A three-day 4x4 expedition across Bolivia's altiplano from Uyuni through the world's largest salt flat, past coloured lagoons, steaming geysers, flamingo colonies and surreal rock formations to the Chilean border.
311 mi / 500 km
3 days
May to November (dry); December to March (mirror effect)
Challenging
Right
Toll-free
Iconic stops
Salar de Uyuni
The world's largest salt flat: 10,000 square kilometres of blinding white at 3,656 meters.
Isla Incahuasi
A rocky island of giant cacti in the middle of the salt flat.
Laguna Colorada
A shallow red-tinted lake filled with James's and Andean flamingos.
Sol de Manana Geysers
A bubbling, steaming geothermal field at 4,850 meters.
Laguna Verde
A striking green-hued lake at the foot of Volcan Licancabur, near the Chilean border.
Stops on the map
Each numbered marker matches the list above, linked in driving order from 1 to 5. Hover or tap a marker to see the stop name, scroll to zoom, and download the map as an image.
This is a remote overland expedition with no continuous public road, so turn-by-turn directions are not available. The interactive map above traces all 5 stops in order. Open the same stops in Google Maps to explore each location and plan with a local guide or 4x4 operator.
Tolls & fees
No road tolls. National-park entry fees (Reserva Eduardo Avaroa) of around Bs 150 are included in most tour packages.
No tolls to estimate
Enjoy the drive. Budget instead for fuel, ferries, and parking.
Traffic & road alerts
There is no paved road beyond the salt flat. All travel is by 4x4 with a driver/guide, organized from Uyuni or Tupiza. Altitude ranges from 3,600 to 5,000 meters. Acclimatize before the trip, bring warm clothes, sunscreen and extra water.
Best maps & planning
Plan your drive and check the latest conditions with these trusted maps and official resources.
Driving tips
- Visit in the wet season (December to March) for the famous mirror effect on the flooded salt flat.
- Altitude sickness is a real risk above 4,000 meters. Spend a day in Uyuni or Sucre to acclimatize first.
- Bring a sleeping bag rated for -15C. Nights in the altiplano refugios are bitterly cold.
Distances, tolls, and seasons are curated planning references and can change. Always confirm current tolls, opening dates, and closures with the official sources linked above before you travel.