Discover the marvelous Uyuni Salt Flat and its tourist attractions
About Uyuni
The town of Uyuni is a small settlement located in the Potosí province, western Bolivia. It sits at an altitude of about 3 700 m above sea level, similar to La Paz. Despite its compact size—approximately 25 km² (5 km × 5 km)—Uyuni receives tourists year‑round and is equipped with cafés, restaurants, travel agencies and hotels that serve as a base for exploring the region’s main attraction: the Uyuni Salt Flat.
Just 15 minutes from downtown Uyuni you can visit the Train Cemetery, where rusted locomotives that once hauled minerals to the Chilean port of Antofagasta lie. A few kilometres further is Colchani, a small traditional community on the edge of the salt flat. Famous for its salt‑craft workshops and manual extraction of the mineral, Colchani is also the main entry point to the salt flat for most visitors.
During the rainy season (December – March) this destination receives travelers from around the world who come to witness a unique phenomenon: the famous “sky mirror.” Because the surface is extraordinarily flat—with elevation variations under 50 cm—a thin layer of standing water turns the salt flat into a massive natural mirror. This optical effect creates a perfect illusion where the sky reflects on the ground and the horizon disappears, delivering an unforgettable visual experience that has gone viral on social media and is sought after by photographers and travelers worldwide.
Declared by many as “a landscape you must see at least once in your life,” the Uyuni Salt Flat, especially during the mirror period, represents one of Bolivia’s greatest natural treasures and a transformative experience for those who visit it.
Itinerary: Full‑Day Tour of the Uyuni Salt Flat with Sunset
Day 1
Uyuni ➔ Salar de Uyuni
Uyuni → Uyuni Salt Flat
- This full‑day tour starts with the transfer from Uyuni to the world’s largest salt desert. Along the way you’ll enjoy the Train Cemetery and the town of Colchani, places rich in history and new experiences that let you meet the neighboring salt‑flat communities.
- Afterwards, you’ll venture into the endless white expanse of the salt flat, where the salty surface seems to merge with the sky. During the rainy season (January – March) you can witness the globally famous “sky‑mirror” visual effect at the Uyuni Salt Flat.
- During the visit we’ll explore the Water Eyes, small pools where underground water springs emerge, and you’ll learn about the salt‑extraction process in the characteristic mounds of the region.
- The adventure continues to Incahuasi Island, a rocky formation covered with giant cacti, from which you can admire a spectacular panoramic view of the salt flat. Here you’ll also have time to enjoy a delicious lunch in this unique setting.
- In the afternoon we’ll spend time taking fun photos and playing with the perspectives that this immense sea of salt allows.
- At the end of the day you’ll experience the magical sunset over the Uyuni Salt Flat. As the sun sets, the colors of the sky blend with the water reflections during the rainy season or with the shine of the dry ground in the dry season, creating an unparalleled visual spectacle. It’s the perfect moment to capture unforgettable photos and reflect on the immensity and beauty of the landscape.
- The tour concludes with the return to Uyuni, leaving you amazed by the experience. This walk is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking a day full of magic in one of the world’s most striking natural destinations.
Important notes
Availability:
✅ Tours are available every day of the week.
⚠️ For tours scheduled during the rainy season (December – March), please check with Late Bolivia to confirm availability and conditions.
Start and end of the tour:
✅ The itinerary starts and finishes in the city of Uyuni.
⚠️ Contact us if you need information on how to get to Uyuni from your location. This transfer to Uyuni is not included in the package.
Important data:
📍 Altitudinal variation: From 3 665 m a.s.l. in Uyuni
Health information:
☀️👓 The sunlight reflected off the bright salt flat is very intense, so sunglasses are recommended.
🧥🧣 Be prepared for sudden temperature changes (low humidity and dry climate). Warm clothing is advised (hats, gloves, jackets, etc.).
💡 Our recommendation:
Optional visits
➔ Pulacayo, an old mining camp that preserves traces of this activity and railway history in the middle of the Altiplano.
➔ Kasilla Lagoon in Tomave offers serene Andean landscapes and flamingo spotting.
➔ The high‑Andean lagoons Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarcota and Honda impress with their colored waters, surrounded by volcanoes and serving as habitat for Andean flamingos in the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, in southwestern Bolivia.
➔ Turquiri Lagoon stands out for its dark, mysterious waters and its almost surreal rock formations, typical of the Bolivian Altiplano.
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Full‑Day Tour to the Uyuni Salt Flat with Sunset
1 day
