3-Day Salt Tour of Uyuni with Sunset and Colorada Lagoons
by Tours Transandino
Overview
This 3-day tour starts in Uyuni city and travels south toward Lipez by motorized public transport. On the first day, the group visits the Train Cemetery and then crosses the vast Salar de Uyuni salt flats. The tour continues to several high-altitude lagoons, including Laguna Colorada, known for its distinctive colors and local wildlife. Along the way, travelers see natural features such as the stone tree formation, hot springs, and a geyser. Each day includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation is provided for two nights in a room with a shared bathroom, where children share beds with adults. The tour also includes a sunset visit, allowing travelers to view the salt flats and surrounding landscapes at dusk. Optional entrance fees are required for Eduardo Avaroa National Park and Incahuasi Island. A bus ticket to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, is not included but can be purchased separately.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Abandoned Locomotives Yard
This site contains 100 old locomotives from the late 19th century that have been left abandoned. It is a location suitable for photography.
20 min
Salt Craft Village
A craft town where residents produce items made from salt and fabrics.
20 min
Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat
The Salar de Uyuni covers more than 12,000 km2, making it the largest salt flat in the world and a major lithium reserve. Formed 40,000 years ago by the drying of Lake Minchin, it features hexagonal salt patterns. Several stops will be made here to photograph salt eyes, the Dakar Rally monument, Hotel Playa Blanca, and the international flag square before proceeding to Incahuasi Island.
180 min
Incahuasi Island Cacti Hike
This stop features giant cacti and a hike to the mountain summit, which offers views of the entire salt flat. Access is not permitted during the rainy season.
45 min
Ollague Volcano Viewpoint
Traveling along intervolcanic routes, the group will stop at the Ollague Volcano viewpoint to observe this semi-active volcano located on the Bolivia-Chile border.
20 min
Flamingo Lagoon
At this lagoon, visitors can observe three flamingo species: James, Andean, and Chilean, within a natural landscape.
30 min
Arid Desert Area
This location is part of one of the driest deserts in the world.
15 min
7-Meter Volcanic Rock Formation
A 7-meter-high rock formation shaped by wind erosion stands among various volcanic rocks in a sandy area.
20 min
Eduardo Avaroa Reserve Entrance
This stop marks entry into the Eduardo Avaroa protected area.
10 min
Red-Colored Lake Viewpoint
The guide will take visitors to a lake covering 60 km2, known for its red color caused by algae and plankton, and white areas due to minerals like sodium, magnesium, and borax. It is also a habitat for pink flamingos.
40 min
High-Altitude Geyser
At over 4800 meters above sea level, this volcanic area features a column of steam and boiling lava with visible sulfur vapor fumaroles.
20 min
Thermal Pools
Visitors can swim in thermal pools with a temperature of 37ºC.
40 min
Green-Lagoon Viewpoint
This lagoon is noted for its emerald color caused by high copper and arsenic levels in the local geology. From this location, the Licancabur volcano and the white lagoon are visible. Afterwards, the route continues to the border for a minivan transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, arriving at 12:00 noon.
120 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Uyuni
- Uyuni Salt Flats Day Trip with Train Cemetery, Cactus Island and Lunch
- Uyuni Salt Flat 1-Day Tour with Sunset and Mirror Effect in the Salt Water Region
- Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Sunset and Funny Photos
- Uyuni 3-Day Tour of Salt Flats, Lagoons, Geyser and Hot Springs