Salar de Uyuni Day Trip: Salt Flats, Train Cemetery & Cactus Island

Cross the world's biggest salt flat in one morning, then climb an island of giant cacti at the edge of it

A 7-hour day trip from Uyuni into Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, with a professional guide, lunch and hotel pickup. You start at the Train Cemetery to learn the history of Bolivia's first railways, move through the salt-mining village of Colchani, then drive into the salt desert itself to photograph perspective tricks, hike Cactus Island to its 3,750-meter summit, and watch the sunset across the flats. The guide speaks English or Spanish and helps you frame the best pictures. Inca Wasi Island is not available January through March during the rainy season.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Train Cemetery2h
2. Salar de Uyuni5h

Explore Uyuni Salt Flats and Surroundings

• Briefing and tour recommendations
• Drive to Train Cemetery and learn history
• Visit Colchani village and salt factory
• Lunch at Salt hotel
• Drive to Playa Blanca salt hotel
• Photo session in the salt flat
• Hike Inca Wasy Island and see cacti
• Enjoy 360° view from island top
• Watch sunset at best location
• Return to Uyuni town

The experience

The day starts at 10:30 am with a briefing and a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser ride to the Train Cemetery, where your guide uncovers the story of the first trains that arrived in Bolivia and what they carried. From there you move through Colchani, a small village where salt is refined and packed, with time to browse handicraft shops. Lunch happens in a salt hotel with vegetarian options available if you request them when booking.

The real journey begins when you head into Salar de Uyuni itself. Your first stop is Playa Blanca, the only construction allowed in the salt flat: the first salt hotel ever built there. Then comes a 30-minute drive to a special location in the middle of the desert where your guide positions you and your group for perspective photographs, a trick that works because the flat horizon makes distance impossible to judge. You'll see people appearing to hold up the sky or pinch distant travelers between their fingers.

Next is Inca Wasi Island, also called Cactus Island, where giant cacti and petrified coral rock formations rise from the salt. A 40-minute hike takes you to the summit at 12,303 feet, where a 360-degree view of the entire salt flat opens up. The driver picks the best spot to watch the sunset around 6 pm, and you return to Uyuni by 6:30 or 7 pm. One guide is shared between two vehicles, with a maximum of 12 people per guide.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from selected hotels.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch in a salt hotel with vegetarian options.
• all activities including the Train Cemetery, Colchani village, perspective photography in the salt flat, and the Cactus Island hike.
• wine tasting.
• hotel drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by RED PLANET EXPEDITION

Is this one for you?Choose this shared tour if you want a guide who knows exactly where to position you for perspective photos and when to time the sunset stop, rather than navigating the salt flat's highlights on your own.

Traveler reviews

4.17★★★★★★★★★★

603 verified traveler reviews

5 ★356

4 ★118

3 ★50

2 ★32

1 ★47

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Train Cemetery and why is it part of this tour?

The Train Cemetery holds the first locomotives and rail cars that arrived in Bolivia in the early 20th century. Your guide explains their history and purpose as part of the region's story, and it serves as the opening stop before you head into the salt flat itself.

Can I take the perspective pictures everyone posts from the salt flats?

Yes. Your guide takes you to a special location in the middle of Salar de Uyuni and shows you how to frame the shots so you appear to be holding up distant people or objects, a trick that works because the flat horizon makes depth impossible to judge.

How difficult is the hike on Cactus Island?

The hike to the summit of Inca Wasi Island takes 40 minutes and reaches 12,303 feet. It is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the altitude and terrain are real. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the hike is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Is Cactus Island included every time, or does it depend on the season?

Inca Wasi Island is not available from January through March during the rainy season, unless the operator specifies otherwise. Outside those months, it is included in the standard itinerary.

What time does the tour start and end?

Check-in is at 10:00 am, and the briefing and departure happen at approximately 10:30 am. The tour returns to Uyuni by 6:30 or 7 pm, depending on sunset timing.

Do I need to bring my own lunch or water?

Lunch is included and takes place in a salt hotel with multiple options for taste and diet. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at booking. Bring water and sun protection for the salt flat, where there is no shade.