tupiza eco tour

• Info Bolivia
• Alrededores de Tupiza
• Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid
• Horse Riding

SALARES & LAGUNAS

• Desde Tupiza
• Desde Uyuni
• Desde Chile
• Desde Argentina

VOLCANES DE LÍPEZ

Altiplano boliviano.

Lago Titicaca

• Caminos del Inca & Bike
• Frontera Peruana

VALLES & VINOS

• Villa Abecia & Camargo
• Chiquitanía
• Parque Nacional Amboró
• Parque Nacional Madidi
• Parque Nacional Sajama
• Huayna Potosí
• VER PAQUETES EN MAPA
• Viajes a la Carta
• Viajes Promocionales
• Nuestros Hoteles
• Contáctanos

En el corazón de Sudamérica

Majestuoso Colibrí Cometa

SALAR DE UYUNI

Atardeceres de ensueño

Ciudad de Itas

Conoce la cultura milenaria Kallawaya

Uno de los parques con más especies en el mundo

Eco friendly

Pet friendly

Salar & lagunas clásico, desde usd 199.00 .-, desde usd 50.00 .-.

Volcanes & Salares

Desde USD .-

Tour de estrellas

Cavernas de Torotoro

TUPIZA & SALAR A HITO CAJÓN

Desde usd 225.00 .-.

Vinos & Singanis

Bolivia - Argentina

Bolivia - chile, bolivia - perú, ingresa a “viajes promocionales” y conoce nuestras ofertas para fechas especiales:, ellos dan testimonio de nuestros servicios.

Daniel Cardona  

La Mejor Operadora de Turismo en Bolivia!

Una empresa que brinda seguridad, calidad y calidez en su servicio. Con seguridad la mejor opción si uno desea conocer el Salar de Uyuni y Tupiza.

Enero de 2020

Mabel S  

El tour mas maravilloso!

Mi pareja y yo nos decidimos por el tour de 4 días partiendo de Tupiza y llegando a Uyuni. Llegamos antes de la hora de salida y nos recibieron muy....

Diciembre de 2019

Cristian M  

Excelente experiencia

Hola. Hicimos el tour de 4 días. Muy bien organizado. La empresa cumplió con cada punto del itinerario. El chófer, Edwin, un genio al volante y muy conocedor de todo....

Febrero de 2020

¿Porque nosotros?

EXPERIENCIA

Tendrás una compañía con más de 27 años de experiencia generando viajes inolvidables por toda Bolivia.

CALIDAD & CALIDEZ

Cuidaremos que tu viaje sea brindado con servicios de alta calidad y cordialidad.

Contamos con oficinas en diferentes regiones del país (La Paz, Tarija, Uyuni, Tupiza) que te permitirán un servicio más cómodo y confiable.

VIAJES A TU MEDIDA

Armaremos el viaje que deseas, tomando en cuenta cada detalle para brindarte una experiencia inolvidable.

PAGOS ONLINE Y TARJETA

Te facilitamos el pago a través de: servicio online (Paypal, VISA), tarjeta (Pasatarjetas) o efectivo.

BIOSEGURIDAD

Invertimos en la implementación de un sistema riguroso de bioseguridad para cuidarte durante todo tu viaje.

• > SALARES & LAGUNAS
• > VOLCANES DE LÍPEZ
• > ALTIPLANO BOLIVIANO
• > VALLES & VINOS
• > LOS ANDES
• Políticas de Reservas & Pagos en Línea
• Terminos y Condiciones

Copyright © 2020 by Tupiza Tours

Iniciar sesión

Tupiza Tours

• One day tour in jeep - trek Tupiza
• Horseback riding
• Jeep Tours, bike and walk around Tupiza
• Magic Uyuni Tours for 4 days
• Traveling x 5 days to the volcano Tunupa
• Special promotion 5 days with volcano Uturuncu
• Tupiza Tours from San Pedro De Atacama
• 5 days enjoying the park route intersalares Sajama - Coipasa salt lake - salar de Uyuni - color lakes - Tupiza
• Torotoro program
• WHY NATURAL ADVENTURE TOURS

About Natural Adventure

Tupiza weather, our programs.

Hecho en La Paz - Bolivia por © Khainata - Web Designers

TupizaEco Travel Tours

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

TupizaEco Travel Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• South America
• An Insiders Guide To Tupiza...

An Insider's Guide to Tupiza, Bolivia

The wild badlands of Tupiza are one of Bolivia’s undiscovered gems. Full of dramatic red rock canyons, sweeping cactus filled valleys and arid desert ravines, this wild west environment is best explored on horseback to fulfill those childhood cowboy dreams. The quaint little town is also an attraction in of itself, providing an authentic insight into rural Bolivian life.

Bus: Tupiza is a small sleepy town so there are usually only one or two departures per destination per day.

La Paz buses run overnight, take around 12 hours and cost 80 BOB (US$11.50). Potosi has daily departures, seven hours, 50 BOB (US$7). To Uyuni there are several daily buses and jeeps traveling over a terrible road, six hours, 50 BOB (US$7). Villazon has numerous daily departures, two hours, 15 BOB (US$2).

Train: The best way to travel between the north and south of Bolivia is by train. Stops include Oruro, Uyuni, Tupiza and Villazon with trains traveling three days per week in each direction. Tickets can be purchased online these days through ticketsbolivia.com .

