What is the best time to visit the Uyuni Ancient Salt Route?

The best time for The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route expedition is from May to October. During these months, you'll experience optimal weather conditions for the challenging 12-day trek across Bolivia's volcanic southwest, including the high-altitude llama caravan and cycling across the Salar de Uyuni.

How difficult is the Uyuni Ancient Salt Route expedition?

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route is rated as a hard difficulty expedition lasting 12 days. The journey includes two days of walking with llama caravans at altitudes between 3,500-3,900 meters, cycling across the world's largest salt flat, and camping at high-altitude locations up to 4,850 meters with temperatures dropping sharply after sunset.

What wildlife can I see on the Uyuni Ancient Salt Route?

During The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route, you'll encounter all three Andean flamingo species at various colored lagoons, with Laguna Hedionda being the best location for close approach to the rare James's flamingo. The route is also excellent for spotting vicuñas and ñandus (large flightless birds of the altiplano), particularly around the Rio Grande crossing.

What is included in the llama caravan experience?

The llama caravan experience spans two days following ancient trade routes with the Calcina family, who have run caravans for generations. You'll learn to use the traditional waraka slingshot, practice load balancing, and walk 6-7 hours daily at the pace set by the llamas. The experience includes meeting the animals individually and understanding traditional caravan travel rhythms.

Where do you sleep during the Uyuni Ancient Salt Route expedition?

Accommodations vary throughout the 12-day journey, from contemporary hotels in La Paz to unique experiences like sleeping in volcanic rock caves at Mallku Cueva, traditional adobe homes with the Calcina family, and camping under dark skies on Isla Pia Pia in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni. All camping equipment including tents and sleeping bags rated to -10 degrees Celsius are provided.

How much does the Uyuni Ancient Salt Route cost?

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route expedition costs $3,900 per person for the complete 12-day journey. This private expedition accommodates a maximum of 8 guests and includes flights between La Paz and Uyuni, all accommodations, meals, camping equipment, and unique experiences like the llama caravan and cycling across the salt flat.

What makes Laguna Colorada special on this route?

Laguna Colorada is visited at pre-dawn when the brick-red algae appears most vivid and all three Andean flamingo species feed along the mineral-stained shore. Located within Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve at 4,850 meters, it's part of the expedition's exploration of blood-red lagoons in Bolivia's volcanic southwest.

What archaeological sites are visited on the Uyuni Ancient Salt Route?

The expedition visits two significant archaeological sites: Laqaya, a pre-Hispanic settlement where guide Justino Calcina participated in excavations revealing centuries of Altiplano community life, and the Coquesa cave burial site on Tunupa volcano, featuring remarkably preserved 500-year-old pre-Columbian mummies. Both sites provide insight into the ancient cultures that used these same trade routes.

How do you cross the Salar de Uyuni during this expedition?

The Salar de Uyuni is crossed by bicycle from the edge to Isla Pia Pia, navigated by landmark and compass across the 10,582 square kilometers of crystalline white salt. After camping overnight on the cactus-covered island, you continue north by 4x4 vehicle to experience the full scale of the world's largest salt flat from a different perspective.

What happens on the final day in La Paz?

The expedition concludes with a farewell dinner at Gustu, Bolivia's flagship restaurant featuring ingredients from all five of the country's ecological zones. After 10 days in remote terrain, guests return to Hotel MET La Paz for rest before their departure transfer to El Alto International Airport the following morning.

Bolivia

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route

Duration

12 Days

From

$3,900

Group Size

Max 8 Guests

A 12-day expedition from the blood-red lagoons of Sur Lipez to the world's largest salt flat, on foot with the last llama caravans of the Altiplano

Book This Expedition

View Itinerary See Pricing

Ecovoyager Experiences

Tour Highlights

The moments that make this journey unforgettable.

