San Pedro Atacama to Uyuni 3D Tour: Full Review

Thinking of seeing the Uyuni Salt Flats? Well, too often a great option is taking a tour from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. It is almost like this 3-day adventure offers some unbelievably great views, and gets you to witness a few places on Earth that will leave you completely breathless. It is not just a sightseeing trip, so it is basically a full immersion into landscapes that you probably wouldn’t even believe actually exist. You begin in the driest desert on Earth, and conclude at the huge, reflective, totally white canvas that’s the Salar de Uyuni. Ready to hear about what you’re in for?

Why Choose This Tour?

The appeal of this particular route, I guess, comes down to a number of factors. First off, it is almost a smooth, one-way trip. You kick off in San Pedro de Atacama, a rather pretty oasis village with a fantastic amount to see on its own, and then finish up in Uyuni, saving yourself, basically, a potentially long and tiring return trip. Secondly, this particular tour is seemingly amazing for folks coming from Chile, or perhaps, who plan to make their way up to Bolivia afterwards. And also, very often, it can work out cheaper, as you bypass needing to backtrack.

Also, the scenery! Seriously, I mean, that landscape variety is completely wild. So you’re talking desert landscapes, colorful lagoons that are rather fascinating, odd rock formations, and then bam! The seemingly endless white of the salt flats. Basically, each day throws something totally new at you. It’s also nearly this complete change in scenery. Pretty awesome.

Day 1: From San Pedro to the Altiplano

Alright, so your big adventure starts rather early. Usually, you’ll be picked up in San Pedro very, very early in the morning – more or less between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, probably. Expect a border crossing. As it is almost customary, there are border formalities to go through when you’re crossing between Chile and Bolivia. That basically can mean queues and a little waiting around. Be sure you have all your documents ready so, too the entire process goes smoothly, almost always.

Right after you have managed that bit, brace yourself so, too the amazing scenery! The Altiplano is completely breathtaking. It’s almost about spotting colorful lagoons which are also populated by flamingos. Lagunas Blanca and Verde is also where you’ll catch your first glimpses. Plus there’s the Dali Desert; it is like a bizarre landscape that looks like it fell directly out of a Salvador Dali art piece. Basically, expect surreal, amazing photo opportunities everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

Now, you should know this is likely to be a rather long day on the road. This is where comfort becomes the name of the almost entire thing. These tours often involve travelling in 4×4 vehicles, yet, which are definitely needed to navigate the rugged terrain, that also is a rather bumpy ride, to be honest. At the end of the first day, very often, you’ll end up settling into a pretty simple, yet kinda cozy, basic accommodation. This isn’t luxury travel, that, of course, so don’t expect some very fancy hotels, right?

Day 2: Geysers, Hot Springs, and More Lagoons

Now, you should be ready for yet another super early start! Day two very, very often kicks off with a trip to Sol de Mañana. That’s seemingly a geyser field that is most active at dawn. I mean, that view of steaming vents against the rather cold morning air, I am telling you, it is impressive. Very photo-worthy for sure.

Next up, soak away any cold chills in the Termas de Polques! So this, also, is almost this natural hot spring, and I should tell you that jumping into that warm water in the middle of the Altiplano really does something. This is nearly pure bliss. Be sure you have taken your swimsuit, as almost everybody will hop in.

Also, that’s a visit to Laguna Colorada. As it is basically custom, this vivid red lagoon is famous so, too all of its flamingo inhabitants. The red color originates from sediments and algae in the water, it also makes for striking contrasts with the blue sky. In fact, a fantastic amount of the afternoon also entails crossing additional stretches of that high-altitude desert, so it is likely you’ll soak up so much truly grand views of the Andean landscapes. In this case, too, the overnight stop will be in another simple but pretty comfy basic lodging option.

Day 3: Into the Salt Flats and Farewell

Get ready, I should let you know this day is all that salt! First on, that’s a visit to the train cemetery. As it seems, it is an eerie collection of rusting locomotives so, too see the history of Uyuni as a transit hub. It’s actually amazing for photos.

Get ready for those unique perspective shots! Also, the tour guides know every spot so, too you can capture those rather fun perspective pictures on the seemingly limitless white surface. That might include playing with some props to make photos seem like you’re holding other people in the hand, or seemingly you’re standing on a giant bottle. You just go wild here, alright?

Here you’ll also visit Incahuasi Island! Seemingly, that rocky island is in the middle of the salt flats, yet, and is covered with towering cacti. It is often a rather surreal sight. Very great spot so, too grab panoramic shots. Usually, the tour concludes in Uyuni mid-afternoon. The very first and best plan could be so, too catch a bus to your next location, or you can stick around so, too check out the town.