Tupiza is a great place to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere of a relaxed Bolivian country town. The main plaza and central market are worth a look, as is the twice weekly street market which overruns a large section of town.

But the real charm of Tupiza lies outside its borders. This is the country where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their faithful end, a fact the town’s many travel agencies don’t hesitate to point out. There are several options to explore the region.

Jeep: The fastest and easiest way to check out the region. Most agencies can organize a half day jeep tour for 350 BOB (US$50) which can seat up to 4 people.

Horseback: The best way to explore the region for a true cowboy experience. Prices varying significantly depending on how many people in the group, but expect to pay 100-150 BOB ($US15-20) for a few hours on a trusty steed. Yee-haa!

Bike or on foot: For those on a tight budget, it’s possible to visit most of the sights independently, although those looking to walk should seek out public transport for some sections. Travel agencies in town can provide maps and information for a small fee and along dusty roads have written some great pointers on how to go it alone.

Salar tours

Starting a Salar de Uyuni tour in Tupiza is a great alternative to starting in Uyuni . Tupiza operators are generally better, investing more money on good quality vehicles that generally don’t break down and responsible drivers who don’t tend to drink on the job. But the biggest advantage is that Tupiza departures arrive at each attraction at a different time of day, meaning the region’s stunningly remote sites can be enjoyed in solitude rather than in the company of a hundred other rowdy tourists. Additionally, they visit the salt flats at sunrise on the last day, an ideal photo op and the perfect way to finish the tour.

On the downside, Tupiza departures cost significantly more. Prices range from 1200-1400 BOB ($170-$200) for a four day tour from Tupiza as opposed to 700-1000 BOB ($US 100-150) for a three day trip from Uyuni.

The best companies offering salt flat tours from Tupiza are Tupiza Tours and La Torre .

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Route

Tupiza Tours run a private two day excursion that follows in the footsteps of the legendary duo’s last days. The tour travels to the nearby town of San Vicente and includes a visit to a museum dedicated to the pair, the plaza where the final shootout took place and the cemetery where they are believed to be buried. Although the scenery and history involved aren’t bad, this one is best left to those with a keen interest in the story.

Budget: Hostal Bien Te Fue offers comfortable dorm beds in clean and tasteful rooms which at 50 BOB (US$7) are great value for backpackers on a budget. It’s right across the road from the bus station and includes free Wifi. Hostal Bien Te Fue, Suipacha 3, Tupiza, Bolivia Mid range: Hostal Mitru is the town’s fanciest gig, which isn’t saying that much as there are no luxury hotels in Tupiza. Still, it boasts a nice leafy patio, swimming pool, as well as free basic breakfast and Wifi. Prices vary depending on the quality of the room, but the most basic singles start at 76 BOB (US$11).

Hotel Mitru, Avenida Regimiento Chichas, Tupiza, Bolivia

Hostal Butch Cassidy is the other good mid range option. Travelers who miss a hearty breakfast (a rare commodity in Bolivia) will love this place for its free morning buffet of cold meats, cheese, fruits, cereal, coffee and even pancakes. The Wifi also works well.

Eating and drinking

Upon checking out the local dining scene, you might be left wondering if the town should be renamed Tupizza for the ridiculous number of tourist orientated Italian restaurants lining the main streets.

Milan Center Restaurant: Best pizzas in town for a reasonable 30 BOB (US$4.30) a pop. The coffee isn’t bad either, at least by Bolivian standards, but don’t even bother with the pasta. Milan Center Coffe & Pizza, Calle Regimiento Chichas, Tupiza, Bolivia 79445107 El Alamo: A longtime favorite with a quirky, colorful neon lit decor reminiscent of a Texas steakhouse. They serve good quality and reasonably priced mains (25 BOB / $US3.50) of Mexican, International and Bolivian cuisine. On weekends it becomes a rowdy discotheque. The Alamo, Av Regimiento Chichas, Tupiza, Bolivia 79441023 El Mercado Central: Best place for cheap and authentic Bolivian food, with mains from just 10 BOB (US$1.50). Mercado Central Tupiza, Avenida Santa Cruz, Tupiza, Bolivia

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

This Art Project Empowers Victims of Domestic Violence

Guides & Tips

Stay curious: experience bolivia from your living room.

Food & Drink

8 traditional bolivian breakfasts you must try.

Snacks You Must Try in Bolivia

See & Do

Climbing around la paz, bolivia: the best mountains to summit.

These Are Bolivia's Most Beautiful Hikes

Places to Stay

The best hotels to book in bolivia for every traveler.

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Isla del Sol, Bolivia

How Bolivians Celebrate Christmas

7 Ways to Have a Truly Immersive Experience in Bolivia

How These Bolivian Ranches Are Helping to Conserve Endangered Jaguars

Takesi and El Choro: The Best Multi-Day Treks Near La Paz, Bolivia

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1432284
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

• November 22, 2020
• No Comments

Tupiza Travel Guide: Top Things To Do In Bolivia’s Wild West

The best things to do in tupiza, bolivia, 1. hike into the cordillera de chicas.

You can head into the Cordillera De Chicas to experience one of the most unique looking landscapes in Bolivia.

