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Its unusual shape was formed over time by strong winds eroding the sandstone. They appear as small, pinkish spots in the photo below. On our 2025 tour, the sunset was included in the itinerary, and we had wine and snacks while watching the sunset. There are usually fewer tourists and spinmaya no deposit bonus code no entry fee. The island is full of giant cacti, it’s awesome seeing them up close.
Relax in the thermal waters of the Polques Hot Springs after exploring the salt flats. The Train Cemetery, also known as «Cementerio de Trenes,» is a significant tourist attraction near Uyuni, Bolivia, and within the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. For the adventurous, cycling or hiking across the salt flats is possible, but requires preparation and experience in arid environments. During the rainy season, water can fill parts of the salt flat, creating a stunning mirror-like effect. The salt flats are at 3,656 m.a.s.l. Some people can suffer from altitude sickness at this elevation.
On both tours our drivers found spots with no one else around and brought dinosaur toys and wine bottles to use in the shots. The Dakar monument is made of salt, and the flags were left by travelers during their visits. It’s located near the Argentine border and a bit farther from the Uyuni salt flats. In Uyuni, there are plenty of travel agencies offering Salar de Uyuni tours. Unfortunately, standard 2-day tours don’t include these highlights.
It’s always the offseason somewhere. We’ve compiled the definitive list of the best places to visit – all year long – when the crowds dissipate and the local vibe comes to life. Durable and waterproof, with a handy slipcase and an easy-fold format, Lonely Planet’s country maps are designed to let you explore with ease. Pocket Guides are compact guides for short trips that offer the best local experiences. For travelers looking to immerse themselves in local culture and language essentials.

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According to the local folklore, the water in Laguna Colorada is the blood of the Gods.
“One of my favourite things about the Salar De Uyuni tour was simply driving from location to location.
One must-do activity in Bolivia is exploring the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.
The thermal waters are delightfully warm and while you’re bathing you can soak up the beautiful scenery.
The lithium in the salt flats contains more impurities, and the wet climate and high altitude make it harder to process.
It’s also possible to take a tour starting in Tupiza – a great option for those coming from Argentina.

If you are coming from Argentina it is possible to book tours that begin in Tupiza. Most people time their arrival for the morning of the start of their tour. There is nothing really of interest in Uyuni itself so it’s not worth spending much time here. Be aware that December and January are the wettest months and sometimes excessive rain can lead to tour cancellations. The clear night skies offer great star-gazing opportunities and you’ll also be able to visit some places that aren’t accessible during the wet season.

To add to the experience, we could see flamingos at Laguna Challviri.
On 2025 tour, it was very windy, and Laguna Verde had a bright green color.
Vast reserves of untapped lithium lie beneath the salt flat, and in the early 21st century the Bolivian government discussed options and feasibility for its extraction and production.
The foundation of Salar de Uyuni goes back to a sequence of lakes that filled the Altiplano basin during the Pleistocene.In the past, huge inland lakes—like the prehistoric Lake Minchin—covered the region.
You’ll need a warm sleeping bag (tour companies provide these, often at an additional charge), and don’t forget to pack warm clothing.

Laguna Honda

Its remarkable design features walls, floors, furniture, and even igloo-shaped roofs constructed from salt blocks that are carefully harvested from the surrounding salt flat. The dry season, which lasts from May to November, offers clear skies and the opportunity to observe the unique hexagonal salt patterns. Many visitors enjoy stopping at the Salt Museum, a quaint space made of salt bricks that features a variety of carved sculptures.
In the salt flat, in the middle, there is an island known as Isla Incahuasi that is composed of ancient coral and is covered with giant cacti some of which are over 1,000 years old. It is up to you whether you enjoy the thoughtful amazement of the wet season or the cold magnitude of the dry season, but either way, they will all be a memorable experience with the nature. The two seasons have different viewpoints and therefore it is up to you to decide which one to watch depending on the type of experience you want to get. This is when photographers go a-swarming to get the surreal effect of the infinity horizon, one of the most recognisable photographs of travelling the world.

