A journey through the Atacama Desert in Chile and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, offering some of the most unique landscapes on Earth. These two regions are known for their otherworldly beauty, from the driest desert in the world to the vast salt flats that stretch endlessly. This 10-day itinerary combines both destinations, showcasing the highlights and making the most of your time in these remote, stunning areas.
Day 1: Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
Arrival: Fly into Calama (Chile), the nearest major airport to San Pedro de Atacama. From there, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive to San Pedro.
Evening: Arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, a charming oasis town at the edge of the desert, and get acquainted with the surroundings. The town is filled with adobe buildings, a laid-back vibe, and a range of hotels and hostels.
Dinner: Enjoy a traditional Chilean meal at one of the local restaurants, perhaps featuring local dishes such as empanadas or llama meat.
Day 2: Explore the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) & Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley)
Morning: Take a half-day tour of the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). This incredible landscape looks like something out of a science fiction movie, with jagged rock formations, salt caves, and surreal moon-like terrain. It’s one of the most iconic sights in the Atacama Desert.
Visit the Salt Cathedral and Tres Marias formations.
Walk along the dune of Death Valley, where you’ll see towering sand dunes and the vast, barren desert stretching into the distance.
Afternoon: Head to Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley), where you can go on a short hike to witness the stark desert beauty, with its red rock formations and surreal landscape.
Sunset: Return to Valle de la Luna for an unforgettable desert sunset, where the colors of the landscape change dramatically as the sun sets.
Evening: Enjoy dinner back in San Pedro and spend the night in town.
Day 3: Altiplanic Lagoons & Salar de Atacama
Morning: Depart early for a full-day tour of the Altiplanic Lagoons, located high in the Andes at an altitude of around 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). The Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Miñiques offer stunning, turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes. You’ll also see flamingos and other wildlife.
Visit the Socaire Village, a small Andean town with traditional adobe houses and farming terraces.
Afternoon: After lunch, head to the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile, home to vibrant flamingo lagoons such as Laguna Chaxa. This area is part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve and is a great spot to observe wildlife amidst striking white salt expanses.
Evening: Return to San Pedro for dinner and a well-deserved rest after a busy day.
Day 4: El Tatio Geysers & Departure to Uyuni (Bolivia)
Early Morning: Rise early to visit the El Tatio Geysers, one of the highest geothermal fields in the world (4,300 meters / 14,107 feet). The geysers are most spectacular at sunrise, when the steam rises against the cool morning air. The site is also home to hot springs, where you can take a dip to warm up.
The tour typically includes a breakfast at the geysers before returning to San Pedro.
Afternoon: Head back to San Pedro for lunch, then take a flight from Calama to Uyuni, Bolivia. Depending on flight schedules, this may involve a stopover in La Paz.
Evening: Arrive in Uyuni, Bolivia, a small town that serves as the gateway to the famous Salar de Uyuni. Check into your accommodation and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Salar de Uyuni – First Day
Morning: Begin your Salar de Uyuni tour, a full-day adventure that takes you through the world’s largest salt flat (over 10,000 square kilometers). Start at the Train Graveyard, an eerie spot where old trains have been abandoned for decades.
Continue to the Salar de Uyuni itself, where the salt flats stretch out in every direction, offering incredible photographic opportunities, especially when the salt is wet and reflects the sky like a giant mirror.
Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch at the edge of the salt flats, surrounded by the vast expanse.
Afternoon: Visit the Incahuasi Island (also called Isla del Pescado), an island in the middle of the salt flat, known for its giant cactus forests and panoramic views of the salt plains.
Evening: Head to Hotel de Sal, a unique hotel made entirely of salt, where you can spend the night and have dinner.
Day 6: Salar de Uyuni – Second Day
Morning: After breakfast, head to Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon), a stunning red-colored lake in the high-altitude Eduardo Avaroa National Park. The lake is filled with flamingos and surrounded by volcanic peaks, providing dramatic landscapes.
Afternoon: Continue to Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon), which sits at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. The striking green water is caused by high mineral content, making it a perfect spot for photos.
Evening: Stay overnight at a refugio or basic accommodation near the lagoons or return to Uyuni, depending on the tour’s route.
Day 7: Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama
Morning: If you stayed near the lagoons, spend the morning enjoying the views of the Andes and the surrounding natural beauty before heading back to Uyuni.
Afternoon: Take a flight or overland transport back to San Pedro de Atacama. The return journey may take several hours, but the landscapes are worth it.
Evening: Once in San Pedro, relax with a dinner and enjoy a quiet evening in the desert.
Day 8: San Pedro de Atacama to Bolivia (Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca)
Morning: For those interested in exploring more of the Bolivian side of the Andes, take a trip to the Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca on the Chilean-Bolivian border. These stunning lakes are famous for their vivid colors and the nearby Ollagüe Volcano.
Afternoon: Explore the area and take in the beauty of these high-altitude landscapes before returning to San Pedro for a relaxed evening.
Day 9: Free Day in San Pedro
Morning: If you have more time, spend a free day in San Pedro de Atacama, where you can relax and enjoy the laid-back desert atmosphere. Explore local artisan markets, visit the San Pedro Church, or take a dip in the Puritama Hot Springs.
Afternoon: Alternatively, take a short trip to Laguna Tebinquinche, a saltwater lagoon near San Pedro.
Evening: Have a leisurely dinner at one of the local restaurants, such as La Estaka, which offers local delicacies and Chilean wines.
Day 10: Departure
Morning: Depending on your departure time, you may have the chance to visit any last-minute sights or relax before your departure.
Afternoon: Head to Calama Airport for your flight back home, or continue your travels in Chile or Bolivia.
