Salar de Uyuni salt flats | Bolivia | South America
FROM: USD $3,925 pp

Discover the highlights of Bolivia as you visit the Bolivian Highlands, colonial Potosi and the incredible salt flats in Uyuni where you stay in a hotel made entirely of salt! Explore the famous rock formations of the Valley of the Giants before finishing up in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile!

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
COVID SAFE GUIDE

Trip Highlights

La Paz - one of the highest capitals in the world.
The Miner's market of Calvario and the private silver mines.
The incredible salt flats of Uyuni.
The multi-coloured Laguna Colorada where the James Flamingos flock.
The pre-Columbian archaeological site of Tiahuanacu.
Potosi - a gorgeous example of native artwork with many pretty churches and temples.
The famous rock formations of the Valley of the Giants.
San Pedro de Atacama - an oasis town in the expansive Atacama Desert.

Included

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Services of a English-speaking guides at local sites
All relevant transfers and transportation
Guided tour of Kalasasaya Temple and Akapana Pyramid. Afternoon tour of the miner's market in Calvario
Excursion to the Uyuni Salt Flats including Fish Island and the cemetery of trains
Visit to the Laguna Colorada and the Sol de Manana geysers
7 nights STANDARD accommodation. Upgrading to SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details
Overnight bus from La Paz to Potosi
Guided day tour of La Paz
Guided tour of Potosi including National Mint of Bolivia
Visits to the church of San Cristobal and the villages of Culpina and Alota

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
Items of a personal nature, drinks and additional meals

Itinerary

Day 1

La Paz

Welcome to Bolivia, upon arrival you'll be met at La Paz airport and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to independently explore the highest capital city in the world.
Overnight: La Paz

Day 2

La Paz

Today you'll enjoy a full day tour of the scenic city of La Paz - visit world-class museums like the Gold, Murillo and Costumbrista, explore traditional street markets and head up to the Mirador de Killi Killi for fantastic views over the city. Later you'll marvel at the geological formations of the Valley of the Moon, located 10km outside the city.
Overnight: La Paz  |  Breakfast

Day 3

Potosi

Travelling through the Bolivian Highlands, you get the opportunity to see the Aymara Indian's way of life - one of the oldest American cultures. It is considered the cradle of the American man and one of the most advanced cultures in development at that time. Their main constructions which you will visit are the Kalasasaya Temple to see its Gate of the Sun, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile, the Akapana pyramid and the Semi underground temple. Visit the old colonial village of Tiahuanaco, where you can see the use of stones from the ruins in their constructions. You also visit the Puma Punku Temple, an example of extremely high quality in stone carving. Tonight we travel by overnight bus to Potosi.
Overnight: Overnight Bus  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Potosi

Arriving early on day 4, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you depart to the miner’s market “Calvario”, where you will be able to buy coca leaves and cigarettes, which can be given to the miners. You’ll continue to the silver mines where you can visit the private, cooperative mines and watch the miners at work. Exploration of the silver began in the colonial period and is maintained today using the same working tools. You shall see the traditional rites where the miners pray to Tata Ckajcha or make the “Ch’alla” to the “Tio“(God of the mines, owner of the silver).
Overnight: Potosi  |  Breakfast

Days 5-6

Uyuni

Enjoy a guided tour of colonial Potosi, dating from the days when this city, the highest in the world, was larger than either London or Paris. A gorgeous example of native artwork with many pretty churches and temples including the church of San Lorenzo. Also visit the National Mint of Bolivia before transferring to Uyuni. On day 6 depart for the incredible salt flats of Uyuni. Arrive into Colchani which is the best place to observe the methods of salt extraction from the salar. Included today is a trip to Fish Island, a unique oasis with giant cacti reaching 10m high. There’s also time to see the cemetery of trains where the remains of 19th century steam locomotives rest. Enjoy lunch out on the salt flats. Lunch is taken in the middle of the Salt Flats and later on continue to the archaeology museum of Coqusa and on to the exclusive Hotel Palacio de Sal built entirely of salt. This evening opt for a night stroll through the eerie surroundings.
Overnight: Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region   |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Day 7

Villa Mar

Transfer to Villa Mar enroute visiting the colonial church of San Cristobal, the villages of Culpina and Alota and the famous rock formations of the Valley of the Giants. You’ll also visit local cave paintings and the fort of Tomas Lakjas
Overnight: Villa Mar   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

San Pedro de Atacama

On the morning of day 8 visit the multi-coloured Laguna Colorada where James Flamingos flock. The rich red colouration is derived from algae and plankton, which thrive in its minerals. Continue to Laguna Verde where the Licancahur Volcano looms large. Along the way visit the Sol de Manana geysers, the Chalviri thermal waters and the Valle de Dali. This is a site of intense volcanic activity. After lunch cross the border into Chile and enjoy the impressive views of the Atacama Salar with a beautiful view of the Licancábur Volcano of 5916 meters of altitude as you transfer to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9

San Pedro de Atacama

Today marks the end of services with a departure transfer to Calama Airport.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The 'Single Room' price is applicable when a single room is required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.

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Dates
Twin / Share
Single Room
USD $3925
USD $4685

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
La Paz
Ends
San Pedro de Atacama
Departs
Any day of the year
Hotel Rating
Standard (superior and deluxe available on request)
Tour Guide
Yes - for all included sightseeing
Meals
Breakfast: 8, Lunch: 5, Dinner: 3
Visiting
La Paz, Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region , San Pedro de Atacama, Potosi
Countries
Potosi Itinerary 1
Uyuni salt flats - Itinerary 1
Desert, moonlike landscape of red, rugged rocks and mountains in the background

The tour was good value and had a well balanced itinerary.

Accomodation, especially in La Paz and Uyuni was good. The enthusiasm and organisation of the tour leader made the tour excellent instead of just good.

Moikall Sprague
OTG001235Highlights of Bolivia - 9 daysSouth AmericaTailor-madeSouth Americafalse0Boliviahttps://www.onthegotours.com/Chile/Highlights-of-Bolivia-9-dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/HighlightsofBoliviaItinerary2SouthAmerica-203761361956811_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgPrivate_Tours