This three-day expedition starts out in the dusty town of Uyuni with the first stop at an ancient train “cemetery” full of 19th-century train cars rusting away. We then move on to the settlement of Colchani, where you can learn about how salt continues to be artisanally harvested and processed for export to La Paz and beyond, as well as transformed into handicrafts. We then continue on to the famous Isla Incahuasi where you can hike across the island covered with huge cactus plants and home to endemic bird species and cuter-than-cute vizcachas.
After lunch we continue on to the south, spending the afternoon crossing the Salar, seemingly lost but actually on our way to one of several villages on the edge of the flat, where we spend the night in a simple family hostel enjoying typical and local meals. The rooms are shared, dormitory-style, among all group participants.
On Day 2, we continue on our way to and through the world-renowned Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, famous for its unique, high desert lunar landscapes dotted with colored lakes, volcanoes and Andean fauna such as flamingos, vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and others. Highlights include the Stone Tree, Ollague Volcano, the Siloli Desert, and the Andean Lagoons. At the end of the day, we arrive to our family hostel. The rooms are shared, dormitory-style, among all group participants.
On our third and final day, we depart before sunrise (put on your hat and gloves!). We observe the sunrise from the Sol de Mañana Geysers at a mere 4800m above sea level and then head to the local thermal waters for an early morning dip. After the thermal waters, we enjoy breakfast and move to Laguna Blanca (White Lake) and Laguna Verde (Green Lake). We continue to the border Bolivia – Chile and later take the transport to arrive at the Atacama Desert and the village of San Pedro de Atacama at noon.
We can help you with your excursion in San Pedro de Atacama as well, just ask your travel agent.
Program Details
Duration: 3-day
Difficulty: 2: Moderate walking, rolling terrain*
Itinerary: Day 1: Uyuni – Colchani – Salt Flats – Incahuasi Island – San Juan; Day 2: San Juan – Andean Lagoons – Eduardo Avaroa Reserve- Siloli Desert; Day 3: Siloli Desert – Geiser Sol de Mañana – Green Lagoon – Hito Cajones – San Pedro de Atacama
Highlights: Salt Flats – Colored Lagoons – Deserts – Geysers – Thermal Waters – Andean Fauna
Price: $230/pp min. 1.
Inclusions: Private transport, meals, entrance fees, lodging, Local driver guide (Spanish only), meals from lunch day 1 to breakfast day 3
Note: We have this tour on private service as well.
* Click here for details on program difficulty level
