Salar de Uyuni Tours: Best Ways to Visit

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Last Updated on 29 May, 2026 by Daniel Silvente

Salar de Uyuni Tours are one of the best ways to discover the largest salt flat in the world and one of the most impressive landscapes in South America. Located in Bolivia, this immense salt desert has become a must-see stop for travelers exploring the Andean Altiplano, whether starting from Uyuni or from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.

Its endless white plains, the giant cacti of Incahuasi Island, colorful lagoons, geysers, volcanoes, and the famous mirror effect during the rainy season make visiting the Salt Flats of Uyuni a truly unique experience.

But not all tours are the same. There are 1, 2, 3, and 4-day options, routes that start and end in Uyuni, and others that cross the border from Chile to explore the salt flats and southern Bolivia. That’s why, before booking your Salar de Uyuni Tour, it’s important to understand what each route includes and which one best fits your trip.

Below, we’ll show you all the Salar de Uyuni Tours available with Howlanders and the main differences between them.

Where Do Salar de Uyuni Tours Start?

Although the Uyuni Salt Flats are located in Bolivia, not all tours start in the same place. In fact, one of the most important decisions before booking your Salar de Uyuni Tour is choosing where you want to begin the route: from Uyuni, in Bolivia, or from San Pedro de Atacama, in Chile.

The town of Uyuni is located just 14 miles from the salt flats, making it the most direct starting point to visit the vast white plains, Incahuasi Island, and other iconic places in the area. It’s the best option if you’re already traveling through Bolivia or if you want to take a shorter 1, 2, or 3-day tour that starts and ends in Uyuni.

On the other hand, San Pedro de Atacama is very close to the border between Chile and Bolivia. That’s why many travelers choose a Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile to cross from one country to another while exploring some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Altiplano, including colorful lagoons, deserts, geysers, volcanoes, and rock formations.

Differences Between Starting from Uyuni or San Pedro de Atacama

If you start from Uyuni, the route is usually more focused on the Uyuni Salt Flats and the surrounding area. It’s a practical and more direct option, perfect if you’re already in Bolivia or want a quicker visit to the salt flats.

On the other hand, if you start from San Pedro de Atacama, the tour also works as a connection route between Chile and Bolivia. This option is ideal if you’re traveling through the Atacama Desert and want to continue your trip to Bolivia without organizing a separate transfer.

In short, there isn’t one perfect option for every traveler. If your priority is to visit the Salt Flats of Uyuni in the most direct way, starting from Uyuni is usually the easiest choice. But if you want a more complete experience and cross the Altiplano from Chile to Bolivia, a Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile is often the best option.

Tour Options to Visit the Uyuni Salt Flats

Salar de Uyuni Tours can start from different places, and the best option will mainly depend on your travel route, how much time you have, and whether you want to begin in Bolivia or Chile. With Howlanders, you’ll find tours starting from Uyuni, shorter 1 or 2-day options, complete 3-day routes, and tours from San Pedro de Atacama, perfect if you’re traveling through northern Chile.

Below, we’ll summarize the main Uyuni Salt Flats Tour options so you can choose the one that best fits your trip.

3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from Uyuni

The 3-day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from Uyuni is one of the most complete and popular options. It starts in the Bolivian town of Uyuni and allows you to choose whether you want to finish back in Uyuni or end the route in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

During the tour, you’ll visit some of the most famous places in the area, such as the Train Cemetery, the Salt Museum, Incahuasi Island, the vast white plains of the salt flats, the Altiplano lagoons, Laguna Colorada, the Siloli Desert, the Sol de la Mañana geysers, and the Polques Hot Springs.

It’s an ideal option if you want to discover not only the Salt Flats of Uyuni, but also some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Bolivian Plateau.

3-Day Private Premium Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

The 3-day Private Premium Uyuni Salt Flats Tour follows a similar route to the classic tour, but offers a more comfortable, private, and flexible experience.

It’s the best option if you prefer to travel without depending on group schedules, enjoy greater comfort during the route, and stay in higher-category accommodations. Since it’s a private tour, you’ll also have more flexibility to adjust the time spent at each stop.

This Tour de Uyuni is perfect for travelers looking for a more exclusive experience in the salt flats without giving up the complete 3-day route.

