tour from calama to uyuni

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• Salt Hotels
• About Uyuni

Calama to Uyuni Salt Flat Private Tour

Departure: Date of your convenience

Trip highlights.

• Explore the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, home to unique Andean fauna and surreal deserts, colored lagoons, boiling geysers and active volcanos.
• See the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia's famed salt flat and enjoy a beautiful sunset inside the white salt desert followed by an unforgettable stargazing experience!

Accomodation

• What to Bring

Explore this itinerary:

Your trip at a glance:.

Calama - Hito Cajones Border - Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve: Green Lagoon with views of the Licancabur Volcano - Laguna Blanca - Dalí Desert - Polques Thermal Springs (Chalviri Lagoon) - Geothermal Field, Sol de Mañana geysers - Laguna Colorada - Stone Tree - Laguna Colorada - Cañon de las Viscachas - Hotel del Desierto Tayka

High Andean Jewels Route: Chiarcota Lagoon, Honda Lagoon, Hedionda Lagoon, Cañapa Lagoon, Turquiri Lagoon - Ollague Volcano Observation - Valley of the Rocks - Train Cemetery - Uyuni town - Colchani

Stargazing and sunrise inside the Uyuni salt flat - Incahuasi Island - Salt Statue of the Dakar Rally - Former Salt Hotel Playa Blanca - Ojos del Salar - Uyuni town

You will start the expedition at 07:00 a.m. We will pick you up from your hotel in the city of Calama.

You will then travel to the Hito Cajones border and go through the immigration procedures. First, you will visit the migration office in Chile and later complete the procedures in the Bolivian office.

After completing the immigration procedures we will serve breakfast.

You will begin your journey in Bolivian territory by entering the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve that has an area of 714,745 hectares and reaches an altitude of 4000 to 6000 meters. It has an exceptional scenic beauty, which is why it is one of the top tourist attractions in Bolivia.

The first destination of interest that you will visit will be the Laguna Verde. The intensity of the green color of the water in the lagoon depends on the wind in the area. In case there is no wind, you can see the reflection of the Licancabur Volcano in the crystalline waters.

The Laguna Verde is located at the foot of the dormant volcanoes Licancabur and Juriques, which are part of the volcanic mountain range of the Andes in southwestern Bolivia. Both are on the border with Chile.

Next you will observe the Laguna Blanca and cross the Salvador Dali Desert to the thermal springs of Polques where you can take a relaxing bath. There is a small pool and changing rooms next to it. The recommended time to stay in the pool is about 20 minutes. The thermal waters are at 4500 meters above sea level.

You will have lunch in a dining room located in front of the thermal water pool.

At the Sol de Mañana geysers you will see the mud and water boil intensely. The fumaroles and geysers located at 4850 meters above sea level emit streams of water vapor and hot steam that can reach heights of 10 to 50 meters.

The adventure will continue by visiting the Laguna Colorada, a favorite nesting place for large numbers of flamingos.

The Laguna Colorada is an immaculate and beautiful wild area inhabited by three species of flamingos: Chilean, James and Andean.

The intense red color of the Laguna Colorada is due to red algae and other microorganisms that live in the lagoon. The Laguna Colorada also has some white parts caused by large deposits of borax that accumulates near the surface of the lake.

The Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve boasts strange landscapes and bizarre rock formations shaped by the constant wind. The gigantic volcanoes, thermal water lakes and steaming geysers provide a dramatic backdrop for your instagram photos.

The most photographed rock formation is without doubt the Stone Tree.

The journey will take you through the vizcachas canyon where visitors can observe this adorable rodent, a close relative of the Chinchillas, in its natural habitat.

Your accomodation will be at the Tayka Desert Hotel located close to the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve in the middle of the frozen deserts of the High Andes.

The Hotel has rooms with private bathrooms, hot water and heating until 9:30 p.m. You can ask for oxygen cylinders at the reception, if required.

High Andean Jewels Route: Chiarcota Lagoon, Laguna Honda, Hedionda Lagoon, Cañapa Lagoon, Turquiri Lagoon - Ollague Volcano Observation - Valley of the Rocks - Train Cemetery - Uyuni - Colchani

08:30 You will start the day by traveling to a region that offers visitors wonderful landscapes decorated by volcanoes, lagoons and Andean fauna.

You will enjoy the beauty of the High Andean Jewels Route made up of the Chiarcota, Hedionda (4,532 masl), Cañapa, Laguna Honda / Corazón (4,114 masl) and the Turquiri Lagoon. The lagoons are surrounded by mountains and during the winter you can see the snowy peaks.

