2-Days Salt Flats round-trip from Uyuni

Mundicontact Expeditions Tour Operator

Heading to South America? But short on time or only able to visit one single highlight? This should be it: A visit to the Uyuni salt flats then we definitely recommend you add it to the bucket list!

Colchani

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Day 1: Visit to Uyuni, intermediary city on the railway between Antofagasta, Chile and Pulacayo, Bolivia. Continue to the Train Graveyard: These abandoned locomotives transport us to a glorious past. Today the Train Museum is an opportunity for those seeking photography. Continue until you reach Colchani and its salt factory. If you want to know what to do in Colchani, you should know that all the salt you can imagine is produced here. Its less than 600 inhabitants work and live humbly from salt extraction. If you manage to talk to the locals, they will be happy to explain the process to you.
The salt mounds that you can see are small pyramids of salt; The residents of Colchani make these mounds to dry the salt and then transport it to the town to be processed.
In the immense whiteness of the Salar, the polygonal figures that extend across the entire surface draw attention. They measure between 1 and 2 meters in diameter and are formed naturally by the aeolian force of the wind and the physical characteristics of salt molecules.
These are small holes formed by fine, needle-sharp crystals. There the water below seems to boil, however it is nothing more than a reaction produced by the brackish liquid below and needs to be oxygenated.
Visit the staircase to heaven, the monument of flags and the countless salt figures carved by the residents.
You will enjoy the impressive landscape from the top of Incahuasi Island located in the middle of the salt flat. From this point you can enjoy an incredible 360º view of the Salar. Visit the Tahua museum, wetlands, flora and fauna of the Tunupa Volcano and Chantani. At night you will enjoy a stargazing tour in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni.

Day 2: After breakfast, visit another of the 33 islands of the Salar de Uyuni and head towards the Cave of the Galaxies, this incredible cave will transport you to another galaxy. Composed of limestone rock, it took shape during the eruption of the Tunupa volcano. A true wonder of nature. Continue exploring the salt flat until you reach San Juan del Rosario to observe the history and life of the Lords of Lípez. Today it is possible to find evidence of their culture, daily life, and customs, gathered in a small museum where pieces stand out. It is worth knowing that the Necropolis is located very close to the museum. In the afternoon, we will continue towards the lagoons of Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramaditas, where we will be able to spot the three different species of flamingos. Live the expeditions close to the lagoons, surrounded by volcanoes with their eternal snowtops mixed with landscapes full of green and other magic colors.
On the way back to Uyuni, we will stop at San Cristóbal, a village which has been moved from its original location to the actual one (even the church!) for the needs of one the biggest mines in the world.
Say bye bye to the llamas and vicuñas before returning to Uyuni.