Uyuni Salt Flats: 2-day tour with Laguna Colorada & flight

Summary

Salt crunch underfoot, flamingos in the wind, and a sky that won’t quit

You’ll fly from La Paz straight into Bolivia’s wildest landscapes—crunching across Uyuni’s endless salt flats with a local guide, climbing among giant cacti on Incahuasi Island, watching flamingos scatter over red lagoons, and warming up with soup in a desert hotel. It’s two days of surreal views and quiet moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect when we landed in Uyuni — the flight from La Paz is just under an hour, but it felt like we’d stepped onto another planet. Our guide, Javier, met us right outside the tiny airport (he waved a little too enthusiastically, which made me laugh). First stop was breakfast at this local café where the coffee was strong enough to wake up my bones. The air smelled faintly of salt and something I couldn’t place — maybe dust or just altitude. Colchani was our first real taste of the salt flats: piles of white crystals everywhere, women selling woven hats and little llama figurines. I tried to say “gracias” in Aymara and got it totally wrong; one of the vendors grinned anyway.

Driving out onto the Salar de Uyuni itself is… weirdly quiet? The salt crunches under the tires but otherwise it’s just this endless white. At Incahuasi Island, we climbed around giant cacti — some taller than a bus — and I kept thinking how small we looked out there. Lunch was a picnic on the flats (cold chicken sandwiches taste better when you’re surrounded by nothing but sky). Later, as we crossed into the Siloli Desert, colors started creeping back in: pink lakes dotted with flamingos at Laguna Hedionda, rusty mountains in the distance. We spent the night at Tayka del Desierto hotel — stone walls, warm soup for dinner, and I slept like a rock despite the wind rattling outside.

The next morning started before sunrise (I’m not usually a morning person but somehow it felt right). Breakfast was quick — bread still warm from the oven — then off to see Sol de Mañana geysers hissing in the cold air. The smell of sulfur hit me first; steam curled around our boots as Javier explained how locals believe spirits live here. At Polques hot springs I dipped my hands in just for a second (too shy for a full soak), and watched an old man laugh as he splashed his grandson. The Red Lake—Laguna Colorada—looked unreal with all those flamingos picking their way through red water. On the drive back to Uyuni I dozed off watching rocks flicker past; woke up just as we passed through another tiny village where kids waved at our car.

I keep thinking about that silence on the salt flats — how even now it feels like something’s echoing inside me from that day trip to Salar de Uyuni. If you get a chance to go, take it. Just don’t forget your sunglasses… or maybe learn how to say “thank you” properly first.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — La Paz to Uyuni and Salt Flats

• Transfer to El Alto Airport and fly to Uyuni
• Buffet lunch in Uyuni
• Visit Colchani village and salt pools
• Explore Uyuni salt flats
• Visit Incahuasi Island
• Visit Laguna Hedionda and nearby lakes
• Overnight at Tayka del Desierto hotel

Day 2 — Tayka del Desierto to La Paz

• Early breakfast and start return journey
• Visit Geiser Sol de Mañana
• Relax at Polques hot springs
• Return to Uyuni airport and fly to La Paz
• Transfer to hotel in La Paz

Top questions

How long is the flight from La Paz to Uyuni?

The flight takes approximately 45 minutes each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this Uyuni Salt Flats tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in La Paz and Uyuni.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay overnight at Hotel Tayka del Desierto or similar in the desert.

Are meals included during the 2-day tour?

Yes, breakfast, lunch (including box lunches), and dinner are included both days.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, your private guide speaks both English and Spanish.

What are some highlights visited on this day trip to Salar de Uyuni?

You’ll visit Colchani village, Incahuasi Island, Laguna Colorada (Red Lake), geysers at Sol de Mañana, Polques hot springs, and more.

Can vegetarians be accommodated on this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Is this private Uyuni Salt Flats tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible; please advise when booking.

What’s included

Your experience includes roundtrip flights between La Paz and Uyuni, private transportation throughout both days with an English-speaking local guide and driver, hotel pickup and drop-off at both ends of your journey, overnight accommodation at Hotel Tayka del Desierto (or similar), plus all meals—two breakfasts, two lunches (sometimes picnic style), two dinners—and entry to all sites along the route including Incahuasi Island and Laguna Colorada.