Last time I wrote about the 3-day overland tour from Atacama to Uyuni, and many of you asked me, “How do I choose the right tour? How can I avoid pitfalls?” Let me break it down for you!
Decide on Your Starting and Ending Points:
1. Atacama to Uyuni (3 days, 2 nights):
Many travelers first fly into Santiago and then take another flight to San Pedro de Atacama. From there, you can join a 3-day overland tour to Uyuni.
2. Uyuni to Atacama (3 days, 2 nights):
If you’re starting in Uyuni and heading south, you’ll need a tour that begins in Uyuni and ends in San Pedro de Atacama.
3. Round Trip from Uyuni (3 days, 2 nights):
Some travelers join a 3-day tour starting and ending in Uyuni, without crossing the border into Chile. These tours typically follow a loop along the border, showcasing the same highlights as the overland tours.
When I was new to Uyuni, I thought this was the only option, so I booked it. Here’s how it went: Day 1 was all about exploring the salt flats, Day 2 covered the White and Red Lakes, and by Day 3, we reached the Chilean border. But instead of crossing over to Atacama, we had to turn back, only catching a distant glimpse of Atacama. What a letdown!
4. La Paz – Uyuni – Atacama (4 days, 3 nights or 3 days, 3 nights):
You can start from La Paz, either by bus or flight, and head to Uyuni before continuing south to Chile’s Atacama. If you take an overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni, the entire journey will take 3 nights and 3 days. If you choose a daytime bus or flight to Uyuni, the total becomes 4 days and 3 nights.
5. La Paz – Uyuni 3-Day Tour – Back to La Paz (3 days, 4 nights or 4 days, 3 nights):
For those planning to return to La Paz after visiting Uyuni, the ideal itinerary looks like this:
– Take an overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni, join a 3-day tour in Uyuni, then take another night bus back to La Paz (total 3 nights, 4 days).
– Alternatively, fly from La Paz to Uyuni, join the 3-day tour, and fly back to La Paz after (total 4 days, 3 nights).
6. Atacama to Uyuni 3-Day Tour, Returning to Atacama (4 days, 3 nights):
Some travelers have asked Summer if there’s a tour that starts in Chile’s Atacama, heads to Uyuni, and then returns to Atacama. The answer is yes! This is a well-established route. It’s similar to the 3-day tour from Atacama to Uyuni but includes an extra day, making it a 4-day, 3-night journey.
7. Sucre + Uyuni 3-Day Tour (4 days, 3 nights or 3 days, 3 nights):
From Sucre, Bolivia, there are options to travel to Uyuni and join a 3-day tour. Depending on whether you travel during the day or overnight from Sucre, the trip takes either 4 days, 3 nights or 3 days, 3 nights.
8. Puno + Uyuni 3-Day Tour (4 days, 3 nights or 3 days, 3 nights):
Even from Puno, Peru, you can cross the border into La Paz, Bolivia, and then arrange a tour to Uyuni. This itinerary also works with either 4 days, 3 nights or 3 days, 3 nights, depending on your schedule and transport preferences.
Key to Avoiding Pitfalls:
– How to Choose Accommodation
When booking a 3-day tour, whether starting from Atacama or Uyuni, the most crucial factor in avoiding a bad experience is selecting the right accommodation.
1. The Budget Option: Hostel-Style Rooms
The cheapest 3-day tours often include hostel-style accommodations. These rooms typically have 3-5 beds, shared bathrooms, and sometimes hot water (but not always). Taking a shower or staying warm often depends on luck—don’t ask me how I know!
2. Mid-Range Option: Private Rooms with Hot Showers
A step up from the budget option is a private room with an en-suite bathroom and hot shower. These rooms generally cost a bit more and feature two single beds or one double bed. After a long day on the road, being able to enjoy a hot shower after sunset is pure bliss.
3. Luxury Option: High-End 3-Day Tours with Luxury Hotels
These tours come with the highest price tag and are often chosen by private groups. Accommodations could include hotels like *Palacio de Sal*, offering more than just a place to stay. These luxury hotels feature amenities like swimming pools, spas, and unbeatable views. After a day of traveling, relaxing in such a hotel on the Bolivian highlands feels like heaven—even the thought of altitude sickness seems to fade away!
– Check the Quantity and Quality of Meals
Meals are typically included in 3-day border crossing tours. Here’s the general meal plan:
– Day 1: Lunch and dinner
– Day 2: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
– Day 3: Breakfast and lunch
For basic tours like the one Summer joined, meal standards are quite minimal. Breakfast often consists of simple bread and juice, while lunch and dinner are usually pasta paired with a small salad. It’s enough to fill you up, but don’t expect much variety or sophistication.
In mid-range and luxury options, however, the food is significantly better. Not only is it more varied, but there’s also plenty to eat—making meals one less thing to worry about!
– What type of vehicle do travel agencies use?
Most of the travel agencies offering 3-day cross-border tours use 4×4 vehicles, which can carry six passengers plus the driver, making a total of seven people. For those opting for high-end private tours, renting a private vehicle is common. The fewer the passengers, the more spacious and comfortable the journey.
– Choosing Between an English or Spanish-Speaking Driver-Guide
The most common driver-guide option in these 3-day tours is Spanish-speaking. Like Summer, many budget-conscious travelers choose the more affordable Spanish-speaking tours. Back then, Summer’s Spanish skills were limited to basic greetings (and, to be honest, still are!). As a result, it was a constant “lost in translation” experience!
English-speaking driver-guides are another option and are usually slightly more expensive than their Spanish-speaking counterparts. If communication is a priority for you, this might be worth the upgrade!
Activities and Tour Highlights
- For sunrise and sunset lovers: Make sure to confirm the tour’s daily departure and return times with the travel agency. Not all tours include these magical moments, so ask in advance.
- For stargazing enthusiasts: If you want to enjoy the night sky in Uyuni, especially under the salt flats, clarify the exact timing of your visit to the salt flats. Confirm when you’ll enter and leave to ensure stargazing is part of the itinerary.
- For those wanting to visit Incahuasi Island (Cactus Island): Whether or not you can visit the island depends entirely on the water levels in the salt flats. If the water is too deep, reaching the island will be impossible. If an agency guarantees a visit during the wet season, they’re likely overselling—be cautious!
If you’d like more details about cross-border routes and tour options from Chile’s Atacama Desert to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats, feel free to reach out!
I’m Summer, an outdoor enthusiast and backpacker who’s here to share the best travel tips and hidden gems. Follow me, and let’s explore South America together!
