Undoubtedly one of the absolute highlights from my South American trip was the 3 day Salar de Uyuni tour in Bolivia. It's 3 days of driving around in a jeep in the mountainous south west corner where Bolivia meets Chile. Prepare yourself for endless deserts, reflective salt plains, wildlife and gorgeous landscapes. This is a tour not to be missed! Here's my guide on how to book the Salar de Uyuni tour in Bolivia...and also how to prepare for it.
First of all, here's an easy tip - DON'T BOOK ANYTHING IN ADVANCE!! Yes, there is absolutely no need to book this tour online or by any other means before you arrive in Bolivia. Get yourself to Uyuni, Potosi or La Paz and get things booked from there.
You can start the Salar de Uyuni tour in either Bolivia or Chile, but this report focuses on doing it from the Bolivia side, here's a guide on booking the excellent tour!
How to book the Salt Plains tour:
- Ask at reception in your hostel in Bolivia if they can organise a 3 day tour (I really recommend the 3 day tour, unless you are really pushed for time of course).
- Once they give you a price, head out and ask around to get the cheapest price - dont pay more than 100 dollars - you can easily get a decent tour for 3 days for $80.
- Allow for flexibility with dates you go - don't be strict with it - sometimes you can ask at 9am that morning and end up on the tour that same day.
- Double check the price includes a hostel pick up and your 3 days of food.
- Ask them where the tour starts and ends so you can think about your next journey after the tour.
- Ask them what other costs you will incur - this could be tips, national park entries etc. Visiting Laguna Colorada has an entrance charge.
- Ask them for a receipt for the tour - you normally pay at the start.
Preparing for the salt plains tour:
- Check the passport situation as if you head for Chile you will probably have to get your Bolivian exit stamp before the tour starts in Uyuni.
- Take a lot of water with you - around 4 litres should be fine. It's a desert you are visiting and although they provide drinks at mealtimes, they don't provide water.
- Take a few beers as at night there is no alcohol available (at least in the places we stayed). This is a good way to bond and chat with your tour mates.
- Bring sun screen and insect spray. You'll need them.
- Phone, internet, e-mail etc. is not available on the tour. It's probably a good idea to let your friends and family know this at the start.
- A good tip is leaving your bags in a hostel in Uyuni beforehand (assuming you're heading back there)
- Make sure you take your passport with you. Just in case you fancy heading to Chile spontaneously...(although you'd also need your Bolivian exit stamp in advance). You may also be asked for your passport at the entrance to Laguna Colorada National Park.
- Charge your batteries in advance on your iPods, cameras etc. - don't expect your accomodation to have sockets.
Well that sums it up for you - the salar de Uyuni is quite simply a brilliant tour and one that will linger with you forever in the memory. You will love it. Get out there and see it - the incredible salt plains of south western Bolivia.
First of all, here's an easy tip - DON'T BOOK ANYTHING IN ADVANCE!! Yes, there is absolutely no need to book this tour online or by any other means before you arrive in Bolivia. Get yourself to Uyuni, Potosi or La Paz and get things booked from there.
You can start the Salar de Uyuni tour in either Bolivia or Chile, but this report focuses on doing it from the Bolivia side, here's a guide on booking the excellent tour!
How to book the Salt Plains tour:
- Ask at reception in your hostel in Bolivia if they can organise a 3 day tour (I really recommend the 3 day tour, unless you are really pushed for time of course).
- Once they give you a price, head out and ask around to get the cheapest price - dont pay more than 100 dollars - you can easily get a decent tour for 3 days for $80.
- Allow for flexibility with dates you go - don't be strict with it - sometimes you can ask at 9am that morning and end up on the tour that same day.
- Double check the price includes a hostel pick up and your 3 days of food.
- Ask them where the tour starts and ends so you can think about your next journey after the tour.
- Ask them what other costs you will incur - this could be tips, national park entries etc. Visiting Laguna Colorada has an entrance charge.
- Ask them for a receipt for the tour - you normally pay at the start.
Preparing for the salt plains tour:
- Check the passport situation as if you head for Chile you will probably have to get your Bolivian exit stamp before the tour starts in Uyuni.
- Take a lot of water with you - around 4 litres should be fine. It's a desert you are visiting and although they provide drinks at mealtimes, they don't provide water.
- Take a few beers as at night there is no alcohol available (at least in the places we stayed). This is a good way to bond and chat with your tour mates.
- Bring sun screen and insect spray. You'll need them.
- Phone, internet, e-mail etc. is not available on the tour. It's probably a good idea to let your friends and family know this at the start.
- A good tip is leaving your bags in a hostel in Uyuni beforehand (assuming you're heading back there)
- Make sure you take your passport with you. Just in case you fancy heading to Chile spontaneously...(although you'd also need your Bolivian exit stamp in advance). You may also be asked for your passport at the entrance to Laguna Colorada National Park.
- Charge your batteries in advance on your iPods, cameras etc. - don't expect your accomodation to have sockets.
Well that sums it up for you - the salar de Uyuni is quite simply a brilliant tour and one that will linger with you forever in the memory. You will love it. Get out there and see it - the incredible salt plains of south western Bolivia.
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