Salt Flats Jeep Tour Between San Pedro & Uyuni
There are no direct buses between San Pedro de Atacama in Chile and Uyuni in Bolivia, instead backpacker's find them self with the option of traversing one of the most fascinating landscapes on the planet by jeep, and the Green Toad Bus offer this as a 3 day / 2 night included trip.
Below is a typical itinerary - this can and does change (rainy season can mean some parts of the salt flats are unreachable).
DAY 1 - SAN PEDRO - BOLIVIAN/CHILE BORDER - LUGUNA VERDE - GEYSERS - LAGUNA COLORADO
Departure from San Pedro de Atacama at 08:00 am by minibus to the Bolivia border, passing by the Chilean and Bolivian immigration offices. Once in Bolivia you find yourself at 14,435 feet above sea level, and here you change vehicles to a 4WD Jeep with a maximum capacity of 6 people.
Sites of the first day's travel usually include the Laguna Verde (Green Lake) and Laguna Blanca (White Lake) located at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano; and after continuing into desert landscapes you'll find thermal activity in the form of warm water pools and the Sol de Maņana geysers. The days journey ends at Laguna Colorada, which is a nesting center for 3 species of flamingos.
At 14,764 feet above sea level expect the temperature to be quite chilly on your first night where you will be accommodated in a basic shelter with 6 bed share dorms (bed, mattress, sheets, blankets), electricity, shared bathrooms, but no shower. It is important that you bring a sleeping bag on this trip!
DAY 2 - LAGUNA COLORADO - SILOI DESERT - LAGUNAS - SAN JUAN
An early start for your trip into the Siloi Desert to view surrealistic rock-formations carved into impossible shapes by wind erosion. Next you travel by the lagoons of the high plain taking in mountainous landscapes before arriving to the Chiguana Salt Flats where in the dry season you spend the night in a Salt Hostel in double or triple rooms in the town of San Juan. In the wet season there usually isn't any access to this part of the salt flats and you will stay in the town of Cuplina. Wet season is normally from mid- December to mid-April
DAY 3 - SAN JUAN - INCAHUASI / ISLA PESCADO - COLCHANI - UYUNI
Today you head into the Uyuni salt flats situated at 39,400 feet. A general tour of this area includes visiting Huasi Inca island or Fish Island, which is located in the middle of the salt flats and ladden with giant Cacti and incredible views. Later, you pass by the salt producing town of Colchani, located on the limits of the salt flats and only a short distance from the town of Uyuni itself where the tour finishes at the estimated time of 3:00 pm. In the wet season many things on the salt flats cannot be accessed!
Included
Meals from first days lunch to third days lunch (Vegetarian options available)
Basic Accommodation
4WD vehicle with non-English Speaking driver
Not Included
Travel insurance
Sleeping Bag
National Park Entrance Fee (168 bs)
Any visas required for your nationality to enter Bolivia
Water & Snacks
Things you should know about our Budget Backpacker Tours
Jeep Tours into the Uyuni Salt Flats are an unforgettable experience but unfortunately the general standard of facilities and services are not very high in the area. We would like to make it clear that things are not as reliable, comfortable and professional as we would like on these budget backpacker tours so for this reason we do not promise more than a basic standard.
The accommodations & food will be basic and driver is not likely to speak much English. Due to the harshness of the terrain vehicle breakdowns are common. Still interested?
Good, you should be because if you can put up with a bit of hardship you should have a great time. You don't really need a guide for this tour as most of it is looking at landscapes and these are pretty self explanatory. Take some extra snacks, plenty of warm clothes and a sleeping bag and the accommodations will be fine. The drivers are used to breakdowns and are pretty adept at fixing their vehicles, they are always willing to help each other out and you are usually not stuck for long - so a bit of patience is often all you need.
We believe if you are informed truthfully about the possible negative aspects of the tours you can prepare yourself better and will have a positive backpacker experience into one of the best isolated backpacker destinations.
Travel Passes
Travel Pass from San Pedro to La Paz (via Uyuni) - Frequency: Daily Departures - Recommended minimum duration: 4 days - Route: San Pedro de Ataca...
US$302.00
Trip Photos
Click on the logo below to see the trick photography you can make while on the Salt Flats!
