Uyuni night tour: Stargazing on the salt flats

The salt flats turn into a mirror for the stars.

A private night tour of Salar de Uyuni lets you pick when to start (after sunset, before dawn or in the early morning), and head out from your hotel with an English-speaking guide to watch the stars over the world's largest salt-covered desert. Hot drinks keep you warm while you photograph the night sky or watch the sunrise, and you return to Uyuni at the end of the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night tour at Uyuni salt flats

• Start tour after sunset or before dawn
• Travel from hotel to salt flats
• Find spot for star gazing and photography
• Enjoy warm drinks during tour
• Return to Uyuni with memories

The experience

How do you get to the best stargazing spot in the salt flats without a car? The tour picks you up from your hotel in Uyuni and drives you out to Salar de Uyuni, where the guide finds the ideal location for the night sky depending on the season: mirror-like reflections during the rainy months, or the wide-open views of the dry season. The whole experience runs about four hours from pickup to return.

You choose when to go: after sunset, in the early morning before dawn, or just before sunrise. The guide brings hot drinks to keep you warm while you're out on the flats, and you can bring optional extras if you want to enhance the experience. If you're planning to photograph the stars, the guide knows where the clearest skies will be and can help you find the right spot. The tour works best from March through February, when the skies are clearest. The rainy season starting at the end of February can cloud the viewing conditions.

Children from age five are welcome on the tour. Boots are provided so you can walk comfortably across the salt, and the guide speaks English throughout. You'll need to be reasonably comfortable with the cold and the altitude, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant travelers or anyone with cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel to the salt flats and back.
• hot drinks to keep you warm.
• boots for walking on the salt.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Salar de Uyuni.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:00 and 04:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Visit South America

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you travel with your own guide and vehicle rather than joining a group, which means you can set the start time and pace to your preference. Choose it if you want flexibility on when to photograph the stars and prefer not to coordinate with other travelers.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What is Salar de Uyuni like at night?

Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt-covered desert, and at night it becomes a vast, flat expanse where the stars are visible in extraordinary numbers. In the dry season, you see the open salt plains stretching to the horizon. In the rainy season, the salt surface reflects the sky like a mirror, which can create striking effects for photography.

Can I choose what time of night to go stargazing?

Yes, the tour is flexible and you pick the start time that suits you. You can go after sunset, in the early morning before dawn, or just before sunrise, depending on what you want to see and photograph.

What happens if the weather is cloudy?

The rainy season starting at the end of February can affect viewing conditions, so cloud cover is possible during those months. The rest of the year generally offers some of the clearest skies available, but weather on any given night can vary.

Do I need to bring my own camera or equipment?

You can bring your own camera for night photography. Boots are provided so you can walk on the salt flats comfortably, and the guide can help you find the best spots for shooting. Optional extras are available if you want to enhance the experience.