Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour: Salar, Lagoons & Flamingos

Summary

Bolivia Salt Flats Adventure: Train Cemetery, Red Lagoon & Geysers

If you want to see Bolivia’s wild side—salt flats that go on forever, pink lagoons full of flamingos, geysers at sunrise—this three-day Uyuni tour packs it all in. You’ll get local stories from your guide, try food along the way, and sleep in places you’ll talk about for years.

What’s the experience like?

Uyuni’s morning air felt sharp as we piled into our 4x4—six of us, a bit sleepy but buzzing with anticipation. First stop: the train cemetery on the edge of town. Rusted locomotives stretched out under the open sky, their metal creaking quietly in the wind. Our guide, Mario, shared stories about how these trains once connected Bolivia to the Pacific coast—now they’re just playgrounds for travelers and local kids alike.

We rolled through Colchani next, a tiny village where salt workers sell little bags of salt and quirky souvenirs. The smell of fresh empanadas drifted from a roadside stand—I grabbed one, still warm. Then came that first glimpse of the Salar de Uyuni: endless white stretching in every direction. It’s hard to describe how bright it gets out there; sunglasses are a must. At Incahuasi Island, we hiked among giant cacti—some taller than our jeep—and climbed up for a view that made everyone go quiet for a minute. Sunset on the salt flats is something else: pinks and oranges bouncing off the ground like nowhere else I’ve seen. That night, we crashed at a salt-brick hostel in San Juan del Rosario—beds were basic but honestly, after a day like that, you’ll sleep anywhere.

The next morning started early and chilly—my breath fogged up as we set off toward the high-altitude lagoons. We passed through the Salar de Chiguana (less famous than Uyuni but still surreal), then stopped at Canapa and Hedionda lagoons. Flamingos everywhere—some so close you could hear their beaks clicking in the water. The Siloli Desert felt like another planet; wind whipped around us as we snapped photos by the Stone Tree, this weird volcanic rock shaped exactly like its name. By late afternoon we reached Laguna Colorada, its red water dotted with thousands more flamingos. That night at Huayllajara Refuge was rustic—six beds to a room, no showers—but everyone was too tired to care much.

Our last day kicked off before sunrise—freezing cold but worth it for the geysers at Sol de Mañana. Steam hissed all around us as sunlight crept over the horizon; I got some wild photos with my phone lens fogging up from the heat. Later we soaked in Polques hot springs (bring your swimsuit if you want to jump in). The Salvador Dalí Desert looked almost painted—soft colors and strange rock shapes everywhere you looked. We finished at Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca near Licancabur volcano before heading back to Uyuni, dusty and happy and already swapping photos with new friends.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Train Cemetery & Salt Flats

• Meet in Uyuni and depart by 4x4
• Visit Train Cemetery and Colchani handicrafts
• Explore Salt Museum and Incahuasi Island
• Walk on Incahuasi Island and view salt flats
• Watch sunset at Salar de Uyuni
• Overnight at Hostal de Sal - Juan de Rosario

Day 2 — Lagoon Visits & Flamingos

• Depart San Juan del Rosario via Salar de Chiguana
• Visit Canapa, Hedionda, Honda, and Chiarcota lagoons
• See Stone Tree in Siloli Desert
• Visit Laguna de Colorado flamingo nesting site
• Overnight at Huayllajara Refuge

Day 3 — Geysers, Hot Springs & Return

• Sunrise at Geysers of the Morning Sun
• Visit Termas de Polques hot springs
• Explore Salvador Dalí Desert
• Visit Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca
• Return to Uyuni and end tour

Top questions

Is this Uyuni tour suitable for families?

Yes! The tour is family-friendly but keep in mind some nights are basic and high altitude can be tough for small kids or older travelers.

Do I need to bring cash or can I pay by card?

It’s best to bring some cash for snacks or souvenirs in villages like Colchani—most places don’t take cards outside Uyuni town.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Vegetarian options are usually possible—just let us know when booking so we can tell your guide ahead of time.

What should I pack for this trip?

Layers are key! Mornings and nights get cold even if days are sunny. Sunglasses and sunscreen are must-haves on the salt flats.

What’s included

Your spot includes private 4x4 transport, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), two nights’ basic accommodation (one at a salt hostel), and a Spanish-speaking guide who knows every corner of Uyuni and beyond.