Off the beaten track there's no track at all!

Our destination: a blinding white expanse of nothingness...

Come join us on an exploration of a lifetime in Uyuni.

It looks like a vast snow-covered lake, but the white surface stretching to the horizon in every direction is salt, not snow. These flats, covering about 7,500 square miles (12,000 km²), were once part of a massive prehistoric lake, but today make up the world’s largest salt lake in the world. When dry it’s a barren landscape; during the wet season it becomes a spectacular giant mirror.

Essential Uyuni will enable you to explore the great Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) — an area of breathtaking natural beauty in south western Bolivia, and featuring privately guided tours. Depending on the option chosen you will spend up to three nights at local hotels on the shores of the Salt Flats.

Choose among a variety of options for this Uyuni trip: you may want to concentrate on Uyuni Salt Flats (option #1), or explore the Salar & Lagoons of Sud Lípez including Laguna Colorada & Laguna Verde (option #2). End your trip in San Pedro de Atacama or return to Uyuni... Tour option #3 is based on the community-run network of Andean Lodges "Tayka" and supports a number of sustainable projects in the area.

Customize any of these tours to create your own and unique Uyuni travel experience.

WHERE?

• UYUNI SALT FLATS or Salar de Uyuni - Covering more than 12,000 square kilometers, it is the largest salt plain in the world. With the mountains and the sky as its only frontiers, it allows us to observe mirages and optical illusions due to solar radiation and the crystallized ground. In its interior, virgin, uninhabited islands are home to a species of immense cactus with unusual flowers. A succession of stunning landscapes and unusual shapes that captivate the visitor at first sight.

• LAGUNA COLORADA & LAGUNA VERDE at Eduardo Avaroa National Park - Bolivia is an amazing country where everything takes an unexpected twist, particularly in the Andes where nothing is ever quite what it seems, and even water has its own surprising colors! Red, green, yellow, or blue lagoons await you... These capricious lakes change colors according to the time of day. In the southern tip of Bolivia's highlands known as the Sud Lípez region, Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) is home to over 30,000 flamingos of three varieties. Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) sits at the foot of Licancabur volcano, on the Chilean border. The rocks, geysers, live volcanic pits, Dali's rocks... all make up a set of impressive, surrealistic landscapes.

• Outstanding places for photographers at any time of year.

WHAT?

Off Road 4WD Expedition - Nature Viewing - High Altitude Walks - Community Projects - Photography

WHEN?

Year-Round Departures (depart virtually any day of the week).

May - October is dry season.

Option #1 - In-Depth Uyuni Salt Flats

Day 1 - Depart from Uyuni. Head out across the blinding white expanse of Salar de Uyuni. See giant cacti and unusual fauna as you explore Isla Incahuasi and other "islands"... Also learn about the myths and legends associated with the Salar at Tunupa volcano (5,432m / 17,821ft), and walk to a pukara viewpoint for outstanding views over the Salar at dusk. [LD]

Days 2 & 3 - View the sun rise over Salar de Uyuni. Then choose among a variety of activities for the day: Visit villages and look for pre-Columbian ruins bordering the salt flats... Walk up Tunupa Volcano for more stunning 360° panoramas... Cross the salt plains and 4WD along the southern shores looking for bizarre geological formations and ancient remains... Meet with llama herders, quinoa growers, salt gatherers... Llama trekking, Volcano trekking... Watch the sunset from Caltama viewpoint... [BLD]

Nights are spent at local Andean lodges around the Salt Flats: typically on the northern shore (2 nights) and southern shore (1 night) of the Salar. Accommodations are simple but comfortable. We strongly recommend Hotel de Sal and Hotel de Piedra (see Tayka Hotels in this website). Other very good lodging are available at Colchani Hotel Palacio de Sal, Cristal Samaña, San Cristobal... Basic lodging option includes rudimentary guest houses and mountain shelters.

Day 4 - Last excursions around the Salar. Visit the old train graveyard on your way back to Uyuni for transfer out. [BL]

Meals Included: Breakfast [B], Lunch [L], Dinner [D]

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Option #2 - Popular Salar & Lagoons

Day 1 - Arrive Uyuni (note that transfers from other cities – e.g. La Paz, Oruro, Potosi – generally arrive Uyuni in the afternoon). Prepare for tomorrow's expedition. Overnight at local hotel in Uyuni.

