Compare Real Bolivia & Argentina by Intrepid Travel vs Uyuni Salt Flats Tour 3 Days 2 Nights (Roundtrip from Uyuni) by Keteka

Day 1 La Paz

Bienvenidos! Welcome to La Paz. The highest capital city in the world, this Bolivian hub rests on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau, 3500 m above sea level. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, why not head out to find the perfect dinner spot (your leader will have lots of recommendations) or explore the nightlife with your fellow travellers.

Day 2 La Paz

Today, you’ll head out on a brief guided walk with your leader. La Paz is a city renowned for its markets, especially the Mercado de Hechiceria (the Witches' Market), which sells potions, incantations, stones and artefacts. Ask a local about their significance – most people are happy to explain. Then you’ll have some free time to explore. Maybe visit the Coca Museum, which isn’t too far from your hotel in the Rosario district. Late this afternoon, leave La Paz on an overnight bus to Uyuni. There are comfortable recliner seats on the bus, but it can be cold on board, so it’s important to bring warm clothing and wear base layers. There’s usually a toilet on the bus, and the driver will make a couple of stops along the way.

Day 3 Salar de Uyuni

This morning you’ll arrive in Uyuni Town. This remote town sits on the edge of the high Altiplano – a wilderness area extending for hundreds of kilometres towards the border with Argentina and Chile. Over the next three days, you’ll explore Bolivia’s highlights and fascinating landscapes in a 4WD – an experience of a lifetime! The first stop will be an eerie Train Cemetery (a super unique Instagram spot), then, you’ll continue to Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flats. This is one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world and definitely a trip highlight, so make sure you take some amazing photos, explore on foot and take it all in. Make the most of your time on the salt flats before exploring Inka Wasi Isla – a rocky island covered in cacti and coral-like structures.

Day 4 Bolivian Altiplano

Today will be spent driving through the spectacular landscape of the Andean (Atacama) Desert, sprinkled with volcanoes and lakes. Stop by the red lake of Laguna Colorada, where you’ll be able to spot wildlife like llamas, flamingos, viscachas and foxes feasting in the nutrient-rich waters.

Day 5 Bolivia/Chile Border- San Pedro de Atacama

This morning, rise and shine early to embrace the cold and stop by the desert’s natural thermal baths for an optional soak. Then head to the Bolivia and Chile border, where the Bolivian part of your trip comes to an end. Pass by geysers, salt flats and snow-capped volcanoes on your way to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. As a small oasis town, San Pedro is surrounded by extraordinary scenery. Arriving around 3 pm, your night is free to find a delicious local dinner with your group.

Day 6-7 San Pedro de Atacama

Over the next two days, get under the skin of San Pedro. The local cafe and restaurant scene has grown considerably over the last couple of years, with a mix of Chilean, French and Italian influences, so you’ll definitely find a great spot for lunch and dinner. Bike rental is popular here, so maybe opt to grab a set of wheels and explore on your own or with your group, seeing the city in the best way. If you’d prefer something else active, you can also go sandboarding in the dunes or join an astronomical tour once the stars come out – just chat to your leader for details.

Day 8 Chile/Argentina border - Salta

Today will be a long day of travel as you leave San Pedro and head for Salta, Argentina. Salta's rich history, colonial architecture, friendly locals and natural surroundings make it one of Argentina's main attractions. Grab a window seat or a good book and watch the scenery pass you by. Tonight, you’re free to rest or head out for a late dinner when you arrive.

Day 9 Salta

After breakfast, today is a free day to explore Salta and its many attractions. If you’re after something active, hike up the 1070 steps to the summit of Cerro San Bernardo, the mountain that looms over Salta. If you'd prefer, you can also take a gondola (cable car) to the top to take in the views of the mountainous city below. Either way, the view from the top is magnificent!

Day 10 Salta - Buenos Aires

After breakfast and a free morning in Salta, you’ll take an included flight to Buenos Aires – Argentina's capital. When you arrive, you might like to head to a local tango show or a football match. Maybe grab a steak and glass of Malbec – the steak and wine combo is what Argentina is known for – in one of the city’s fashionable restaurants for dinner.

Day 11 Buenos Aires

Today is free to explore Buenos Aires. Join the tourists and walk among the tombs at the La Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Eva Peron. There are also some great museums to check out in the Recoleta district. Visit the neighbourhood of La Boca, home to the colourful Caminito artists’ street and world-renowned soccer team, Boca Juniors. If you need to rest your feet, settle down at one of the many streetside cafes to watch the world go by with the locals. Tonight, why not head out to a couple of bars with your group for some classic Argentinian nightlife?

Day 12 Buenos Aires

After breakfast, your adventure comes to an end. There are no activities planned for today, so you can leave the accommodation at any time after check-out.

Day 1: Visit the world’s largest salt flats and stay in a hostel made of salt

The trip begins with a pickup at your hostel in Uyuni around 10:30 am. The first stop on the tour is the Train Cemetery, where you’ll see some of the oldest trains on the continent, rusted from the harsh climate. From there, the group move on to the town of Colchani, where you will learn about processing of salt, meet local artisans, and visit the Salt Museum.

Then, it’s on to the main attraction — the famous salt flats! The Uyuni Salt Flat is the world’s largest — at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 square miles). It’s situated at 3,656 meters (11,995 feet) above sea level. The flat was formed from prehistoric lakes. Today, you’ll have the chance to see the Salt Mountains, salt extraction facilities, and the “Eyes of the Salt Flat,” where water bubbles to the surface.

You will also visit Isla Incahuasi, an island of coral and giant cacti in the middle of the flats (30 boliviano entrance fee not included in the tour price). The day ends in the town of San Juan, where you will stay in a hostel that is made completely of salt.

Day 2: See wildlife and otherworldly rock formations

Accommodation: A hostel in Huayllajara

The exact order of Day 2 depends on weather and where other tour groups are that day, but you will see all of the following sights:

Cave Paintings

Valley of the Rocks – featuring formations, such as The Lost City of Italy, the World Cup, Camel, and many others!

Black Lagoon – This area is full of altiplanic flora and fauna, including tawas (black ducks with yellow faces), geese, and native vegetation.

Catal Canyon

The Fresh Water Waterfall Lookout Point – From here, you can see a valley that is home to many Andean towns that make their livings tending animals, such as llamas and alpacas.

Day 3: Relax in hot springs and visit high-altitude lagoons

Today is an early start, so that you can see the bright red lake, Laguna Colorada, which is a nesting ground at times for over 30,000 flamingos. Next, the group will visit the Geysers of the Morning Sun. Incredible natural spouts of steam spout from the ground at over 90°C (194°F), at an altitude of 4,900 meters (just over 16,000 feet!).

From there, you will go to the Polques hot springs, where you can enjoy the hot water before continuing the trip. After a relaxing dip, you’ll visit the Dalí Desert, named after Salvador Dalí, as it features rocks that are reminiscent of the style he uses in many of his paintings.

From here, the group continues to White Lagoon (Laguna Blanca) and Green Lagoon (Laguna Verde), both located at the foot of the impressive Licancabur Volcano. Once you are done checking out Laguna Verde, you will begin the return journey to Uyuni, which takes about 7 hours. You will stop for lunch around midday, but otherwise not stop many times on the way back. You will arrive back in Uyuni around 5:00 pm (17:00).