The area around the town is full of dramatic red hills which jut ruggedly skyward as if they had been forced out of the ground. Known as the wild west of Bolivia, this is apparently where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid famously met their end.       

How To Get There

Simply put ‘Puerta Del Diablo’ into your google maps and follow the directions. This will take you outside the town and onto a dirt road leading to the mountains. It should take no longer than 10 minutes.

Hiking Route

We followed this simple route:

• Puerta Del Diablo
• Valley de los Machos
• Canyon Del Inca

This is a 4-6-hour trek depending on how deep into the canyon you want to go.

Your first stop – Puerto del Diablo , is a vast rock formation spiking out of the ground that looks like it fell from the sky. We climbed it and took some amazing photos.

Your second sight is Valley de Los Machos . As you enter the valley, the red rocks close in on you and their shapes become even weirder.

Your third and final stop is the entrance to Canyon Del Inca . You will see a small blue sign letting you know you’ve arrived, but the path will end. You can go further into the canyon, but it required some climbing. We went for it and didn’t regret it, the tight walls of the canyon and the rock formations make it feel like you are trekking on Mars.

You can’t make it out the other side as it goes for miles, so once you have reached a point in the canyon where you don’t feel comfortable climbing, head back. We flew our drone to see how far it goes and it’s a long way, so turn around once you’ve had enough adventure.

Safety – There’s a stray dog pack that roams around Tupiza. We didn’t have any issues ourselves but did encounter the large pack roaming while we were on top of a Puerta Del Diablo taking photos. Grab a stick or rock on your way to scare them off.

Hiking Alternatives

• Guided Tour – there are lots of tour companies in town selling trekking trips. We wouldn’t recommend paying as it’s incredibly easy to explore by yourself
• Horseback riding – if you prefer, then you can explore the Cordillera by horseback. Tupiza Natural Adventure run tours that follow the same route we outlined above ($22 – 3 hours) or extend it by visiting Canon Del Duende ($37 – 5 hours) and Quebrada Seca ($51 – 7 hours)

2. Start Your Salt Flats Tour

If you’ve travelled to Tupiza from Argentina, then starting your Uyuni Salt Flats Tour from Tupiza is a convenient option.

Ruta Verde offers a 4-day/3-night tour.

Day 1 you explore parts of Tupiza and the Bolivian countryside such as Quebrada de Palala . Then on the morning of the second day, you will head out onto the Altiplano , which is part of the Uyuni Salt Flats tour you do on traditional tours.

• Pros – convenient as it saves you travelling to Uyuni to start the tour, reach parts of the salt flat/altiplano earlier than other tours, so you experience it empty. Visit the Salt Flats at sunrise on the last day
• Cons – likely more expensive as it’s an extra day*. You will also get better deals in Uyuni. The first two days will require long drives so you’ll have to spend longer in the car

* Prices range from 1,200-1,400 BOB ($170-$200) for a four-day tour from Tupiza as opposed to 700-1,000 BOB ($US 100-150) for a three-day trip from Uyuni.

Other Companies

• La Torre Tours
• Tupiza Tours

3. Climb To Cerro De La Cruz

If you are looking to get a good view of the town and mountains, then head to one of the trails that lead up to Cerro Corazón de Jesús and Cerro De La Cruz .

It takes a couple of hours to walk each path. Perfect for visiting in the late evening to catch the sunset.

Star Cerro De La Cruz in your maps and follow the directions.

After crossing the bridge leaving town, you’ll see a hill with a white cross on top of it. Walk-in this direction until you reach a small white church. From here you can follow the path up to the top. Little white cross signs marked into the cliffs will let you know you are going in the right direction.

TUPIZA TOWN GUIDE

Is tupiza worth visiting.

Tupiza is undoubtedly off the beaten track in Bolivia. There are three reasons why we think it’s worth visiting:

• Great town to stop off and break up a long journey before heading into North Argentina, or vice versa if you are coming from Argentina and heading to Uyuni
• You can start a Uyuni tour from here if you want which will either finish in Atacama or Uyuni
• The deep red colour of the rocks surrounding the town where you hike is a unique and interesting sight.

If you are heading into Northern Argentina from Bolivia, then Tupiza is an excellent stopping off point before crossing the border.

The town is a 1-hour drive away from Villazon which is the border town. From here you can take a bus to Humahuaca which is the nearest town where you can see Argentina’s very own Rainbow Mountain! Or you can carry on further to Jujuy or Salta.

• Humahuaca Town Guide – Argentina
• How To Visit ‘El Hornocal’, Argentina’s Very Own Rainbow Mountain

If you are coming the opposite way, then it also makes sense to stop here and book onto a Salt Flats Tour instead of going all the way to Uyuni.

The tours are a day longer, and you will spend the first day seeing sights in and around Tupiza before heading towards the Altiplano. We cover Uyuni tours in more detail further in these posts:

• Is A Salt Flats Tour Worth It? 6 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss Bolivia’s Best Tour
• Uyuni 1-Day vs 3-Day Tour

Finally, if you love getting out into nature and seeing some weird and wonderful geology , then hiking in Tupiza is definitely for you.

The jagged mountains, narrow canyons and deep red colour of the rocks are strangely wonderful. The paths are easy and only a 10 minute walk from town.

How Many Days Do You Need In Tupiza?

