OVERVIEW
TRIP LENGTH
4 Days / 3 Nights
SEASON
January/December
ADVENTURE TYPE
Nature, Treckking, Culture
DESTINATION
Uyuni / Uyuni
MIN.AGE
12 years old (children under 12 must be accompanied by a tutor or parent).
TIME OF DEPARTURE
10 AM
TRIP BEGINS/ENDS
Uyuni
The Uyuni Salt Flats –or Salar de Uyuni- is the highlight of any trip to Bolivia, as it represents a unique experience, impossible to equal anywhere else in the world. This legendary prehistoric lake, called Lago Minchín, went dry between 30,000 to 42,000 years ago, leaving behind the most dazzling desert-like landscape of glistening bright-white salt flats, cacti-studded islands and rock formations.
Located in the southwest of Bolivia, the Salt Flats is the largest salt desert in the world. With an altitude of 3653 meters above the sea level, denoting a cold desert climate, the area goes through two distinct seasons: the dry season (between May and October) and the rainy season (between November and April), during which the desert floods creating a natural mirror and a one-of-a-kind scenery.
However, the Salt Flats are not the only treasure this area offers its visitors. This Altiplanic region is also home to Andean lagoons inhabited by pink flamingoes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient coral lands, mythical caves used as sacred burial grounds by pre-Inca civilizations, and active geysers reaching an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level.
At Enhance Travel we have taken great care in building a fulfilling package that will allow you to explore and discover Bolivia’s most outstanding destination, while catering to your every need. Placing you at the frontier of endless natural beauty, this three-day tour will provide you with an unforgettable travel and life experience.
ITINERARY
The tour will start in the town of Uyuni at approximately 10am: depending on your preferences, we can pick you up directly from the airport, the bus terminal or your accommodation in Uyuni. We will then start the day by visiting the indigenous community of Colchani to observe the elaboration of iodized salt in its rustic form.
We then enter the white deserts in their fullness, driving straight in the middle of the magical Salar de Uyuni. Here, we will visit the typical landscapes of extraction, the Piles of Salt; the unique “eyes of salt”; and the first salt hotel, now a museum; you will be able to enjoy and wonder around the Salt Flats, take perspective and reflection pictures –simply amazing. Lunch will later be served in the heart of the Salt Flats, giving you the incredible opportunity of enjoying traditional food immersed in this unique white desert. In the afternoon, we will take a short trek through the Sajchilla Island*, a largely unexplored site scattered by giant cactuses, and the Chantani Museum. We will finally enjoy the sunset over the Salt Flats.
In the evening, we will arrive to our salt accommodation to spend the night after a warm dinner.
After breakfast, we will visit the Andean Lagoons home to pink flamingo populations before entering the Chiguana Salt Flats -a smaller salt desert located south of Uyuni. We will then visit the community of San Juan and the natural viewpoint to the Ollague Volcano (still active). Finally, we will enter the salt deserts of Uyuni to hike through the famous Incahuasi (or “Fisherman”) Island*, an ancient island of volcanic rock located in the middle of the Salt Flats and home to millenary giant cacti. In the evening, we will reach our salt accommodation to spend the night after a warm dinner.
Today day we will finally enter the National Park Eduardo Abaroa. We will start the day visiting the Siloli Desert and the famous Stone Tree, later passing through the Colored Lagoon. We will then stop to observe the astonishing geysers “Sol de Mañana” (we are now at an altitude of approximately 5 thousand meters above the sea level). In the afternoon, we will visit the impressive Salvador Dali Desert and the Green Lagoon, stopping later at the thermal springs. Finally, we will visit the Inca Canyon.
This last day we will visit the Turquiri Lagoon and the astonishing Valley of Rocks. We will then visit the Canyon of the Devil (Cañon del Diablo) start our return back to Uyuni. On the way we will visit the traditional villages of Villamar, Villa Alota and Culpina, as well as the mining town of San Cristobal. Finally, we will visit the Train Cemetery -an immense train graveyard eroded by the salt winds located in the shores of the Uyuni Salt Flats. The tour ends in Uyuni at approximately 6.30pm.
DATES & RATES
Dates
Rates
Supplementary Information
• Smoking is not allowed in any of the hotels.
• Drinks from outside the Hotels are not allowed to be brought inside.
• Buffet breakfast from 6:00am to 9:00am
• Rooms with private bathroom
• Room service, heater and warm water (Only on the hours as informed below)
• Electric energy: Flamencos Altiplano Eco-Hotel hours: from 18:00pm to 22:00pm / Hotel Tambo Coquesa lodge has 24 hours of energy.
Included:
• Transportation on a 4x4 jeep
• Skilled Driver
• 3-night accommodation
• Meals throughout the tour (4 box lunches, 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts)
• Oxygen tank and First Aid kit
Not Included:
Private rooms (upon request)
• Tour guide in foreign language (upon request)
• Transportation from/to La Paz (can be arranged)
• Entrance fees (Incahuasi Island: $4.50 and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve: $22)
• Tips and Extras not mentioned in the Programme
What to bring:
• Warm clothing
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Water
• Camera
Comments:
• At any activity, we recommend you to bring enough cash in Bolivianos (BOB), try to usually bring some bills of short value (10 BOB, 20 BOB, 50 BOB)
