Day 2: Three-Day Salar de Uyuni Tour

This is Day 2 of my three-day Salar de Uyuni Tour. As you know, the Salt Flat in Bolivia is the world’s largest. If you see it yourself, it looks magnificent but at the same time, otherworldly. Standing in the middle of it would give you chills, perhaps, pinching yourself to feel that you’re not dreaming.

The Accommodation

On Day 2 of our Salar de Uyuni Tour, we woke up and had breakfast early. Our tiny accommodation/hostel had no heater, so we bundled up with layers of blankets. in addition to the jeans and jacket, I was already wearing. The worst thing was that there was no running water when I woke up! I couldn’t live without a shower in the morning – it makes me a grumpy old man. Yep, I may not survive in the jungle!

We left at 7:30 AM from our made-of-salt hostel to explore more of Bolivia. In today’s itinerary, we’re going away from the Salt Flat, stopping and passing by volcanos and lagoons.

Related Post: Day 1 of Three-Day Salt Flat Tour in Bolivia

Rock Formations in Potosi (8:48 AM)

We didn’t know the name of this place, and our tour guide just told us that the rock formations here looked like corals formed with sodium bicarbonate. We didn’t understand but, well, the views here are fantastic!

Chihuana Volcano (9:16 AM)

As we drove to our next destination, I couldn’t help but keep my eyes open to the wondrous landscapes we passed by. While the others were sleeping, I was wide awake, and I didn’t want to miss every view I saw, like this Chihuana Volcano.

We drove for almost an hour, passing along the border between Bolivia and Chile in the Atacama desert.

Ollague Volcano (10:34 AM)

Our second stop was at the area where we could view the snow-capped Ollague Volcano. This Vulcan can be seen from 15 km away on a perfect day.

On the other side of the viewing area, you’ll find another stunning volcano – Vulcan Kanapa.

Cañapa Lagoon (11:44 AM)

This is a stunning blue lagoon with a flamboyance of flamingos dotting the natural water formation. However, the wind can be brutal here, so bundle up when it’s windy during your visit. The views, however, will last in your memory forever.

Agua Hedionda Lagoon (12:16 PM)

Hedionda translates to “stink.” However, we didn’t smell something foul. The lagoon is famous for its white and pink flamingos that don’t seem to be bothered by the cold weather. The views here are as memorable as Cañapa Lagoon above.

This is where we had our lunch inside a small restaurant.

Chiarcota Lagoon (1:27 PM)

This is the third lagoon we could have visited, but we decided to pass it by. We admired the views from our moving car.

Siloli Desert Lookout (2:16 PM)

We only stopped here for 10 minutes because the strong, chilly wind ruined it. Siloli desert is backdropped with red and snow-capped mountains.

Vulcan Silala

As we left the lookout, we passed by Silala Volcano. I felt the power of nature as we drove along the winding stretch of unpaved road. I never thought Bolivia had these rugged but stunning landscapes that blew my mind away.

The Stone Tree (2:56 PM)

As we drove to Stone Tree, the color of the desert changed. Arbol de Piedra is, perhaps, the most photographed stone in the desert of Bolivia. The wind formed this 7-meter-tall stone by eroding the soft sandstone. Will this still stand five to ten years from now?

Laguna Colorada (4:00 PM)

Laguna Colorada is my favorite of all lagoons we passed by and visited in Bolivia. Though we didn’t go down to the lake, the views from where we stood looked like heaven on earth to me. I sincerely didn’t want to leave.

Apacheta Geysers (5:18 PM)

This was my first time seeing geysers. Though I was excited about it, I was also a bit scared. We enjoyed our time here. Or, maybe, it was just me.

Laguna Chalviri and Hot Spring (6:13 PM)

Our second night was spent at a mid-size hostel here overlooking Laguna Chalviri. Ten minutes walk down from our hostel is the Chalviri Hot Spring. After dinner, we went down for a much-needed “shower” we never had that morning.

In the morning, I woke up early to watch the sunset, which is so quiet and mesmerizing.

Take a One Day or Multi-Day Tour?

If you decide to go on a tour, many companies offer both day trips and multi-day excursions. These tours typically include stops at nearby attractions, such as Laguna Colorada (a red lake with flamingos) and the Valley of the Rocks (lined with strange rock formations). Click the thumbnails below for the type of tour or excursion you want.