Day 2 - Departure from Uyuni; Visit the Salt Flats including Isla Incahuasi... Enjoy truly amazing landscapes on the way. Overnight at local Andean lodge south of Uyuni Salt Flats. [BLD]

Day 3 - Travel along the route of the jewels—Laguna Hedionda, Chiar Khota, Ramaditas..., and a number of other natural sites such as the Arbol de Piedra or "Rock-tree", before arriving at Laguna Colorada (Red Lake). Overnight at local Andean lodge. [BLD]

Day 4 - Visit geysers at Sol de Mañana, Chalviri hot springs, Laguna Verde (Green Lake) and Licancabur volcano (5,916m/19,410ft) among other sites. Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama or return trip to Uyuni. [BL]

Meals Included: Breakfast [B], Lunch [L], Dinner [D]

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Option #3 - "Ruta Tayka" with return to Uyuni

Note this trip is a result of our time-tested commitment with local communities in the area. It is run with the involvement of local villages (Tahua, San Pedro de Quemez...), including the management of accommodations (see Tayka Hotels in this website). This tour supports local economies and a fair share of profits goes back to the communities. Through your financial support we can help local people get a fairer deal from tourism.

Day 1 - Depart from Uyuni. Head out across the blinding white expanse of Salar de Uyuni. See giant cacti and unusual fauna as you explore Isla Incahuasi and other "islands"... Also learn about the myths and legends associated with the Salar at Tunupa volcano (5,432m / 17,821ft), and walk to a pukara viewpoint for outstanding views over the Salar at dusk. Overnight at Andean Lodge "Tayka de Sal" (Salt Hotel) on the northern shore of Uyuni Salt Flats. This lodge is owned and managed by the local community of Tahua. [LD]

Day 2 - View the sun rise over Salar de Uyuni. Then choose among a variety of activities for the day: Visit villages and look for pre-Columbian ruins bordering the salt flats... Walk up Tunupa Volcano for more stunning 360° panoramas... Then head south across the salt plains and 4WD along the southern shores looking for bizarre geological formations and ancient remains... Watch the sunset from Caltama viewpoint... Overnight at Andean Lodge "Tayka de Piedra" (Hotel of the Rocks) at the foot of Mount Caltama and Mount Julina, on the southern shore of Uyuni Salt Flats. This lodge is owned and managed by the local community of San Pedro de Quemez. [BLD]

Day 3 - Today is an easy day as we travel along the route of the jewels—Laguna Hedionda, Chiar Khota, Ramaditas... and a number of other natural sites such as smoking volcano Ollagüe. We will reach the Siloli Desert in the afternoon. Overnight at Andean Lodge "Tayka del Desierto" (Hotel of the Desert). This lodge is owned and managed by the local community of Soniquera. [BLD]

Day 4 - Visit the Arbol de Piedra or "Rock-tree", geysers at Sol de Mañana, and Chalviri hot springs among other sites en route to Laguna Verde (Green Lake) at the foot of Licancabur volcano (5,916m/19,410ft). On our way we also visit Laguna Colorada (Red Lake) where three species of flamingos can be found. Return trip to Uyuni in the afternoon. [Optional add-on and overnight stay at Andean Lodge "Tayka de los Volcanes" (Hotel of the Volcanoes). This lodge is owned and managed by the local community of San Pablo de Lípez]. [BL]

Meals Included: Breakfast [B], Lunch [L], Dinner [D]

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Option #4... Create Your Own Trip!

Customize your trip to Uyuni & Sud Lipez. Create your own and unique travel project around Uyuni Salt Flats and Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde... Plan a trip with multiple stops...

We specialize in creating customized adventure travel with a dedicated staff of experts waiting to help you plan the perfect vacation. Please fill out the easy form in the panel to the right and we will be happy to attend your request within 48 hours. Thank you.

Accommodation:

(*) Fixed departures on a regular basis. Ask us for a quote.

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($), based on 2 people travelling together (double room basis).

Please note:

• NEW! All prices include park entrance fees.

• Additional fee applies for English-speaking guide.

• Hotel names and descriptions are subject to confirmation at time of booking.

• Base prices shown above apply for trips beginning/ending in Uyuni. Additional charges may apply for trips beginning/ending in San Pedro de Atacama. Ask our travel consultants.

Depart any day! Custom dates and prices available.
Contact one of our travel consultants for details.

NEW! The new airstrip opened at Uyuni in 2011 is now fully operational and regular airlines offer daily flights from La Paz. There are also connecting flights to Uyuni from Sucre. Book your flights to&from Uyuni through Fremen Tours — count $145 OW depending on airlines and schedules. Due to the limited capacity of the aircrafts, tickets sell very quickly and we strongly recommend to reserve your seat well in advance.

SKYPE - MESSENGER... Use the panel on the right to see who's on line now and contact us.

Unique expeditions, exclusive hotels and tours for people who don't like tours in Bolivia.