3-Day Salt Flats, Lagoons and Geysers: Uyuni to San Pedro

Cross the world's largest salt flat, then chase flamingos and geysers across the Altiplano

This 3-day tour crosses the Bolivian Altiplano from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama, traveling by 4WD through the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, highland lagoons and geothermal fields. Day one covers the Train Cemetery, salt village crafts, Incahuasi Island and the white expanse of the salt flats with sunset. Day two drives through Andean landscapes to the red-hued Laguna Colorada in Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, where thousands of flamingos gather. Day three visits Sol de Mañana geysers at sunrise, optional hot springs, and the Green Lagoon before crossing into Chile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Uyuni and Salt Flats Exploration

• Visit Train Cemetery
• See salt crafts and alpaca products
• Explore Incahuasi Island
• Walk Saltwater Eyes and Playa Blanca Museum
• Lunch on salt flats
• Take perspective photos on salt flats
• Enjoy sunset over salt flats

Day 2: Colorful Lagoons and Desert Landscapes

• Early breakfast and depart
• Drive through Andean landscapes
• Visit Cañapa, Hedionda, Honda lagoons
• Cross Siloli Desert and see Stone Tree
• Enter Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve
• Walk Red Lagoon shores
• Dinner and overnight near Laguna Colorada

Day 3: Geysers, Green Lagoon and Transfer

• Visit Sol de Mañana geysers at sunrise
• Optional bath in Polques hot springs
• Visit Green Lagoon at Licancabur Volcano
• Border crossing at Hito Cajón
• Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama

The experience

The Train Cemetery sets the tone: rusting locomotives abandoned in the desert mark the start of a landscape unlike anywhere else. From there, the route opens onto Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, where the horizon flattens to nothing and the sky takes over. You stop at a salt village to see how locals craft goods from the flats, then drive onto Incahuasi Island (dry season only), a rocky outcrop studded with giant cacti that rises from the white. Lunch happens in the middle of the salt, and the afternoon is yours for perspective photos: the flat surface plays tricks on scale and distance. The Saltwater Eyes and Playa Blanca Salt Hotel Museum break up the expanse before sunset turns the white to gold.

Day two leaves the salt behind and climbs into the high desert. The drive passes vicuñas and llamas grazing on sparse grass, with volcanoes rising in the distance. A series of lagoons (Cañapa, Hedionda, Honda) hold flamingos and other birdlife in their mineral-stained waters. The Siloli Desert opens up next, and the Stone Tree (Árbol de Piedra) stands alone on the plain, a rock formation that looks carved by hand. The Laguna Colorada, famous for its rust-red color and thousands of flamingos, marks the entrance to Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. You walk the shore and sleep at a basic lodge nearby.

The final morning starts before dawn at Sol de Mañana, where geysers shoot steam and boiling mud bubbles at sunrise. An optional soak in the Polques hot springs follows if you want it. The water is warm and the desert is silent around you. The Green Lagoon sits at the foot of Licancabur Volcano, a final high-altitude lake before the border. You cross into Chile at Hito Cajón and arrive in San Pedro de Atacama by midday. The 4WD and guide handle the route. Meals and water come with you each day.

What’s included

• 4WD transportation with passenger insurance throughout the 3 days.
• accommodation in a salt hostel on night one and a basic hostel on night two.
• all meals and water during the tour.
• transfer from the Hito Cajón border post to San Pedro de Atacama.
• English-speaking or Spanish-speaking guide (your choice at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Spanish Speaking Guide10:30includes pickup

English Speaking Guide10:30includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

AgesAdult (18 to 54 years) · Senior (55 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 31 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by On Experiences

Is this one for you?Choose the English-speaking guide if you want detailed explanations of the geology, wildlife and local history as you travel. The Spanish-speaking option suits travelers fluent in Spanish or those looking to practice the language. Either way, the fixed itinerary and shared 4WD mean you move with a small group and cover all three regions (salt, lagoons and geysers) in a single push across the Altiplano.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What is the Train Cemetery and why is it on this route?

The Train Cemetery is a graveyard of rusting historic locomotives abandoned in the desert near Uyuni, marking the start of the 3-day journey. It sits at the edge of the salt flats and serves as the first stop, introducing the scale and isolation of the landscape you'll cross.

Can I visit Incahuasi Island on this tour?

Incahuasi Island is included in the itinerary during the dry season only. The rocky island rises from the salt flats and is known for its giant cacti and views across the white expanse. It's a key photo stop on day one when conditions allow access.

What wildlife will I see on the drive to the colored lagoons?

The drive through the Andean highlands on day two passes vicuñas and llamas grazing on sparse vegetation. The lagoons themselves (Cañapa, Hedionda and Honda) are home to flamingos and other birdlife that gather in the mineral-rich waters.

What happens at Sol de Mañana and when do we go there?

Sol de Mañana is a geothermal field with active geysers, boiling mud and steam vents. You visit at sunrise on day three, when the contrast between the hot vents and the cold desert air is most dramatic.

Is the hot springs bath included or optional?

The Polques hot springs soak on day three is optional. The warm water sits in the desert landscape, and you can choose whether to bathe after visiting the geysers.

How does the border crossing to Chile work on the final day?

After visiting the Green Lagoon at the foot of Licancabur Volcano, you travel to Hito Cajón border post, where border procedures take place. Your guide and driver handle the crossing, and you arrive in San Pedro de Atacama by midday.