Bolivia, Chile · Desert Adventure

4-Day Uyuni Salt Flats and Licancabur Volcano Tour from Atacama

4 Days Round trip from Uyuni Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Cross into Bolivia to experience the Dali Desert, Siloli Desert, and vividly coloured high-altitude lagoons including Laguna Colorada
  • 02 Walk across the Uyuni Salt Flats and visit Isla Incahuasi with its towering giant cacti
  • 03 Witness a dramatic sunset over the vast white expanse of the salt flats and visit the historic train cemetery
  • 04 Complete a high-altitude trek to the summit of Volcán Licancabur at 5,930 metres

Join a four-day journey from San Pedro de Atacama to the world-famous Uyuni Salt Flats, crossing into Bolivia to explore surreal landscapes such as the Dali Desert, Siloli Desert, and colourful high-altitude lagoons including Laguna Colorada, home to flocks of flamingos. Walk across the vast white expanse of the salt flats, visit Isla Incahuasi with its giant cacti, and witness a breathtaking sunset over the shimmering salt crust. The adventure also includes the historic train cemetery, volcanic landscapes, and a high-altitude trek to Volcán Licancabur at 5,930 metres.

Walk across the vast white expanse of the salt flats, visit Isla Incahuasi with its giant cacti, and witness a breathtaking sunset over the shimmering salt crust.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities San Pedro de Atacama, Uyuni
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni via Lagoons and the Siloli Desert

  • Depart at 06:00 by car from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivian border at Hito Cajones for immigration procedures.
  • Enter Bolivia and cross the surreal Rocks of Dali, where wind-sculpted formations resemble the works of Salvador Dalí.
  • Continue to the Siloli Desert, known for its bizarre rock formations carved by strong winds.
  • Visit a series of high-altitude lagoons with vivid colours ranging from deep red to blue and white.
  • Explore the famous Laguna Colorada, a striking red lagoon coloured by algae and minerals, which is also home to flamingos and other birdlife.
  • Admire the surrounding volcanoes, whose hardened lava flows resemble rivers of stone.
  • Arrive in Uyuni City in the evening and check into Hotel Toñito.

Meals included: Lunch and dinner.

2
Day 02

Uyuni Salt Flats, Isla Incahuasi and Sunset over the Salt

  • Visit the Train Cemetery, where rusting locomotives from the past remain as reminders of Uyuni's history.
  • Begin the day with a visit to the Uyuni Salt Flats, the largest salt deposit in the world, located at 3,600 metres above sea level.
  • Explore Isla Incahuasi, a rocky island covered with giant cacti reaching up to 8 metres in height.
  • Observe unique wildlife including viscachas, colibris, lizards, and insects adapted to the harsh environment.
  • Cross the salt flats in the afternoon, experiencing the endless white expanse.
  • Witness a breathtaking sunset over the salt flats before returning to Uyuni.

Overnight stay at Hotel Toñito.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3
Day 03

Uyuni to White Lagoon Base Camp via Lake Capina

  • Depart early in a private four-wheel-drive vehicle.
  • Continue with a three-hour drive to Lake Capina, surrounded by volcanoes and grazing llamas.
  • Hike around this vast and scenic area of the Altiplano.
  • Travel along the volcanic mountain range, enjoying dramatic landscapes.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

4
Day 04

Licancabur Volcano Trek and Return to San Pedro de Atacama

  • Depart at 01:00 from Licancabur base camp at 4,500 metres by car.
  • Begin an eight-hour high-altitude round-trip trek to the summit of Licancabur Volcano at 5,930 metres.
  • Ascend for five hours to the summit and observe the deep crater with a green lake.
  • Descend for three hours back to the base camp.
  • Follow old zigzag trekking trails while observing the Milky Way.
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the Altiplano, Atacama Desert, and colourful Andean lakes.
  • Have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • After lunch, transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, arriving at 15:30.
Uyuni Salt Flats, Isla Incahuasi cactus island, Laguna Colorada red waters, Licancabur Volcano summit

Where this trip takes you

Uyuni Salt Flats, Isla Incahuasi cactus island, Laguna Colorada red waters, Licancabur Volcano summit

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Uyuni 2 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Shared 4WD car, maximum four people.
  • Shared transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to the Bolivia border (Hito Cajones, 1 hour).
  • Private transfer from the Bolivia border to San Pedro on the last day.
  • Three nights' accommodation.
  • 2 nights at Hotel Toñito de Uyuni (DWB-TWIN-SINGLE).
  • 1 night at White Lagoon base camp lodge.
  • Nourishment during the days of the tour (2 breakfasts, 4 box lunches, 3 dinners).
  • Ticket fees for the national park and Isla Incahuasi.
  • English-speaking guide during the three-day tour.
  • Walking sticks, water, and snacks.
  • Spanish-speaking trekking guide for Licancabur Volcano.
  • Water during the four-day tour.

What's Not Included

  • Headlamp
  • Personal gear and warm jackets
  • Expenses: souvenirs, soft drinks, etc.

What to bring

  • Good jacket and warm pants
  • Water bottle
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimming suit for the hot springs
  • Headlamp
  • Trekking shoes
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Some Bolivian currency
  • Approximately 300 BS or equivalent for personal expenses
  • Exchange money in San Pedro de Atacama
  • Passport number and nationality for the Chilean immigration office
  • Information about any food restrictions
  • Selection between double room or twin-sharing accommodation
  • Be ready in the hotel lobby at least ten minutes before the scheduled pickup time
  • Look for the company van transferring travellers to the Bolivian border

Know before you go

  • Some countries require a visa, and travellers should check this requirement.
  • It is possible to obtain the visa at the border or at the immigration office in Bolivia.
  • A passport with at least six months' validity is required.
  • An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if planning to visit the Amazon area.
  • This amount is not in Bolivian currency and should be checked with your country.
  • Visitors must show proof of a round-trip ticket.
  • Visitors must show proof of accommodation in Bolivia, such as a hotel reservation, which will be provided.
  • Two printed photos per person are required.
  • Two copies of each passport are required.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pick up from your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama
Tour start
Uyuni, Bolivia
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Uyuni.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 1,050 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total