Uyuni is the gateway to major tourist sites, notably the Salar, the world’s largest salt desert covering 10,582 km². This vast white salt expanse strikingly contrasts with the surrounding highland terrain, characterized by mountains, volcanoes, deserts, and vivid lagoons within the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. The area is also notable for its Andean wildlife, such as pink flamingos, Andean geese, llamas, vicuñas, and other species.
The tour starts at 10:30 AM from the Skyline Traveller office. We first visit the Train Cemetery, where locomotives from the 1870s of English and French origin are on display.
11:00 AM – Our second stop is Colchani, where you can witness the manual salt production process and explore shops selling salt handicrafts, llama, and alpaca wool products.
12:00 PM – Next, we enter the Salar, where we observe the “eyes of the Salar,” the salt hotel constructed with salt blocks, the Dakar statue, and the flag plaza.
1:00 PM – Lunch
3:00 PM – We have time for perspective photos, videos, and much more.
4:00 PM – We reach Isla Incahuasi, the heart of the Salar, with giant cacti. Here, you can take a walk around the entire island, which takes about 40 minutes. At the end of the day, we wait to observe the sunset on the salt flat.
8:00 PM – Finally, we arrive at the salt accommodation in the village of Coqueza (double, matrimonial, or triple rooms) with shared bathrooms. If you prefer a private bathroom, it can be arranged for an extra cost.
We start the tour at 7:30 AM with breakfast, then hike to the viewpoint of Volcan Tunupa, which is near the town of Coqueza. From there, you can appreciate the beautiful landscape of the Salar. In this location, you can also visit the Aymara lord mummies. Around 3:30 PM, we return to Uyuni, arriving and concluding the tour at 5:30 PM.
The tour generally starts with exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats, including the Incahuasi Island and the salt hotel. On the second day, the focus shifts to hiking up to a viewpoint on Volcan Tunupa for panoramic views of the salt flat.
A moderate level of fitness is required for the hike. The altitude can make the hike more challenging, so it’s advisable to be acclimatized to high altitudes before attempting the hike.
Yes, the tour typically includes one night of accommodation, often in a salt hotel, and meals. However, it’s always best to confirm these details with your tour provider.
Essential items include warm clothing, as temperatures can drop significantly, especially at night. Also, bring sturdy hiking boots, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and a reusable water bottle.
Yes, the hike to the viewpoint on Volcan Tunupa is generally suitable for those with basic hiking experience. However, it’s important to be aware of and prepared for the effects of high altitude.
