Salar d'Uyuni & Lipez Lagoons
3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS - Rates on request
Private accommodation - Board according to program
Itinerary
Day 1 - Uyuni - Turquiri Lagoon - Jewels of the Andes - Siloli Desert - Uyuni
Departure from Uyuni. On the way, visit the church of San Cristóbal and the train cemetery, where you can see the remains of locomotives from the IXX and XX centuries.
We continue our discovery with a visit to the Turquiri lagoonat 4261 m.s.n.m., a magnificent lagoon of dark waters, also known as the Black Lagoon, inhabited by endemic ducks of the same color as its waters.
The scenery is breathtaking! You'll also see tall rocks with strange formations, where it's possible to observe large Yareta plants in the vicinity.
Packed lunch included during the excursion.
Continuation to the Jewels of the Andes: this region owes its name to the magnificent and captivating lagoons that populate it. Situated at altitudes of between 4,000m and 4,200m, these lagoons create dreamlike landscapes, full of beauty and serenity, one of the most beautiful portraits of Bolivia. Named Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramadita, these lagoons feature different shades of color and calm, serene waters.
Departure for the "Paseo del León", an ochre and beige canyon with numerous rock shelters contrasting with the green of the huge clumps of "Yareta".
Continuation to the Siloli Desert.
Arrival and check-in at hotel.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 2 - Siloli Desert - Green Lagoon - Red Lagoon - San Pedro de Quemez - Uyuni
Early departure for the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (REA) in the Sud Lípez region. This reserve is one of the country's most important natural tourist attractions, thanks to its otherworldly landscapes of arid deserts and icy lagoons, making it one of the country's most emblematic regions.
Drive through the Siloli Desert. Situated at an altitude of 4000m. This arid desert with its icy gusts of wind boasts some magnificent geological structures. Among them, the Stone Tree, a natural volcanic formation shaped by erosion, is one of the highlights of the day. The journey continues to Sol de Mañana, at an altitude of around 4850m. This is a site of significant volcanic activity, with hundreds of geysers bubbling, hissing and smoking in the icy air.
Due to its geothermal properties, there are plans to turn it into a renewable energy production site in the future, hence the name Sol de Mañana, the Sun of Tomorrow. Continuing on to the Salar de Chalviri region, where you can visit the thermal waters of Polques. This is the time to take advantage of the site's healing properties during an open-air swim at 4,000m altitude.
Then it's off across the "Dalí Desert" at 4660m altitude, with its strange rock formations reminiscent of paintings by the Spanish master.
Continuation by private vehicle to Laguna Verde, situated at an altitude of around 4,350 metres and covering an area of 17 km². Its fluorescent appearance is due to a very high concentration of magnesium in the surrounding rocks, which accentuates the color contrasts between the lagoon and the mountains.
The laguna blanca is right next door.
Packed lunch included during the excursion.
Continuation to the famous Laguna Colorada. Situated at an altitude of 4278m, this multicolored lake is predominantly reddish in hue, due to the presence of several types of red algae that feed some 30,000 flamingos. The view of the lagoon and its flamingos, with the Ollague volcano in the background, is breathtaking.
En route, visit the Ollagüe volcano lookout. To the west, you can see the fumaroles of Ollagüe, the only active volcano in the region, on the border with Chile. Enjoy a spectacular view of the volcano, which rises to an altitude of 5868 m, a veritable colossus in the midst of the wide open Andes of the Lipez region.
Continuation to San Pedro de Quemez.
Check-in at hotel.
Dinner & overnight stay.
Day 3 - San Pedro de Quemez - Incahuasi Island - Uyuni
Visit the surrounding area and the burnt village, a vestige of the Pacific War with Chile at the end of the 19th century. Then off to the Grotta delle Galaxie, where you can contemplate strange geological formations, the result of contact between lava and water (when the Salar was once a sea).
Departure for the Salar. The Salar d'Uyuni was once part of a salt lake or "prehistoric inland sea", Lake Minchin, which covered most of south-western Bolivia. At over 12,000 km2, it is considered the world's largest salt desert. Stroll through this mysterious vastness as your journey takes you into the depths of these historic landscapes.
Packed lunch included during the excursion.
Visit to Incahuasi Island (Inca House in Quechua), the most spectacular in the Salar. It's a volcanic formation populated by giant cacti (some over 8m tall). It offers captivating views over the salt desert. Time is set aside to take perspective shots of the white immensity before returning to Uyuni.
Please note: December to March is the rainy season in the Salar region. During this season, it's not always possible to reach Incahuasi Island by car, as the Salar can be flooded. Nevertheless, the scenery is magnificent, with the sky reflected in the water. During the months of June to August, temperatures can drop very sharply, so be sure to bring very warm clothing.
Back to Uyuni.
Hotels
San Pedro de Quemez: 3* Hotel de Piedra
Siloli Desert: 3* Hotel del Desierto
Hotel categories are based on national standards. Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. In the event of non-availability, they will be replaced by hotels of equivalent category. Upgrade to a higher category is possible.
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- All land transfers in private vehicles.
- 02 nights' hotel accommodation (including breakfast) in the establishments listed in the hotels section.
- All visits mentioned with Spanish-speaking driver.
- All admissions to museums and sites of interest as per program.
- Ongoing assistance from our office and local operators throughout the tour.
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- Meals (except those mentioned as included in the program).
- Beverages.
- L- Carrying luggage.
- Tips (drivers, restaurants, guides, etc.), extras and any other personal expenses.
