Essential Bolivia Tour: Uyuni Salt Flats and Lake Titicaca | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Essential Bolivia Tour: Uyuni Salt Flats and Lake Titicaca

PRIVATE TOUR - 8 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 4044

Private Tour Highlights

  • Witnessing the largest salt flats on earth, Uyuni, which sprawls for 12,000sq km and provides epic photo opportunities!
  • Learning all about the way of life in the Uyuni Salt Flats during a visit to Colchani, a quaint village whose livelihood revolves around producing salt.
  • Spending the night on Lake Titicaca’s Sun Island, at the exquisite Ecolodge La Estancia which affords unrivaled views over the mountains and lake.
  • Marveling at the exquisite colonial architecture and intriguing handicrafts at the street markets of bustling La Paz.
  • Stepping through the ethereal Chincana Ruins on Sun Island, boasting sublime views of the sapphire-hued lake.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Begin your Essential Bolivia Tour: Uyuni Salt Flats and Lake Titicaca in La Paz. The governmental capital of Bolivia is the highest capital city in the world at 12,000 ft.  The sprawling Metropolitan, surrounded by looming mountains, combines big city living and the feeling of an Andean town.  The streets of La Paz are filled with some indigenous women still wearing traditional costumes and many vibrant street markets.  The La Paz markets are rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts. Spend the day exploring La Paz’s colonial origins. Take in the modern part of the city.  Marvel at the dramatic drops in elevation throughout.

From La Paz you will travel to Lake Titicaca.  Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.  It is located on the border between Peru and Bolivia. Its waters and sky above are as blue as sapphire, giving the region a very mystical air. Legend says that the first Inca God, Manco Capac, rose from the waters of the lake. The region around the lake is rich in pre-Columbian and colonial treasures. You will have the opportunity to visit the best of Lake Titicaca including the town of Copacabana, Sun Island, The Island of the Moon, and nearby ruins.

Before departing Bolivia, don’t miss the chance to marvel at the natural wonder of the Uyuni Salt Flats.  The remnants of a pre-historic lake, the salt flats today are the largest salt flats in the world at 12,000 square kilometers.  When dry, the flats are an expanse of pure white hexagons. When wet, the surface reflects the immense Altiplano sky.  Either scenario creates a truly unforgettable experience like few other places on earth.

Photographers will delight in the one of a kind landscape.  Road trippers will love the many lagoons and islands that may be visited here.  If you’re interested in continuing to Chile, talk to us about options for combining Uyuni Salt Flats with Atamaca Desert.

 

 

Inclusions
Price includes Domestic air from La Paz to Uyuni, hotel accommodation including continental or buffet breakfast; transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling, local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included.

Note:
*During the rainy season (November to March) the Uyuni salt flats get flooded, making it sometimes difficult to visit the area and also cross from Bolivia to Chile. We do not recommend booking this program between those dates.
Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 4044

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

Home – La Paz

Take the overnight flight to La Paz, Bolivia. Look out for the magnificent views of the city and the Royal Andean Range when landing.

Take the overnight flight to La Paz, Bolivia. Look out for the magnificent views of the city and the Royal Andean Range when landing.

Day
2

La Paz

Upon arrival in La Paz airport, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon, city tour of La Paz. Travel through the colonial part of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco Temple. Visit the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts that represent the traditional beliefs of the Ch’alla (ritual of offerings) and Pachamama (mother earth and symbol of fertility). Then, see the modern part of the city and the dramatic drops in elevation. Finally, leave the city to enter the Valley of the Moon and enjoy its natural geological formations.
Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).
...read less

La Paz City_Bolivia
Day
3

La Paz – Copacabana

Early morning departure from La Paz, heading north and crossing the highlands parallel to the Royal Andes Range. First stop is Copacabana, a main Catholic pilgrimage center with a church that houses the famous Virgen Morena. It was an important area in pre-Colombian times and entrance to this sacred land. Visit the church and explore the town. After a light lunch (included), take a boat to Sun Island, and visit the "Pilcocaina" Sun Temple. From here, hike about one hour to the Ecolodge La Estancia, offering spectacular views of the mountains and the lake. La Estancia is located in the southern part of Sun Island on Lake Titicaca. It was built preserving the Andean architecture and combines modern comfort with respecting the harmony of the surrounding nature and habitat. Overnight on Sun Island. Dinner tonight is included. ...read less

Copacabana-Church-Bolivia
Day
4

Chincana Ruins, Moon Island

After breakfast there will be an opportunity to enjoy the sunrise. Take a boat north to visit Chincana ruins and the Sacred Rock. After the excursion, travel by boat to the Island of the Moon and explore the the Inak Uyu ruins before finally reaching Copacabana. After lunch (included) return to La Paz.

After breakfast there will be an opportunity to enjoy the sunrise. Take a boat north to visit Chincana ruins and the Sacred Rock. After the excursion, travel by boat to the Island of the Moon and explore the the Inak Uyu ruins before finally reaching Copacabana. After lunch (included) return to La Paz.

La-Paz-Island-of-the-Moon-Peru
Day
5

La Paz- Uyuni

This morning, transfer to the airport in La Paz to take the flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival, transfer to a nearby salt hotel in Colchani, at the shores of the Uyuni salt flats. After settling in, visit the village of Colchani in the shores to see the locals produce salt. On the way, enter a perfect natural highway to cross to Isla Incahuasi, which is a special habitat of volcanic rocks and giant cactus (entering Incahuasi Island will be dependent upon the weather). After the excursion, continue back to Colchani and enjoy a great sunset, overnight in the salt hotel. ...read less

Uyuni-Ruins-Llama-Bolivia
Day
6

Uyuni

After breakfast visit the cemetery of old trains, afterwards, enter the salt flats and visit Pucara de Aique. Here, there is a great view of the Uyuni salt flats and its surroundings. Uyuni, is the largest salt flat on earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with 12.000 square km in size. Enjoy a picnic style lunch and then return to the salt hotel in Colchani.

