Experiences and local guides in Uyuni

Nature

The Uyuni salt flat, at 3,650 m, is a 10,500 km² crust of salt so flat it is used to calibrate satellites. In the rainy season a thin sheet of water turns it into the world's largest mirror; in the dry season it is a white desert of hexagons to the horizon, with Incahuasi island covered in giant cacti. To the south, the Eduardo Avaroa reserve: Laguna Colorada red with algae and flamingos, Laguna Verde below Licancabur, the Sol de Mañana geysers and the Siloli desert at 4,800 m.

Activities

• Salt flat by 4x4 for 1 to 3 days: sunrise on the mirror, Incahuasi island, salt hotel, train cemetery
• South-west circuit to Laguna Colorada, geysers, Polques hot springs and exit to San Pedro de Atacama
• Tunupa volcano ascent (5,321 m) and the Coquesa mummies, hike on Incahuasi island
• Cycling and kite-buggy on the salt flat in the dry season, Milky Way night photography
• Villages of Colchani (salt harvest) and Tahua, royal quinoa and altiplano llamas

When to go

January to March for the mirror effect, with possible closures when there is too much water. April to November dry and cold, nights down to -20 °C in June and July but perfect skies. The full circuit needs very warm clothing all year.

How to get there

Joya Andina airport (UYU) is 10 minutes from town, with daily flights from La Paz (50 minutes) and Santa Cruz. Overnight buses from La Paz (10 hours), Potosí (4 hours) and Sucre (8 hours), and a train from Oruro. From San Pedro de Atacama it is a 3-day trip via the lagoon circuit, crossing the border at Hito Cajón.