Republic of Bolivia - Salar de Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, located in Bolivia. 

It is often visited as part of a 3 or 4 day tour of South West Bolivia.

Salar de Uyuni comprises over 12,000 sq km in the Potosi region. The salt is over 10 meters thick in the center. In the dry season, the salt planes are a completely flat expanse of dry salt, but in the wet season, it is covered with a thin sheet of water that is still drivable.

This blogging outlines the "standard" tour. The tour is conducted in 4x4 vehicles (usually Toyota Landcruisers) with 6 or 7 people, with the driver often times cooking. Most 3- and 4- day tours have the same itinerary for the first 2 1/2 days, a day on the salt planes, then heading south to the southwest corner of Bolivia, and then splitting off from there. The specific sites that are seen can be dependent on the tour, but group input can define which sites are visited and how much time will be spent at each.

Accommodation is usually provided in basic refuges and the weather can be very cold, but it is well worth it for the amazing scenery. Avoid tours that offer a night in one of the salt hotels - they are illegal as, not being part of the water grid, they pollute the environment.

There is a unique hotel made out of salt in Bolivia.

Getting There

Uyuni - See Uyuni for more specifics. The options include rail from Avaroa on the Chilean border (unreliable departure times), rail from Oruro, Bolivia, bus (including a tourist bus) from Oruro, Potosi, or La Paz, Bolivia.

Tupiza - see Tupiza for more specifics.

San Pedro de Atacama. The itineraries from here are virtually identical to those from Uyuni, only reversed, and about 60% more expensive.

What to Bring

Flashlight (torch) - the lights go out when the generator runs dry.

Coins and small bills - The bathrooms aren't free.

Sunglasses - the salt planes are blinding.

Camera and loads of memory cards - There are no better pictures than here.

Extra water - The tour usually provides an inadequate supply.

Sunblock - there is no atmosphere to block this sun's rays up here.

Sleeping bag - You can rent one with the tour. Down is best, and check to see that the zipper works.

Warm clothes - Layered is best.

Hot water bottle - The nights are freezing and you will be so happy to have it.

Be cautious due to drunk drivers. Every year there are some accidents on the Salt Desert, with drivers from the various companies drinking more than is healthy. Do not risk your life by traveling with a drunk driver.

Some advise to bring emergency supplies (including up to several extra days of food and water) in case the truck breaks down in a remote place, but unless you are on a custom tour there will likely be another truck along in a few minutes.

Altitude sickness is a real possibility here. If you are arriving directly from the coast, you may need up to a couple days to acclimatize. Dizziness, shortness of breath and headaches are common symptoms, but extended bouts of nausea and vomiting are not unheard of amongst those that have rushed their ascent. The locals swear by chewing coca leaves to help, and although they do relieve the symptoms, they taste terrible and may cause you to fail a drug test. Anyone not already fully aclimatized is much better advised to pick up some Acetazolamide from the pharmacy in Uyuni before departure.