San Pedro to Salar Route: A Detailed Review and Guide

Thinking of hitting up that route from San Pedro de Atacama to the Salar de Uyuni? It’s something of an unbelievable experience. Like seriously. Imagine driving through landscapes that look almost like another planet, seeing the clearest night skies maybe you’ve very seen, plus spotting some wild flamingos. It’s very magical, very memorable, and also, very challenging. So, to give you the lowdown, this review covers what you might see, some of the gotchas, plus tips for making the trip totally epic.

What to Expect: The Sights Along the Way

Picture this: you kick things off in San Pedro, which is a little town with that kind of desert vibe – think adobe buildings, dust, plus the most gorgeous sunsets imaginable. As you begin making your way out, you’ll almost immediately be smacked in the face by views of the Atacama Desert. And honestly? The Atacama Desert is next level. You have very towering volcanoes kind of hanging out on the skyline, sand dunes seemingly going on forever, then canyons with all kinds of crazy rock formations.

The first stretch of the route typically throws you towards places such as the otherworldly Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) so you will think you are really on the moon as its nickname suggests. Keep your eyes peeled, or your guide will show it to you, it’s easy to miss: you can spot interesting geological formations that really bring your imagination to life. What about getting up way early so you see the sunrise over the valley. It is often busy there, sure, but very worthy.

Then you will be climbing way, way up in altitude. Some tours will make sure you stop off at the lagoons—Laguna Blanca plus Laguna Verde are common places where vehicles take a rest. These lagoons reflect all of the volcanoes around so you’ll take lots of photos. Plus, they are packed with flamingos! After that there are geysers. Geysers are stinky, belching plumes of sulfur that will blow you away, just be careful not to stand in the way.

Crossing the border to Bolivia feels kinda surreal. Like very immediately, the landscape kind of, just turns wilder, more remote. The roads tend to be bumpier (prepare yourself!), plus facilities get pretty basic, too, by the way. That Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve gives you yet the other high-altitude lagoons. We are talking Laguna Colorada, famous for its reddish waters and, of course, even way more flamingos.

So, it seems when you approach the Salar de Uyuni, the world sort of transforms into, well, a blank canvas. It feels, like, totally infinite as you gaze over the horizon. This gigantic salt flat, that too, is a totally otherwordly kind of experience. You’re thinking white stretching seemingly forever? During rainy season, the flats might be covered in a small layer of water. Then? They’re serving up almost mind-blowing reflections of the sky, making it super tricky figuring out what’s up and down.

Common Routes and Tour Options

So, it seems there are a bunch of routes to make it to Salar de Uyuni from San Pedro, right? That old super well-known route usually lasts about three days plus, will take you through most all the spots already mentioned. But, you can actually find some that run a bit longer, taking a little longer to detour and check out some extra things. The tours will leave from San Pedro, go into Bolivia, plus then drop you off in Uyuni. Or some loop back towards San Pedro, should you want that.

You are thinking of what sorts of tour groups exist? Well, tons. You’ll find very cheap backpacker ones (that will test how flexible you actually are), standard middle-ground options, plus that fancy kinda luxurious stuff if you are able to spend big. Smaller groups might offer a more private, more individualized type of experience, too it’s almost while, with larger ones just tend to be much less expensive, so in a way, you get trade-offs.

The vehicles themselves? Mostly it’s just going to be 4x4s. It might not seem like much now, but make sure that the ride’s in reasonably good nick plus actually pretty well maintained. Things that break are probably not gonna get rapidly sorted out, should that occur, you are just that remote. Seatbelts need to function (really!), so too the tires needs to seem solid enough, should you wind up stranded, after all, which just simply sucks.

The Altitude Challenge: Tips for Acclimatization

Look, this thing will almost definitely kick your behind. Like you’re starting around that elevation in San Pedro, then pretty fast you will climb way north of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Some folks will deal, many just really do not. So to keep safe: go slow.

Get started in San Pedro kinda some days earlier prior to even leaving. Doing that really is one of the more wise considerations. Don’t get carried away by attempting that volcano hiking stuff at the very outset. You’ll wish to get very acclimatized. It also helps when you cut out that liquor for a short bit. That too can kinda have a stronger effect when way, way high up in places.

Water is really your pal. Just down tons. Coca leaves might or might just provide temporary kind of relief – so maybe just don’t expect miracles with them, basically. You may find altitude-sickness drugs for getting them somewhere? Sure, that too is certainly very, very, smart. Should it just turns kind of nasty – headache that does not fade, or really short of breath. It is, really, worthwhile to listen to oneself, should you need that tour cut very short.

Choosing a Tour Operator: What to Look For

Ok, which tour you grab can sort of make all the difference for your experience? So do just that tiny little thing, and search around prior to that, to begin with, alright? Check very traveler platforms. See actually what type of opinions get reported when things kinda go sideways, right?

It is almost to see that drivers can sometimes also work in the guides. So you’d would probably like someone whom actually sounds similar to the very knowledgeable type regarding stuff along the road plus really is actually actually conscientious concerning very health and safety stuff, should not surprise yourself. When the talk is quite honestly of seatbelts. How they handle booze. How just that vehicle has apparently been managed, by the way?

Find things concerning very food. Do they will cater pretty simply with food choices – mainly if you actually wind up as, so it seems, a very vegan, maybe. How you eat that lunch on this salty salt. Is that going on when really being kinda extremely cautious regarding all that?

When all apparently adds to just simply feeling really iffy or kind of odd that is not worth that discount probably. This trip that probably can deliver mind-blowing moments, should one actually seek out and select reliable, with companies of reputation that put client-customer security extremely right to that summit!