Two Days on the Ancient Llama Caravan

Cycling the Full Width of the Salar de Uyuni

Overnight Camp on Isla Pia Pia

Laguna Colorada & Sol de Mañana Geysers at Dawn

The Route of the Jewels: Five Lagoons on the Chilean Border

Coquesa Cave Burial Site on Tunupa Volcano

Casa Calcina: Quinoa Farming, Archaeology & the Caravan

The Northern Shore at Tahua: Hotel Tayka de Sal & Tunupa

Bolivia Tour Overview

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route

A 12-day expedition from the blood-red lagoons of Sur Lipez to the world's largest salt flat, on foot with the last llama caravans of the Altiplano

Duration

12 Days

Price

$3,900

Difficulty

Hard

Best Time

May – October

This 12-day private expedition crosses Bolivia’s volcanic southwest from south to north in a single continuous journey, following the same ancient trade routes that connected the Salar de Uyuni to the Pacific coast for centuries. The route begins in the volcanic Sur Lipez among blood-red lagoons and dawn geysers at 4,850 meters, transitions north to join Justino Calcina and his family llama caravan on pre-Columbian trails through the Nor Lipez altiplano, and arrives at the world’s largest salt flat, which is then crossed by bicycle to an overnight camp on Isla Pia Pia. The final days drive north across the Salar to the cave burial site at Coquesa and the northern shore at Tahua before flying back to La Paz. Walked in by llama. Crossed by bicycle. Driven out on the northern shore. Maximum 8 guests.

Cyclist with arms raised celebrating on white salt flats under dramatic cloudy sky

Traditional stone lodge with grass roof at sunset in Bolivia's salt flats desert landscape

Two cyclists with loaded touring bikes posing on white salt flat with geometric patterns under blue sky

Camping tent and bicycle on white salt flats under starry night sky in Uyuni Bolivia

Large herd of llamas and alpacas grazing on white salt flat with mountains in background

Green camping tent glowing at sunset in desert grassland with mountains in background

Five llamas resting and standing on rocky terrain against cloudy sky in Bolivian highlands

Llamas and donkeys resting with cargo bundles on ancient Bolivian salt route under cloudy sky

Three Bolivian women harvesting quinoa in colorful traditional clothing in Altiplano field

Traditional stone house with thatched roof and woman in colorful Bolivian dress sitting outside

Indigenous woman in traditional Bolivian clothing and bowler hat leading a brown llama on rope

White SUV with tire tracks on Uyuni Salt Flats with mountains and clear blue sky in background

4WD vehicle with camping gear on Salar de Uyuni salt flats with mountains in background

Two photographers with tripod under Milky Way galaxy over reflective salt flats at night

Pink flamingos feeding in shallow water with barren mountains and blue sky in background

Snow-capped volcanic mountain peak with steam plume rising above eroded red rock formations in foreground

Tourists viewing turquoise Laguna Verde lake with volcanic mountain backdrop in Bolivian altiplano

Steaming geothermal pools and rocky terrain at Sol de Mañana geysers in Bolivia

Snow-capped mountain reflected in pink salt lake at sunset with dramatic colorful sky

4WD vehicle on barren desert plain with mountain range under clear blue sky in Bolivia

Historic stone church with bell towers and cross against deep blue sky in Uyuni region

Illuminated desert lodge at night against dramatic rock formations in Uyuni region

Distinctive mushroom-shaped rock formation in Bolivian desert with mountains and blue sky

Indigenous man in traditional Andean clothing holding coca leaves during ceremonial ritual

Colorful colonial buildings line steep cobblestone street with Bolivian flags in La Paz Bolivia

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route

Your Bolivia Tour Itinerary

Route Overview 12 Days · Bolivia

Day 1

Arrival in La Paz: The Yatiri Ceremony

Your expedition opens with an arrival transfer from El Alto Airport to Hotel MET La Paz in the Zona Sur, at approximately 3,200 meters. That is roughly 800 meters lower than the airport, a genuine benefit for acclimatization. In the afternoon we head back up to El Alto to meet a yatiri, an Andean shaman practitioner whose role in Bolivian daily life is genuine rather than ceremonial. A bilingual cultural facilitator translates as the yatiri reads coca leaves and prepares a mesa offering to Pachamama for the expedition ahead. The evening closes with a welcome dinner at a traditional La Paz restaurant. Meals: D

