SALAR DE UYUNI VIA SAJAMA – 3 DAYS TOUR FROM LA PAZ

DAY 1

SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK

Instead of having to make the long (often overnight) way to the town of Uyuni, our adventure starts right in the city of La Paz (Bolivia’s administrative capital and starting point for most trips in the country). Upon an early morning meeting, we make our way out into the vast countryside driving along a modern highway en route to Sajama National Park.

Sajama National Park is named after Bolivia’s highest peak Mt. Sajama (6.542m) and is one of the country’s best kept secrets. Lying along the border with Chile, this protected area boasts spectacular snowcapped mountains, striking desolate deserts, high Andean lagoons, traditional villages, pristine rivers, natural hot springs, boiling volcanic geysers, vast wetlands, unique flora, native fauna (alpaca, llama, vicuña, Andean ostrich, viscacha, flamingo and other species of birds) and friendly, welcoming people.

Our morning drive from La Paz to Sajama National Park is not without interesting stops at natural places such as deserts, wetlands teeming with wildlife, rivers and cultural sites such as ancient tombs and quaint, colonial churches. A full afternoon is spent contemplating the striking landscapes, walking among boiling geysers, taking small hikes in the mountains and bathing in the natural hot springs with stunning views of Bolivia’s highest peak.

We sleep either in the community-run and ecotourism venture of Tomarapi or in more basic accommodation in the village of Sajama. Regardless of your place of choice, we enjoy a well-deserved rest in one of Bolivia’s most isolated and off the beaten track regions.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: Basic lodge. Shared bathroom IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: Simple lodge with private room/bathroom IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: Tomarapi Ecolodge with private room/bathroom IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 2

SAJAMA TO UYUNI: DESERTS, LAGOONS, COIPASA SALT FLATS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The second day of our expedition brings us south into the remote and rural highlands. Get off the beaten path by visiting secluded lagoons filled with pink, Andean flamingo as well as colorful and remote archaeological sites. View traditional villages and thousands of cute alpacas, llamas, vicuñas (wild) among green pastures and barren deserts. Enjoy a scenic lunch in prime nature and continue your drive south bound for Salar de Uyuni for a stunning sunset not before having Salar de Coipasa (second largest only to Salar de Uyuni) for ourselves – 3.000 square kilometers of pure salt – in the afternoon. We also get to visit an ancient burial site where we embrace the remains of past cultures as part of a moderate hike to break the long drive of the day.

* Today is a long day's drive. You will climb aboard our vehicle at around 6 am and arrive at your accommodation around 6 pm. We do provide several opportunities for breaks and short walks during the day (you don't spend the whole time in the vehicle) but do expect long hours of driving. If you would like to do the exact same program but with plenty more time and hiking opportunities, take our Salar de Uyuni from La Paz 4-Day Trip.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: Simple lodge with shared bathroom. Hot, shared shower. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: Simple salt lodge with private room/bathroom and hot shower. IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: Salt Hotel TAYKA DE SAL or TAMBO COQUESA in the order of availability.

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 3

UYUNI SALT FLATS FULL DAY

Today sees us enjoying the trip’s grand finale with an early sunrise drive into the mesmerizing Uyuni Salt Flats. Few places in the planet can offer such a surreal start of the day that you will never forget. After sunrise, return to our accommodation for a warm breakfast and get prepared to spend a full day exploring the world’s largest salt flats. Today’s activities include hiking in Isla Incahuasi (giant cacti island), taking our time for fun, deep-perspective photographs, enjoying lunch in the middle of the salt flats, learning about salt mining, visiting the former salt hotel “Playa Blanca” by the international flag stand and more surprises in store for you with the added advantage of almost no crowds since we will be doing the trip in a different direction from most people.

End this trip of a lifetime upon arrival in the town of Uyuni from where you can take an overnight bus or quick flight back to La Paz or arrange further travel to Potosi/Sucre.

ACCOMMODATION
NONE

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH

DAY 1

SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK

Instead of having to make the long (often overnight) way to the town of Uyuni, our adventure starts right in the city of La Paz (Bolivia’s administrative capital and starting point for most trips in the country). Upon an early morning meeting, we make our way out into the vast countryside driving along a modern highway en route to Sajama National Park.

Sajama National Park is named after Bolivia’s highest peak Mt. Sajama (6.542m) and is one of the country’s best kept secrets. Lying along the border with Chile, this protected area boasts spectacular snowcapped mountains, striking desolate deserts, high Andean lagoons, traditional villages, pristine rivers, natural hot springs, boiling volcanic geysers, vast wetlands, unique flora, native fauna (alpaca, llama, vicuña, Andean ostrich, viscacha, flamingo and other species of birds) and friendly, welcoming people.

Our morning drive from La Paz to Sajama National Park is not without interesting stops at natural places such as deserts, wetlands teeming with wildlife, rivers and cultural sites such as ancient tombs and quaint, colonial churches. A full afternoon is spent contemplating the striking landscapes, walking among boiling geysers, taking small hikes in the mountains and bathing in the natural hot springs with stunning views of Bolivia’s highest peak.

