Our Unforgettable Salar de Uyuni Tour Experience
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A SALAR DE UYUNI TOUR WITH HOWLANDERS
Starting Our Bolivia Journey with a Salar de Uyuni Tour
Quick overview:
Timeframe: We made the Uyuni tour in October 2023
Price: 155 USD per person (Group Tour, Shared Room)
1. Starting Our Bolivia Journey with a Salar de Uyuni Tour
After Vicky and I had already had many unforgettable experiences in Peru, we decided to travel to Bolivia. For our two-week trip, we had a few highlights in mind – the stunning Salar de Uyuni was a must-see. To start our adventure, we spent two days in La Paz to adjust to the high altitude before moving on to the next part of our journey.
2. Why We Chose Howlanders for Our Salar de Uyuni Tour
Once we had decided to take the Salar de Uyuni tour, the next question was: Which tour should we choose? Ultimately, we decided on a tour with Howlanders. Why? Their website stood out to us with its professional and user-friendly design. Additionally, Howlanders offers tours worldwide, which signaled a high level of experience and quality. We were also impressed with their good customer service, which was responsive and helpful in addressing our questions ahead of time.
One tip: If you have enough time, we recommend booking the tour directly on-site in Uyuni. This can save you a significant amount of money—more on that later. That’s possible because Howlanders collaborates with a local tour provider, who naturally offers the tours on-site without the added commission.
3. Which Tour We Chose: The Uyuni Salt Flats Tour 3 Days, 2 Nights Tour
Although the tour is called the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour, it offers much more than the name suggests. Honestly, we’re not entirely sure why it’s only named after the salt flats, as these are only visited on the first day of the 3 days, 2 nights tour—and that’s not a negative thing at all! In fact, the other stops on the tour are just as unique.
Throughout this 3 days, 2 nights tour, you’ll explore the wide landscapes of Bolivia, passing train tracks in the middle of nowhere, staying overnight in a salt hotel, and see flamingos, alpacas, vicuñas, and many other animals. Not to mention the breathtaking landscapes: lagoons, endless deserts, and so much more.
Now that you know which tour we took, we promise it’s worth reading on for a detailed look at our 3 days, 2 nights Uyuni tour experience, including insights into our daily itinerary, accommodations, and the ups and downs we faced along the way. Most importantly, don’t miss our amazing photos that we’re really proud of, capturing the beautiful landscapes we passed. By the end of the article, we’ll also share useful tips for preparing for the tour, like what to pack for Uyuni and our final thoughts. Plus, we’ll reveal a money-saving tip on how you can save a lot on your tour expenses!
The First Day – Salar de Uyuni
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the first day of our trip was the Salar de Uyuni. But what exactly is this natural wonder, how did it form, and what else did we experience on that day? Let’s start right at the beginning of our 3-day, 2-night Uyuni tour with Howlanders, operated by Skyline Travelers.
1. Starting Our Uyuni Tour: Meeting Point and First Preparations
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the first day of our Uyuni Tour was the Salar de Uyuni. But, let’s start right at the beginning. Our meeting point was at 10:30 AM at the Skyline Travelers office in Uyuni. Here, we were divided based on our booked tour (Spanish or English) and the length of the tour. If you don’t want to feel rushed like we did, make sure to buy plenty of water, snacks, and toilet paper the day before. This is also the last chance to rent a sleeping bag, if you want / need one for the Uyuni Tour. Once everything was packed, we hopped onto our jeep, where our main luggage was securely stored on top.
2. The First Destination of Our Uyuni Tour: Train Cemetery in Uyuni
Our group was very international: a couple from Spain, a couple from Colombia and Australia, and the two of us from Peru and Germany. The Uyuni tour finally began, and we headed to our first destination: the Train Cemetery in Uyuni. After just 10 minutes, we arrived and got out of the jeep. One thing to mention here is that at every stop, we always had enough time for photos and to walk around. It was hot and sunny that day, and throughout the tour, the weather changed several times.