The area is ideal for lovers of nature and photography. It is impossible to take a bad picture of these landscapes, they are all worthy of a postcard.

Lunch will be served in the middle of nature.

On the way you will see various rock formations and the Ollague semi-active volcano (5870 meters) located on the border between Bolivia and Chile.

During the tour you will visit the Valley of the Rocks also known as the Lost Italy, a site that has many impressive rock formations.

You will continue the journey to the towns of San Cristóbal and Uyuni. About 3 kilometers before Uyuni we will find the Train Cemetery, a place that shelters dozens of old locomotives and wagons from the year 1890.

The remains of these rusty trains take us on an imaginary journey to a time of flourishing progress. The site has now been transformed into a rustic deserted courtyard ideal for the romantic traveler who likes to photograph traces of a not so distant past.

You will pass through the city of Uyuni and arrive at the town of Colchani, where the famous Salt Hotels are located.

Lodging in a Salt Hotel. The Salt Hotels offer rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, heating and WiFi Internet. Depending on availability, we will include lodging at Luna Salada Hotel, Hotel Palacio de Sal or at the Hotel de Sal Tayka.

Observation of stars and sunrise inside the Salar de Uyuni - Incahuasi Island - Salt Statue of the Dakar Rally - Former Salt Hotel Playa Blanca - Ojos del Salar - Uyuni

03:30 a.m. Your visit to the Salar de Uyuni will start quite early, as you will observe the stars and enjoy a beautiful sunrise. This activity is certainly unique, especially during the rainy season when the salt flat looks like a giant mirror that reflects the starry sky. The spectacle reaches its most impressive point during the dawn, when the first rays of light appear in the immense sky revealing an incomparable landscape.

After sunrise you will return to your hotel where you will have breakfast and rest a little before continuing the journey through the wonderful Salar de Uyuni.

During the dry season, the surface of the Salar de Uyuni is covered by geometric shapes of salt crystals agglomerated into polygons. During the rainy season (December, January, February and part of March) the Salar is covered with water and resembles a giant mirror.

You will travel to Incahuasi Island, home of millenary giant cacti (Echinopsis atacamensis) up to 10 meters high. Isla Incahuasi is a genuine witness of life inside the salt desert.

You will climb the island until you reach the viewpoint, from which there is a 360 degree perspective of the Salar de Uyuni and a privileged view of the Tunupa Volcano.

During the journey you will observe a huge salt statue erected to mark the occasion of the passage of the Dakar Rally in Bolivia. Then you will walk to the old Hotel de Sal Playa Blanca. Next to the former hotel there is a small mound with several flags from around the world. These symbolic flags have been left by travelers visiting the Salar de Uyuni. You may bring a flag of your country and leave it at this significant point.

You will have lunch while enjoying the beautiful landscape within the Salar.

Inside the Salar are the Eyes of the Salt Flat which are small currents of water that flow from the interior of the earth under the salt. It is said that these waters have healing properties due to their saline and acid concentrations.

Our expedition would not be complete without witnessing the sunset inside the salt flat.

You will conclude the trip in the town of Uyuni.

We can leave you at your Hotel, the Uyuni bus station or the Uyuni Airport .

End of our services

First night: Tayka Desert Hotel - Hotel del Desierto Tayka

The Hotel Tayka del Desierto (Ojo de Perdiz) may be the most remote hotel in existence. Located 220 km from Uyuni and 200 km from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile , there is literally nothing anywhere within many miles of this place. You are almost on the Chilean border. The hotel exists solely to support the tours of Bolivia's remote and rugged desert southwest, and the supplies are all shipped in from Uyuni.

The hotel was built by four local families and is very much in tune with its environment, the impressive Siloli desert expanse with its untouched towering mountains in the background. The hotel offers friendly service and local food.

Second night:

Stay in one of these unique salt hotels:

Hotel Palacio de Sal

The Palacio de Sal Hotel & Spa was recently remodeled, and is built entirely of salt: walls, floors, ceilings, and much of its furniture and decoration: chairs, tables, beds and sculptures are made of salt, so it is considered unique in the world.

Luna Salada Hotel

Designed to entertain visitors on adventure or pleasure trips, the Luna Salada Hotel is one of the most extraordinary hotels in the world. Located in the Salt Flats of Uyuni, the Hotel and its furniture has been constructed from blocks of salt and there is granular salt sprinkled on the floor.

