Visit the Uyuni Salar: full guide

When you travel to South America, are you looking for wonders? Discover the Uyuni Salar, the salt desert in the south-west of Bolivia!

The globe-trotters all dream of going there, so the place is exceptional. Located southwest of Bolivia, the Salar d’Uyuni is one of the most beautiful places in South America. This large salt desert of 11,000 km2 offers a unique landscape. Also, he says that the amount of salt present would count in billions. Moreover, its flat relief makes that, during the flooding period, the desert created a simply magical reflection effect. Finally, it is possible to visit the Uyuni Salar in several ways.

So, ready for wonder? Discover our comprehensive guide on how to visit the Uyuni Salar!

1. Shipping in 4×4

Going on a 4×4 expedition is the most democratized way to visit the Uyuni Salar. There are several formulas:

• Visit to one half-day,
• Go for the full day,
• Go for it 2-3 days.

Depending on the duration of your shipment, several steps will be scheduled. In addition, most of the proposed 4×4 expeditions combine the visit of the Uyuni Salar with several other places like the Salar d’Actama, Laguna Colarada and/or the rest of the South-Lipez.

Finally, if it is technically possible to go on road trip alone, the weather conditions being harsh it is strongly advised to leave accompanied. Care is often done from your hotel.

At what price?

The price will obviously depend on the duration of your shipment and what it understands. But the rates turn in 120€ and climb up to 300€ .

2. The motorcycle session

Making a motorcycle session is another popular way to visit the Uyuni Salar. Fans of sensational driving and two wheels have every interest in favouring this option. Leaving on a motorcycle also allows you to choose whether you want to only rent a bike or go in turn.

In the case of a tower, there are several durations:

• The crossing in one half-day;
• The tower for the full dayeither on salt or in Dakar mode;
• A tour of 2 days;
• Going in turn 3 days;
• The big tower 5 days.

At what price?

Prices start at about 120€ for a half-day and climb up to 1 300€ for a 5-day tour. The longest excursions are therefore not within the reach of all portfolios.

3. The ATV Tour

For the least in a hurry or for the most athletic, it is possible to visit the Uyuni Salar in ATV. The opportunity to pedal on one of the most beautiful places on the continent while enjoying a 360° view. However, this option is only possible when the desert is dry.

Watch out, visiting the Uyuni Mountain Bike Salar means pedaling for tens of kilometers. The fact that the desert is flat makes this choice accessible to a wide range of people. However, if you are not used to making such distances by bike, take a break. If you have a sufficient physical condition, do not take this risk.

If you opt for a mountain bike tour, it is necessary to own some equipment:

• Des suitable clothing weather conditions,
• One. GPS,
• Des baggage,
• Des sufficient food rations,
• Dude toilet paper,
• One first aid kit,
• One. site guide or sites visited·s,
• One. helmet;
• A tent, a mattress and big coversIf you camp.

At what price?

If you book a prepared tour, prices for a day will be around them 550€ . If you buy the material yourself, the prices will depend on the material chosen, its quality and its equipment.

4. Bus transfers to Uyuni Salar

Whether to visit the most beautiful places or for combined tours, there are bus transfers. A way to visit the Uyuni Salar, or more, while optimizing its time. Especially if we come from another part of the country, or from abroad.

The place of departure may vary. It is sometimes possible to start the trip from La Paz. In this case, count 10 hours. And even from another country, since the country is longed by several countries. So plan to sleep comfortably in a means of transport not intended for this purpose.

It is also possible to visit several places and make steps, then descend the time of the visit.

At what price?

The transfer price depends on the type of bus selected. Thus, the cheapest start to 13€ and high-end costs about 30€ .

5. The plane overflight

If you want to take height, it is possible to fly over the site. Tourist flights allow you to cross Bolivia and admire the most beautiful natural places in the country, including the Salar d’Uyuni. Among the other places, the Cordillera of the Andes, El Oriente, the whole Altipano etc. These flights often include meals, transfers from the hotel and a private guide. Some also include accommodation.

There are air towers specific to the desert, lasting 3 days 2 nights. These formulas start in La Paz and include breakfasts, lunches, accommodation and an English-speaking guide.

The advantage of such excursions is that it includes a road visit to the site, but add a surplus value to the magnificent air panoramas that can be admired during the flights.

At what price?

The price of these air towers depends on their duration and the content included. In general, the price of excursions is between 800€ and more than 1000€ . Moreover, the packages do not almost never include travel insurance. So take a supplement if you want to enjoy it.

6. The hike

Hiking fans will have the opportunity to visit the Uyuni Salar while walking. If a good physical condition and resistance to difficult climatic conditions are necessary, the desert offers this possibility.

Hiking and treks are organized by operating companies. These offers almost systematically combine several places such as the Uyuni Salar and the Aticama Desert. The advantage of these offers is that we leave accompanied and therefore that the risks are limited. However, these treks are spread over ten days. So you have to plan a long journey to enjoy it.

If you don’t have so much time, you can organize the hike yourself. However, plan to do steps and adapt them to your physical abilities. Plan a suitable equipment to such adventures and take adequate rations , water and what to do your needs . One emergency kit is also necessary.

At what price?

If you leave by your own means, the price will vary according to the equipment purchased. On the other hand, organized treks are very expensive not accessible to all budgets. We have to count 4 500€ minimum per person for such an adventure. And yet, some insurance is not included.

7. One night in the Uyuni Salar

It is strongly discouraged to camp for himself at the Salar d’Uyuni. The conditions are very harsh and the idea can quickly turn badly. However, if you want to do so, it will be necessary to equip yourself with consequences and purchase reliable equipment.

On the other hand, some operators organize escapades including the night in a camp in the middle of the desert. These programs often last 3 days 2 nights. These offers allow you to live an exceptional moment and not go on adventure alone.

At what price?

To offer such a program, you will have to pay a more than substantial amount. Offers can start €260 for camping only, for 2 days. For 3 days 2 nights all inclusive, prices climb up to more than €3 000 .

So? Did you decide what trip are you going to do to visit the Uyuni Salar?