Uyuni is the gateway to the salt flats for most travelers, but also an ideal starting point for exploring the most iconic natural scenery of southern Bolivia. This itinerary focuses on the region’s most famous highlights – colorful lagoons full of flamingos, dramatic volcanic landscapes, hot thermal springs, and the high-altitude deserts of the Altiplano.
Along the way, you’ll encounter breathtaking views of active and dormant volcanoes, bathing in thermal springs amid rugged terrain, and for those with the energy and desire, the opportunity to complete a high-altitude trek to Licancabur volcano. The circuit begins in the town of Uyuni and leads to the most beautiful areas of southwestern Bolivia, where nature reveals itself in its wildest form.
Day 1 – Arrival in Uyuni
After arriving in Uyuni, transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is for resting after your journey and gradually acclimatizing to the altitude. In the evening, we’ll meet for dinner to get to know each other and go over the program for the coming days.
Day 2 – Salar de Uyuni and Isla Incahuasi
On the second day, we’ll head out to the iconic Salar de Uyuni salt flats. We’ll visit the endless white expanse, take time for photography, and explore Isla Incahuasi with its giant cacti rising from the salt. The day serves as an introduction to the landscapes of southern Bolivia and an important part of acclimatization.
Day 3 – Uyuni → Villa Mar
We leave the Salar area and head south. Along the way, we’ll stop at Laguna Yapi, Laguna Vinto, and visit the interesting rock formations of Ciudad Italia and Copa del Mundo. The landscape gradually transforms into the typical southern Bolivian Altiplano. In the evening, we’ll arrive in the village of Villa Mar, where dinner and an overnight stay in a comfortable local hotel await.
Day 4 – Laguna Colorada and Árbol de Piedra
We continue deeper into the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Today brings one of the region’s main icons – Laguna Colorada, known for its red color and thousands of flamingos. Along the way, we’ll also visit the legendary Árbol de Piedra rock formation. We’ll spend the evening in a simple local hostel near the lagoon.
Day 5 – Sol de Mañana and Laguna Chalviri
In the morning, we’ll head to the Sol de Mañana geothermal area, where you’ll see fumaroles, bubbling mud, and active volcanic activity at elevations above 4,800 m. We’ll then continue to Laguna Chalviri, where you can enjoy bathing in thermal pools right in the heart of the Altiplano. Dinner and overnight stay in a local hostel.
Day 6 – Laguna Kollpa, Laguna Hedionda, and Uturuncu Volcano
Today we head north along the Uturuncu volcano massif. Along the way, we’ll visit Laguna Kollpa and Laguna Hedionda, known for their flamingos and mineral-rich waters. The landscape is open, rugged, and far less visited than the central parts of the reserve. We’ll end the evening in simple mountain accommodation in the Uturuncu volcano area.
Day 7 – Drive up the Slopes of Uturuncu Volcano and Return to Uyuni
Today brings an exceptional experience – we’ll take a 4×4 vehicle up one of the highest roads in Bolivia to approximately 5,620 m on the slopes of Uturuncu volcano. This is a unique drive with panoramic views across the entire Altiplano. After descending from the heights, we’ll head back to Uyuni, where dinner in the town streets and an overnight stay in a hotel await.
Day 8 – Departure from Uyuni
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and departure from Uyuni.
Itinerary Extension Option:
The itinerary can be extended by one or two days to include an ascent of Licancabur volcano and/or a summit climb of Uturuncu volcano. Both options require very good physical fitness, successful acclimatization, and favorable weather conditions.
Itinerary Overview
- Duration: 8 to 10 days
- Start / End: Uyuni
- Pace: moderate, with gradual acclimatization, 4×4 off-road transfers
- Program Type: off-road, lagoons, volcanoes, thermal springs, high-altitude landscapes