Make your tour truly special with these extra activities:

Barbecue inside the salar de uyuni, what to bring.

• Comfortable and warm clothing.
• Comfortable footwear (ideally for trekking).
• Swimsuit and towel (to bathe in the thermal waters of Polques).
• Sunglasses.
• Additional beverages and water
• Pills to alleviate altitude sickness

Pick up from your Hotel in Calama, Chile

Private transportation Calama - Hito Cajones border.

Private Transportation (4x4 Vehicle) Hito Cajones - Uyuni

Food: Day 1: Breakfast and Lunch. Day 2: Breakfast and Lunch. Day 3: Breakfast and Lunch. Drinks during lunches included.

Day 1: Hotel del Desierto Tayka or Hotel Los Flamencos. (depending on the availability of the hotel).

Day 2: Hotel Luna Salada, Hotel Palacio de Sal, Hotel de Sal Tayka (depending on the availability of the hotel).

Experienced driver. The driver speaks only Spanish.

The rate does not include:

Island of Incahuasi: 30 Bs.- per person = 5 $ us.- per person.

Eduardo Abaroa National Reserve 150 Bs. - = 22 usd per person. Bring currency in Bolivianos to pay entrance tickets. It is not allowed to pay with dollars or another currency.

Tourist guide in English

Dinners at selected hotels.

Recommendations

We recommend paying close attention to where you step during your visit to the geysers. The area is signposted, but accidents have happened in which tourists fell into the geysers for not paying attention while taking a picture. To avoid accidents we recommend extreme caution during this tour stop.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat. The use of sunscreen and sunglasses is MANDATORY during your visit to the Salar de Uyuni.

During the winter it is essential to wear gloves, scarf and warm clothes. (May, June, July and August)

We recommend carrying a waterproof jacket during the rainy months (December - March)

If you want to enjoy a swim in the thermal springs of Polques, do not forget to pack your swimsuit.

2019-06-27 Updated: 2019-06-27

Frequently asked questions

What travel documents do i need to enter bolivia.

• Valid Passport
• Visa if applicable.

What's the baggage allowance?

We can transport 1 baggage per person - 20 kg

What level of Wi-Fi access should I expect?

You will have WiFi internet access at Hotel del Desierto Tayka and most hotels in Uyuni town. There is no internet or even cellphone coverage during most of the trip in the desert and inside the salt flat. There is no WiFi inside Eduardo Avaroa National Park.

What days of the week does the tour leave?

The tour can leave on the day of your convenience. Reservations need to be made in advance.

How far in advance should I book the tour?

Due to the high demand in the hotels included in the tour itinerary, we recommend booking at least one month in advance.

Do I need to be vaccinated against yellow fever for the tour?

The yellow fever vaccine is not required for the Salar de Uyuni tour. It is only required if you will later visit the Bolivian jungle (e.g. Rurrenabaque or the Chiquitania).

What vehicles does the tour use?

The tour includes a minibus in Chilean territory to the border and a 4x4 vehicle in Bolivian territory to Uyuni.

What is the weather like during the tour?

In summer (December to March), the temperature varies from approximately 4 ° C to the lowest, up to 23 ° C as the maximum. In winter (June to September), the temperature varies from approximately -20 ° C to the lowest, up to 16 ° C as the maximum. Radiation from the sun is always high due to the altitude, so the use of sunscreen is highly recommended.

How much money should I bring for the tour?

We recommend to take at least 100 Bolivianos per person for the border tax (30 Bolivianos per person), access to bathrooms at the rest stops and purchase of souvenirs.

How likely is one to suffer altitude sickness during the tour?

Most of the tour itinerary is over 4000 meters above sea level, so one is quite likely to suffer from mild altitude sickness, especially during the first day of the tour. The 4x4 vehicle in which you will travel is equipped with an oxygen bottle. In any case, we recommend taking medicines that help you alleviate the altitude sickness.

What about the tour in case of rain or snow?

In case of rain, snow, or other extreme weather events, the tour route is subject to change, as some roads may be closed. In addition to the above, the Salar de Uyuni may be covered by water and access to Incahuasi Island (located in the middle of the salar) may be closed. In this case, you will not visit Incahuasi Island and you will enter the salar only to a distance that does not represent a danger to the passengers.

When is it possible to see the mirror effect in the Salar de Uyuni?

The mirror effect occurs when there is water accumulated on the salt flat. This occurs only during periods of rain (January and February) and after (March).

Uyuni Private Tour (Oneway) - 3 Days provided by Prisma Andino

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