After breakfast visit the cemetery of old trains, afterwards, enter the salt flats and visit Pucara de Aique. Here, there is a great view of the Uyuni salt flats and its surroundings. Uyuni, is the largest salt flat on earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with 12.000 square km in size. Enjoy a picnic style lunch and then return to the salt hotel in Colchani.

Uyuni-Salt-Piles-Bolivia
Day
7

Uyuni - La Paz

This morning, leave the salt flats for the airport and return to La Paz. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

This morning, leave the salt flats for the airport and return to La Paz. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

La-Paz-Plaza-Murillo-Colombia
Day
8

La Paz

This morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or overlap with the add-on of one’s choice.

This morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or overlap with the add-on of one’s choice.

La Paz, La Paz Department, Bolivia

Isla del Sol, La Paz Department, Bolivia

Uyuni, Potosi Department, Bolivia

Places You'll See

  • la-paz-bolivia

    La Paz

    Spend time up in the clouds in La Paz, the highest de facto capital city in the world, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. Visit Calle Jaen, home to many well preserved colonial buildings and museums. Visit the Witches’ Market for all your charm and potion needs, and other fun souvenirs. Take a walk up to Mirador Killi Killi, to enjoy beautiful views of the city.

  • Sun-Island

    Island of the Sun

    Enjoy the peacefulness of Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), where there are no paved roads and no motor vehicles. View any of the over 80 ruins on the island, dating back to the time of the Incas. Visit the Museo de Oro and see the many Incan artifacts discovered underwater from around the island. Enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the clear skies.

  • Bolivia_Salt_Lake

    Uyuni

    Originally a railroad junction, Uyuni has become a very popular place to visit. Take a trip to the Train Graveyard and see dozens of decommissioned locomotives, wagons, and other antique machinery. Look up in awe at the massive 30 plus foot cacti that tower over the town. Bring a camera for some unique shots of the salt covered terrain at the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni.

Hotel Options

3 Star Properties

La Paz : Hostal Naira

4 Star Properties

La Paz : Hotel Rosario

Island of the Sun : Ecolodge La Estancia

: Hotel Girasoles

5 Star Properties

La Paz : Casa Grande Suites Hotel

La Paz : Europa Hotel

La Paz : Ritz Apart Hotel

La Paz : La Casona Boutique Hotel

Uyuni : Cristal Samana

Luxury Properties

La Paz : DM Andino Resort & Spa

La Paz : Casa Grande Apart Hotel

La Paz : Camino Real Suites

Uyuni : Luna Salada

Uyuni : Cristal Samana

Uyuni : Palacio de Sal

Testimonials

Karina S.

Traveled June, 2016

Trip was pretty awesome

Really enjoyed Lake Titicaca, Valley of Moon, dazzling stars at night, Isla de la Luna!! colonial cities and Salt Flats (what a surprise from exterior of landscape to interior of hotel) . . . very memorable trip.

Thanks for all your help.

Traveled To

Noel M.

Traveled August, 2012

Your professionalism, support, and understanding regarding my personal concerns is greatly appreciated

Ruby, how do I begin to thank you for the amazing trip you arranged for my wife and I to Peru and Bolivia this summer. Your professionalism, support, and understanding regarding my personal concerns is greatly appreciated. You and your staff went above and beyond to help me with my needs that made our trip truly an amazing one. I only have great things to say to my friends and family about all that you did for us. My wife loved Machu Picchu and it was great staying at the luxurious Inkaterra in Aguas Caliente. Ruby, thank you for everything. You know that I will highly recommend you to any of our friends that are considering a trip to south-america. Also, thank Jeff and Stephanie for all their help as well. Speak to you soon.

Traveled To


Karen and Stephen

Traveled January, 2007

I cannot really convey in a few sentences how satisfied we were with your services.

I never took the time to thank you for the wonderful arrangements made by you and your team at Yampu for a trip we made in late January of this year to Peru and Bolivia. I cannot really convey in a few sentences how satisfied we were with your services. We had never used a travel company before this trip. Considering the fact that we were traveling to third-world countries where life simply is not the same as here in the U.S., we were wonderfully surprised at the smoothness of all of our travel. We attribute this to your choice of tour guides and accommodations chosen in those countries. I thought of you and Yampu recently because we are planning to travel to southern Spain next year, but unfortunately for us you don’t service Spain! Some day we plan to travel to Chile and Argentina, and hope to make use of your services again. Thanks again for such great travel arrangements.

Traveled To


Jennifer

Traveled March, 2008

The trip was great! Thank you

I have been meaning to write, but have been so busy now that I am back to work. The trip was great! Thank you. I had no troubles. I loved Bolivia-wished I had stayed there longer. My guide, Marco, was wonderful there. I enjoyed Peru very much, too. Especially Cusco. The people at there were really excellent. Very helpful and reliable. When my flight from Lima to Cusco was canceled, my guide Elena came back to the airport to look for me and assist me. I was very impressed with that. Already thinking of my next trip, but of course I will need to save money and time off from work again. Thanks to everyone at Yampu,

Traveled To


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