La Paz Bolivia city lights at dusk with snow-capped Andes mountains backdrop for eco-tourism adventure

Aerial view of bustling street market with colorful tents and stalls filling entire street in Bolivia

Day 2

La Paz to Villamar via Uyuni

An early morning transfer to El Alto Airport for the Boliviana de Aviacion flight to Uyuni, around one hour. A private 4x4 meets you on arrival and heads south on Route 5 toward San Cristobal, where the original 1600s colonial church still stands alone at the old townsite: in 1999 the entire village was relocated 14 kilometers to clear land above one of Bolivia's largest open-pit zinc, silver and lead deposits. South of here the paved road ends. The Rio Grande crossing is reliably good for vicunas and ñandus, the large flightless birds of the altiplano, before arrival at Villamar in the mid-to-late afternoon, a sheltered valley at 3,700 meters where llama herds graze against the surrounding volcanic formations. Flight: La Paz (LPB) to Uyuni (Joya Andina Airport), Boliviana de Aviacion, included Meals: B / L / D

Herd of llamas and alpacas on dirt road in Bolivian highlands with snow-capped mountains

Day 3

Villamar to Tayka del Desierto via Eduardo Avaroa

Pre-dawn departure from Villamar south into Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, the longest and most visually intense driving day. First light at Laguna Colorada finds the brick-red algae most vivid and all three Andean flamingo species feeding along the mineral-stained shore. On to the Sol de Mañana geysers at 4,850 meters, Bolivia's highest geothermal field, where sulfur vapor and water jets reach 50 meters at peak morning activity. The route continues via Polques thermal baths, the Dalí Desert, Laguna Blanca, and Laguna Verde at the foot of Licancabur volcano (5,916m). The return drive north passes the Árbol de Piedra, a five-to-seven-meter ventifact shaped by millennia of wind-driven sand. Arrival at Hotel Tayka del Desierto in the early evening. Eduardo Avaroa entrance fee (~$30 USD per person) included Meals: B / L / D

Day 4

The Route of the Jewels

North along the Chilean border on the Ruta de las Joyas Alto Andinas: five extraordinary high-altitude lagoons inside and adjacent to Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Ramaditas, Honda, Charkota, Hedionda, and Canapa are home to all three Andean flamingo species. Laguna Hedionda is the best location in Bolivia for close approach to James's flamingo, the rarest and smallest of the three species. The viewpoint of Ollagüe volcano (5,865m), Bolivia's only continuously active volcano with visible fumaroles, breaks the northern section of the drive. We cross the Salar de Chiguana at 3,690 meters before arriving at Hotel Tayka de Piedra in San Pedro de Quemez. Meals: B / L / D

Day 5

North to Santiago K: The Calcina Family

We leave the Sur Lipez and drive north into Nor Lipez toward the quinoa-farming community of Santiago K, crossing a landscape that shifts from volcanic desert to open high Andean plain with vicuñas common along the route. Justino and Eva Calcina welcome the group into their adobe home. Justino's family has run llama caravans in this region for generations, following trade routes that once connected the Salar to the Pacific coast and the Argentine valleys. He also participated in archaeological excavations at the nearby Laqaya site. Dinner is cooked from the family's own royal quinoa, a variety native to this landscape. An early night before the physical demands ahead. Meals: B / L / D

Herder in red dress guiding flock of llamas across golden grassland with snow-capped mountains

Day 6

Laqaya & Caravan Preparation

The morning is spent at Laqaya, a pre-Hispanic archaeological site where Justino participated in excavations. The settlement reveals centuries of Altiplano community life in the same landscape the group is about to walk through on the ancient trade routes. After lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to caravan preparation: meeting the animals individually, learning the waraka (the traditional slingshot used to redirect stragglers), practicing load balancing, and understanding the rhythm and pace of caravan travel. An early dinner and early rest before the first walking day. Meals: B / L / D

Ancient stone ruins with circular tower structure in arid Bolivian highlands under clear blue sky

