La Paz & Uyuni Explorer

La Paz - Uyuni. Once you have arrived in La Paz, the evening is dedicated to preparing for your overnight journey across the Bolivian Altiplano. There are no meals included today, so you may wish to bring snacks or purchase refreshments in advance.

At the appropriate time, you make your way to the bus terminal to board your tourist overnight bus bound for Uyuni. After settling into your seat, you can get comfortable with the provided blankets and rest as the overnight journey begins, allowing you to arrive in Uyuni ready for the days ahead.

As the bus departs the city, La Paz gradually disappears behind you and the route leads south through the high plains. You travel through the night, arriving in Uyuni early the following morning

Uyuni - Villa Candelaria. his morning, you begin your journey in Uyuni as you meet your guide and join a shared 4-wheel drive vehicle for your salt flats excursion. Leaving town behind, your first stop is the Train Cemetery, where rusting locomotives from Bolivia’s railway past sit abandoned in the open desert, creating a striking and atmospheric scene.

You then travel to the small village of Colchani, where you learn about traditional salt processing and the role it plays in local life. Nearby, you have time to see handmade salt crafts produced by local artisans, with the option to purchase souvenirs if you wish.

Driving out onto the vast Uyuni Salt Flats, you experience the scale of this unique landscape as it stretches endlessly in every direction. Along the way, you pass salt mounds and natural salt water pools known as Ojos de Sal, formed where underground water reaches the surface.

Later, you have the choice to visit Incahuasi Island, a rocky outcrop covered in giant cacti rising from the salt flats. You have time to walk around the island and enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding white plains (entrance not included).

As the day draws to a close, you continue to Villa Candelaria, where you check in to your salt-built accommodation for the night. Dinner is included this evening, giving you time to relax and unwind after a full day of exploration.

Villa Candelaria - Polques. You begin the day with breakfast at your lodge before setting off across the remote Andean plateau. Travelling by shared 4-wheel drive vehicle, the route leads towards Volcán Ollagüe, an active volcano that dominates the surrounding landscape and offers expansive views across this high-altitude region.

Continuing onward, you visit a series of striking lagoons including Cañapa, Hedionda and Honda. These mineral-rich waters are home to large numbers of flamingos, whose pink colouring stands out against the deep blues and whites of the lagoons and the rugged terrain beyond.

The journey then takes you through the Siloli Desert, one of the most isolated areas of the Altiplano. Wind-shaped rock formations and wide-open plains define this stark environment, creating a dramatic backdrop for the drive.

You will have lunch during the day, surrounded by the vast desert scenery. Later, you stop at the Árbol de Piedra, a naturally eroded rock formation standing alone in the landscape and shaped by years of strong winds.

In the afternoon, you arrive at Laguna Colorada, known for its red-hued waters caused by minerals and algae. Flamingos often gather along the shoreline, adding further contrast to this striking setting. This area lies within the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa, where an entrance fee applies.

As evening approaches, you travel to your accommodation in the Laguna Colorada / Polques area, where you will have dinner before settling in for the night.

Please note: That the entrance fee for visiting Reserva Eduardo Avaroa is paid on day 1 of the tour.

Polques – Uyuni – La Paz. Today, you set out early across the Altiplano as the landscape slowly comes to life around you. Your first stop is the geothermal area known as Sol de Mañana, where steaming vents and bubbling mud pools create a dramatic scene in the cold morning air.

From here, you can choose to visit the nearby hot springs at an additional fee. You have time to relax in the naturally heated waters if you wish, while taking in the surrounding views. Shower facilities are available at an additional local cost.

Afterwards, you enjoy breakfast before continuing the journey across this remote region. The route then leads to the Rocas de Dalí, where scattered rock formations appear almost unreal against the wide-open desert.

You continue on to Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca, set beneath the imposing Licancabur Volcano. The changing colours of the water, ranging from pale white to vivid green, provide striking contrasts with the surrounding terrain. These lagoons also lie within the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa, where an entrance fee applies.

Later, you pass through the Valle de Rocas, where erosion has shaped the stone into dramatic pillars and arches over time. The journey back to Uyuni takes you through small highland villages, including Culplina and San Cristóbal, offering a brief glimpse of everyday life in the Andes.

You arrive back in Uyuni in the afternoon and will have lunch before boarding your overnight bus to La Paz. As night falls, you begin the return journey across the Altiplano under clear skies.

Please note: That the entrance fee for visiting Reserva Eduardo Avaroa and the open-air hot springs is paid on day 1 of the tour.

Early this morning, you arrive back in La Paz as the city begins to stir beneath its surrounding mountains.

You then make your way to the airport for your onward flight, bringing your journey through Bolivia’s dramatic high-altitude landscapes to a close.