We sleep either in the community-run and ecotourism venture of Tomarapi or in more basic accommodation in the village of Sajama. Regardless of your place of choice, we enjoy a well-deserved rest in one of Bolivia’s most isolated and off the beaten track regions.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: Basic lodge. Shared bathroom IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
STANDARD: Simple lodge with private room/bathroom IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures
PLUS: Tomarapi Ecolodge with private room/bathroom IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 2

SAJAMA TO UYUNI

The second day of our expedition brings us south en route to Salar de Uyuni. Most of the day will be spent traveling by vehicle from Sajama to Uyuni with several stops at natural geological formations such as the “stone valley”, small lagoons and scenic viewpoints along the highway (during the rainy season, the usual route taken in the dry season is inaccessible, including Salar de Coipasa). Although it is a long day covering a long distance, the journey will have several stops before reaching the town of Colchani (Plus package) or Uyuni (Basic and Standard) for a well-deserved rest after a long day of travel.

ACCOMMODATION
BASIC: BASIC HOSTEL IN THE TOWN OF UYUNI WITH PRIVATE ROOM BUT SHARED BATHROOM. HOT SHOWER AVAILABLE
STANDARD: HOTEL IN THE TOWN OF UYUNI WITH PRIVATE ROOM , BATHROOM AND HOT SHOWER AVAILABLE
PLUS: HOTEL PALACIO DE SAL, LUNA SALADA OR CRISTAL SAMAÑA (PREFERRED ORDER. BASED ON AVAILABILITY) IMPORTANT: Please click/tap here for details and pictures

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

DAY 3

UYUNI SALT FLATS FULL DAY

After a good night’s rest in your hotel, take your time for breakfast and a short stroll around the town of Uyuni (Basic & Standard) or venture into the salt flats if you stayed in the town of Colchani (Plus).

We will pick you up in the morning to visit the nearby train cemetery (Basic & Standard) or visit this place later in the day (Plus).

Next, drive to the village of Colchani where you will have the opportunity to walk through its colorful market and learn about salt mining in one of the rustic processing plants in the village.

Time to enter the salt flats as far as it is be possible. Typically, during the months of February to March, we are limited to the edge of the salt flats by the high level of water. However, this is enough to enjoy the “mirror” effect reflecting the sky (if the conditions are right). If possible, especially during the months of January and April, we may be able to visit Playa Blanca museum, where the Dakar monument and multinational flag stand are located.

End this experience of a lifetime upon arrival in the town of Uyuni from where you can take an overnight bus or quick flight back to La Paz or arrange further travel to Potosi/Sucre around 6 PM.

ACCOMMODATION
NONE

MEALS
BREAKFAST, LUNCH

• Ideal if you would like to be picked up in your La Paz hotel or airport
• This trip covers the region between La Paz and Uyuni but not further south
• Sajama National Park is not as visited as other parts of Bolivia. If you want to avoid the crowds, this is the perfect place
• The road from Sajama to Uyuni has remote natural lagoons with flamingos but these are not the famous red or green lagoons
• Accommodation is overall basic. You should be ready to do without modern comforts regardless of the package you choose
• Not an ideal trip if you wish to continue to/start from San Pedro de Atacama. See our Classic 3 Day Tour instead

PLEASE NOTE THAT PARK AND OTHER SITES' ADMISSION FEES - IF APPLICABLE - ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE (READ BELOW)

WHY TAKE THIS TRIP WITH US?

• This trip has a perfect safety record with no accidents or serious incidents ever recorded
• Our drivers and guides are trained to put safety as priority
• No surcharges or hidden fees during the tour (see exclusions)
• We are a local company with more than 8 years’ experience running this type of trips in Bolivia and Peru
• This trip should not be considered a replacement for the classic 3-day Uyuni Salt Flats & Southwest (namely Eduardo Avaroa Reserve) tour but rather a good alternative since all the natural features seen on the classic trip can also be seen on this one, but are located in entirely different places and are not the same ones
• This trip is ideal if you plan to return to La Paz or travel further to Potosi/Sucre after the tour
• This trip is not ideal for you if you plan to transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. While it is still possible to do so from Uyuni town, it is advisable that you take our classic 3-day tour or our 5-day La Paz to Uyuni tour.
• You must be ready for a long drive on the second day although plenty of stops are made
• Our prices already include a bilingual English-speaking guide. However, you may choose to travel without one (Spanish-speaking driver and printed informational booklet) if you wish to save
• Our different packages vary considerably in terms of accommodation quality. Note that our Plus package includes the best available hotels in the region(s) but must not be considered luxury, 4/5 star hotels

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO CONSIDER

• The itinerary may suffer changes without previous notice due to factors outside our direct control such as weather and road conditions. If we are forced to alter the itinerary in any way, it will be based on good judgment and necessary modifications for your own safety and comfort and you will be promptly notified. We never alter or skip attractions in the itinerary without explaining the reasoning behind any possible change and providing adequate proof that such change may be necessary. Therefore, you should not take the above itinerary as “set in stone” and we will not he held liable for any loss or damage that you may feel arising from such changes made for your benefit.
• The Salt Flats region is a remote area that lacks the usual comforts of the modern world. You should not expect high standards of accommodation, hot water is available most of the time (according to respective package) and electricity is available for a few hours or more where possible.
• Food is handled hygienically and it is our priority and job that you are satisfied with the limited resources available in this region. Vegetarians are welcome, but should not expect special menus as we do what we can to serve appropriate portions of vegetables and fruit in the vegetarian menu.
• During the rainy season (December to March/April) some parts of the salt flats may be inaccessible such as Incahuasi Island and time on the actual salt flats is limited. Most of the regular itinerary is followed as normal.

The following are dates in which other people have shown interest in forming a group for this tour. Use the ENQUIRY tab to request a new date or join one of the dates below to form a group and obtain the respective price. The number of interested persons is shown for your reference and you will be updated via email if other people are interested in the same date. If your party consist of four persons, we suggest booking a tour outright to confirm departure.