Day 7

Llama Caravan Day 1: Santiago to Sutullcha

Early morning begins with loading the llamas. Getting the loads balanced and the herd moving requires patience, a shepherd's whistle, and occasional use of the waraka. The route follows ancient trade paths that once connected the Salar to the Pacific coast and the Argentine valleys, traveling at the pace the llamas set through a landscape that has barely changed in centuries. The night is spent at a high-altitude bivouac at Sutullcha. Tents, sleeping bags rated to -10 degrees Celsius, and sleeping mats are provided. Temperatures drop sharply after sunset. A support vehicle follows the caravan route throughout both caravan days. Walking time: 6-7 hours at 3,500-3,900m | Elevation gain: 350m Meals: B / L / D

Decorated llamas with colorful tassels and packs in high altitude desert landscape with snow-capped mountains

Day 8

Llama Caravan Day 2: The Salar Appears

The second day with the caravan covers similar terrain but delivers one of the defining moments of the tour. After a long climb, the landscape opens suddenly onto a view of the Salar de Uyuni, its white surface stretching to the edge of sight. You have walked to the world's largest salt flat by llama caravan, following routes used for exactly this purpose for centuries. The afternoon arrives at Jukil Lodge at the edge of the salt flat, where the group sleeps in proper beds while the llamas rest in an outdoor enclosure. The Calcina family returns to Santiago from here. Walking time: 6-7 hours | Elevation change: 500m combined Meals: B / L / D

Cacti-covered hillside overlooking desert village and vast salt flats under cloudy sky

Day 9

Cycling the Salar to Isla Pia Pia

The llamas are left behind and the group switches to bicycles. Cycling across the Salar is disorienting in the best way: no roads, no edges, and no clear sense of distance. The guide navigates by landmark and compass across 10,582 square kilometers of crystalline white salt. The destination is Isla Pia Pia, one of the Salar's larger cactus-covered islands. Camping equipment is included. A fire, total silence, and zero light pollution at 3,650 meters produce some of the darkest skies in the southern hemisphere. Tonight you sleep on an island in the middle of the world's largest salt flat. Meals: B / L / D

Cyclists riding across white salt flats with large cacti on rocky island in foreground

Day 10

North Across the Salar: Coquesa & the Northern Shore

A 4x4 arrives at Isla Pia Pia at first light. The drive north crosses the remaining width of the Salar in a completely different register from yesterday's cycling. The pace is faster, and the full scale of the flat is now visible from inside it. We stop at the Coquesa cave burial site on the slopes of Tunupa volcano, where remarkably preserved 500-year-old pre-Columbian mummies rest in a cave reached by a short steep hike with a community guide. The afternoon brings arrival at Hotel Tayka de Sal on the northern shore, with Tunupa volcano rising behind and the entire Salar spread below. Optional stargazing on the salt flat after dark. Meals: B / L / D

Ancient mummified remains in stone burial chamber with pottery and grave goods

SUV under starry night sky with Milky Way reflected on Salar de Uyuni salt flats Bolivia

Day 11

Tahua to La Paz: Farewell at Gustu

A final morning on the northern shore of the Salar before the drive east to Uyuni airport, approximately two and a half hours on mostly unpaved road. The Boliviana de Aviacion flight returns to La Paz by mid-afternoon. Check-in at Hotel MET La Paz for a few hours of rest before the farewell dinner at Gustu, Bolivia's flagship restaurant built around ingredients from all five of the country's ecological zones. Flight: Uyuni (UYU) to La Paz (LPB), Boliviana de Aviacion, included Meals: B / L / D (farewell dinner at Gustu, La Paz)

Rocky terrain with traditional building overlooking Salar de Uyuni salt flats and distant mountains

Snow-capped Nevado Illimani mountain towering over colorful hillside buildings of La Paz, Bolivia at sunset

Traditional Bolivian appetizers served on slate with colorful woven textile

Day 12

Departure

After 10 days in some of the most remote terrain in South America, the final morning is a quiet one. Breakfast at Hotel MET La Paz, then a transfer to El Alto International Airport for your onward flight. Meals: B

Ecovoyager Experiences

Possible Wildlife Encounters

Species you may spot along this route.

