Before booking a tour, you need to decide which time of year you want to visit Uyuni and its Salt Flats. What is considered the best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni really depends on what you want to see, as each season offers different visuals. But be advised, that for certain, the scenery is breathtaking all year round. Below are some of the characteristics for each season: 

• Dry Season (May to October): Salt flats have dry, geometric shapes spanning for miles. Shorter but sunnier days and generally better road conditions. Access to Cactus Island (Isla Incahuasi) or Fish Island (Isla del Pescado) is possible. These are two small, hilly islands with tall cactus and rock formations Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 27°C. Colder nights expected, especially in June and July with temps as low as 0° to – 15°C. Generally less humid and more pleasant temps in the lowlands In August and September, farmers burn-off to clear overgrown forests which can produce a thick smoke in the area. 

• Rainy Season (November to March): A few centimetres to several inches of rain creates an incredibly perfect mirror-like surface stretching into the horizon. Daytime temps range from 15°C to 27°C, with cooler temps at night. Access to Cactus Island ( Isla Incahuasi) and Fish Island (Isla del Pescado) is not possible due to water levels. Days may be cloudier and roads are muddier. Countryside is greener and full of native plants and flowers. When it rains, it can be constant rainfall, which limits the stops and the places you are able to see. Certain times of the rainy season generally get less tourists.

It’s quite easy to get to the Salar nowadays with many travel options available. There are ways of travelling from Peru, Chile and Argentina which require several bus changes and long transport waits. However, the easiest and cheapest way to travel there is by bus from La Paz. There are numerous bus companies operating the route from La Paz to Uyuni. Most people make the trip from La Paz to Uyuni on an overnight bus, called Bus Coche Cama (with a bed). These buses arrive early in the morning, allowing you to start your tour of Salar de Uyuni that same day.

Alternatively, flights from La Paz to Uyuni are a good idea if you are short of time or want to arrive there quicky. Amaszonas Airlines and Boliviana de Aviacion  are the main airlines that fly between La Paz and Uyuni. Prices start around €85 one way. Although its expensive, the flight only takes one hour. 

There is also the train service which departs to Uyuni. However, its a bit more complicated. Trains in Bolivia are quite comfortable but are exclusive for tourists. However, they don’t depart from La Paz. You will have to go travel from La Paz to Oruro and then take a taxi to the train station in Oruro to board the train to Uyuni. The train service is only on Wednesdays and Sundays and departs from Oruro at 19.00 arriving in Uyuni at around 02.30. This makes for a short night, which is not a good idea if you are taking the tour the following day. 

Once in Uyuni, the only way to get to the Salt flats is by tour. You will find many tour agencies around the bus station. As well, if you intend to travel to other sites, transport is very limited. So getting tours and organised trips is the best way to travel around the area.

✔️Tip: Buying transport tickets and tours in person in Bolivia, rather than online, is much cheaper. So avoid rushing in getting tours online and wait to compare prices. 

Salt flats tours operate as a one day or multi-day trip. The single day trips typically visit the Train Cemetery, "Dakar Bolivia" sign, salt hotel (for lunch), Salt Flats with time for pictures and finally the sun set over the flats. 

Multi-day tours include this, plus travel further into the Bolivian landscapes, including highlights like Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde, Geysers, Hot Spring baths, the Salvador Dali Desert, Rock Tree amongst more. Multi-day tours are highly recommended, as the landscapes and wildlife in this region are incredible to see. Specially coming all this way, would be a shame not to extend your trip. 

Most tours operate directly out of Uyuni, though tours can be arranged from La Paz, Sucre, and Tupiza. Uyuni is the cheapest departure point for visiting the salt flats, with day tours being the least expensive option. Tour prices vary based on tour group size, duration, company reputation, vehicle quality, and accommodation standards. 
Uyuni has the most variety of tours, including one day, three day, four day, up to one week trips. Day tours are abundant, including sunrise tours with breakfast, stargazing tours (highly recommended in the wet season as the stars reflect on the ground water), sunset tours with wine, bike tours, and more.
Day tours start from $60 USD, 3 day tours start from $120 USD. (In bolivianos cast cost 800 Bob).

On this guide we focus on the multi-day tour of 2 nights/3 days, which the author took.
Below you will find the itinerary, facts, interesting information about the sights, aspects to consider and the pictures taken by us of the spectacular scenery along the way!

Day 1 Itinerary:

All tours begin with the pick up from your designated hotel or hostel in Uyuni around 10 am. The first stop is just outside the town of Uyuni. The "Cementerio de trenes" or train graveyard is where all old locomotives powered by coal are left to rust in the hard climate. The trains only remain with their basic metal structures, which are able to climb and see inside. You are given around 25 minutes here to take pictures and walk around.

