Self-Launched Uyuni Salt Flats & Altiplano Deserts: Atacama to Atacama (4 Days)

Start early (around 06:00–07:00) in San Pedro de Atacama, where most tour desks and hostels sell the shared 3-day Uyuni circuit including the transfer to the Hito Cajón border. Shared minibus/vans run the ~1 hour, 45 km gravel climb to the border post at ~4,500 m. Sort your Chilean exit stamp and Bolivian entry stamp yourself here (queue early — it's notorious for delays; keep your passport, onward ticket and enough cash for the Bolivian entry fee if it applies to your nationality). On the Bolivian side a 4x4 (typically 6 passengers plus driver) picks you up and heads into the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna Reserve: Laguna Blanca, the emerald Laguna Verde below Licancabur volcano, then the Dali Desert rock-and-sandscapes, the steaming Sol de Mañana geysers and thermal pools (a quick, cold, sulphurous dip for the brave), and finally the red algae waters of Laguna Colorada with its flocks of James's flamingos. Sleep in a very basic refuge/community shelter near Huayllajara — shared dorms, thin mattresses, no reliable hot water, electricity for a couple of hours only.

🚌Shared minibus San Pedro de Atacama → Hito Cajón border (~1 hr, included in most ground packages or ~£15–20 separately), then shared 4x4 for the reserve circuit. Note: the Chile→Bolivia crossing is only open in this direction on the standard route; check current status locally.

🛏Basic community refuge/refugio near Huayllajara (multi-share dorm, shared bathroom, no guaranteed hot water) — book as part of the shared 4x4 package; very basic by design

• →Chile–Bolivia border crossing at Hito Cajón (self-managed stamps)
• →Laguna Verde & Laguna Blanca viewpoint
• →Dali Desert
• →Sol de Mañana geysers and thermal pools
• →Laguna Colorada flamingo viewpoint
• →Night at a high-altitude refuge (~4,300 m)

Breakfast at the refuge and back on the road by 07:30. Today is a chain of altiplano lagoons and surreal rock: Laguna Honda with its borax-white shoreline, the smaller Chiarcota lagoon and the beautiful Laguna Cañapa ringed by volcanoes and grazing vicuñas. Walk among the wind-carved red sandstone of the Siloli Desert, including the famous Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree). Continue south-west and settle for the night at a simple salt-hotel/guesthouse near the Chiguana Salt Flat — this is the night with a bit more comfort: usually small private or twin rooms and occasionally hot water (not guaranteed). Altitude here still ~3,700–4,000 m, so sleep early and drink water.

🚌Shared 4x4 (approx. 5–6 hours driving with stops)

🛏Simple salt hotel / guesthouse near Chiguana (twin or small shared room, shared or en-suite bathroom depending on package)

• →Sunrise over Laguna Colorada
• →Siloli Desert and Árbol de Piedra rock formations
• →Laguna Honda, Chiarcota and Cañapa lagoons
• →Vicuña and flamingo spotting
• →Optional: Chiguana salt flat sunset walk

A long driving day north across the blinding-white Salar de Uyuni — the highlight. Stop at the salt miners' village of Colchani (salt sculptures, textiles, and the 'salt hotel' museum), the Dakar monument, and Inca Wasy (Fish Island), the cactus-covered rocky outcrop in the middle of the salt flat — an easy ~45-minute loop walk to the viewpoint with 360° views over the crust. Spray your boots with vinegar/water to stop salt sticking, and don't skip the perspective photo stop (toys and props provided by drivers). Make sure your driver takes you to a spot away from crowds for the classic reflection/odd-perspective shots. In the late afternoon head east to Villa Mar (Altiplánico) for a budget hotel night — the best of the three, with proper beds and usually showers.

🚌Shared 4x4 (approx. 6–7 hours including stops)

🛏Budget hotel in Villa Mar / Altiplánico (twin or shared room; the most comfortable night of the three)

• →Sunrise/first light on the Salar de Uyuni
• →Colchani salt-miners village
• →Inca Wasy (Fish Island) cactus trail and viewpoint
• →Salar perspective photography stop
• →Uyuni town stop (ATM, snacks, wifi)

Early breakfast and transfer back towards the border. Depending on how your 4x4 package is structured, either your driver drops you at Hito Cajón for a shared van down to San Pedro de Atacama, or the shared circuit ends in Uyuni town — in which case take the daily bus from Uyuni back to San Pedro de Atacama (~10–11 hours overnight, ~£20–25) or fly/flip onward to La Paz or Sucre. Clearing Chilean immigration at Hito Cajón takes time; aim to be there by late morning to arrive in San Pedro around 13:00–14:00. Note the final night's accommodation in San Pedro is not included — book a hostel in advance, especially in high season. This is also a good moment to decide whether you're continuing to Oaxaca-style onward legs or finishing in Chile.

🚌Shared 4x4 Villa Mar → Hito Cajón, then shared van to San Pedro de Atacama (included in most ground packages) — OR Uyuni → San Pedro de Atacama bus ~£20–25 if your circuit ends in Uyuni

🛏Not included — book a San Pedro de Atacama hostel/guesthouse (approx. £15–25/night for a dorm or simple double)

• →Border formalities at Hito Cajón
• →Optional: arrive in time for San Pedro's Valle de la Luna sunset tour
• →Optional: swap the return leg for a Uyuni-bound ending to continue to La Paz or Sucre