The Train Cemetery is a fascinating place, where abandoned trains are rusting. Our driver told us that these trains were originally used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to transport minerals from the mines in Bolivia to the coast. Over time, as the mining industry declined and rail transport became less necessary, the trains were abandoned, creating a perfect spot for Instagram pics. Important to mention here: The driver is not a tour guide; sometimes he will give you a few pieces of information.
3. Drive to Salar de Uyuni with a Stop in Colchani to See Salt Production
Did you know that the Salar de Uyuni might become economically important for many countries in the future? Beneath the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, there are huge deposits of lithium, a valuable resource needed for things like electric car batteries. Unfortunately, this is a threat to the beautiful landscape we all want to preserve for future generations.
But how did the Uyuni salt flats form? Around 30,000 to 40,000 years ago, a large salt lake dried up, leaving behind the salt flats we see today, covering over 10,000 square kilometers (about 3,900 square miles). The salt crust on the surface is several meters thick, making it one of the most unique and breathtaking landscapes in the world.
Before we reached the Salar de Uyuni, we made a stop in the small village of Colchani, where we learned how the salt is processed for consumption. There is also a small shop on-site where you can buy items like garlic or chili salt. We purchased the chili salt and still enjoy it today (it’s also a perfect gift, as it comes beautifully packaged). Here, you can also purchase snacks and drinks. Since day tours to the salt flats are also common, the area is very crowded.
4. Driving onto the Salt Flats
And now, it was finally time. We drove onto the Salt Flats, under beautiful sunny weather, wearing our sunglasses, and looked out at the endless salt. It was truly amazing and even more beautiful than it looked on Instagram. We made our first photo stops and continued to the lunch. This one was also served in the Salar de Uyuni, at a salt restaurant. During the booking process, we were asked if we wanted meat, vegetarian, or vegan meals. The food was tasty, and large bowls were placed on the table for everyone to serve themselves.
The lunch was also served in the Salar de Uyuni, at a salt restaurant. During the booking process, we were asked if we wanted meat, vegetarian, or vegan meals. The food was tasty, and large bowls were placed on the table for everyone to serve themselves.
5. The Must-Do Photos in the Uyuni Salt Flats
After lunch, we took the classic photos with dinosaurs, Uyuni beer, and other props. As a group, we had a great time, and our driver was super motivated to capture the best pictures.
Our tour continued through the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, and suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, we spotted Incahuasi Island. This island, located somewhere in the salt flats, is home to very old cacti that are perfect for incredible photos.
After visiting Incahuasi Island, we continued our journey towards Agencha, where we stayed overnight in a salt hotel. On the way, we made a stop to watch the beautiful sunset and to take more photos.
Tip: As evening approaches, the temperature drops quickly, and it gets windy. Be sure to bring your jacket in your daypack.
At the hotel, we had dinner together and enjoyed a warm shower. The next day, we continued at 7 AM.
The Second Day – Lagoons And More
1. A Quick Overview
On the second day of the Salar de Uyuni tour, you will leave the Salar de Uyuni. The day starts early with breakfast together, and then we headed to a small town where many things made from cactus are sold. We tried cactus beer, but it didn’t fully convince us. After that, you will drive into a desert, visit several lagoons, and see various animals.
2. Train Tracks Running Across The Salar De Chiguana
Our second stop of the day was the train tracks. It was a cool photo spot, and it felt weird to see those tracks in the middle of nowhere.
3. Volcano Ollagüe View Point
Ollagüe Volcano, on the Chile-Bolivia border, has a hight of 5,870 meters and is one of the most active in this region. From the viewpoint, we could see smoke rising up. The viewpoint is the highest point of the tour.
4. Visit the lagoons and spot flamingos in their natural habitat
The different lagoons were definitely the highlight of our second day. We visited several and even spotted flamingos. We also had lunch with a view of one of the lagoons.
