About All Tours3-Day ToursPrivate ToursFrom La Paz ToursFrom San Pedro ToursSunset ToursStargazing Night Tours Directions Hours & Fees
Find Tours 
Depart from La Paz on a convenient overnight bus tour to explore the vast landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni. Choose from direct round-trip excursions or extended multi-day expeditions that include the Death Road or end in San Pedro de Atacama.
Free Cancellation An overnight trip from La Paz to explore Salar de Uyuni, Isla Incahuasi, and a sunset over the flooded salt plains.
Free Cancellation Explore the Uyuni salt flats, volcanic deserts, and colored lagoons by 4x4 with an expert English-speaking guide.
Free Cancellation An overnight round-trip from La Paz to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Train Cemetery, and Incahuasi Island.
A round-trip circuit from La Paz featuring the Death Road bike ride and a three-day Uyuni Salt Flats expedition.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Uyuni Salt Flats — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Visiting the Salar de Uyuni from La Paz is an unforgettable adventure that begins with a scenic overnight journey to the high-altitude Altiplano. Once there, you will spend your days riding in rugged 4x4 vehicles across an endless, shimmering white desert, exploring bizarre rock formations, and witnessing some of the most surreal landscapes on Earth.
Climb and explore the rusted, graffiti-covered remains of 19th-century steam locomotives abandoned just outside Uyuni town.
Hike among giant, centuries-old cacti on this rocky island that rises like a mirage from the center of the flat white salt crust.
Play with scale on the featureless white horizon. Guides will help you use props like toy dinosaurs to create hilarious optical illusions.
If visiting during the wet season, walk across a thin layer of water that perfectly reflects the sky, creating a breathtaking illusion of floating.
On multi-day tours, venture deeper into the desert to see Laguna Colorada, a striking red lake filled with thousands of wild pink flamingos.
Witness the steaming Sol de Mañana geysers at 5,000 meters elevation, then warm up with a relaxing dip in the Termas de Polques.
Planning a salt flats expedition from La Paz requires a bit of logistical preparation. Here is what you need to know to choose the right tour and prepare for the rugged Altiplano environment.
You can choose a quick 1-day express tour that focuses solely on the salt flats, or a comprehensive 3 to 4-day expedition. Multi-day tours go much further south to include the colored lagoons, geysers, and the Salvador Dalí Desert.
Most tours departing from La Paz include an overnight bus ticket to Uyuni. The journey takes 10 to 12 hours, so booking a tour that utilizes a 'cama' (fully reclining) bus seat is highly recommended for a decent night's sleep.
Tour prices rarely cover local entry fees. You must bring cash in Bolivian Bolivianos (BOB) to pay for sites like Incahuasi Island (30 BOB) and the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve (150 BOB). US dollars are not accepted at these gates.
The salt flats sit at 3,650 meters, and multi-day tours reach up to 5,000 meters. Altitude sickness is very common. Spend a few days acclimatizing in La Paz beforehand and bring altitude medication or local coca leaves.
If you book during the rainy season (December to March), heavy water accumulation can alter itineraries. Access to Incahuasi Island is often restricted during these months because the deep water makes it impassable for vehicles.
Budget 3-day tours use very basic, unheated dormitories with shared bathrooms where nighttime temperatures drop below freezing. If comfort is a priority, look for upgraded tours that book private rooms in actual salt hotels.
While many nationalities enter Bolivia visa-free, US citizens must obtain a tourist visa on arrival. This costs $160 USD and requires bringing two passport-sized photos to the border.
Most standard Uyuni tours offer a full refund if canceled 24 hours in advance. However, complex combo tours (like the Death Road plus Uyuni package) may require up to 3 days' notice for a refund.
| 1-Day Express Tour | 3 to 4-Day Comprehensive Tour | Cross-Border Atacama Tour | Death Road & Uyuni Combo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 24 hours | 72 hours | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| Best for | Travelers short on time wanting the classic photos | Seeing geysers, colored lagoons, and flamingos | Continuing onward travel into Chile | Thrill-seekers wanting Bolivia's top two adventures |
| Transport from La Paz | Overnight Bus | Overnight Bus | Overnight Bus | Overnight Bus |
| Price from | $165 USD | $389 - $510 USD | $510 USD | $480 USD |
The Salar de Uyuni is a vast, open natural expanse without official opening or closing gates, but tour schedules dictate when you can visit.
Traveling from La Paz to Uyuni covers approximately 550 kilometers. There are three main ways to make the journey:
The best time to visit depends entirely on what kind of landscape you want to experience.
