Posted 18/11/2024 | 18th November, 2024
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A visit to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats is a must for any traveller seeking surreal landscapes and unforgettable experiences. It was not only my favourite experience in Bolivia but also one of the most interesting landscapes I saw in the whole of South America.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect on a one-day tour of this natural wonder, from the stunning salt crust to the incredible photo opportunities.
What Are The Uyuni Salt Flats?
The Uyuni Salt Flats, known as Salar de Uyuni in Spanish, are the largest salf flats in the world. They cover an area of 10,000 square kilometres. They are located in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, at an altitude of about 3,656 meters above sea level.
The Uyuni Salt Flats were formed due to the evaporation of ancient lakes, including Lake Minchin, that existed in the area around 30,000 to 40,000 years ago. As these lakes dried up over time, they left behind vast salt deposits.
The salt flats are incredibly expansive and perfectly flat, creating a surreal, otherworldly landscape. The horizon appears endless, and the ground is covered in a thick crust of salt that forms unique hexagonal patterns.
Where and How to Book Your Trip
There are many online tour operators where you can buy a one-day tour of the Uyuni salt flats. However, I wouldn’t recommend this. They offer the exact same tours sold in the town at more than double the price!
Instead, shop around in Uyuni town and find a tour that suits you. There are tons of providers, and as such, you won’t struggle to find one that is available the following day. In fact, we met plenty of people who hopped straight off the night bus and arranged a tour for the very same day.
Most of the tours are almost identical, so it will ultimately come down to who can offer you the best price. However, there are a couple of things you should look out for.
First, not all tours offer a sunset stop with the famous reflective views. As I discuss further down, this was my favourite stop of the day! So, I would seriously recommend ensuring that your tour includes this.
Secondly, most tours are just in Spanish, with your driver doubling as your guide. We opted for this option and loved it! We paid 250 BOB per person.
However, some operators offer an English guide, but of course, these will be more expensive. If you require an English-speaking guide, be sure to specify this with the operator.
Note: The tour operators we spoke to only accepted cash, and the cash machines in Uyuni are famously temperamental – so make sure you have enough cash before arriving in Uyuni.
Uyuni Salt Flats One-Day Tour Itinerary
Here’s a breakdown of everything we enjoyed on the one-day Uyuni Salt Flats tour.
The Train Cemetery
The Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes) is a unique and eerie site located near Uyuni, Bolivia, just outside of the town. It is an old, abandoned railway yard filled with rusting locomotives and carriages.
I had very low expectations for this first stop – expecting it to be a huge tourist trap. However, it was fantastic! It was really interesting and offered some great photo opportunities.
The site was once part of the Bolivian railway system, which was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to connect the interior of Bolivia with Chile and Argentina. The trains were crucial for transporting minerals, especially silver, from Bolivia’s highlands to coastal ports for export.
However, after a series of economic and political factors (including the decline of Bolivia’s mining industry, shifts in transportation technology, and the loss of Bolivia’s coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific in the late 1800s), the rail network fell into disuse.
Over time, the trains were abandoned, and the site has become a symbol of the country’s past industrial glory and subsequent decline.
Salt Processing Factory
To tell the truth, this was my least favourite part of the day. We visited a salt processing factory where we were shown how salt becomes the household products we all use.
Although the demonstration was interesting, it felt rushed, and then there was a hard sell on the many salt-based products.
There is a small market outside where you can buy snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. I recommend purchasing some gloves from here if you don’t already have some – it gets extremely cold once the sun sets.
Onto The Salt Flats!
The third stop of the day takes you onto the all-important salt flats!
After a short but breathtaking drive, the driver stopped, and we were treated to three amazing sites: the thermal pools, the Dakar monument, and the famous Bolivia sign.
The thermal pools are extremely small (in fact, I wouldn’t have noticed them without our guide pointing them out!), but they are a real natural phenomenon. Seeing the warm water boil out of the bright white ground is truly mesmerising.
The Dakar Monument is a tribute to the Dakar Rally, which passed through Bolivia as part of its route from 2014 to 2018. The rally began in 1978 and is an annual off-road endurance race that typically takes place across multiple countries, covering thousands of kilometres of rough terrain.
And finally, the Bolivia sign, which is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s another fantastic photo spot.
Lunch
Next, we headed to what was formerly a salt hotel, now used as a museum.
We enjoyed a surprisingly tasty lunch of meats, roasted potatoes, quinoa and salad. We had around forty-five minutes to eat, chat and relax before heading to our next stop.
Notably, it costs five Bolivianos to use the bathroom here to be sure to have some cash ready.
Salt Flat Photography
Next, it’s either your favourite or least favourite part of the day, depending on your personality type. We drove out into what felt like the middle of nowhere and spent an hour being directed by our driver-come-photographer to get those famous salt flat shots.
If you’ve not already bonded with your group, you will do so at this point. Let loose and enjoy yourself! This was so much fun; the pictures and videos are amazing.
Isla Incahuasi
Isla Incahuasi (also known as Inca Island) is a small, rocky island in Salar de Uyuni.
The island is covered with giant cacti (some species can grow over 10 meters tall). These cacti are unique to the island and thrive in the harsh conditions of the Salar. The cacti are particularly iconic because they starkly contrast to the island’s white salt crust.
The hike around Isla Incahuasi is fantastic. It only takes around 45 minutes (and this accounts for plenty of photo stops). Although you must pay a small extra fee to enter (30 BOB), it is completely worth it!
Isla Incahuasi is believed to have been a key point of interest for ancient cultures in the region, particularly the Incans. However, its role in their civilisation is still a matter of some debate.
Reflective Shots and Sunset
The day’s final stop was the most magical part and rounded off my favourite day in Bolivia perfectly. I understand that many tours don’t include this. So, when shopping around, I seriously recommend enquiring.
From Isla Incahuasi, we drove for around 40 minutes before our driver pulled over and advised us all to change into our waterproof boots. The tour company provided these.
We changed into our footwear and hopped back into the car for another ten minutes until we reached the area with water. There were other cars around, but everyone had plenty of space, so it didn’t feel overcrowded.
We took those famous reflective shots while our driver set up a table and chairs, brought out some snacks, and cracked open a bottle of red wine for us to share. We sat together with new friends and watched the sun fall down across the salt flats—an absolutely unforgettable end to a wonderful day in Uyuni.
What to Take With You – Uyuni Salt Flats Tour
💦Plenty of Water. Uyuni is at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level. Therefore, it is very important to stay hydrated to prevent sickness.
💰Cash. You will need 30 BOB to pay the entrance fee for Isla Inchahuasi and small fees to use the bathroom at some of the stops.
🧤Coat and Gloves. If you stay on the salt flats for sunset, you will be surprised at how fast the temperature drops! I recommend bringing a warm coat and gloves to ensure you enjoy the late afternoon and evening.
🧢 Sun Protection. The altitude, bright sunshine and reflective surface are a recipe for some serious sunburn! So, ensure you have sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap to protect yourself.
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