Andean Flamingo

Phoenicoparrus andinus

The rarest of the three high-Andean flamingos, pale-bodied with yellow legs.

Morning, on the lagoons

Very Common

James's Flamingo

Phoenicoparrus jamesi

The smallest high-Andean flamingo, once thought extinct, with brick-red skin around the eye.

Morning, on Laguna Colorada

Very Common

Chilean Flamingo

Phoenicopterus chilensis

The largest and most widespread of the three flamingos on the route, grey-legged with red joints.

Morning, on the lagoons

Common

Vicuña Bolivia altiplano wild camelid Andes mountains high altitude wildlife authentic viewing

Vicuna

Vicugna vicugna

The wild ancestor of the alpaca, with the finest wool of any animal; the species the Eduardo Avaroa reserve was created to protect.

Throughout the day

Very Common

Andean Cat

Leopardus jacobita

One of the world's rarest and least-seen cats, known locally as titi and sacred in Andean culture.

Dawn and dusk

Very Rare

Puma

Puma concolor

The top predator of the high Andes, present across the reserve but very seldom seen.

Dawn and dusk

Very Rare

Andean Condor

Vultur gryphus

The largest flying bird in the world and the emblem of the Andes.

Mid-morning to midday, as thermals build

Rare

Guanaco

Lama guanicoe

The larger of the two wild Andean camelids, less common here than the vicuna.

Daytime, on open plains

Rare

Lesser Rhea

Rhea pennata

A large flightless bird of the open altiplano, locally called suri.

Daytime, on open plains

Common

Southern Viscacha

Lagidium viscacia

A rabbit-like rodent with a long curled tail, common among the rocks.

Early morning and late afternoon

Very Common

Andean Fox

Lycalopex culpaeus

The largest fox of the Andes, the culpeo, often seen trotting across the puna.

Dawn and dusk

Common

Bolivia Tour Details

What's Included

Everything included in the tour, and what to budget separately.

What's Included

All accommodation: 11 nights based on double occupancy (Hotel MET La Paz x2, Mallku Cueva Villamar x1, Hotel Tayka del Desierto x1, Hotel Tayka de Piedra x1, Casa Calcina x2, tent camp Sutullcha x1, Jukil Lodge x1, tent camp Isla Pia Pia x1, Hotel Tayka de Sal Tahua x1)
All meals as indicated in the itinerary
Domestic flight La Paz (LPB) to Uyuni (UYU) on Day 2, Boliviana de Aviacion
Domestic flight Uyuni (UYU) to La Paz (LPB) on Day 11, Boliviana de Aviacion
Airport arrival and departure transfers in La Paz
All land transportation in private 4x4 throughout; support vehicle follows the caravan route on Days 7 and 8
English-speaking guide for the full expedition
Justino Calcina as llama caravan leader and full muleteer team logistics for two days (Days 7-8)
Community guide at Laqaya archaeological site, Santiago K (Day 6)
Community guide at Coquesa cave burial site, Tunupa volcano (Day 10)
Yatiri ceremony with bilingual cultural facilitator in El Alto (Day 1)
Camping equipment for two nights: tents, sleeping bags rated to -10°C, and sleeping mats (Sutullcha Day 7, Isla Pia Pia Day 9)
Bicycle rental for the full Salar de Uyuni crossing on Day 9
All national park and site entrance fees, including Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve (~$30 USD per person, Day 3)
Welcome dinner in La Paz (Day 1)
Farewell dinner at Gustu, La Paz (Day 11)
Guide expenses throughout
Mineral water, 1 liter per person per day
24/7 assistance during your stay

Not Included

International airfare (return)
Travel insurance (required: must cover high altitude to 4,850m, multi-day trekking, cycling, and remote locations with no emergency services for extended stretches)
Personal expenses and personal laundry
Visa fees (if applicable)
Gratuities for driver, guide, muleteer team, and community hosts (recommended)
Alcoholic beverages beyond those included at the welcome and farewell dinners
Single room supplement (price on request)
Sleeping bag liner (strongly recommended for the Sutullcha bivouac on Day 7: temperatures drop to -10 to -15°C)
Medical evacuation costs
Any meals not listed as included in the itinerary
BoA flight rebooking or alternative transport costs in case of cancellation or significant delay on Day 2 or Day 11
Hotel accommodation in La Paz on the night of Day 9 (guests arranging own accommodation before international departure)

Bolivia Tour Details

Tour Pricing

Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.