What to Pack and Tips

Okay, let’s discuss packing. This trip is, well, unique, and what you bring can also really make a difference in your comfort:

Warm Clothes: I have to stress this! At altitude, temperatures drop. Basically, you’re going to be in the desert! I would advise bringing layers so, too be added or removed according to comfort.
Sun Protection: Basically, the sun at this altitude is incredibly intense, so that means sunglasses, hats, plus tons and tons of sunscreen. The salt also reflects a lot, so that intensifies it also.
Comfortable Shoes: I highly recommend wearing shoes which can handle a little bit of walking and also can stand a bit of dust. Also, consider extra socks.
Swimsuit: This can seem kinda weird, yet, if you want so, too enjoy the hot springs you will certainly need one. Also, be prepared for changing in a public view; some locations may not have private spots.
Camera: So you really won’t want so, too skip those beautiful photos so, too remind yourself what you witnessed. Extra batteries, I guess, and memory cards could just be vital here.
Altitude Sickness Medication: I guess that talking to your physician regarding altitude sickness pills or basically what to bring just is a must so, too prepare for any challenges because of the high altitude change.
Snacks & Water: As a matter of fact, the tours may supply the bare necessities, that, also, bringing the very, very small snacks could very, very well be the perfect boost during a long time traveling in which stops probably may be really limited.

Things to keep in Mind

Altitude is Real: You are at a really high altitude here, almost. Take it kind of slow, and hydrate when you can.
Cash is King: A very, very, small amount of locations accepts the card in that specific zone so, too take an amount so, too cover fees which are unexpected, purchasing trinkets or other things of this kind.
Lodging Is Simple: In some locations expect what is very essential or basic; and very few services are available and electricity can even also be restricted so, too specific periods of time.
Spanish Would certainly be Useful: Even though tours, often, are led very often in numerous languages, but in the little towns surrounding the flats it will definitely enhance you communication.

Cost of the Tour

Basically, the rates here differ rather significantly so, too what tour you book and very few companies do propose, if they can actually find any services like a shared tour will typically run you over US $150-200 or basically even over that if you desire to go on this venture without really having others on the tour along, you may expect that one so, too definitely become way pricier when taking a service of it is kind!

Best time to Travel

If this venture becomes very likely and exciting and you might not resist, it is nearly vital you remember such months over a timeframe you feel will almost enable for a successful opportunity!

April to October (Dry Season): The most common occasion as that, it has actually obtained virtually easy travels via Flats, such as for obtaining very, very fun photo ventures and you will have very, very small worries such as of rain!
December to January (Wet Season): While indeed you might almost possibly like so, too look at how impressive any amount in those flats become after they show impressions due that period’s rain the journeys in locations becomes more problematic so, too deal as is also less visible overall.

Choosing Your Tour Operator

Choosing so, too find where from you obtain very high level service or where so, too grab such chance could in effect really take on for this memory from becoming memorable in very positive feelings, keep in mind how that most get some from asking very hard questions and taking consideration of these ones!

Review Research: Review through reviews from past wanderers who will show a few understandings in how exactly many trips this agent would in almost likely act plus would potentially also show exactly they did find each service!
Safety Is Prioritized: Do keep asking concerning basic equipment that must get an offering of their basic help on tours like: (First-aid Kits/Oxygen) amongst the like along as in what action or procedures shall in effect have these put in effect on occasions where a sudden crisis occurs and someone’s gets hurt unexpectedly .
Tour Inclusions are Clear: Very nearly go through so that that can take notice on knowing what these service gives in with any, as one’s foods, locations, support through trip so one can stop misunderstandings just when almost already moving onto traveling .

Is this trip right for you?

Is there really anything this particular voyage provides almost right one of most wanderers really needs and here may one write that one will very likely be right to actually follow ahead while using tour:

Adventure seeker: This kind has anyone almost fully pleased just while they may face some challenges with the landscapes around, a very easy road that may contain several unusual turns can still seem completely well to them at such spot in time!
Photography Enthusiast: In a huge location over the location like an area very known almost primarily or only where landscape takes upon almost over or it will most possibly bring forward stunning photography, anyone who like shooting beautiful vista points this offers will very much very surely almost see a few very excellent spots when snapping some images out .
Those Brief one Time only in South America/Want The Most From Each Area: When at any place near or just wanting seeing South Area you need just almost surely attempt to seek a moment over this travel opportunity .