Then you head close to the perimeter of the salt flat, where you stop for another 20 minutes at a tourist market. Here you can buy souvenirs, drinks, warm clothes, figures for the perspective pictures you will take in Uyuni and other curiosities. You can also visit a small factory where they process the salt.

✔️Tip: This market is the last point where you can buy drinks or snacks at local prices. Other places, including accommodation, offers drinks and snacks at inflated prices.

The next drive takes into the salt flat. You will stop at the famous monument made out of salt, with the words "Dakar Bolivia" on it. Whilst you are taking pictures here, the guide will prepare lunch for the group in the building you see next to a lot of flags. You are welcome to bring your own flag too and hang it here from your country. The first Salt Hotel is now just a lunch stop for the many tours which stop every day. There are only basic facilities here and toilets cost 5 Bob to use!

Lunch consists of a hot meal, with vegetarian option available upon request. Water and a soft drink is also included. Once lunch is over, you will drive around 40 minutes into the salt flats.  

Each driver designates an individual spot with their group, you will be given information regarding the area and the formation of the salt here. Then the best moment begins! Get your cameras ready and bring your perspective items out!
Normally the guide will have some also, like a dinosaur toy or an empty Pringles box. They will make the group pose in all funny ways and take pictures for you. You can also have individual pics or ask someone to help you with an original pose! Normally you spend 1 hour here, but depends of the size of the group and number of pics!

The next stop is "Isla Incahuasi" or Cactus Island. It means house of the Inca. It costs 30 Bol to enter and includes free use of decent toilets. The views are great from the top as you can appreciate the magnitude of the salt flat. Also take pictures here with some of the biggest cactus species. You have around 45 minutes here. 

The final stop before staying in the salt accommodation is to watch the sun set over the mountains with the salt flat in front of you. You will stay here till the sun sets (around 30 to 45 minutes). Beware the wind blows with force here and that temperatures begin to fall. So bring adequate clothing, gloves and scarfs.

You arrive then at the accommodation (hostal type) ready for dinner. You are given your rooms according to booking requests and are instructed when to prepare for the following day. Normally you stay at a Salt Hotel, with its walls all made from salt blocks. Hot water showers are available to use only until 22h for a fee of 10 Bol. Dinner consists normally of a hot broth or soup with a meat dish. Vegetarian options also available upon request. Water or soft drink also included and tea or coffee at the end. Note for the next morning, that water pipes might be frozen up during the winter months.

❗Attention: In the winter months it can get very cold here at night, up to -15°C! Arrange to rent sleeping bags when you book the tour, not after. Bring additional clothing, towel and toilet paper as none of this is included!                 

Day 2 Itinerary:

Prepare to wake early at around 6.30 and leave the hostel around 7.30 to begin the next day tour. Breakfast consists of bread with marmalade and margarine or scrambled egg. For drink tea, coffee or hot chocolate. 
The itinerary begins with a drive close to the rail line from Uyuni to Chile. You get to stop for a short while to take pictures of the scenery around you and the rail line. Along the way, keep your cameras at hand as you might see wildlife, like Vicuñas or Llamas!

Afterwards, you continue driving through the arid terrain and stop at the viewpoint for the Ollagüe Volcano, where you can admire the scenery and interesting rock formations. Be aware of intense winds in this area which carry sand. 

Close to midday you head for the "Laguna Honda" It is the deepest lagoon of the circuit, with its light blue waters which contrast with the highland's earthy colors, creating a unique landscape. You are also able to see the Flamingos here, but in the Winter months they might be harder to see. However, there are several locations where to spot them. The driver will do what they can in order to get up close to them. You continue the drive till you reach the "Laguna Hedionda", another blue lagoon which has more abundance of flamingos. 

Afterwards you head for lunch close to the lagoon. Lunch is a hot meal with a soft drink or water. Vegetarian options also available upon request.

After lunch, you drive along the Laguna ramaditas, making another brief stop for pictures. Then more dirt tracks and mountainous terrain continues. Along the way, you can spot various wild animals like the Vicuña, Llamas or wild Rabbits! The scenery keeps changing as you drive along the dirt roads. You will notice even less vegetation and more sand. You then make a stop at the Siloli Desert. 

❗Attention: Take hats, sunglasses, scarfs to avoid being hit by particles of sand, which travel at high speed here.

The next stop is the Stone Tree, or Arbol de Piedra in Spanish, where you can take pictures of the interesting formation and other scenery nearby. As well, be advised it can get very windy here.  