After visiting Ollagüe Volcano, we continued our journey towards Laguna Canapa, located at 4,488 meters. It was here that we first spotted flamingos. The driver dropped us off and drove on, while we walked along the lagoon to the designated meeting point, taking plenty of beautiful photos along the way.
We also visited Laguna Ramadita, which was as beautiful as the others. Our driver, once again, showed off his photo skills.
At Laguna Honda, we enjoyed a good lunch with a crazy view. This is where we also got closest to the flamingos.
We also went to Laguna Colorada, which is very special because of the red water. The red color, is caused by the high concentration of red-colored algae and the presence of minerals in the water. The place has salt flats and mountains around it, so the landscape looks really strange and amazing at the same time. It was a great place to take photos and to enjoy the nature.
5. The Siloli Desert
During our Howlanders Uyuni tour, we of course visited more than just lagoons. We continued our journey to the Siloli Desert, located at 4,500 meters. It was incredibly windy, and the endless vastness of the landscape was very impressive.
6. The Second Night
The accommodation on the second day was definitely much more rustic and simpler than the first. There was no hot water for showers, and private rooms were available only for an extra charge. We also needed our sleeping bags because it got extremely cold at night.
The dinner was delicious, but the breakfast was definitely an acquired taste. Outside the accommodation, you can see llamas.
The Third Day – Geysiers And Thermal Waters
The third day started very early, and after a not-so-great breakfast, we drove to the geysers. An incredible stench filled the air, but it was also very impressive to see. After that, we continued on to the Salvador Dalí Desert and another lagoon, Laguna Verde (the Green Lagoon).
1. Sol de la Mañana Geyser Field
The third day started very early, and after a not-so-great breakfast, we drove to the geysers. An incredible stench filled the air, but it was also very impressive to see.
2. Hot Springs
We didn’t take the cold shower on the third day and instead headed to the hot springs at the second stop of the day. The entrance fee was just one dollar.
3. Salvador Dali Desert
The Salvador Dali Desert is named after the artist Salvador Dali, as it’s believed he visited the area to find inspiration for one of his most famous paintings.
4. Laguna Verde
On the third day, we visited another lagoon, this time the Laguna Verde, which was especially beautiful due to its stunning reflection.
5. Laguna Negra
For us, the absolute highlight of the last day of our Salar de Uyuni tour was Laguna Negra. It’s easily accessible after a short walk. After visiting the lagoon, we walked right past some alpacas and got closer to them than ever before. It was the perfect, unforgettable ending to an incredible and beautiful tour.
Best Season To Visit Uyuni
The best time to visit Salar de Uyuni depends on what kind of experience you’re after. For the most pleasant climate, we recommend traveling between July and October (we went in October). However, if you’re hoping to see the reflective surfaces, the ideal time would be between March and April.
How To Get To Uyuni
The most expensive, but also the most convenient, is to take a flight from La Paz. The flights arrive early, so you can start your tour the same day. The flights cost around 180 USD.
We personally arrived by day bus a day before our tour started. Our plan was actually to take a bus from La Paz to Oruro, and then catch a train from there to Uyuni, which passes through some scenic landscapes. Unfortunately, the online information was incorrect, and the train wasn’t operating, so we had to take another bus. We simply booked the bus to Uyuni on the day of departure at the Terminal de Buses in La Paz.
On the way back, we decided to take a night bus, which was amazing. We highly recommend Todo Turismo, a safe and reliable bus company. The ticket costs between 30 and 40 USD (one way), depending on the level of comfort you choose.
Summary
In conclusion, we’d like to say that the Howlanders tour operated by Skyline Traveler was the perfect choice for us. We had an unforgettable time, with a wonderful group and simply an amazing experience. Even though Vicky struggled with altitude sickness, the landscape was diverse, impressive, and truly one of a kind. We hope you enjoyed our insights and look forward to your comments!
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