Minimum age: 7 years old – Must have parents permission

From the Red Planet Expedition office, the tour leaves at 11:00 am in a 4x4 Toyota land cruiser. Our first stop is the train graveyard, where you’ll see the original locomotives that used to run in Bolivia. Now abandoned, this eerie place carries with it plenty of history; listen to the guide as he recounts how these trains were once known as part of an important transportation hub in South America. Afterwards, you will go to the small village of Colchani (a salt miners’ workshop next to the salt flats) to see the factories, and the traditional method of table salt production.

After the little side stops, you’ll be taken to the trip’s highlight, the great Salt Flats of Uyuni (Salar de Uyuni). The first thing you’ll see is the salt mining, and the piles of salt (pyramids of salt). After this, you will go to see the eyes of the salt (big holes in the salt flat, where the water below this dead lake comes out due to high pressure).

Later, you will go straight to the hotel made completely out of salt (the only hotel allowed on the salt flats). You will have time to take plenty of pictures, as well as get the chance to check out different rooms, salt sculptures, and the lobby of the salt hotel Playa Blanca. You’ll even have lunch here! After lunch, you will go to the central point of the salt flat, Incahuasi Island (Fish Island). Here, you’ll see the giant cactus, and the rock formations made of petrified coral.

There’ll be time to stop in the middle of the salt flat to see the unusual formations, created by the salt on the ground. These structures look like hexagons and pentagons on the surface. Make sure you take plenty of pictures, and play around with the vast perspective. Here any photo goes, as cameras lose all sense of depth perception.

After some fun, you go to look for a good place in the salts for sunset. Later, you will return to Uyuni town, arriving back at 7:00 pm.

Important: Due to the rainy season (from January to April), it is not possible to access Incahuasi Island. However, there is the possibility of visiting the island, if on the day of your tour it does not rain.

Note: Tour given in English.

10:15 -10:30

Meeting point at Red Planet Expedition Office

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11:00

Depart Uyuni

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11:40 - 12:10

Visit the Train Graveyard, Colchani Village, the Pyramids of Salt, and the Eyes of the Salt

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12:10 - 13:00

Arrive to the Salt Hotel

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13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

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14:00 - 15:00

Visit Incahuasi, and see the giant cactus and rock formations

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15:00 - 16:00

See the sunset

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19:00

Arrive back to Uyuni (see the sunset over the Salar before)

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- All transportation
- Lunch
- Guide fluent in English
- "Float" Accident Insurance

- Entrance fee 30 Bs for Fish Island
- Entrance fee 150 Bs for the National Park

Please note that these prices may vary according to the Government of Bolivia.

- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Warm clothes for the night
- Torch and batteries
- Towel
- Swimsuit
- Toilet paper
- Some snacks
- A hat/beanie
- Extra water
- Money for the park entrances fee, and toilets on the way

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

CHANGES: It is FREE to change the tour date before 5:00 pm (La Paz time) 3 days before the tour begins.

NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel before 5:00 pm (La Paz time) 3 days before the tour begins, a 10% administration fee (+ the card fee). After this time, there is a 100% no-show or cancellation fee.

You must email bookings@findlocaltrips.com (include the name of the tour and the reservation number) to cancel this tour or to make any changes.

1. From where do the tours start - can I start from La Paz?

   All of the tours of the Salar de Uyuni start in Uyuni. The tours will not include your transfer from La Paz; you will need to organise and pay for this separately. The buses to Uyuni are overnight, departing from La Paz every evening, and arriving into Uyuni the next day at about 7:00am. You are able to start a tour on the same morning, as tours start from 10:00am. We recommend the bus company Todo Turismo, as it is the most well-known among travellers.

2. Do I need to stay one night in Uyuni before and after my tour?

   You will arrive into Uyuni early in the morning, so it is possible to start a tour the day you arrive. Most of the tours will start at 10:30am or 11:00am. You will return to Uyuni by 5:30-6:00pm, giving you time to eat and head back on the overnight bus to La Paz, or even take a bus onto Potosi / Sucre. It is advised that you book these buses before doing your tour of the Salt Flats. By following this itinerary, it is not necessary to stay in Uyuni.