After another 30 minute drive, you will reach the entrance of the Natural Reserve Park of Eduardo Avaroa. You will need to pay the 150 Bol which covers the visit to all areas of the park. You will notice immediately a big lagoon, the Red Lagoon or "Laguna Colorada". Here you stop to take pictures of the interesting colour which is formed by the plants which live within the lagoon and emit the peculiar colour. 
Note that on windy days and without much sunlight the colour of the water will not be so red or the water may have shifted to other parts of the lagoon. 

After the lagoon you head for your second night accommodation. Depending on the time, you should reach here around 16.00 to 18.00. You have free time to relax till dinner, served at 19.00. This accommodation will have basic amenities. No showers and limited electricity usage.
Dinner is again a hot meal, soup with a main course. You may get a bottle of Bolivian wine included! Water also is available and again a vegetarian option upon request.

Day 3 Itinerary:

You will wake up even earlier the next morning to take advantage of the full day. Around 5.00 am, having breakfast which may include some cereal or pancakes with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Leaving for 6.00 am, still dark, make sure you warm up as it can be -10°C outside!
The first stop is at the geysers and mud-pools, some which are natural and others which are man perforated down to 160m below the mountain to reach the hot steam which shoots out at high pressure. These gasses contain sulfur, which is toxic to breath, so it's advised not to walk much through the steam but it's harmless to touch. Take note additionally of any recommendations that the guides will give you at this point. 

After a few minutes for pictures at the pressurised gases and mud-pools, you will continue the journey to the thermal baths or the Green Lagoon.
The Green Lagoon, has its colour by the plants living within it, as they emit clorofila, giving it its green colour. Behind the lagoon lays the impressive Licancabur Volcano, a stratovolcano on the border between Bolivia and Chile. It has a prominent, 5,916-metre-high cone.volcano acting as a picturesque background when the day is clear. 

Either on your way to the lagoon or back from it, you will make a stop at the Salvador Dali Desert. Salvador Dalí was a Spanish painter best known for dreamy, nonsensical images against a minimalistic backdrop. Though Dalí never painted this particular Bolivian reserve, the arid, stark desert horizon coupled with strange rock formations strike a strong resemblance to the famous surrealist work. 

As you continue the drive, it's better to arrive at the Thermal baths a bit later, around 9am, as then you don't coincide with so many other tourists and outside temperatures will be a little better by then. The waters are at 30-35 °C whilst the outside can be -10°C! You will need to pay 6 Bol to use the baths and you have about 1 hour here. 

The trip continues with a 2.5 hour drive for lunch. Along the drive you can encounter with more wild animals and diverse scenery.
You can ask the driver to stop if you wish to take pictures.
The last lunch is again a hot meal with vegetarian option available upon request. Drinks include soft drink or water. 

The last part of the journey, includes a 30 minute stop at the rock valley, where volcanic rocks have been eroded over hundred of years to form interesting shapes of animals or even human faces! Let your imagination go wild here and see how many figures you can distinguish. Amongst some of the more obvious are the head of a lion, gorilla, bird, Inca face and a dog.

The final drive is another 2.5 hours to Uyuni, depending on the weather conditions. The road also improves slightly, leaving the dirt tracks behind and joining some asphalt road. However it can still be very dusty with many trucks using this road, so keep your nose covered if you suffer from the dust in the air. 

You arrive back to Uyuni at around 17-18h in the afternoon. Normally, dropping off everybody at the same place in the centre of the town, close to the yellow clock.
Say goodbye to your fellow travellers and the guide as this is the end of an epic journey which began 3 days earlier!

The information provided on the Salt Flats tour is based on the personal experience of the author and the itinerary taken on the 3 day tour. Depending on the company you take, the driver, the weather conditions or even requests by the travellers, the itinerary may be different and involve more, or less stops, during your tour.
However all the highlighted names are designated stops are all included in itineraries of 3 days/2 nights by most tour operators.

Travel dates of the taken itinerary: 23-25 July 2019      

Travelling to such a remote place in the earth requires some preparation. It's a rustic, very elaborate tour in which the less bulky and heavy items you take the more comfortable you will be. Tours are driven in 4x4 vehicles, normally they are well equipped with air-con, heater, music player, etc. However, sometimes they can suffer from additional technical complications along the way, due to the hard terrain or altitude. Times during the tour can extend easily if you encounter any of these difficulties along the way. But don't worry, tour companies are prepared for everything and they will take care of you, bring you safely back. 

To be as prepared as possible and enjoy the tour, there are a few things you should take with you, especially if it's the multi-day trip itinerary.

