Public travel plan
San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni: A Three-Day Salt Flats Crossing
This is a three-day, two-night 4x4 crossing from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to Uyuni in Bolivia—not a quick trip to the salt flats. Pack warm layers, thermals, gloves and a beanie for the high border crossing; the cr…
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Plan notes
Useful context before you go
This is a three-day, two-night 4x4 crossing from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to Uyuni in Bolivia—not a quick trip to the salt flats. Pack warm layers, thermals, gloves and a beanie for the high border crossing; the creators still wished they had another layer. Bring swimwear and a towel for Polques Hot Springs, and do not count on showers being available there. High altitude can make even light movement tiring, so take the route at a measured pace. Allow time for immigration—the wait was about 1.5–2 hours—and keep your PDI document safe. Check current entry requirements for your direction of travel. Toilet access can be limited, especially during the early departure and at the border. Confirm tour schedules and conditions before setting out.
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Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Day 1: San Pedro, the border and the high-altitude lagoons
The crossing begins with an early departure from San Pedro and a long day on the road. The first night's lodging and dinner are part of the overland route; confirm what your tour includes. At Polques Hot Springs, the small restaurants offer vegetarian and regular meal options. The creators ate beef with mashed potato.
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San Pedro de AtacamaSan Pedro de Atacama, Chile
San Pedro de Atacama is the Chilean starting point for the three-day crossing. Expect an early departure and a long overland route rather than a direct transfer to the salt flats.
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Hito Cajón Border CrossingHito Cajón Border Crossing, Bolivia
This high crossing can be intensely cold, with snow underfoot even after a warm day in the Chilean desert. Immigration took about 1.5–2 hours, and toilet facilities were very limited on both sides; prepare before the early departure.
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Laguna BlancaLaguna Blanca, Bolivia
Laguna Blanca is described as freshwater that local animals can drink. It lies close to Laguna Verde, making the contrast between the two lagoons striking.
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Laguna VerdeLaguna Verde, Bolivia
The water here is described as highly arsenic-rich and toxic, unlike nearby Laguna Blanca. Do not treat it as safe for people or animals.
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Desierto Salvador DalíDesierto Salvador Dalí, Bolivia
This open desert landscape prompted the Salvador Dalí comparison. It is a scenic stop along the route; bring a warm layer for time outside at altitude.
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Termas de PolquesTermas de Polques, Bolivia
The two pools are around 31°C and look out over the landscape. Bring swimwear and a towel; showers were not working during the visit, so do not count on showering afterward. Small restaurants nearby serve vegetarian and regular options; the creators had beef with mashed potato.
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Sol de Mañana Geyser FieldSol de Mañana Geyser Field, Bolivia
At around 5,000 metres, this geothermal field can be demanding if altitude affects you. Sulfur vents smell strongly of rotten eggs, and the bubbling mud was described as exceeding 100°C. Take it slowly and keep well clear of the hot vents.
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Laguna ColoradaLaguna Colorada, Bolivia
The lagoon's red color comes from algae, which also forms part of the flamingos' food. Look across the water for the large flamingo population.
Day 2: Desert rock country, San Cristóbal and Uyuni
Camel Rock and Lost Italy Village are distinct stops in the desert rock country; the exact Camel Rock sublocation is best followed with the tour driver. The guide's story linked Lost Italy Village's name to an Italian man who traveled through the desert on foot, and the scenery reminded the creators of Arizona. In San Cristóbal, the market has Bolivian chocolate, including dark chocolate and a dark-milk variety with specialty coffee; the creators also tried iced Bolivian coffee. They noted a ch…
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Italia PerdidaItalia Perdida, Bolivia
The tour stops at Camel Rock, a formation that genuinely resembles a camel. The creators also visited Lost Italy Village, associated with the nearby Italia Perdida desert landscape; follow the guide for the precise sublocation.
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Anaconda CanyonCanyon Anaconda, Bolivia
A dramatic canyon stop before lunch. The scale of the landscape is striking; the creators imagined how different it might look filled with water.
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San CristóbalSan Cristóbal, Bolivia
A more built-up town stop with a church, market and pharmacies. At the market, browse Bolivian chocolate, including dark chocolate and a dark-milk version with specialty coffee; the creators sampled these with iced Bolivian coffee.
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Cementerio de TrenesCementerio de Trenes, Uyuni, Bolivia
This collection of abandoned trains recalls their former role in moving minerals. Visitors can climb on the trains; the creators also spotted a swing and sculptures made from scrap metal. Take care on the old train surfaces.
Day 3: Sunrise reflections on Salar de Uyuni
The final morning begins with pickup around 5 a.m. for the roughly 40-minute drive from Uyuni to the flats. The group spent about two hours at the water-covered section, then crossed the dry flats for breakfast at an unnamed salt hotel, where salt-made features inside caught their attention. The tour returned to the wet flats later in the morning. Afterward, the creators had lunch in Uyuni: quinoa, beef, potato and vegetable soup followed by jelly. They also returned to their tour agency to com…
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Salar de UyuniSalar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Shallow water can turn the salt surface into a vast mirror, reflecting sunrise and later clouds. The pickup was around 5 a.m.; the drive from Uyuni took roughly 40 minutes, and the group spent about two hours at the wet section. The tour continued across the dry flats for breakfast at an unnamed salt hotel, then returned to the water later in the morning as clouds moved in.