Wet Season (December to March): This is when the salt flat transforms into the world's largest mirror. A thin layer of water reflects the sky perfectly. However, heavy rains in January and February can make certain areas, like Incahuasi Island, completely inaccessible.
Dry Season (May to November): Offers stable weather, clear blue skies, and access to the entire salt flat. This is the time to see the famous hexagonal salt crust patterns and play with perspective photography. Keep in mind that June and July bring freezing winter temperatures, especially at night.
Exploring the Salar de Uyuni presents unique challenges for travelers with mobility needs.
Facilities in the remote Altiplano are incredibly basic. Preparation is key.
While the salt flats feel lawless, there are important rules and guidelines to follow:
The overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni takes between 10 and 12 hours, covering a distance of 550 kilometers. Most buses depart La Paz around 8:00 PM and arrive in Uyuni between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
No, tour operators generally do not include local entrance fees. You will need to bring cash in Bolivian Bolivianos to pay for sites like Incahuasi Island (30 BOB) and the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve (150 BOB).
The salt flat itself sits at an elevation of about 3,650 meters (11,995 feet). If you take a 3-day tour, you will travel even higher, reaching up to 5,000 meters at the Sol de Mañana geysers.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many European and South American citizens enter visa-free, but US citizens must pay $160 USD for a tourist visa on arrival, which requires two passport-sized photos.
You must dress in highly adaptable layers. Bring a thermal base layer, a warm fleece, and a windproof jacket for the freezing mornings, but expect intense sun during the day. UV-protective sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are mandatory to prevent eye damage and sunburn.
No, July is in the middle of the dry season, so the salt flat will feature dry, hexagonal salt crust patterns. To see the mirror effect, you need to visit during the wet season from December to March.
Public bathrooms are available at specific tourist stops and usually cost about 6 BOB per use. On multi-day tours driving through the desert, you will often have to use 'natural toilets' outdoors, so bring biodegradable toilet paper.
On budget tours, accommodations are very basic, unheated dormitories with shared bathrooms, and temperatures can drop below freezing inside. It is highly recommended to book an upgraded tour that uses heated salt hotels with private rooms.
While it is technically possible, it is strongly discouraged. The salt flat covers 10,582 square kilometers with absolutely no roads or landmarks, making it incredibly easy to get lost, stuck in deep water, or damage your vehicle.
Yes, the freezing Altiplano temperatures and high altitude will drain your electronic batteries incredibly fast. It is crucial to bring extra batteries and keep them warm in an inside pocket close to your body when not in use.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours
This round-trip service begins with a hotel pick-up in La Paz followed by an eight-hour overnight journey to Uyuni on a tourist bus. After arriving the next morning and eating breakfast, you will head out to explore the vast Salar de Uyuni and the giant cacti of Isla Incahuasi. The tour focuses on the unique landscape of the salt flats, concluding with a sunset view to see the sky reflected in the water. After the sun goes down, you will board the bus for the eight-hour return trip to La Paz, which includes a final drop-off at your hotel.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Portuguese, English, Spanish
This expedition travels through the heart of the Bolivian Altiplano, focusing on the vast Uyuni salt flats and the surrounding high-altitude deserts. The route covers diverse terrain, including vibrant mineral-colored lagoons, dormant volcanoes, and unique rock formations. Along the way, you will have the chance to observe native Andean wildlife and flora adapted to this remote environment. Transportation is provided in a rugged 4x4 vehicle specifically equipped for the challenging terrain of the salt crust and desert tracks. Each tour includes a professional driver and a dedicated English-speaking guide to provide context on the region's geography and history. The focus is on a safe, informative, and direct experience of South America’s most iconic landscapes.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Board a night bus in La Paz between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM for the journey south to Uyuni. You will arrive early the next morning to begin a full-day excursion across the salt flats. The itinerary includes a stop at the Train Cemetery to see abandoned steam locomotives and a visit to Incahuasi Island, a rocky outcrop covered in giant cacti that offers a 360-degree view of the white landscape. After the tour finishes in the late afternoon, you will have some time in town before boarding the return night bus. The trip concludes with an early morning arrival back in La Paz.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This itinerary starts in La Paz and covers two of Bolivia’s most famous landscapes. You will begin with a mountain bike descent of the North Yungas Road, commonly known as the Death Road. Following the ride, you will travel by overnight bus to Uyuni in comfortable reclining seats for the next leg of the journey. The second part of the trip is a three-day guided tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats and the surrounding high-altitude lagoons. The package includes English-speaking guides throughout and a total of eight meals: two breakfasts, four lunches, and two dinners. After the salt flats expedition, the tour concludes with a return bus trip back to La Paz.
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
English, Spanish