Per Person

$3,900

Based on group of 4

Single Supplement$600

Deposit$975

CurrencyUSD

Group Rates

Group Size	Per Person	Notes
Solo traveler	Price on request	Contact usSingle occupancy
2 travelers	$5,100	Per personDouble occupancy
3 travelers	$4,400	Per personGroup rate
4 travelers	$3,900	Per personRecommended minimum
5–6 travelers	$3,500	Per person2nd vehicle applies
7–8 travelers	$3,200	Per person2nd vehicle required

Deposit & Payment: A 25% deposit secures your place (credit card accepted). 50% balance due 90 days before departure. Final balance due 60 days prior. ACH bank transfer available at reduced fees. Bookings within 60 days require full payment.

Cancellation: 90+ days: full refund minus $500 admin fee. 60-89 days: 50% refund. Under 60 days: no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required for all participants.

Ready to secure your place on this expedition? Spaces are strictly limited to ensure an intimate experience.

Book This Tour

JavaScript required. This booking form requires JavaScript to submit. Please enable JavaScript or email contact@ecovoyager.com to book directly.

Ecovoyager Adventures

Book Your Adventure

Complete your booking request and our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your journey.

No payment required to request a booking

Response within 24 hours guaranteed

Flexible dates and custom itineraries available

Thank you! Your booking request has been received. We'll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your adventure.

Oops! There was an issue submitting your request. Please try again or contact us directly.

Full Name *

Email Address *

Phone Number

Preferred Date

Adults (18+)

Children (0-17)

Total: 2 travelers

Special Requests or Questions

Traveler Stories

What Our Adventurers Say

View Us on Trustpilot

Norway

"Watching the northern lights from that coastal overlook was one of those moments you carry with you. EcoVoyager's team knew exactly where to take us and when."

Chile

"They made my trip to Chile super smooth. I had nothing to worry about, they connected me with local guides and took me to some super cool places."

Madagascar

"My kids are still talking about the lemurs months later. EcoVoyager handled every detail so we could actually be present together."

Mongolia

"Absolutely loved our Mongolia trip in July 2025! Ecovoyager put together the best itinerary possible that combined adventure and comfort. We would 100% recommend Ecovoyager to our friends and family!"

Guyana

"The Rupununi was fabulous. Even if there weren't any animals, it would've been a great experience. The only negative was leaving."

Cuba

"The trip was thoughtfully curated for a REAL Cuban cultural experience, juxtaposing between the island's insolvency and the faux luxuries propped up by foreign investment."

Bolivia

"The salt flats at sunrise were even more stunning than I'd imagined. Our guide positioned us perfectly for the reflections."

Kyrgyzstan

"EcoVoyager put my mind at ease with expert guidance on how to stay safe and enjoy the vibes. If I were to plan another solo trip to an unfamiliar country, I'd trust EcoVoyager to help me through it all."

Japan

"I had a wonderful time. Organization was superb and our experiences were maximized due to great planning and enthusiasm."

Kyrgyzstan

"Staying with nomadic families, riding through valleys with no other tourists in sight. This is the kind of travel I didn't know I was missing."

View Us on Trustpilot

Related Experiences

More Adventures in Bolivia

Explore more expeditions in Bolivia, led by local experts and built for the curious traveller.

