From La Paz: Uyuni, Andean Wildlife & Lagoons
Sur Lipez Province, Bolivia
Activity
Official tickets via GetYourGuide
Experience salt flats, giant cacti, flamingo lagoons, Andean wildlife, warm springs, and surreal desert scenery while traveling from La Paz.
Highlights
- Follow salt tracks toward cactus-covered islands and distant peaks
- Find pink flamingos feeding across mineral-rich Altiplano waters
- Encounter vizcachas among rocky corners of the southern highlands
- Feel the warmth of natural pools surrounded by immense Andean plains
- See red, green, and white waters transform the high-altitude scenery
Description
DAY 1 – OVERNIGHT ROUTE FROM LA PAZ TO UYUNI
Begin in La Paz with an overnight bus to Uyuni. Settle into a reclining seat with heating, onboard restroom, pillow, and polar blanket.
Please carry 2.50 BOB in cash per person for the mandatory bus terminal fee, which must be paid before departure.
DAY 2 – WHITE HORIZONS, CACTI & SUNSET
Our team welcomes you in Uyuni at approximately 7:30 AM. Enjoy free time at a nearby café before check-in at our office, where you will meet your driver and receive a short briefing.
Departure at 10:30 AM.
- Railway Remains – See historic locomotives linked to Uyuni’s railway past.
- Colchani Traditions – Learn about local salt processing and browse salt, llama, and alpaca products.
- Across the White Expanse – Visit the Saltwater Eyes, Playa Blanca, Salt Hotel Museum, Flags of the World, and Dakar Monument.
- Incahuasi Island – Walk among giant cacti and ancient coral formations with panoramic salt-flat views.
- Perspective & Sunset – Take creative photos before enjoying sunset with wine and chips.
Overnight: Salt hostel in Atulcha.
DAY 3 – FLAMINGOS, WILDLIFE & ANDEAN LAGOONS
Breakfast at 7:00 AM before continuing across the Bolivian Altiplano.
- Chiguana & Ollagüe – Cross open desert plains and stop for views of Ollagüe Volcano.
- Flamingo Lagoons – Visit Cañapa, Hedionda, and Chiarcota, looking for flamingos, vizcachas, and other Andean wildlife.
- Eduardo Avaroa Reserve – Travel through protected landscapes of lagoons, mountains, and remote desert terrain.
- Siloli & Stone Tree – Cross the Siloli Desert and photograph its famous wind-shaped rock formation.
- Red Lagoon – Admire Laguna Colorada and watch for flamingos along its mineral-rich waters.
Overnight: Hostel in Huayllajara or Polques, subject to availability.
DAY 4 – WARM WATERS & ALTIPLANO COLORS
Early departure at 5:00 AM.
- Sol de Mañana – Observe bubbling mud pools and active vents at high altitude.
- Termas de Polques – Relax in naturally heated waters surrounded by mountain scenery.
- Dalí Desert – Cross a remote landscape known for unusual rock formations.
- Green & White Lagoons – See colorful waters beneath Licancabur Volcano.
Final Altiplano Crossing – Complete the 4WD route in Uyuni between approximately 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
Includes
- Round-trip overnight bus transportation
- Reclining seating with onboard heating
- Shared 4WD vehicle throughout the three-day Altiplano route
- Experienced local driver familiar with Uyuni and the southern highlands
- Tour conducted with an English-speaking guide
- Two overnight stays in shared rooms
- Breakfast provided on two mornings
- Two midday meals included along the route
- Dinner served on both nights of the 4WD tour
- Wine and light snacks provided during the salt-flat sunset stop
Excludes
- Entrance to Incahuasi Island – 30 BOB per traveler
- Access fee for Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve – 150 BOB per traveler
- Entry to Termas de Polques – 30 BOB per traveler
- Toilet charges along the itinerary – around 40 BOB per traveler
- Optional sleeping bag hire – 70 BOB per traveler
- Beverages purchased separately from the included meals
- Souvenirs and other individual purchases
- Optional upgrade to a private room and bathroom: contact the tour operator to check availability
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Frequently Asked Questions
The overnight bus includes reclining seats with heating, an onboard restroom, a pillow, and a polar blanket for comfort.
Carry 2.50 BOB in cash per person for the manda and dress warmly for the high-altitude journey.
Pink flamingos can be found feeding across the mineral-rich waters of the Altiplano lakes along the route to Uyuni.
You may see vizcachas, small rodent-like animals, sheltering among the rocky corners of the southern Bolivian highlands.
Yes, you can experience the warmth of natural pools surrounded by vast Andean plains, but always check local guidelines for safety.
These colorful waters reflect different mineral compositions that transform the high-altitude landscapes of the Altiplano.
Check the tour website for current availability and local weather conditions, as seasons affect wildlife visibility and road access.
Yes, the tour involves vehicle transport with occasional short walks, making it accessible for most fitness levels.
Bring warm clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera to capture the unique landscapes and wildlife of Bolivia.
The journey starts in La Paz, Bolivia, where you board the overnight bus heading to Uyuni.
