Everyone has heard of Uyuni, and everyone knows it’s an iconic place tied to the world-famous Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Most travelers come here for a short visit and then move on. But you can do it differently.
This itinerary is designed to show you the lesser-known, still largely undiscovered areas around the world’s largest salt flat—Salar de Uyuni. Our route will take you to places that 99% of visitors to this region will never see.
Most tourists experience Salar de Uyuni from the town of Uyuni and its eastern edge. We see the salt flat differently. We’ll explore it from the north, and then crossing along its western shore will let us experience the Altiplano in its purest form. This is where silence rules, the horizon is empty, and you feel completely isolated—and it’s very likely we won’t meet any other tourists for several days.
If you want to experience the solitude of a high-altitude landscape without having to travel all the way to southern Bolivia, this loop is the ideal choice. The program starts and ends in Uyuni and combines Salar de Uyuni, the Tunupa volcano, authentic countryside, and lesser-known places off the main tourist routes.
Day 1 – Arrival in Uyuni
After arriving in Uyuni, we’ll transfer to the accommodation and have free time to rest after the journey and acclimatize to the altitude. In the evening, we’ll meet for a group dinner and go over the plan for the next days.
Day 2 – Uyuni → Coqueza
In the morning, we’ll visit the local markets in Uyuni, where you can get a feel for everyday life. Then we’ll head to the train cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes), one of the region’s iconic stops. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the northern part of the Salar, to the village of Coqueza, located right below the Tunupa volcano. We’ll end the day with dinner at a local hotel.
Day 3 – Salar de Uyuni, caves and Isla Incahuasi
We’ll spend this day directly on the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Before driving onto the endless white plain, we’ll visit a local cave with mummies (Chullpas / Cueva de las Momias in the Coqueza area), offering a unique glimpse into the history of the Altiplano’s indigenous cultures. We’ll enjoy lunch right in the middle of the Salar. In the afternoon, we’ll continue with a visit to Isla Incahuasi, famous for its giant cacti, and we’ll also explore the nearby Cueva del Diablo on the island of Phia Phia. In the evening, we’ll return to our hotel in the village of Coqueza.
Day 4 – Trek to the crater of Tunupa volcano
After breakfast, we’ll drive to the trek starting point at an altitude of around 4,600 m. From there, we’ll hike up to the crater of Tunupa volcano, reaching about 5,150 m, depending on the group’s fitness. The reward is stunning views of Salar de Uyuni and the surrounding mountains. After returning to the village, we’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 5 – Coqueza → Llica
Today we’ll travel along the edge of the Salar to the town of Llica. The day’s program will be adjusted based on what the group agrees on—options include visiting the Ulo crater or an off-road drive up Cerro Hualchisa to 4,363 m. We’ll spend the evening and night in Llica and try specialties at authentic local restaurants.
Day 6 – Llica → San Pedro de Quemes
In the morning, we’ll have breakfast in a Bolivian street-food style (simple local dishes). Then we’ll continue along the western side of Salar de Uyuni, one of the least visited parts of the region. Along the way, we’ll stop at the remote hot springs Aguas Termales de Empexa, with the option of a short soak in thermal water with a perfect view of a lesser-known part of the Altiplano. In the evening, we’ll arrive in San Pedro de Quemes, where we’ll check in and have dinner at a local hotel.
Day 7 – San Pedro de Quemes → Uyuni
In the morning, we’ll explore San Pedro de Quemes—we’ll walk through a traditional Andean village, visit the local church and central square, and get a glimpse of everyday life on the Altiplano. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer back to Uyuni, where we’ll spend the final night of the loop.
Day 8 – Departure from Uyuni
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll transfer to the airport and fly out together from Uyuni.
Loop overview
- Duration: 8 days
- Start / finish: Uyuni
- Pace: relaxed, with a focus on acclimatization; includes several transfers by 4×4 off-road vehicle
- Program type: off-road, trekking, nature and local culture
- Ideal for travelers who want to experience Salar de Uyuni in depth, without rushing