Related Tour

BOLIVIA

Bolivian Amazon Rainforest Expedition

An 11-day expedition from La Paz through Madidi National Park to the Moseten communities of Pilon Lajas: shoeshine guides, suspended jungle camps above Mashi Lagoon, and three nights with the people who have protected this Amazon for generations

Duration

11 Days

From

From $3,000

Related Tour

BOLIVIA

The Great Bolivian Traverse: Amazon to Altiplano

A 25-day expedition from the Amazon basin to the Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, and the remote Apolobamba range

Duration

25 Days

From

From $5,880

Related Tour

BOLIVIA

Bolivia's Wild Altiplano

A 10-day expedition across Bolivia's volcanic southwest, both great salt flats, and the territory of the Uru-Chipaya, the Andes' oldest people

Duration

10 Days

From

From $2,900

Related Tour

BOLIVIA

The Bolivian Amazon Basin Birding Expedition

Foothill cloud forest, the condor cliffs, dry valleys and the Beni savanna

Duration

17 Days

From

From $8,400

Related Tour

BOLIVIA

Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

Two critically endangered macaws and 300 other species across canyon and savanna Bolivia

Duration

11 Days

From

From $6,300

Related Tour

BOLIVIA

Bolivia's Wild East: Jaguars, Cloud Forest and Lost Missions

An 11-day expedition through Amboro National Park, the Gran Chaco, and the UNESCO Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitania

Duration

11 Days

From

From $4,200

All Bolivia Tours See All Experiences

Destination

Explore the Places You'll Visit

Each stop on this journey through Bolivia, and the country that ties them together.

Bolivia

From the world's largest salt flat to endless reflections that mirror the sky, discover South America's most extraordinary landscapes where ancient cultures thrive in impossible places

Explore Bolivia

Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your journey. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch and we'll help.

Booking, Dates & Group Size

How this private expedition is priced and scheduled.

It runs in the dry season, May to October, when the Salar surface is firm, the caravan trails are passable, and the lagoons are at their clearest. Nights are bitterly cold at altitude all year and hardest from June to August. It runs privately, so dates are arranged with you when you book.

The expedition is priced by party size. The rate is $3,900 per person at four guests, higher for smaller parties and lower at seven or eight, with solo pricing on request. The full scale is shown on the page.

A deposit of $975 per person, twenty-five percent of the four-guest rate, secures your place, with the balance due before departure. You can pay by card, bank transfer, or wire.

It runs privately for your own party, capped at eight guests. The llama caravan and the remote camps work best with small numbers, and it keeps the trek personal.

Fitness & the Llama Caravan Trek

This is the most demanding trip in the range.

It is the most demanding trip we offer, rated difficulty seven. The centerpiece is a two-day llama-caravan trek on foot at 3,700 to 4,000 meters, and there is also a full day cycling across the Salar. You should be fit, used to multi-day walking, and comfortable exerting yourself at altitude.

Two days walking pre-Columbian trade trails alongside Justino Calcina’s llama caravan. The llamas carry the loads while you carry only a daypack, but you are on your feet for several hours each day on open altiplano terrain, with a night between in camp or basic lodging.

It is a full day on a flat but enormous salt surface. There are no hills, but the distance, the altitude, and the wind make it a genuine effort. A support vehicle travels alongside, and you can ride as much or as little as you like.

The cycle and some of the walking can be covered by the support vehicle if you need. The caravan trek is the heart of the trip, so it suits people who want to walk it, but talk to your guide about adjusting any section.

Altitude & Health

Preparing for a trip that stays very high throughout.

This trip stays very high from start to finish with no low-altitude relief. La Paz is around 3,600 meters, the Sur Lipez and the Sol de Manana geysers reach 4,850 meters, and the trek and Salar sit around 3,700 to 4,000 meters. Acclimatization is essential, especially because you are trekking at these heights. Consult your doctor before you travel.

Arrive a couple of days early if you can, rest well, and build your hiking fitness in the months before. Hydrate constantly, take the first high days slowly, and consider altitude medication after medical advice. Coca tea is widely available and many travelers find it helps.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and must cover high-altitude trekking, cycling, and remote medical evacuation. The southwest is a long way from any hospital and much of the route is in roadless country.