2 days / 1 night is all you need in Tupiza, but this depends on your arrival time and schedule. As we ended up arriving late on our first night from Uyuni, we stayed for two nights.

Just make sure you have one full day and night to go trekking in the valley and canyon.

• Day 1 – Late arrival from Uyuni
• Day 2 – Full day trekking in the Cordillera De Chicas  
• Day 3 – Early morning bus to Villazon

See how a visit to Tupiza fits into a wider South America backpacking trip:

• The Definitive 1-Month Chile, Bolivia & Argentina Itinerary

Where To Stay In Tupiza

As mentioned, Tupiza isn’t a popular foreign tourist destination yet, so there aren’t any backpacker hostels.

However, you will find a good range of budget to mid-range hotels which are all relatively cheap. We stayed at La Torre Hotel, which had clean rooms and hot showers, with a free continental breakfast of eggs, bread, cereal and yoghurt.

• Hotel La Torre 

Where To Eat In Tupiza

• Milan Centro – an Italian place with standard international  dishes
• El Alamo – serves  reasonably priced mains (25 BOB) including Mexican, International and Bolivian cuisine. 

HOW TO GET TO TUPIZA

How to get to tupiza from uyuni.

Buses from Uyuni leave daily, with one morning bus and one evening bus taking 4-6 hours.

You can find most of the bus companies on the corner of Cabrera St. and Arce Av. Buses arrive and depart from this spot. Due to the lack of infrastructure, there is no formal bus timetable so best to arrive the day before and check times. 

How To Get To Villazon From Tupiza

Mini-buses leave from Tupiza daily and start from 6AM in the morning.

Once each mini-bus is filled (7 people max) it will leave so there are no specific times. If you are looking to book a direct time, then larger bus companies also depart from the station later in the day. You can check these times out and book directly in the station.

Mini-bus costs 20 BOBS with a 1 BOB fee to Villazon and takes an hour and 15 minutes .

We didn’t get dropped off completely at the border and had to walk a few blocks (10 minutes), have google maps ready just in case.

Be sure to check out our Bolivia itineraries to see how you a visit to Tupiza fits in with an extended trip through the country:

• The Essential 1 Month Bolivia Backpacking Itinerary & Route

Tupiza Altitude

Tupiza is at an altitude of 2,850m (9,350 ft).

If you are coming from North Argentina which is relatively flat, then take a couple of days to acclimatise . Avoid the trek up to Cerro de La Cruz as its steep and strenuous but hiking into the canyon should be fine as it is flat.

If you are heading onto a Uyuni tour next, then it’s also best to take a couple of extra days. You will climb from 3,000m to 4,000m in the space of a day and might be affected by altitude sickness which would ruin your tour.

For another great adventure in Bolivia, why not head to the Amazon? Bolivia is the cheapest country in South America for visiting this wonderful place. You can fly straight there from Uyuni or travel there from La Paz.

• How To Book An Amazon Tour In Bolivia
• Pampas vs Jungle Tour: Which Is The Best Amazon Tour Best For You?

Or if you are still planning your Bolivia trip, here are three great posts for you to check out:

• Is Bolivia Worth It? 10 Reasons Why You Can’t Miss Bolivia’s Hidden Gem
• Bolivia 3-Week Backpacking Itinerary & Route
• 4 Epic 1-Month South America Backpacking Itineraries
• Author Profile
• Posts by the Author
• Is Argentina Worth Visiting? 16 Things To Know Before Going
• Is Palomino Worth Visiting? 12 Great Reasons To Visit In 2024
• 14 Best Single-Day Hikes In South America For Nature Lovers!
• The 22 All-Round Best Backpacker Hostels In South America [2024]
• How To Prepare For A Trip To South America: 31 FAQs Answered
• The 18 Best Party Hostels In South America

Joe Bayfield

Hi I'm Joe Bayfield, Bayf for short. I love South America and want people to visit this incredible continent. I’ve travelled through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina and also lived in Lima, Medellin and Buenos Aires. I write detailed South America itineraries to help you plan your next adventure!

Travel South America Like A pro

Travel South America Like An Expert

• Work With Me

• Central America
• South America
• Solo Travel
• Budget Travel
• Digital Nomad Life
• Work Exchange
• Foodie Experiences
• Responsible Travel
• Winter Travel
• Backpacker Accommodation
• Accommodation In the UK
• Hostel Tips
• Hostel Packing List
• Work as a Hostel Volunteer
• Work in Exchange for Accommodation
• Travel Websites to Book Your Trip
• Travel Planning Checklist
• How to Travel for Free
• How to Save Money While Travelling
• Carry On Packing List
• Long Haul Flight Essentials
• Campervan Packing List
• Flight Tips
• Solo Travel Tips
• Accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• Packing Lists
• Eco-Friendly Travel Products
• Carry On Backpacks
• Backpack Essentials
• Filter Water Bottles
• Camera Gear
• Camping Gear
• Gifts for Travel Lovers
• Backpacking Gifts
• Hiking Gifts
• Campervan Gifts
• Beach Gifts
• Personalised Travel Gifts
• Small Travel Gifts
• World Map Gifts
• Gift Experiences
• Privacy Policy

Backpacking in Bolivia , Backpacking in South America , Unique Experiences

Tupiza tours: uyuni salt flat tours from tupiza bolivia.

The Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia are truly incredible.  One of the highlights of my time in South America as a whole, and an experience not to be missed in Bolivia , a tour of the Uyuni Salt flats is something you will remember for a long time to come.  The first time I went to Bolivia, I actually decided to skip el Salar de Uyuni.  That was a mistake, although I still had a great time exploring Sucre , Samaipata & La Paz !  Luckily, I had the time, and the flexibility to be able to return to Bolivia later on in my journey, and this time I knew I had to do a Salar de Uyuni tour.  This time, I was coming from Argentina into southern Bolivia, so decided to take one of the Uyuni Salt Flat tours from Tupiza, with Tupiza Tours.

This website contains sponsored and affiliate links. If you click through the links on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. [Learn more]

READ MORE: Backpacking Bolivia Travel Guide

What is the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat?

First thing is first.  El Salar de Uyuni, or Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia are the largest salt flats in the world.   The Salar is actually called el Salar de Thunupa but is more commonly known as el Salar de Uyuni due to the proximity to the town of Uyuni.  Covering an area of 10,582 square kilometres, the Salar is thought to have 11 layers of salt, which vary between two and ten metres thick, covering mud & brine below.  The whole salar is estimated to contain around 10 thousand million tons of salt, of which around 25 thousand tons are extracted each year.

As the name suggests, the salt flats vary very little in height, no more than one metre, although their elevation at 3656 metres above sea level can cause problems with altitude sickness.  Drink plenty of water, and try to allow time in Bolivia before your tour to acclimatise to the altitude.

Where is El Salar de Uyuni?

The Salar is in the south west of Bolivia, not far from the border with Chile.  Uyuni itself is a town approximately 550km south of La Paz, and is the nearest large town to the salt flats, and where most of the tours leave from.

Which Salar de Uyuni Tour is Best for You?

The first thing to consider when planning your visit to the Salt Flats is how it will fit with the rest of your itinerary.  There are essentially 3 different routes, which can also be done in the reverse, depending on where you are coming from, and where you plan to go next.

Round Trip Uyuni – Uyuni

Starting the Salar tour in Uyuni is great for those who are coming from Machu Picchu, Peru, or Bolivia, and planning to continue their journey in Bolivia.  This is usually a 3 day tour, although if you are short on time it is possible to do a Salar de Uyuni day trip to see just the salt flats – but you will miss out on the other incredible scenery and coloured lagoons.  If you have time I definitely recommend the longer Uyuni tours which allow you to fully explore the area.

Atacama Chile – Uyuni (or Uyuni – Atacama Chile)

Starting and/or ending in Chile is best for those coming from, or going to Chile.  There are several companies based in Santiago de Chile or Atacama which run tours from Atacama to Salar de Uyuni.

Tupiza – Uyuni (or Uyuni – Tupiza)

Salt flat tours from Tupiza in the South of Bolivia, or ending in Tupiza, are best for those coming from, or going to Argentina.  It is also possible to start and finish the tour in Tupiza, although this means a long final day’s drive back to Tupiza.

Both of the options from Atacama and Tupiza actually take in more of the Bolivian countryside before arriving to the Salt Flats.  Generally, these tours are over 4 days, as you cover much more ground.  There is a lot of time spent driving in the 4×4, but the scenery is constantly changing and varies from desert sand, to rocky formations, colourful lagoons and snow-capped mountains – as well of course as the salt flats themselves.

How to Get to Uyuni

If you decide to start your tour from Uyuni, you can get a night bus from La Paz to Uyuni, which also runs the reverse route again on a night bus from Uyuni to La Paz.  There are several companies which run the route – Todo Turismo has the best reputation, with comfortable seats and a toilet, however I took a cheaper bus which was just fine (although without a toilet on board).  Don’t expect to get too much sleep though!  The road used to be unpaved, but is now paved all the way, and journey time is around 8 hours.  Todo Turismo leaves La Paz at 9pm.

If you are short on time, it is possible to take a night bus from La Paz, and start the Uyuni tour that morning, and take another night bus back to La Paz that night, if you wish.  It is best to book the buses in advance if you can, to make sure you are guaranteed a place.

You can also fly to El Salar de Uyuni Airport, flights from La Paz to Uyuni cost around $250-$300, depending on the time of year, and take around 50 minutes.

CHECK FLIGHTS NOW

Hostels in Uyuni Bolivia

If you prefer to spend a night in Uyuni, there are several hostels and hotels in Uyuni to choose from.  There isn’t much to do in Uyuni itself, so one night before the tour would be enough.

BOOK YOUR HOSTEL NOW

The Best Time of Year to Visit El Salar de Uyuni

Deciding when to visit the Salar de Uyuni is a tough call.  In general, dry season is best as in rainy season some of the routes across the salar become impassable, and Isla Incauhuasi is closed.  However, if you can time it right to visit when there is still some water on the ground you have a chance of taking those beautiful photographs with a mirror-like reflection between the sky & the standing water on the salar.  With nothing but salt for miles around, you lose all sense of perspective and it seems like the sky goes on forever.  I went in March, and although there was still some water I didn’t get the chance to take those reflection shots, so it also depends on the weather, your driver, and a good dose of luck too!

