San Pedro de Atacama: 3 D. Tour Uyuni and Back to San Pedro

About This Experience

Koa Travel's three-day trip crosses from San Pedro de Atacama into Bolivia, covers the lagoons of the high altiplano and the Salar de Uyuni, and brings you back to San Pedro, so you need no onward travel from Uyuni. It has a 4.8 rating from 89 reviews and starts from $880 per person.

Pickup is at 6:00 am for the shared van to the Hito Cajón border, where you go through immigration and switch to a 4x4 with a driver and an English-speaking guide. Day 1 crosses the Dalí desert, named for its wind-carved rocks, and the Siloli desert, and visits the Green and Red lagoons; Laguna Colorada is home to hundreds of flamingos. The night is at the Kachiwasi Hotel in San Cristóbal.

Day 2 is the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat at about 3,600 m, with Isla Incahuasi and its giant cacti, a crossing of the salt and sunset at the shore, then a night at Hotel Toñito in Uyuni. On day 3 you visit the train cemetery, drive about three hours to Laguna Catal for a walk among volcanoes and llamas, and return across the altiplano, with a private transfer from the border to your San Pedro hotel.

Meals during the trip (2 breakfasts, 3 box lunches and 1 dinner) are included; dinner on the second night in Uyuni is not. Park and Isla Incahuasi fees, listed at US$25 per person, are extra. Reviewers mention long days in the car, about seven hours on the first and last days, and a simple hotel in Uyuni with hot water and heating.

Highlights

• Hito Cajón border crossing and the Dalí desert's wind-carved rocks
• Laguna Colorada and its flamingos
• Salar de Uyuni at about 3,600 m, with sunset at the shore
• Isla Incahuasi and its giant cacti
• Train cemetery and Laguna Catal on the way back
• Back in San Pedro by about 3:30 pm on day 3

What's Included

• ✓ Shared van from San Pedro to the Hito Cajón border (about 1 hour)
• ✓ Private transfer from the border back to San Pedro on the last day
• ✓ 4x4 vehicle with driver, in a small group per car
• ✓ English-speaking guide
• ✓ 2 nights' accommodation (Hotel Toñito in Uyuni has private rooms, hot water and heating)
• ✓ Meals during the trip: 2 breakfasts, 3 box lunches and 1 dinner

Not Included

• Dinner on the second night in Uyuni
• National park and Isla Incahuasi fees (US$25 per person, according to the listing)
• Gratuities (optional)

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Jacket
• Comfortable clothes

Good to Know & Caveats

• US citizens have not needed a visa for Bolivia since 1 December 2025; all foreigners should complete Bolivia's free SIGEMIG online pre-registration before arrival.
• Carry your passport; UK and Canadian advice asks for six months' validity beyond arrival.
• Hito Cajón can close in storms or snow, and road blockades in Bolivia stranded tourists in Uyuni in January and June 2026, so leave slack in your plans.
• The route climbs to around 4,900 m in places; spend a few nights in San Pedro first.
• The operator warns the trip is not for those who want luxury or comfortable temperatures; expect basic conditions and long drives.
• Bring a jacket, swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes and a change of clothes.

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup in San Pedro de Atacama at 6:00 am on day 1 for the shared van to the Hito Cajón border; you are back at your San Pedro hotel at about 3:30 pm on day 3.