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Last Updated on 10 June, 2026 by Daniel Silvente
A Salar de Uyuni Trip is much more than a visit to Bolivia’s famous salt desert. Along the route, you’ll discover landscapes that look like they belong on another planet: islands covered with giant cacti, colorful lagoons, flamingos, hot springs, rock formations, and natural viewpoints that make this journey one of the great travel experiences in South America.
If you’re starting to plan your trip, we recommend comparing the different Salar de Uyuni Tour options first, since not all routes start in the same place or last the same number of days. You can start your tour in Uyuni, begin in San Pedro de Atacama, or even cross from Chile into Bolivia on a multi-day route.
At Howlanders, we offer different tours to the Salar de Uyuni so you can choose the option that best fits your trip, whether you want to start in Bolivia or prefer to begin the tour from Chile. Plus, on our blog, you’ll find useful guides to help you prepare for the experience, including when to visit the Salar de Uyuni, how to see the mirror effect, what to pack, and how to plan your route through the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
In this article, we’ll share some of the most surprising things you can find during your trip to the salt flats, so you know what to expect and can start imagining everything waiting for you on this adventure.
A huge, empty space
In the middle of nowhere. That’s what the Salar de Uyuni feels like. This huge white space is one of Bolivia’s most surreal landscapes, and one of those places you can hardly believe exists until you’re standing there.
A Salar de Uyuni Trip is perfect if you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, with wide-open landscapes, silence, and a feeling of immensity that is hard to explain.
Bright white salt
The Salar de Uyuni is a natural wonder in Bolivia and the largest salt flat in the world, covering 4,086 square miles (10,582 km²). It is covered by a thick layer of white salt that can be several feet deep, which is why it shines so brightly under the sun.
In the dry season, the landscape looks like an endless surface of salt. In the rainy season, the famous mirror effect appears. If you want to know when to see it, check out our guide on the weather and the best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni.
Giant cacti
In the middle of this endless salt flat, you’ll also find giant cacti 🌵. Some are hundreds of years old and can grow over 33 feet (10 meters) tall, creating a striking contrast against the white salt.
One of the best places to see them is Incahuasi Island, a regular stop on many tours. If you’re planning your Salar de Uyuni Trip, make sure to check whether your route includes this visit.
Roaming llamas
During the trip, you may also see llamas grazing around the salt flats. These animals are part of the Andean landscape and one of the most typical sights in the area.
If you want a more complete experience in the Salar de Uyuni Bolivia, we recommend choosing a multi-day tour. That way, you’ll discover not only the salt flats, but also the lagoons, volcanoes, villages, and landscapes of the high plateau.
Hot springs with views to Salar de Uyuni
One of the most pleasant experiences during a Salar de Uyuni Tour is relaxing in natural hot springs. The best-known ones are the Polques Hot Springs, located near the Chilean border.
After several hours on the road through the high plateau, soaking in warm water surrounded by mountains and volcanic landscapes feels like a real luxury. So if you’re comparing tours, check whether the route includes this stop.
Sulfur lakes
The high-altitude lagoons are one of the main highlights of any Salar de Uyuni Trip. Some stand out for their reddish, green, or blue tones, and many are surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, and desert landscapes.
Among the most famous are Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde. If you want to visit them, the best option is to choose a multi-day tour from Uyuni or from San Pedro de Atacama.
Incredibly clear night skies over the Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni is also an incredible place for stargazing. Since it is far from large cities, light pollution is very low and the stars can be seen with amazing clarity.
On some tours, it is possible to experience the salt flats at night, especially during the mirror effect season. If this part of the trip interests you, read our article about the Salar de Uyuni Night before booking.
Strange rock formations
Along the route, you’ll also find curious rock formations shaped by wind and erosion over thousands of years. Some look like natural sculptures in the middle of the desert.
These landscapes make the trip much more than just a visit to the salt flats. It becomes a complete route through some of Bolivia’s most surprising scenery. That’s why a 3- or 4-day Salar de Uyuni Tour is usually the best option to explore the area at a relaxed pace.
Flocks of pink flamingos
Flamingos are another great surprise of the trip. These birds are usually found in the high-altitude lagoons, where they feed and gather in large groups over the water.
Seeing pink flamingos with mountains, volcanoes, and colorful lagoons in the background is one of the most beautiful images of the Salar de Uyuni Bolivia. If you want to increase your chances of seeing them, choose a route that includes Laguna Colorada and other high-Andean lagoons.
A train cemetery in the Salar de Uyuni
Yes, you read that right. Near the Salar de Uyuni, there is an abandoned train cemetery full of old wagons and locomotives that were once part of the area’s mining history.
Today, it is one of the most photographed spots of the trip and a regular stop on many tours departing from Uyuni. If you want to know more, read our post about the history of the train cemetery before your visit.
As you can see, a Salar de Uyuni Trip is much more than visiting a huge salt plain. Along the route, you can find giant cacti, colorful lagoons, flamingos, hot springs, rock formations, starry skies, and places as curious as the train cemetery.
If you’re planning your trip, at Howlanders you can compare different Salar de Uyuni Tour options from Uyuni or from San Pedro de Atacama. And if you still have questions, on our blog you’ll find more guides on when to go, what to pack, how to see the mirror effect, and how to plan your adventure through the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