Choosing a Company for the Uyuni Tour

I was getting rather worried when I was trying to find the company which offers the best Salar de Uyuni tours.  For every good review one company got, there was a terrible review to match it.  Horror stories of drunk drivers, crashes on the freezing salt flats, breakdowns, poor organization, rude guides and everything that could possibly go wrong plagued the reviews on Tripadvisor.  It seemed that the various tour agencies contracted the freelance guides, and the experience totally depended on the guide.  In the end, due to my route from Northern Argentina to La Paz, I took the tour from Tupiza, to finish in Uyuni.  If you are taking this route, I was very happy with my choice of Tupiza Tours .  For other routes, check recent reviews on Tripadvisor for up to date experiences from other travellers.  Salar de Uyuni tour companies with reasonable reviews include Red Planet, although I can’t personally vouch for them as I didn’t travel with them.

My Experience on El Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

I decided to start my Uyuni tour from Tupiza, as I was currently in Iguazu Falls, and wanted to finally head back through Bolivia to see some friends at Colibri Camping who I had met last time I was in Bolivia, then back to Peru.

I contacted both of the top Salar de Uyuni tour companies in Tupiza; Tupiza Tours and Torre Tours.  I had asked a couple of questions about travelling alone to see if there were other people on the tours for the date I was looking for, and Torre Tours replied with a stock response without answering my questions.  Tupiza Tours answered my questions, and offered a better rate for a 4 person tour, and Erika from Tupiza Tours assured me there would be a full tour going to avoid me paying extra fees.  Based on this initial contact, I chose to book with Tupiza tours & I’m very happy I did.

As I mentioned, there seemed to be an element of luck with which guide you get on the tour, but our guide was fabulous.  Sadly, I have forgotten his name as I lost my original notes when I had my laptop stolen in Ecuador.  He was fabulous, explaining our route and the landscape we passed through.  He was an excellent driver, safe and experienced, and was the first to drive across the Salar at night so we could reach Isla Incahuasi first for sunrise.  Driving across a huge expanse of salt desert with no signposts, and no compass, is no easy task, and other drivers seemed hesitant to lead what became a convoy of cars across the salt flats.

Another reason I was very happy with my choice, is that Tupiza Tours had 2 cars going out on the same day, so we shared one cook between the two cars.  Again, this was pretty lucky, but the cook usually went with the other car so we had plenty of space for spreading out in our car!  I also noticed each car had a spare wheel, which came in handy when we found Torre Tours’ car needed a replacement, which they didn’t have.  I felt our drivers were more experienced, and better prepared than Torre Tours, who also had 6 tourists plus their cook & guide in the car.

The food was good, and we had plenty of hot tea and snacks too.  The coca tea definitely helped with the altitude!

The Route from Tupiza to Uyuni through Southern Bolivia

We left Tupiza early in the morning, and headed through the Quebrada de Palala to the Sillar, where we passed fascinating coloured rock formations.  We visited an abandoned colonial ghost town, San Antonio Viejo, which was plagued with mysterious illness so the people moved away, leaving creepy ruins of homes and churches.  We spent the night in Quetena, and set out again early the next day.

The second day of the tour was all about lakes.  We visited several coloured lagoons, all taking on the colour of the minerals from the mountains around them.  La Laguna Colorada one spectacular, and had some flamingos sifting through the lake water.  Then, the scenery changed to sandy desert as we crossed ‘Dali’s Desert’ where bizarre rock formations stand in the middle of nowhere.  Along the way we also spotted a couple of ostriches and vicuna, a rare relative of the llama family.

On the third day, we crossed the Desert of Siloli, with more strange rock formations including the ‘Arbol de Piedra’ (the stone tree).  We visited more lakes, passed active volcanos and the Salar de Chiguana to finish in Atulcha, spending the night there in a salt hotel.

On the final day, we left when it was still dark, to drive across our first part of the Salar de Uyuni, to reach Isla Incahuasi for sunrise.  This bizarre island in the middle of the Salar is formed from volanic rock, and offers 360 degree views of the Salar.  It is also covered with huge cacti, some up to 1200 years old!  We climbed to the top and waited for the sunrise, a beautiful sight indeed.  After breakfast, we took some of the famous Salar de Uyuni photographs, which was entertaining trying to get the perspective just right.  Our guide had brought some props, and with a bit of imagination we got some great shots.

We then visits the community of Colchani, where the first salt hotel was built, and where they extract salt from the Salar for processing.  We ended the tour at the rather creepy train cemetery just outside the town of Uyuni.

How Much does the Salar de Uyuni Tour Cost

Salar de Uyuni tour prices vary quite a bit.  Remember that cheap is not always best when it comes to your safety, however, in most cases the tours all offer very similar packages, and there is no such thing as a Salar de Uyuni luxury tour.  All accommodation in the salt hotels is pretty basic, no hot water in most cases, and with temperatures dropping to below zero at night due to the high altitude, luxury just doesn’t come into it!  I was quoted a cost of 5200 BS between 4 people, so 1300 BS per person in 2016.

What is Included in the Salar de Uyuni Tours

Transport in a 4×4 (some companies will have a maximum of 4 people plus the driver & cook, others have 6 people max, plus the driver which can get cosy!)

Three meals per day: breakfast, lunch & dinner, excluding breakfast on the 1 st day and dinner on the last day.

