Published on May, 2025
My friend did the research and found this tour online. Since I am usually the planner, I was a bit nervous that the 2 day tour would not meet my expectations. I am happy to report this tour exceeded my expectation and I still cannot believe how reasonably priced this tour is. For around $200 per person, you get pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or airport, 2-days of tours, meals, and even 1 night hotel accommodation with your own room. My understanding is that the tour operator (Andes Salt Expeditions) also offers a variety of other tours and upgrades as well. If I ever come come back to the area, I will use their services and I certainly will be recommending them to others.
First of all, Bolivia has a lot to offer naturally but what really makes Bolivia special is its people. Bolivia has some of the nicest people that I have ever encountered. From the moment I landed at “El Alto” and throughout the time I spent there, Bolivians continued to strike me as kind, warm, caring, and helpful. And the people that run and staff this tour, they are a good examples of these qualities.
I am more one to take a luxury tour. This is not a luxury tour, but Bolivia is not quite a luxury destination yet either. I think Bolivia’s charm is that it hasn’t yet been tainted by the luxury set yet.
There are some luxury options, but I am pleased that I did not end up doing a more polished version of Bolivia and the Salt Flats. While I selfishly would like to see Bolivian destinations offer more luxury tours, and be more easily accessed, I know the price Bolivia will pay for this. I am happy to have seen Bolivia before it becomes too accessible and too overrun with tourists.
Back to my comments on the tour….because the Salt Flat and Salar de Uyuni have not yet been overrun with tourism and commercialism, there is little to no pressure on tourists. Everyone I encountered was genuinely warm, inviting, and helpful. The accommodations at the Hotel Kachi de Uyuni were modest but attractive (and comfortable enough). While the shower in my room was not exactly what I normally would want and I little too small for my personal preferences, the hot water was plentiful. If the bathrooms were upgraded and food options expanded, I would even stay at that hotel again. Whoever decorated the commons areas of the hotel, did an excellent job as it highly Instagram worthy.
The tour guides and staff are excellent (Wendy, Fernando, Juan, and Raquel, just to name a few). They did everything possible to accommodate any requests we had. They know so much about the Salt Flats, the area’s history, and about their country. The Salt Flat live up to all the hype as well. May is the perfect time to experience the Salt Flats while there is still enough water left to experience the mirror effect.
The tour guides are also skilled at setting-up photographs for guests. They did great videos of all of us, took funny pictures, and advised where to get best photos. We got some epic photos and videos, but the experience of taking them was just as great.
A few notes of caution: wear sunscreen, because the salt surface is reflective and even more intense due to the elevation; drink plenty of water, because the salt air, high elevation, and intensity of the sun will quickly dehydrate you; and take your time, because altitude sickness is way too real and the Salt Flats will wear you out.
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