Nights drop well below freezing at these altitudes, hardest on the trek and at the desert camps. Serious warm gear is not optional on this trip.

The Salar, Camping & Remote Conditions

What the remote nights are actually like.

A tent camp on a cactus-covered island in the middle of the Salar, one of the remotest nights in Bolivia. There are no facilities beyond what the team carries in, and the dark skies and silence are the reward. It is extraordinary and basic in equal measure.

Two nights with Justino and Eva Calcina in their adobe home at Santiago K, a genuine homestay built around quinoa farming, archaeology, and the caravan. Comforts are simple and the welcome is the point.

No, across most of the trip. The Sur Lipez, the caravan trek, and the Salar are off-grid with no signal. Treat the expedition as a full disconnection and let people know your schedule in advance.

Bright, dry days with intense high-altitude sun, freezing nights, and strong wind out on the open Salar. You need to pack for both extremes in a single day.

Accommodation & Packing

Where you sleep, and what to bring.

A hotel in La Paz, simple desert refuges in the reserve such as Tayka del Desierto, the Calcina family homestay, a tent camp on Isla Pia Pia, and the community-owned salt-built Hotel Tayka de Sal on the northern shore. The remote stays are basic by necessity; the salt hotel and La Paz are comfortable.

Well broken-in hiking boots, warm layers and a serious cold-weather jacket, a hat and gloves, a windproof, strong sun protection and sunglasses, a daypack for the trek, and a headlamp. Trekking poles help on the caravan days. Camping equipment is provided, and the llamas carry your main bag on the trek.

Yes. The salt reflects intense sun, so high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and good sunglasses matter, and a buff helps against wind and salt dust on the cycling day.

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route

Tour Highlights

Two Days on the Ancient Llama Caravan

Cycling the Full Width of the Salar de Uyuni

Overnight Camp on Isla Pia Pia

Laguna Colorada & Sol de Mañana Geysers at Dawn

The Route of the Jewels: Five Lagoons on the Chilean Border

Coquesa Cave Burial Site on Tunupa Volcano

Casa Calcina: Quinoa Farming, Archaeology & the Caravan

The Northern Shore at Tahua: Hotel Tayka de Sal & Tunupa

The Uyuni Ancient Salt Route

Request More Information

Arrival in La Paz: The Yatiri Ceremony

Hotel MET La Paz

La Paz to Villamar via Uyuni

Mallku Cueva, Villamar

Villamar to Tayka del Desierto via Eduardo Avaroa

Hotel Tayka del Desierto

The Route of the Jewels

Hotel Tayka de Piedra

North to Santiago K: The Calcina Family

Casa Calcina

Laqaya & Caravan Preparation

Casa Calcina

Llama Caravan Day 1: Santiago to Sutullcha

Tent Camp, Sutullcha bivouac

Llama Caravan Day 2: The Salar Appears

Jukil Lodge

Cycling the Salar to Isla Pia Pia

Tent Camp, Isla Pia Pia

North Across the Salar: Coquesa & the Northern Shore

Hotel Tayka de Sal

Tahua to La Paz: Farewell at Gustu

Hotel MET La Paz

Departure

Possible Wildlife Encounters

Andean Flamingo

James's Flamingo

Chilean Flamingo

Vicuna

Andean Cat

Puma

Andean Condor

Guanaco

Lesser Rhea

Southern Viscacha

Andean Fox

What's Included

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Pricing

Group Rates

Book Your Adventure

What Our Adventurers Say

More Adventures in Bolivia

Bolivian Amazon Rainforest Expedition

The Great Bolivian Traverse: Amazon to Altiplano

Bolivia's Wild Altiplano

The Bolivian Amazon Basin Birding Expedition

Bolivia Endemic Macaw Birding Expedition

Bolivia's Wild East: Jaguars, Cloud Forest and Lost Missions

Explore the Places You'll Visit

Bolivia

La Paz

Salar de Uyuni

Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

Booking, Dates & Group Size

Fitness & the Llama Caravan Trek

Altitude & Health

The Salar, Camping & Remote Conditions

Accommodation & Packing