Drinking water

Basic accommodation

Driver/Spanish speaking guide & cook

Additional Costs:

Entry for the Reserva Nacional Eduardo Avaroa (150 Bs in 2016)

Entry for the Isla Incahuasi (30 Bs in 2016)

Payments for showers/bathroom facilities where appropriate (approx. 15 Bs in 2016)

English speaking guide, if required approx. 200 Bs per person

Personal spending & tips

What Should You Bring on the Salar de Uyuni Tour:

Photocopy of your passport                            Sleeping bag (available to rent if needed)

Warm clothing                                                    [amazon_textlink asin=’B00ZLN4VCO’ text=’Hiking boots’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’talesofaback-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c500860d-3051-11e8-a74c-196bd4b898c2′] [amazon_textlink asin=’B004D2DR0Q’ text=’Sun screen’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’talesofaback-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d0d53d96-3051-11e8-ad10-3b596aadb007′]                                                        [amazon_textlink asin=’B013MSPS1M’ text=’Sun hat’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’talesofaback-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’03f48d2d-3052-11e8-9346-5b8478579a28′]

Woolly hat & gloves                                          Bathing suit

What are the Salt Hotels?

All accommodation on the Salar de Uyuni itself is in Salt Hotels.  A salt hotel or ‘hotel de sal’ is physically made of salt bricks, with a salt floor, and although the beds were comfortable I was still glad of the extra sleeping bag I had booked.  There were limited shower facilities, and shared bathrooms, and I shared a room with one or three of my fellow (male) tourists.  As it was cold inside I still wore several layers of clothes inside, but I was actually surprised at how nicely decorated our salt hotel was.

Overall, the tour of the Salar de Uyuni was one of the highlights of my travels around South America.  I am very glad I chose to do the route from Tupiza as we saw more of Bolivia’s incredible rugged scenery.  If you are a fussy eater, or a big eater then take some snacks with you, bring plenty of warm clothes, and enjoy!

Have you been to el Salar de Uyuni?  Any other tips you would like to share?  Please let me know in the comments below.

By the way, this wasn’t a sponsored trip, I loved my experience and wanted to share with you all the details of the Uyuni salt flats tours from Tupiza.

READ MORE ABOUT BACKPACKING IN BOLIVIA

If you’re looking for travel insurance for your trip to Bolivia, get a quote now from World Nomads .

Like this post?  Pin it to read later:

Just to let you know, this post may contain paid or affiliate links, which help to maintain Tales of a Backpacker and give me the chance to keep travelling, and to keep creating awesome content for you!

Tales of a Backpacker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  I only recommend goods and services I believe are useful and reliable.

Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

20 thoughts on “ Tupiza Tours: Uyuni Salt Flat Tours from Tupiza Bolivia ”

Awesome, it is a great trip! Actually I took my time with a couple of weeks – I crossed the border at Foz do Iguacu to Paraguay on foot then took a bus (I went to Asuncion then Encarnacion to see some of Paraguay but you can just pick one if you like) then to Corrientes in Argentina, then Salta, and north to Jujuy, Tilcara and La Quiaca (just spending the night) before crossing into Bolivia to Tupiza. If you’re short on time I’m not sure how quickly you could do this – I presume you could also take a bus from the Argentinean side of Iguazu straight to Posadas (close to Encarnacion) then on to Salta but either way would take a few days probably, unless you can find a bus direct to Salta from Iguazu.

Great post! We are actually visiting Iguazu Falls now and then planning on making our way to Bolivia. First on our agenda is the salt flats! How did you get to Tupiza from Iguazu??

Hi Libby! I emailed them initially, I think I sent a form through their website – I’ve had a look at my emails and found these two addresses for them [email protected] and [email protected] – they replied to me on the same day so hopefully it won’t take too long! I don’t have a phone number for them, just what is on the website. Good luck!

Hi Claire! Were you able to get in touch with Tupiza tours ahead of time by phone or by email? I haven’t been able to get through when I called the number listed on their website and am just wondering what the turnaround is for an email response from them? Do you happen to have the number you reached the woman Erika on if you did in fact communicate with them by phone? Thanks in advance for the help. 🙂

I almost considered not going to Bolivia because I need a visa and it is really a painful process to apply for it in advance. But your post inspires me to visit and the same as you, I dont want to leave South America with regrets, so I will try to get my visa in Chile or Argentina and go from there. Thanks for mentioning the name of the tour companies. You are right about the reviews, I really cannot find a tour agent not have a bad review.

I really want to make it to the salt flats in Bolivia sometime! We’ve been to the salt flats in Utah, but they are much smaller and less diverse so Salar de Uyuni would be such a cool adventure. I always love the perspective shots–they make me laugh! 🙂 Thanks for the great breakdown on routes–super helpful tips! Looks like you had a great trip!

This is great info. I am going to pin this. I really want to visit the salt flats so this is great informative post.

Oh, this looks incredible and it reminded me of the similar kilometer expanses in Kutch. Your pictures are simply amazing as well as some shots are super cool. The train cemetery too looks cool and I think it will be a different experience staying at salt hotels. Overall, this whole trip looks super exciting.

What an incredible experience. Bolivia is on my bucketlist. I hope my South America dream trip comes true soon!

