Salar de Uyuni Full Day Private Salt Flats Tour: Incahuasi Island

Drive across the world's largest salt flat and watch the sunset turn it into a mirror.

A private full-day tour of the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, departing from your Uyuni hotel with a certified guide, private 4WD vehicle and all entrance fees included. The itinerary covers the train cemetery, Colchani salt-extraction town, Incahuasi Island surrounded by salt, a local lunch on the flats themselves, and sunset followed by stargazing with views of the Milky Way and constellations. The tour runs 14 to 15 hours and includes bottled water, oxygen bottle on board, and hotel drop-off at the end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Salar de Uyuni and surroundings

• Pickup from Uyuni accommodation
• Visit the salt desert and train cemetery
• Explore Colchani town and artisan products
• Visit Incahuasi Island and enjoy local lunch
• Watch sunset and stargaze on salt flats

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation and a drive straight into the salt desert. You'll cross what looks like an endless expanse of white salt stretching in every direction, then stop at the train cemetery: a collection of decrepit, abandoned trains and a museum. From there, the route passes through Colchani, a small town where local artisans extract usable salt from the flats and sell products and souvenirs. You'll have time to walk around and see how the work is done.

After Colchani, you head to Incahuasi Island, which sits in the middle of the salt flats and offers a 360-degree view from its high point. A sumptuous local lunch waits for you on the salt flats themselves, served with local drinks. As the sun sets, the pooled rainwater over the salt turns the landscape into a mirror, and the sky fills with color. Once darkness falls, you stay on the flats with hot drinks, watching the Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations that hold meaning in Andean tradition.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of two other languages, and the private 4WD vehicle means the pace and stops are yours alone. Entrance fees, bottled water, and an oxygen bottle on board are included. An oxygen bottle is standard at this altitude. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though the 14- to 15-hour day is long and the altitude: around 3,656 meters (12,000 feet), takes adjustment.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private 4WD vehicle for the full day.
• certified professional guide in your choice of language.
• entrance fees to all sites.
• a sumptuous local lunch on the salt flats with local drinks.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• oxygen bottle on board.
• first aid kit.
• and helmet and safety equipment.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 to 98 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Mundicontact Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to set your own pace across the salt flats and linger at Incahuasi Island without waiting for others. The full-day format and high altitude demand acclimatization, so choose the half-day option if you're arriving fresh.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is the train cemetery and what will I see there?

The train cemetery is a graveyard of decrepit, abandoned trains and a small museum. You'll stop there early in the tour to walk among the rusted locomotives and learn about the region's railway history.

Can I take photos on the salt flats, and when is the best time?

Yes, you'll have time to photograph throughout the day. The best light for photos is when rainwater pools over the salt, turning it into a natural mirror that reflects the sky. This happens seasonally and your guide will position the stops to capture it. Sunset over the flats is another prime moment.

How high is the Salar de Uyuni, and will altitude be a problem?

The salt flats sit around 3,656 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level on the Altiplano. An oxygen bottle is included on board, and the tour suits all fitness levels, but altitude sickness can affect anyone. Arrive in Uyuni a day or two early to acclimatize, and let your guide know if you feel unwell.

What kind of food is served on the salt flats?

A sumptuous local lunch is included and eaten on the salt flats themselves, accompanied by local drinks. The meal is part of the full-day experience and reflects regional cuisine.

Will I really see the Milky Way and constellations at night?

Yes. The Salar de Uyuni is one of the darkest places on earth, and the tour includes stargazing after sunset. You'll see the Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations that form the basis of Andean cosmology. Clear skies are typical, though weather can change.