Located in southwestern Bolivie at the border with Chile, the Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt desert. With its dazzling white landscapes that seem to stretch endlessly, it is an unmissable stop during a trip to Bolivie. Discover all our tips for preparing an excursion to Salar d'Uyuni.

What to see during an excursion to Salar d'Uyuni ?

On the road leading you to the Salar d'Uyuni desert, you can visit the famous salt extraction zones. You can also make a stop at the Train Cemetery. Located 3 km from Uyuni station, you can see numerous abandoned locomotives and wagons that were once used for transporting silver ore.

Once you reach Salar d'Uyuni, we recommend that in addition to enjoying the incredible landscapes of the salt desert, you:

• Hike on Incahuasi coral island: situated in the middle of the Salar, this island (also called "House of the Inca"), is dotted with giant cacti, some reaching over thirty meters. By climbing to the top of its hill, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Salar d'Uyuni desert !

• Watch the sunset from the desert: experience the majestic colors reflected beneath your feet, especially when the desert is covered with water and becomes a true mirror !

• Sleep in a salt hotel: if you wish to enhance your excursion with an unusual experience, we highly recommend spending the night in one of the salt hotels in the desert. Once night falls, you will be mesmerized by the atmosphere of the place…

Beyond the desert itself, other natural treasures await discovery around Salar d'Uyuni. Among them, we can mention :

• A visit to the lagoons at the borders of Bolivie and Chile. Laguna Colorada (renowned for its colony of pink flamingos and its striking red water color) is located in the Andean Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. As for the Verde and Blanca lagoons situated at the foot of Juriques and Licancabur volcanoes, they offer an enchanting landscape with emerald-green water !

• Polques hot springs which offer a moment of relaxation overlooking the Chalviri lagoon.

• Sol de Mañana geysers which emit jets of steam and hot water at a height between 30 and 165 feet !

• Tunupa volcano, located north of Salar d'Uyuni and whose ascent will delight trekking and hiking enthusiasts !

How much time should you plan to visit Salar d'Uyuni ?

While it is possible to visit Salar d'Uyuni in a day, we strongly recommend undertaking a multi-day excursion to make the most of the location. Indeed, travel times are relatively long due to the vast distances to cover. Furthermore, by choosing a multi-day stay, you can also discover the sites of the desert zones beyond the salt plain (lagoons, hot springs…). It's also an opportunity to enjoy this getaway by sleeping in a salt hotel ! For all these reasons, we suggest planning at least 3 days to visit the Salar d'Uyuni desert and its surroundings.

When to visit Salar d'Uyuni ?

It all depends on the state in which you wish to see Salar d'Uyuni ! Indeed, the site experiences two main seasons: the rainy season (from December to March) and the dry season (from April to November). The first is preferable if you wish to observe the famous mirror effect made possible by water. Note however that if the site is flooded, it can become impassable and therefore inaccessible (particularly between January and February). It's up to you to take the risk or not ! If you opt for a trip to Salar d'Uyuni during the dry season, you can admire its soil with grid-like cracked patterns.

How to get to Salar d'Uyuni ?

Most Salar circuits depart from the town of Uyuni, starting from Plaza Arce or from the village of Tupiza. To visit the Salar d'Uyuni desert, the most common method is by 4x4. You can also find excursions by motorcycle.

Although it is technically possible to reach Salar d'Uyuni on your own, we advise you to contact a travel agency to organize your excursion for logistical and safety reasons. As roads are difficult to traverse and weather conditions are harsh (with rapid weather changes), the presence of a guide will allow you to visit the site under optimal conditions, adapt itineraries in case of unexpected events, and avoid getting lost in the immensity of the place ! Finally, the advantage of an organized stay is that you won't have to manage anything: our agency takes care of everything (from shuttles to guides, including meals and accommodation) !

In any case, do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to organize a shared or private convoy and if you wish to choose your itinerary. The local agency Thaki Voyage adapts to your desires and can offer you tailor-made circuits !

Discover our Bolivie circuit, essentials on foot to discover the beauty of Bolivie and its salar.

What should you pack for visiting Salar d'Uyuni ?

The temperatures of the Salar d'Uyuni desert are quite extreme. It can be very hot during the day and very cold at night (especially from June to August). That's why you need to pack warm clothing (several layers) and lighter clothing in your suitcase ! Don't forget a windbreaker and sun protection (sunscreen, cap, sunglasses…).

Good to know: being located at 11,975 feet altitude, you may experience mountain sickness during your stay at Salar d'Uyuni. Remember to bring plenty of drinking water to counteract this and medications for headaches !