The salar de Uyuni are really high on our bucket list! I always thought it^s only the flats, but you showed so many other fantastic landscapes <3 The salt hotels sound really cool! Thank you for the tip with the extra booked sleeping bag 😀 Kudos for the shot at the train cemetery!

This is a great guide! So helpful to know that you had a good experience with Tupiza Tours. I’ve heard so many nightmare experiences about some of the tour companies, especially regarding drunk driving, so it’s great to know that there are some that put safety as a higher priority.

Looks like you had an amazing trip! I would love to experience this, thank you for all your tips, safety is so important. Your photos are beautiful and the salt hotel looks very interesting, can’t believe everything is made with salt!

This is such fantastic information! I was just in Peru and considered going to Bolivia just for the salt flats but it didn’t work out! Great post!

Yay! So happy to see this because this trip has been on our travel bucket list. It looks so beautiful there and can’t wait to go.

I’m visiting the Salt flats next year. missed out on it this year due to travel problems :/ But your post just gave me more motivation.

I’ve wanted to visit here for awhile now. I am so fascinated by the fact there is SO MUCH SALT in one place! Loving your photos =)

Is there anything that you didn’t write here? You have covered each and every details of the tour. It is like a one stop shop. I hate it too when I get impersonal and stock replies from companies. By reading your post I understand the importance of choosing the correct season and how important is ‘luck’ in getting those reflective photos. I almost got a virtual tour of Salar through your blog!

The salt flats look incredible. Must have been an out of the world experience. The Train cemetery also caught my attention and it sounds really fascinating. I was reminded of similar salt flats in Kutch, India which has a similar kind of landscape.

I’ve never heard of this and it looks so amazing. Great tips on drinking plenty of water and the time to acclimatise yourself. I also love reading personal experiences with tour companies. Based on the two responses you received, I would have done the same thing and gone with the one that had a better response. It really goes to show how important that initial contact is!

Learning about the salt flats was fascinating. Had no idea that it covered ten thousand million tons of salt! How did all that salt get there in the first place? Also so sorry to hear that you lost your laptop in Ecuador.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Tours in Tupiza, Bolivia

• Tupiza Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Climbing Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Private Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Canyoning & Rappelling Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. La Torre Tours

2. Tupiza Tours

3. Alexandro Adventure Travel

4. Green Planet Etno Eco Travel

5. Voy Tours

6. Salares Tours

7. Apache Aventure

8. Natural Adventure - Day Tours

9. Encanto del SUD Tour Operator

10. TupizaEco Travel Tours

11. Valle Hermoso Tours

12. Aventurista Tour Operator

What travellers are saying

• La Torre Tours
• Green Planet Etno Eco Travel
• Alexandro Adventure Travel
• Apache Aventure
• Natural Adventure - Day Tours
• Salares Tours

Top Things to Do in Tupiza, Bolivia

Things to do in tupiza.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Puerta del Diablo

2. Canon del Inca

3. La Torre Tours

4. Centro Ecuestre Amazonas

5. Tupiza Tours

6. Alexandro Adventure Travel

7. Green Planet Etno Eco Travel

8. Voy Tours

9. Salares Tours

10. Apache Aventure

11. Natural Adventure - Day Tours

12. Encanto del SUD Tour Operator

13. TupizaEco Travel Tours

14. Valle Hermoso Tours

15. Aventurista Tour Operator

What travellers are saying

• Puerta del Diablo
• Canon del Inca
• La Torre Tours
• Green Planet Etno Eco Travel
• Alexandro Adventure Travel
• Apache Aventure

We are TUPI ECOTOUR.

Two friends, Renata and Nataly, adventurers, mountain lovers, storytellers and certified tour guides.

Come for a hike with us into the largest urban forest in the world and learn about the indigenous that once lived here.

Enjoy the nature that Rio offers and discover what they have always been able to explore and value.

Come with us to experience a different Rio.

Come and discover another Rio

Mangrove+Beach

Waterfall Loop

Tijuca Forest

Live this experience.

Christ + Forest

Tailored tours

La Torre Tours

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

La Torre Tours - All You MUST Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Top Tours in Tupiza, Bolivia

• Tupiza Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Climbing Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Private Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Canyoning & Rappelling Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Honeymoon spot
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. La Torre Tours

2. Tupiza Tours

3. Alexandro Adventure Travel

4. Green Planet Etno Eco Travel

5. Voy Tours

6. Salares Tours

7. Apache Aventure

8. Natural Adventure - Day Tours

9. Encanto del SUD Tour Operator

10. TupizaEco Travel Tours

11. Valle Hermoso Tours

12. Aventurista Tour Operator

What travellers are saying

• La Torre Tours
• Green Planet Etno Eco Travel
• Alexandro Adventure Travel
• Apache Aventure
• Natural Adventure - Day Tours
• Salares Tours

US VP Harris courts Black voters with economic opportunity tour

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Nandita Bose in Atlanta and Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia Editing by Heather Timmons, Diane Craft and Matthew Lewis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Death toll from rains in southern Brazil climbs to 56, some 70 still missing

The death toll from rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul rose to 56, local authorities said on Saturday morning, while dozens still have not been accounted for.

The Russian defence ministry said on Saturday its air defence forces shot down four U.S.-produced long-range missiles over the Crimea peninsular, weapons known as Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) that Washington has shipped to Ukraine in recent weeks.