2-Day, 1-Night Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

If you don’t have 3 days but want a more complete experience than a one-day trip, the 2-day, 1-night Uyuni Salt Flats Tour is a great alternative.

The first day focuses on the most iconic places in the salt flats, including sunset over the endless white plains. On the second day, you’ll discover other nearby landscapes, such as the Valley of Rocks, the Altiplano lagoons, and the Church of San Cristóbal.

It’s a balanced option for travelers who want to explore the Salt Flats of Uyuni in more depth, without completing the full 3-day route.

1-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour

The 1-day Uyuni Salt Flats tour is the fastest option if you have limited time or if you’re already in Uyuni and want to make the most of a single day.

During the route, you’ll discover some of the most iconic landscapes of this natural wonder, take the famous perspective photos, and experience the vastness of the world’s largest salt desert.

It doesn’t include the Altiplano lagoons or the full route through southern Bolivia, but it’s a perfect first introduction to the salt flats.

Sunrise or Sunset at the Uyuni Salt Flats

If you’re looking for a different experience, you can also visit the salt flats at sunrise or sunset. These are shorter tours, but very special, designed to enjoy the most beautiful light of the day over the white plains.

The sunrise tour lets you see the first rays of sunlight over the salt flats, while the sunset tour offers warm colors and spectacular reflections, especially during the rainy season.

Both options are ideal if you’ve already done a tour in the area or if you want to enjoy a unique photography experience.

We ask that you please don’t make us decide whether to see the sunset or sunrise in Uyuni. The colors of the morning are captivating and those of the afternoon, too. So you will have to choose based on other particularities because both options are incredible.

Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile Ending in Uyuni

If you’re traveling through northern Chile, the Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile, starting in San Pedro de Atacama and ending in Uyuni, is one of the most practical options.

This route allows you to cross the border between Chile and Bolivia while exploring some of the most impressive landscapes of the Altiplano. It’s a great choice if you want to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats and then continue your trip through Bolivia.

The tour usually lasts 3 days and includes landscapes such as colorful lagoons, geysers, deserts, volcanoes, and, of course, the salt flats.

If your trip is in Chile and you do not want to miss the opportunity to visit the Salar de Uyuni, you also have the option of leaving from San Pedro de Atacama and returning to the same point.

3-Day Round-Trip Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile

The 3-day round-trip Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile is one of the most practical options if you want to discover the essential landscapes of the Bolivian Altiplano and then return to San Pedro de Atacama.

During the route, you’ll cross the border between Chile and Bolivia and visit spectacular places such as Altiplano lagoons, geysers, deserts, rock formations, and, of course, the Uyuni Salt Flats. It’s a very complete alternative if you only have a few days and want to enjoy the experience without continuing your trip into Bolivia.

4-Day Round-Trip Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile

The 4-day round-trip Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile is the most complete option for travelers who want to enjoy the route at a more relaxed pace. With an extra day, the itinerary gives you more time to take in the landscapes, reduces the feeling of a long journey, and makes the experience more balanced.

It’s an ideal option if you want to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats from San Pedro de Atacama, but prefer a more comfortable itinerary, with more time to discover the landscapes of the Bolivian Altiplano before returning to Chile.

Comparison of Tours to Visit the Uyuni Salt Flats

To help you compare all the options at a glance, we’ve prepared this table with all the Salar de Uyuni Tours from Bolivia or Chile. This way, you can easily choose the Uyuni Salt Flats Tour that best fits your route, available time, and the type of experience you’re looking for.

Which Tour Should You Choose to Visit the Uyni Salt Flats?

As you can see, there are many ways to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats. If you’re already in Bolivia, you can start from Uyuni and choose between 1, 2, or 3-day tours. If you’re traveling through Chile, a Salar de Uyuni Tour from Chile lets you depart from San Pedro de Atacama and discover some of the most impressive landscapes of the Bolivian Altiplano.

The best option will depend on your route, how much time you have, and the type of experience you want. But one thing is clear: visiting the Salt Flats of Uyuni is one of the must-do experiences on any trip through South America.

Check out all the Salar de Uyuni Tours available with Howlanders and choose the Uyuni Tour that best fits your adventure.