Review: Puno to Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Excursion

Alright, so you’re probably thinking about heading from Puno, Peru, all the way to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, perhaps? That sounds like a really cool adventure. Very likely, you’re considering that famous three-day excursion that gets you there. We took this trip ourselves, and we can give you a pretty detailed account of just what to maybe expect and whether it’s seriously worth the, you know, time and money.

Day 1: Puno to La Paz – Border Crossing and City Arrival

The first day? Well, that’s mainly getting from Puno to La Paz. Thing is, it’s quite a long travel day. Most of the tours, alright, they tend to pick you up super early – possibly as early as, say, 6 AM. Expect that you will be making the way to the Bolivian border. Now, crossing the border, right, can actually be a bit, well, you know, chaotic, or, rather it could be if you are on your own. You could experience some potential paperwork and a queue, or so. But, tour guides, well, you know, they generally assist with the crossing. It makes things much smoother, as a matter of fact. Once you’re in Bolivia, in some respects, there will be a change of transport to head on to La Paz. In the late afternoon or evening, you probably would arrive in La Paz, actually. The trip will very likely include settling into your accommodation. It often will include some free time for you to look at your immediate surroundings, but perhaps not much else. A heads up? La Paz sits at a super high altitude, specifically. You could be experiencing the effects a bit. In this situation, well, it’s really best to just relax, stay hydrated, as well as take it quite easy on that initial day, I think.

Day 2: Exploring La Paz – City Tour and Cultural Experiences

The second day tends to involve you seeing the spots around La Paz. Most tours do incorporate a city tour, right, that takes you to spots such as Plaza Murillo, for instance. Plaza Murillo has government buildings and a cathedral, I think, also places that let you appreciate Bolivian history. You might be riding a cable car to get up to El Alto, which tends to give seriously cool views of the whole city. A thing I found awesome was seeing the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas), in short. It can be a little spooky or intimidating, right? That’s if you’re really unused to the, like, cultural beliefs around what’s available and sold there. They could sell things utilized in local rituals. Those can include llama fetuses – all pretty traditionally significant, as it happens! The day might feature checking out the Valley of the Moon. It offers moon-like landscape which gives photo opportunities, just like on another planet. In the evening, possibly, there’s a chance to maybe relax and prep for the next part. You need that, as it could be another long travel day.

Day 3: La Paz to Uyuni – Bus Ride and Salt Flats Arrival

Day three means getting from La Paz right over to Uyuni. That, for the most part, normally, involves an overnight bus ride. So, make certain to be prepared for a lengthy journey. Typically, that leaves in the evening. Just like your bus choice does seriously impact your experience, really. There are a few things. Semi-cama or cama options usually allow for more comfy seats. On a budget, just, check to make certain the company at least provides safe service. Just a small number offer direct services, and stuff. So transfers might be expected. Also, very much consider, that those roads over there can get bumpy. Try to get some sleep, so you can deal with the, you know, super early start in Uyuni.

The Uyuni Salt Flats Experience: What to Expect

Landing in Uyuni, that can seriously be overwhelming, honestly. It seems desolate, with freezing air. Though things definitely improve fast the moment you are actually onto the salt flats themselves, I think. Typically, pretty much every tour company drives you into this seemingly endless stretch of just gleaming white, okay? Many of the tours, well, they are geared towards the famous perspective shots. These can, right, come out incredibly creatively because that stark white backdrop basically fools your eyes! Also, right, these will incorporate various stops, as a matter of fact.

Iconic Stops

There might be spots like the Train Cemetery, full of the skeletons of rusted locomotives and things. Many will have an Incahuasi Island visit. It’s a spot which shows huge cacti, as it happens, jutting up from the salt flats, okay? Do think about this. They charge to enter the island. Yet, for most people, well, that stop will totally make it a little bit more memorable. There is a place known as the Salt Hotel that you may see. Right now, though, it operates more like a museum. That’s probably worth just stopping off for. A more local insight? Be sure to, you know, stop to check out the salt mining bits, for instance. That gives insight into the whole work locals are actually engaged with out here.

Accommodation

That sort of trip is just usually set up, that you’d actually spend one or two nights somewhere in basic lodging. Sometimes this actually means staying in a salt hotel. So, remember these aren’t five star, honestly! It really is remote! You can find some of the things super basic. So anticipate limited things such as just running hot showers. As a matter of fact, pack your personal requirements.

The Altitude

It may be obvious, honestly. The altitude on those flats can have a bigger affect, right? Just like Puno and La Paz. It does get cold. At night? Frigid. Bring layers. Don’t even go on without sunglasses or maybe even sunscreen. Also, be super aware that glare can, and very often will, bounce right off such reflective surfaces! Oh – be cautious regarding symptoms that are associated with the attitude itself. Like head issues, fatigue or maybe nausea. Allow plenty of time when moving about. Avoid too much, such as physical activities.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

Probably the major variable related to having a seriously satisfying trip here really is your choice of a operator, I’d have thought. I think it could influence just about every part from quality as well as safety on your food itself. In the event that you’ve already been looking at excursions and such for awhile you can see the range right there around, also. Like something cheaper? Okay – but it may potentially cut regarding your things such as lodging itself. That has to, at times, impact on food quality! Let’s check the tips that guide when selecting!

Check Reviews Seriously look around sites like Tripadvisor. I always read people’s experiences with things. That always indicates where a company makes it awesome to visit. Also, whether companies fall, and fall flat at times.
Safety Records Double check that this tour has really great protocols when it comes to maintaining safety, particularly that car’s condition. Always look that the driving practices are, right, safely undertaken. This needs some digging as well as reading between any lines sometimes, in this world!
Ask Questions Get totally in touch, possibly before one commits fully, really. Figure, really, their vehicle size, so one finds sufficient room available to enjoy any long drives, probably! Query your driver situation also – especially in the event that people understand some languages as required. See should meals be suitable for every diet need that some people get!

Things to Bring

When it comes to this kind of journey, honestly, it’s probably beneficial getting correctly ready with required basics so everyone finds everything goes perfectly, generally speaking! These bits have, so much, bettered journeys greatly regarding anyone involved.

Warm Clothes It actually gets very cold, alright. Specially through your nights.
Layers They usually work rather fine, so they regulate, rather nicely, ones heating.
Sunglasses/Sunscreen The glare from what comes off those flats? That can damage you so badly.
Comfortable Shoes Very practical when it comes to actually being the one walking through any, mostly jagged salts around!
Camera A camera needs bringing regarding many people and taking such mind blowing photo shoots out, as a matter of fact, this part out here.
Portable Charger Limited outlets may cause concerns! Having mobile or whatever you have staying adequately turned completely at times of use out on the area has proved helpful.
Snacks/Water Snacks in this day might actually prevent spending extra somewhere for the most people traveling a great long ways here mostly!

Is This Trip Right for You?

Very simply, the Puno -> Uyuni, 3 day trip actually becomes really popular and it will get seriously great, especially! One seriously will obtain culture across two completely iconic attractions right then. However it features pretty involved long drives! Many hours upon hours will need allocation to just buses. I actually consider all should feel physically ready! People ought to tolerate elevation that gets concerned here seriously to gain this thing fully for that matter mostly when speaking truthfully! Anyone really keen within immersive travels? Maybe not even shying away around completely humble resorts? People will simply regard the experience here just perfectly.