Highlights
- See the impressively preserved mummies of Alcaya
- Help harvest quinoa at a local farm in Jirira Village
- Go off-road mountain biking on the Thunupa Volcano
- Ride a 4x4 across the expansive Uyuni Salt Flats
- Catch a beautiful sunrise from the peak of Kachi Island
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival at Uyuni | Uyuni |
| Days 2-3 | Tours Through the Uyuni Salt Flats | Uyuni |
| Day 4 | Depart Home |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Uyuni
Welcome to one of the most spectacular places in the world! A representative will greet you on arrival and transfer you to your glamping site.
The Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) drastically change with the seasons. During the dry season, they are seemingly-eternal white plains that merge with the horizon. Their unique vantage point makes for optical illusion photo-ops that have made the flats Insta-famous. During the wet season, the flats flood to create a perfect mirror effect with the sky. The visual result seems straight out of a movie.
You'll be staying in a glass dome that makes you feel as if you were sleeping outside. At night, you'll be able to gaze up at the stars from the comfort of your bed and feel truly immersed in this unique landscape.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Days 2-3: Tours Through the Uyuni Salt Flats
Today, you'll have your choice of activities in the salt flats. You can choose between cultural activities and adventure activities, or get a bit of both for a great mix and match experience. Excursion times vary, so you might be able to do multiple in a day.
Visit the Archaeological Site of Alcaya
Duration: Half-day activity; approx. 1-hour drive from the lodge
A Kachi guide and one of the local villagers will guide you through the burial site of Alcaya. Located at the foot of the spiritual Thunupa Volcano, the site is significant to the indigenous Quechua and Aymara cultures that live on the northern edge of the salt flats.
Wonder at the preserved individuals buried thousands of years ago with their possessions so that they wouldn’t enter the next life empty-handed. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to do a cultural exchange with the locals.
Farming Activities in Jirira Village
Duration: 2-3 hour activity, a short drive or bike ride to the village
The main subsistence activities of the local communities (apart from salt harvesting) are llama farming and quinoa harvesting. In this activity, you will be able to help the locals in their daily activities.
Join Carlos for his daily routine of herding and tending to the llamas. Learn about the process of creating llama jerky and then taste the fruits of your labor.
You can also learn about one of the world's popular superfoods at Berta’s quinoa plantation. Bolivia is one of the biggest producers of this grain, and this region of the altiplano is ideal for its production. Depending on the season, you'll be involved in the sowing, harvesting, or processing of the crop.
Visit Coquesa Village
Duration: 1-2 hour activity, a short drive from Kachi Lodge
Coquesa is a beautifully-preserved village with impressive colonial buildings. See the local church, museum, and town square, and enjoy the peaceful charm of the community.
Downhill Mountain Biking on the Edge of the Thunupa Volcano
Duration: 3 hours, 1-hour drive from the lodge
For the adventure seeker, this is one of the more extreme activities offered. Driving up to nearly 16,400ft (5,000m), you'll get a magnificent view of the salt flats. From here, it's downhill all the way, and you can enjoy the challenging twists and turns of the dirt roads.
It is recommended that participants in this activity are confident with off-road mountain bikes. Your guide will be there to give additional instructions and advice.
Trek to the Thunupa Volcano Crater
Duration: Half-day activity
The Thunupa volcano is considered a center of energy for local communities. What better way to experience its magnificence than by reaching the edge of its crater at 16,400ft (5,000m)?
A challenging 4x4 track on the western side of the peak will take you much of the way, followed by a 1 ½ hour trek to the crater. You'll be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view.
4x4 Ride Across the Salar
Duration: Half-day activity
All visitors usually ride a 4x4, as this is the way to access accommodations. En route, however, you can take some detours to visit the less frequented "islands" found in the middle of the flats.
While the flats flood only during the rainy season, you can always find the impressive Ojos de Sal (Salt Eyes), which are natural pools of water that often create large salt crystal formations.
Enjoy a private picnic lunch and then have fun taking creative pictures that use the salar's expansiveness and flatness to make optical illusions.
Finally, you'll do a visit to the salinas to learn about the salt extraction process.
Trek to the Peak of Kachi Island
Duration: 1 hour
Incahuasi Island is a popular attraction that is often overrun by tourists. Rather than deal with crowds, you can go to "mini Incahuasi." Located quite close to the lodge, you'll ascend a zig-zag trail to catch a gorgeous sunrise or sunset.
Astronomy Experience at the Lodge
With telescopes and expert guides on hand, you can take advantage of the flats' usually clear night sky. A lack of artificial light means you can enjoy the constellations more fully than almost anywhere on the planet. Learn about Andean cosmology and the beliefs that ancient cultures had about the night sky.
Biking Across the Salar
Bicycles are available to be checked out throughout the day. Feel free to hop on one and explore the salt flats at your leisure.
Day 4: Depart Home
It is time to leave the surreal world of the Uyuni Salt Flats behind.
Take in the landscape as you drive back to the town of Uyuni, where you can buy some souvenirs and enjoy one last local meal before continuing on to your next adventure!
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