Complete Review: Cusco to Uyuni Salt Flat Tour (3 Days, 2 Nights)

The Cusco to Uyuni Salt Flat excursion? Oh, it’s almost a classic South American adventure. We are talking about swapping the ancient Inca capital for, basically, the world’s biggest mirror in a three-day, two-night trip, right? It does sound cool, yet deciding if it’s worth your precious vacation time definitely demands a hard look. It could be great or you know… just okay. I’ll break it all down so you can decide.

What the Tour Involves, Essentially

Alright, so the basic idea here is that, as a matter of fact, you’re not just getting a simple trip from Cusco to Uyuni. You’re getting, kind of, an organized overland tour. What’s truly important is this usually involves a bus or van ride that takes you through the Altiplano. It really is the high plains of South America, and then into Bolivia. These tours, in short, they typically include accommodation. Maybe not five-star, it should be noted. Meals. I should point out that these might be basic. Then transport around the salt flats and other spots. It also tends to toss in some guide service, naturally.

The route generally passes a few well-known places, such as Rainbow Mountain. This is near Cusco and often included as an optional stop before you officially cross into Bolivia. The tour will pass through some border towns as well, and it can be a really interesting eye opener. Over the next few days, you’ll see otherworldly landscapes. Such as lagoons brimming with flamingos, and rock formations that make you believe you’re on another planet. Obviously the biggest highlight, to be honest, is Salar de Uyuni, where, similarly to an enormous canvas, the sky meets the earth. It will definitely makes for crazy pictures, and all this comes before finally arriving in Uyuni itself.

The Good Stuff

The landscapes. Let’s be honest, these really are something special. Seeing the seemingly infinite white expanse of the salt flats actually does feel magical. Think about waking up to a scenery where there isn’t any horizon, so that the sky and the land simply blur into one. If you’re into photography, basically, these landscapes provide, kind of, endless opportunities. Especially during the rainy season. Because a thin layer of water covers the salt flats, so then you can capture mind-blowing reflections.

Making things less expensive, tours usually cover transport. Because this is something that would likely cost more to set up by yourself, more or less. Factor in accommodation and food, and so all in one you pay a bundle that, typically, doesn’t sound too bad. I feel it really comes down to simplicity, actually. Rather than puzzling over bus schedules and attempting to book hostels in remote locations, arguably, everything’s already prepared for you, and it allows for just enjoying the ride.

Plus, just so you know, these trips aren’t necessarily done solo, and you travel, kind of, together with a group, basically. It also represents, literally, a great way of meeting folks from all over the place, and what is also nice is sharing those exceptional experiences with others. And who knows, I feel that, with any luck, maybe you’ll actually make new friends. I’d say this alone makes it very memorable, and this trip, for sure, stands out.

Potential Downsides to keep in Mind

Alright, let’s have a bit of real chat about what might get hairy on the journey. Altitude sickness, that truly is a biggie, actually. A lot of this route will stay at high elevations. This actually makes even just walking around can feel, like, an aerobic workout. Going straight from lower altitudes up to Cusco, I’d suggest that acclimatizing is important, or really it would be preferable to start with some kind of shorter treks around Cusco prior to heading to Uyuni, but, you know, many are not aware and dive directly to the tour anyway.

Bus travel itself, is just not luxury travel, is it? No. I’d be surprised if I saw it. Buses, in short, are usually basic, and these roads might get bumpy. And this really comes into effect especially during the long stretches inside Bolivia. Comfort is more or less a luxury you’re not gonna find. Therefore you have to pack loads of patience. Also keep handy maybe travel cushions. And I almost forgot something. There will almost certainly be bathroom stops that could test your comfort levels!

I guess its also worthy of note is that accommodation during the trip isn’t generally what you see in brochures. Expect, in fact, fairly basic hostels or guesthouses. If I had to describe them, I’d describe it more along the lines of shelters, or, to be honest, “functional” will do. They provide a bed after a hard day of sightseeing and driving. Yet luxury isn’t always their highest concern. Do note that showers might not always be hot (or available!), also. Keep some wipes at hand for a freshen-up and be content with not being super comfortable overall.

Making the most out of your Trip

Acclimatizing is essential so, if you get a bit of time, I suggest spending some days inside Cusco. Take a slower pace, skip any intense workouts and consume coca tea which is well known for cutting down some effects of altitude.

Think of layers when it is time for packing clothes for the excursion, naturally. Temperature varies radically over those three days. Consider packing from sweaters to light shirts so you can adapt as per, basically, whatever Mother Nature throws your way, and a few other essentials would do. Here is my shortlist:

• Sunscreen: the sun up at that altitude, seriously, is killer.
• Sunglasses: to, you know, cut down the glare, especially over the salt flats.
• Hat: It almost serves to keep off both sun and cold.
• Snacks: you could see yourself going hungry from time to time or tired of food.
• Water: I also think its imperative to hydrate up there.
• Portable charger: really necessary as photo taking depletes phone battery like anything.

It is advisable to do research on what is out there when, arguably, thinking to secure your tour, very. Ask tour agencies relating to safety, what is included or, as a matter of fact, any reviews you see online or offline. I can’t emphasize enough to read it very very carefully. Scrutinize their itineraries, specifically when talking about meal details or accommodation styles, so that you are having sensible anticipations.

A typical Itinerary Snapshot

Here is a basic overview of what such trip typically involves. Note though this can shift from agency to agency so do not hold it fixed in your mind:

Day 1: Cusco to Puno/Lake Titicaca Area

The excursion starts up in Cusco early enough in the morning and then the main bit is bus transport up to Puno nearby Lake Titicaca. Quite often, tours bundle up visits to certain tourist attractions found along this route that feature things, like, Inca sites or amazing overlooks.

Day 2: Border Crossing and Altiplano Landscapes

You go from Puno crossing borders and over into Bolivia. I imagine it can include several border controls. From then onward one heads to striking vistas spotted across the Altiplano: like Laguna Colorada of famous red waters along with many flamingos that wade across them, too it’s almost a sight to behold. By evening lodging might exist in fairly remote spots, to be perfectly honest; these feature really rustic accommodations.

Day 3: Salar de Uyuni and Return to Uyuni

On that last day get all prepared to get enthralled. See the majestic Salar itself! Think picture time alongside visiting Incahuasi Island that holds lots of ginormous cactuses along with a few hotel stops made from almost all-salt – how’s that now! These last up right at your own arrival right to Bolivia-based Uyuni that closes the multi-day expedition at long last.

Is it Worth It? Weighing it Up

Whether the Cusco to Uyuni excursion could actually be considered a winner largely, perhaps, turns on a question about what YOU treasure most in a travel adventure. In short, those thirsting, too it’s almost a passion, to secure bucket-list photo material on terrains hardly found anywhere while not minding rugged lodging spots would no doubt give a positive nod.

However folks favoring total comfort including being inclined against too long drives on buses may wish to scout further opportunities that emphasize those aspects most.

So consider… can you compromise a degree of convenience just for landscapes to make you absolutely agape with glee? Might rudimentary conveniences still be deemed okay simply as to enjoy otherworldly sightseeing exploits inside Salar?

When one replies that, with enthusiasm, I really imagine then, this trek would most definitely be very worth considering!