Below you will find some of the recommended items:

• Camera: You will not want to stop taking photos of this stunning landscape from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. From playing with perspective and depth, photos of wildlife (llamas, flamingos, vicuñas) to a truly sensational sunset, Salar de Uyuni offers the potential for a huge array of jaw-dropping photos. Take an extra battery if you can as charging/electricity supply is limited.
• Photo props or perspective items: Props are key to creative and interesting perspective photos on the salt flats. Toy animals, bottles and even empty packets of crisps can all be used in exciting ways to create unique and intriguing photos.
• Cash: ATMs are scarce in Uyuni and even the ones you do come across are often out of money. Bring Bolivianos (Bolivian currency) with you for day to day expenses such as food, drink and tipping drivers.
• Flip flops/boots: comfortable shoes are needed for walking around the salt flat if it has a layer of water on it. Flips flops can also be very useful for going to the toilet as walking barefoot on some of the bathroom floors can be difficult. If you are going in the dry season, then boots are a practical idea.
• Water and snacks: Bottles of water on the salt flat are overpriced. Salar de Uyuni is one of the saltiest places in the world and has a pretty intense altitude so staying hydrated is vital. Bring your own water and snacks.
• Lip Balm: avoid dry, cracked lips from the salt, by bringing some lip balm.
• Towel and toilet paper: a towel is essential for drying yourself off after a shower or a dip in the hot springs. In the basic accomodation there is no toilet paper nor towels either.
• Hand sanitiser: Dust is everywhere in Uyuni and the Salt Flats! Also some toilets are without a sink. Your hands will get dirty very quickly here if you don’t have hand sanitiser.
• Sun Lotion and sunglasses: A big essential. There is a big risk of exposure to the sun when you’re out on the flats and at 5,000 meters of altitude, the effects of sun burning are much higher. Also, take note the reflection of the salt flats emphasizes the effect of the sun, leading to intense brightness and potential damage to your vision if you aren’t wearing sunglasses.
• Torch; Electricity isn’t available in many places across here so a head torch can be very useful.
• Mobile phone and power bank: Although you won't be needing your phone, except for pictures. Nowadays it's important you stay connected (not WIFI), with a charged phone just in case. 
• Clothes: simple, practical, light, warm clothes are recommended, ideally thermal clothes. Sleeping bags are a good idea to take, or you can rent one at the agency. (unless for high-end Hotel). Warm clothes, including hiking boots, a scarf, warm socks, gloves, a blanket, a thermal shirt and a winter coat are suitable. The scarf can also be used to cover your nose and mouth from inhaling too much dust. Take note that temperatures during the high season (June - September) can drop to -20 C!).
  
  

What NOT to take: If you are taking the multi-day tour and are unable to pack light with only a backpack (recommended), then the best idea is to leave your bigger luggage at the hotel or tour agency you booked with for them to store your luggage. Don't take items like laptops, tablets, or bulky electronics (except cameras) for your tour.
Pack according to the season, but don't bring excessive clothes or anything fancy. As well, don't bring expensive items like jewelry, watches, neck chains, rings etc... as the salt can make them change colour or even rust. 

The best tip is to pack light, simple and minimal, but essential at the same time. Just as the conditions of the tour are also simple and essential.

Once you reach the town of Uyuni, there are plenty of Hotels that cater for the tourists. Booking online before arrival to guarantee a room in the high season (June-August) is recommended. Hotels are cheap and basic, but you can find higher quality ones as well. Prices for hotels, with wifi, private bathroom and breakfast are around €15 per night. Hostels are abundant in the region, with shared rooms the most typical type of stays, for around €5-8 per night.

When doing the multi-day tours, accommodation greatly affects tour costs, with pricing varying based on whether you choose basic (dormitory style hostels) or mid-range (private room). However on the tour to the Salt flats, rooms have no private bathroom, no Wifi, no heating, limited electricity and hot water. If you want to guarantee a private room, then have to pay 150 Bob more. Normally during the tours, you will have a mix of private and shared rooms. 

Visiting the Salt Flats and Uyuni can be done with a day tour, staying overnight the day before. However it's much more fun to be able to enjoy this part of the world by joining a multi-day tour and see more of the region. When you book your tickets allow always an extra day or two for additional time. Buying your tickets for the tours can be done easily for the next day. Being prepared for any eventuality is essential so having extra time will allow you to relax. 

Therefore it's not recommended to book flights, after the tour, in case you came back later or want to arrange a longer tour. 
Taking the Salt Flats tour of 3 days and 2 nights is the best recommended, and staying one night in Uyuni town the day before and one night in Uyuni town after the tour.