Bolivia, a country rich in natural beauty and unique landscapes, offers one of the most extraordinary travel experiences in South America – a visit to the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on earth. The surreal beauty of this vast white expanse is best explored over at least two days, giving travelers a chance to fully immerse in its otherworldly charm. In this guide, we’ll walk you through planning an unforgettable 2-day trip to this majestic location.
#### Day 1: Arrival and Exploration
**Getting There:** Most trips to the Salar de Uyuni begin in Uyuni town, accessible by plane from La Paz or by bus/train from other major cities in Bolivia. It’s advisable to arrive in Uyuni early in the morning if possible, so you can start your adventure without delay.
**Morning – Isla Incahuasi (Incahuasi Island):**
Start your journey with a visit to Isla Incahuasi, situated in the heart of the salt flats. This hilly outpost is covered with giant cacti and offers panoramic views of the salt desert. The walk up to the top might be taxing at high altitude, but it’s worth it for stunning photographs and a perspective on just how vast the flats are.
**Afternoon – Salt Hotels and Ojos del Salar:**
Return to ground level and head towards one of the famous salt hotels, where much of the furniture is made entirely from salt blocks! These hotels are no longer allowed to operate inside the core area but visiting them at their new locations gives an idea of their innovative design. Later on, explore Ojos del Salar – these are spring mounds where water bubbles up through salt pans making for fascinating sights.
**Evening – Sunset at Salar de Uyuni:**
As dusk falls, gather at a strategic spot where you can watch one of nature’s greatest spectacles – sunset over Salar de Uyuni. The sky turns into a myriad of colors reflecting off the mirror-like surface of salt creating breathtaking scenes.
#### Day 2: Cultural Insight and Departure
**Morning – Visit Colchani:**
On day two, start with a visit to Colchani. This small village lives largely off processing salt harvested from Salar de Uyuni. Here you can observe local methods of collecting and processing salt and perhaps purchase handmade crafts that make excellent souvenirs.
**Midday – Train Cemetery:**
Before your departure from Uyuni, make sure not to miss out on another peculiar attraction – The Great Train Graveyard. Located just outside Uyuni town, this site features rows upon rows of nineteenth-century locomotives left rusting away after mining activities decreased over decades ago.
**Departure:**
As you wrap up your journey and head back towards Uyuni or onwards toward your next destination (perhaps Potosí or Sucre for more Bolivian culture), reflect on how surreal yet serene travel through Bolivia’s astounding landscapes can be.
#### Tips for Your Trip
– **Climate Considerations:** Nights and early mornings can be exceptionally cold especially during winter (May-August), while days might get very hot when sunny.
– **Altitude Awareness:** Acclimatize properly as altitude sickness can affect anyone not used normally residing above 3,000 meters.
– **Stay Hydrated:** Dehydration happens faster at higher altitudes so keep sipping water throughout your trip.
– **Protect Your Gear:** A protective cover for cameras and sunglasses for eyes; white reflected sunlight can be very strong.
Traveling through Salar de Uyuni provides not just photo opportunities but also an insight into geological wonders and local customs that have been shaped around this unique natural resource. A two-day tour will leave you with memories that last much longer than footprints in its transient salty surface!