• Dry Season (May to November):

A mesmerising and dazzling landscape, this vast salt plain is like nowhere else in the world! Bolivia’s Salt Flats are a breathtaking natural wonder. Read more about visiting Salar de Uyuni independently here. For a group tour that includes an English-speaking guide and more comfortable accommodation with private rooms, you will be looking at around $250USD.
The hotel has a dry sauna and a steam room, a saltwater pool and whirlpool baths. The local communities and tour operators are making efforts to save the delicate salt ecosystem, control the waste disposal system and make sure that the tourism is profitable to the locals. It serves as a reminder of the industrial background of the region and forms a great photo opportunity to the visitors. Salar de Uyuni is also known to have salt hotels wherein even the walls, furniture and bed are designed using salt blocks.

Time difference, hrs.

Most travellers spend 2-3 days exploring Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings, which provides ample opportunity to visit the salt flats, lagoons, and geysers. However, travelers should take great care in choosing which tour operator to go with when visiting the salt flats. The great news is there is no bad time to visit the salt flats in Bolivia and each season has its advantages. You can explore the Uyuni salt flats on your own, but after doing research and weighing the pros and cons, we decided to join a standard 3-day tour. This breathtaking natural wonder attracts thousands of travellers each year, who come to marvel at the majestic salt flats spanning over 10,000 square kilometres.
It was once a place of ceremony in Inca times (hausi means house in Quechua). Colchani is a small salt-processing village 20 km south of Uyuni. Remnants of a former era, the disused trains lie abandoned and rusting in the salty winds. The great expanse of the white stuff, divided into hexagonal salt tiles, creates an otherworldly landscape.
The majority of travellers begin their Salar de Uyuni tour from Uyuni itself. Here are some of the key differences between the plethora of tours on offer. A multi-day Salar de Uyuni tour is essentially a tour of the reserve. In these hotels everything, from the walls and floors to the beds and tables, is constructed from salt!
One-day tours generally visit the Train Graveyard, Colchani, salt flats and Incahausi Island. If taking a multi-day tour of the salt flats, it’s likely you’ll spend the night at one of the area’s unique salt hotels. However, despite a small size, Uyuni has comfortable hotels, restaurants, and travel firms which arrange multi-day tours through the salt desert.
Of course, there are also many reputable tour operators in the area who will ensure your experience of this natural wonder is both memorable and safe. Epic Guides provide inspiration and first-person stories for a lifetime of unforgettable travel experiences. A dried lake becomes a salt desert.A salt desert becomes a mirror.And a mirror becomes a global symbol of surreal natural beauty. High altitude → thin air → less scatteringWhite salt → strong reflectionFlat surface → no curvature effects

How did this massive salt flat form? (Geological origin)

Most locals make their living from salt production. Drinks were provided with meals, usually water and Coke, and dinners often came with red wine. When we did a tour in 2025, we paid extra for private rooms. When I did a tour eight years ago, the accommodation was basic. The tour takes you through elevations ranging from about 3,600 m to 4,800 m.

Time

Laguna Verde (Green Lake) turns green when strong winds lift the sediments of arsenic, copper, lead, and other minerals from the bottom of the lake. To add to the experience, we could see flamingos at Laguna Challviri. On our 2025 tour, we practically had the place to ourselves and enjoyed it more, as there was only one other group besides us. Challviri Hot Springs are tucked away near Laguna Challviri and are much quieter and usually less visited. The water is about 29 degrees Celsius and contains minerals that relieve the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism.
The visitors can see the panoramic views of the salt expanse making it appear to be infinite in all directions as seen on top of the mountain. Vast reserves of untapped lithium lie beneath the salt flat, and in the early 21st century the Bolivian government discussed options and feasibility for its extraction and production. This travel guide covers what to do, how to get there, where to stay, and useful tips from our experience. Yes, you can visit Salar de Uyuni independently without booking an organized tour.
Assuming that you are making a reservation with Gokite Oman, their crew will help you to get a visa, check your documents, and even a full travel package to make doing things in Oman hassle-free. To get the best and the most current information, it is always advisable that one consults the official Bolivian embassies or reliable travel agents. Bolivia has gone an extra mile to introduce international tourists into the country through making the visa process extremely easy in most countries. It does not require any special effort, just a submission of relevant documents including your passport, photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking and evidence of financial resources.