3. How does the wet season affect the tours?

   Salt flat (Salar de Uyuni) tours leave year-round, including during the wet season. In fact, many people try to visit during the wet season, in order to see the "mirror effect" of the water sitting atop of the salt flats and reflecting the sky, which is an incredible sight. This is caused when the water table below the salt flats has risen enough to cause the water to sit on top of the salt. It is fine to visit the area when there is a certain amount of water, but when it becomes too deep (after long, sustained periods of rainfall in consecutive days) some places can become inaccessible, such as Isla Incahuasi. These must then be omitted from the tours, but we can usually continue visiting other parts of the salt flats. Also, the area to the south (with the coloured lakes, geysers, hot springs etc) is usually not affected, so tours are not cancelled completely.

4. What should I bring to the tour?

   Bring a torch, because the lights go out when the generator runs dry. Take coins and small bills, as the bathrooms aren't free. Don’t forget sunglasses, a camera with spare batteries, extra water, sunscreen and a hat, a sleeping bag, extra snacks (especially fruit and protein), lip balm (the sun, wind, and dry air will crack them up), and your passport. Take warm clothes (layers are best), flip-flops (for shared restroom facilities), and a raincoat (for the rainy season, from December to March).

5. Are there additional costs?

   The entrance fees for the attractions will not be covered. On a 3D/2N tour, the cost will be Bs180 in total (Bs150 for the Eduardo Avaroa National Park, and Bs30 for the Isla del Pescado). For the full day tour, the additional fees will be Bs30. Also, if you would like a hot shower on the first night, there will be an additional cost of approx. Bs15. Make sure you bring small change for bathrooms along the way.

6. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

   Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500 metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.

7. Are there ATMs and an internet connection?

   Bring money with you, as sometimes the ATMs do not work in Uyuni – it’s best to have money prior to arrival. There is no internet connection on the tour, as the places that you’ll visit are in very remote locations.

8. I have heard and read awful stories about the drivers being drunk, and terrible car accidents happening?

   We only work with the best tour operators in Uyuni, and they monitor their drivers closely to ensure that there are none of these issues. We know there are many rogue operators in Uyuni with bad reputations, and for this reason we only offer tours with selected operators that we feel we can trust.

9. What time zone is used in Uyuni Salt Flats?

   Bolivia Time (BOT) -0400 UTC.

10. Do you sell any Uyuni Salt Flats tour over the Christmas / New Year period?

    We do not sell any Uyuni Salt Flats tours on December 24th, December 25th, December 31st and January 1st, because of safety concerns. Specifically, this is due to the high number of drunk driving incidents that occur on Salt Flats tours during this time. We don't sell tours with any tour operator that we work with, and we think it is best to avoid the dangers and problems that occur at this time of year.

11. What kind of weather can we expect in the Uyuni Salt Flats?

    From June to September, you will find the lowest temperatures. Generally, it is cold, dry and windy, and it can easily reach -15 °C or lower at night. During the day, temperatures can go up to 5 or 10°C, and even increase a little more. The temperatures from January to May increase even more during the day, reaching a more comfortable level of 19°C. However, the humidity from rains can decrease the temperature.

12. Can I rent rain boots?

    Yes, of course, but you will need to pay an extra 30 pesos bolivianos. You need to inform us 24 hours before your tour date and inform to the guide at the beginning of your tour.

13. I do not want to take all of my belongings with me to the Salt Flats. Where can I leave my big bag or suitcase?

    You can leave your belongings at the Red Planet Expedition's office, and pick them up on return.

14. How long does it take to get to the Red Planet office from Uyuni Airport?

    It takes approximately 15 - 20 minutes from the Airport to the Red Planet office. You can take a taxi and it can cost between 10 Bs to 20 Bs approx.

15. Why book with FindLocalTrips.com?

    Apart from our low-price guarantee, with us you can be 100% assured that your booking is made. We provide instant email confirmation, and have live spaces and availability for each tour. You are in the capable hands of our team here on the ground, with 20 local experts who speak perfect Spanish and English, always ready with a quick response to any of the questions you might have. Tour operators are experts at operating their tours, and we are the experts at reservations, organisation, and assistance with your plans for these tours.