes to an end.
This tour is perfect for travelers who want to discover the very best of the Uyuni Salt Flat and its surroundings, combining nature, culture, and landscapes that feel like another planet.
*From January to April, during the rainy season known as the Altiplano winter, the itinerary may undergo specific changes, such as spending the second night in Uyuni and skipping the visit to Incahuasi Island if it is underwater. At any time of year, the route, places visited, activity order, and schedules may vary due to weather conditions, road status, demonstrations, or lodging availability.
*The pickup service included does not operate to nor from accommodations located outside the urban area of San Pedro de Atacama, accommodations located in ayllus near San Pedro de Atacama (Quitor, Yaye, Checar, Sequitor, Solor, and Coyo), nor accommodations in the town of Toconao.
Cancellation policy
- If you cancel with a 15-day notice before the beginning of the tour, we will make a full refund of what you paid for the booking.
- If you cancel with less than what was indicated, we will not make any refund of what you paid for the booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
The activity is made on a minibus in Chile and on a 4x4 (Toyota Land Cruiser) in Bolivia in a group of 6 people each.
Each passenger may carry at most one bag or suitcase of 15 kilos which will go above the 4x4. Because it will be outside the vehicle, it is recommended to take a bag rather than a suitcase, as suitcases are fragile and could be exposed to potential damage. If you do choose to bring a suitcase, it must a maximum size of a cabin suitcase (55 x 40 x 20 cm).
Although the accommodations provide blankets, during the colder months (June, July, and August), it is necessary to bring a sleeping bag, which you can rent directly at the San Pedro de Atacama office a day before the tour starts, for a price of CLP$ 10.000. During the rest of the year, a sleeping bag is not needed.
We recommend bringing at least Bs. 500 per person for expenses not included in the tour, such as park entry fees, taxes, access to bathrooms, and water. On Toconao Street in San Pedro de Atacama (intersection with Caracoles), you can find some exchange houses where you can obtain bolivianos to take with you on the tour. We recommend bringing small bills for expenses such as restrooms or entrance fees, as some places may not always have change available.
Depending on the nationality of the passenger. Passengers from Chile and the rest of South America, and passengers from Western Europe do not need tourist visa, while passenger that come from United States, Central America, Asia, and Africa do need tourist visa that costs U$ 160. This visa is obtained directly in the border, where along with the payment of the visa in cash, you need to present your passport and other documents. In case you are a foreign person resident in Chile, besides your passport, you need your ID card with you so you can prove your residence with the police authorities in customs.
The vaccine against the yellow fever is demanded for all passengers who don't come back to San Pedro de Atacama and that hace to pay tourism visa in the border (passengers that present a travel document from a country of the group II).
- Most of the tour is made above 13,123 ft. of altitude so it is quite likely to suffer from altitude sickness specially the first day of the tour. To avoid or reduce the general feeling of discomfort, we recommend acclimate to the altitude one or two days above 8,202 ft., drink lots of water before and during the tour, eat light meals (avoid meat) the previous days, and do not drink alcohol the night before the beginning of the tour.
- In summer (December to March), the temperature ranges from about 4 °C as a minimum, to 23 °C maximum. In winter (June to September) the temperature ranges from about -20 °C as a minimum, to 16 °C maximum.
- In case of rain, the order of the places visited, the possibility to see the sunrise and the accommodation places are subject to change, because some of the roads might be closed. Added to the previous information, water in the Uyuni Salt Flat is an important obstacle and the Incahuasi Island (located in the center of the salt flat) remains closed. This means the Incahuasi Island cannot be visited and we enter to the salt flat only for a certain distance, so the passengers are safe.
The mirror effect occurs when there is water on the salt flat. This happens only in rainy periods (January and February) and after them (March).
The meals are varied, and includes tea, coffee, bread, cookies and fruit for breakfast, and meat, pasta, rice, soup and vegetables for lunch and dinner. In case you need a vegetarian menu, you must mark your preference during the booking process.
The accommodations have sockets type C, compatible with the types E and F. Anyway, our recommendation is that you carry an adapter to avoid any inconvenience.
Yes, internet is available at the accommodations. Please note that the connection may be unstable or slow, as the lodgings are located in remote areas.
We offer the tour in three options, which you can review here.
- In shared service with basic accommodation.
- In private service with accommodation in hostels.
- In private service with accommodation in 3-star hotels.
We do not offer the tour in shared service with accommodation in hostels or hotels.
Yes, but only in English. The English-speaking driver service has an additional cost of US$ 320 per group. You can select it as an optional service during the booking process.
- To book 3-day Uyuni Salt Flat Private from Atacama: Hostels, you must choose the date and follow the steps on the website. You can add more tours to your cart before confirming your booking.
- We accept bookings up to 1 days in advance, subject to availability. Therefore, we recommend booking as early as possible to secure your spot.
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US$430.00