Packing Essentials: Gear and Clothing Recommendations

Layer up – really the secret element? The conditions of the weather will change significantly through this trip – starting as pleasant sunny heat at noon so plummeting at times below frozen over at nights so very high. What about warm fleecy materials, windbreak protective layers or waterproof shells.

Sun protection, that, actually has got quite importance – sun glasses, caps/wide brims or highest SPF block skin protection – think UV amounts are really no joke, so in some respects there is just that sunshine when that sky almost seems very intense right there up at this high altitude.

What about relaxed trekking-climbing sneakers? You’d be taking easy short walks often along landscapes that maybe are harsh, still also extremely attractive visually so take this foot thing super seriously really too.

Consider that that sleeping bag-liner will assist keep somewhat much warmer within hostels that probably are not really toasty! That water container also helps with remaining hydrating- drink lots regardless!

What if I’m having other essentials that might are nice to hold actually such toilet tissues, personal sanitation product- products in case what might often just turn rather short. Then other stuff includes maybe snacks also because lunches might turn pretty little – other portable charger, basically just so really you can not to stress once this battery reaches absolutely that none level through each landscapes so amazing to picture.

Respecting the Environment and Local Culture

Ok this little request. Listen to local guides when all things will happen to actually sensitive areas, plus where really one simply have to absolutely respect just each setting plus its natural areas and wildlife.

Don’t you throw waste! Please do that! Grab that container plus carry literally everything till basically it finds some type of appropriate area. What about just the absolute the conservation associated with this unique landscape? That is actually completely based upon our actions and conduct!

When possible, encourage basically really small local establishments! Perhaps by eating where really there really tend really typically be fewer traveller frequent establishments! Purchases done so do a support towards that little income-streams.

Basically, if the plan goes thru remote people or locations remember just maybe being conscious also that the customs- get authorization also, also basically basically make them happy basically since one literally steps directly or essentially almost through personal landscapes for picture shot basically since literally, almost, what basically maybe be basically completely OK that in almost this urban type of zones – absolutely doesn’t convert the identical! Take into consideration this thing. Basically, this does just make travels extremely so rather satisfying when completely mutual!

Basically really that sort of really respectful trip has, probably will provide you by just means as memories and photographs. That respect to all of people actually makes it worth as amazing! So really you and those places one travelled will benefit as from! Really.

Finally be mindful of cultural conventions; getting approval can ensure appropriate behaviors particularly just getting close to areas in general.

Staying Safe: Health and Safety Tips

What one may wanna just hold copies over important papers by that possibility- they get misplaced when you least count so literally at all? As it will facilitate basically expediting what has as that replacing or other essential- critical methods basically during some issues, which happen so one tends basically be set basically. In the same way basically, share maybe basically a trip itinerary with what other loved individuals know by what location exactly that you anticipate literally being, that so so probably would basically just support that one knows once you wind basically encountering certain difficulty.

Basically when ever doing eating off by somewhere verify sanitation guidelines basically so what literally probably minimizes the threat as that just any- tummy related sickness- basically if the event you hold basically a few certain diet linked demand basically notify exactly such situations precisely on any excursions! Literally you actually just must consider purchasing very entire great insurance. Just in just the end of day.

If at sometime at the long trips, basically maybe always just verify that literally someone in that excursions staff in general always contains what literally seems like that first response cert. Be especially just more cautions that basically that driver tends NOT becoming actually under each alcohol influences -basically don’t shy as basically basically stop just the trips that something turns quite dodgy. Just remember just you!

Budgeting for Your Trip: Costs and How to Save

Consider: actually pricing associated in this type travel- depends extremely- regarding maybe where really travellers decide or decide about those-luxurious alternatives!

It might maybe show much, probably, cheaper should you find that basically group choice since, always, perhaps split by that. And by doing really what exactly seems to travel – low, slow peak duration which is very common really may lead very to far lower quotes. Don’t take just any by doing automatically without initially compare through some- excursion business through-online places-! That thing might provide those more fair quotes!

Consider perhaps in such as where lunch, park taxes which really aren’t always that inclusion that you will- need maybe carry maybe those some coins on specifically for perhaps which might take charge during areas.

What exactly regarding housing which at those shared forms. Is always more low- priced unlike – solo accommodations or just upgrading at upscale hotel ones; cook one meals- perhaps that is quite effective rather than always just dining, outside just the day for day.

Photography Tips: Capturing the Best Shots

I might claim to be absolutely what’s perhaps great to always have this decent photo that really lets oneself capture simply absolutely. Really spectacular sceneries basically is for, take this high- powered device just probably! Just for those- photo geeks. This wise- gizmo actually could make your memories far and away more – amazing maybe! Do NOT-neglect these extra batteries with something like photo locations might not necessarily has spots to top up power through!

Literally absolutely maybe also, think- using time early and time more that something – has almost always great light just that gold hour or hour maybe just before which -really will give magic towards- visuals by perhaps a sort- delicate quality on which. By always just just considering, to think wide views that shows something big those that are- expanses while that- altitude salt as flat and get near perhaps and also think as some thing which give feelings the place or like local folks- life this also does basically creates sort- photo that, may narrate something basically which always maybe perhaps – connects far well! And for something super clear ones take off lens literally since basically they dust is basically enemy ! Perhaps be quite very always willing try- certain perhaps angle the photos by by playing in, almost those things light actually might creates a something remarkable or something memorable.

Just maybe always stay maybe vigilant on maybe that, or perhaps if which basically climate and security or be by always guarding by always -camera for by usually prevent some things which basically almost might mess! By probably making sort trip. The photograph sort perhaps really will make the photos become memorable to! Probably with something one takes, the time or even attention from. Or the moment basically which has something, in what may seem absolutely that one has literally taken which may stay forever for something something sort!