Uyuni Salt Flats & Atacama
Desert & Altiplano, Chile - Bolivia
Travel Tips
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
TRANSFER ON ARRIVAL
1) When the Travesía begins in Atacama, Chile, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team. The pick up time is subject to the flight time.
– Hotels in Calama and San Pedro de Atacama: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before.
2) When the Travesía begins in Uyuni, Bolivia, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Uyuni Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team, according to flight schedule.
– Hotels in Uyuni: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before. We recommend the pick up at 09:00 to reach the lodge around 11:00.
*We recommend that travelers arrive in La Paz first and spend a day there to start their acclimatization process.
TRANSFER ON DEPARTURE
– Departure transfer from San Pedro de Atacama: Check-out is at 10:00. Transfers to the airport or hotels in Calama are until 12:00 and do not include lunch on the day of departure. The departure time from the lodge to the Calama Airport is three hours before the flight.
– Departure transfer from Uyuni: The departure time from the lodge to the Uyuni Airport is two hours before the flight. If travelers are staying at a hotel in Uyuni, the departure will be coordinated at 10:00.
If they need to return to Atacama, there is a private transfer service at 08:00 at an additional charge for a maximum of 2 people with lunch included. Due to the distance, we recommend booking flights departing from Calama after 17:30. (service not available between 15 Dec and 15 Mar)
Contact your travel agent or sales executive to consult availability and obtain further information.
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: After 13:00.
Check-out:
– Airport and Hotels in Uyuni: 10:00.
– Hotels and Airport in Calama or Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama: 08:00.
Before booking with us, we recommend that you check the frequency of flights from Uyuni to La Paz or from Calama.
Lunch service is included only for the trip back from Uyuni to Calama, where we recommend that travelers book a flight after 17:30.
VISA to Bolivia
The following countries do not need a VISA and only need to present a national ID Card or passport: Germany, Slovakia, Norway, Andorra, Estonia, New Zealand, Argentina Mercosur, Finland, Netherlands, Australia, Philippines, Palestine, Austria, France, Panama, Belgium, Hungary, Paraguay Mercosur, Brazil Mercosur, Greece, Peru, Canada, Iceland, Poland, Colombia, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Costa Rica, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic, Japan, Great Britain, Chile Mercosur, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Croatia, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Turkey, Ecuador, Luxembourg, Uruguay Mercosur, Spain, Mexico, Vatican, Slovenia, Monaco And Venezuela Mercosur.
Travelers who do need a VISA: Though a Bolivian visa can be obtained on the border, due to the remoteness of this border crossing and to avoid possible delays, we recommend obtaining the visa at the consulate in your country of origin before traveling. For this, you need to complete the following paperwork:
- Visa Application sworn statement
- Photocopy of current passport + 4 passport size photos
- Photocopy of Explora booking
- Photocopy of round-trip tickets.
- Economic solvency: Photocopy of front and back of a valid Credit Card.
- Yellow fever vaccination.
- USD 160 in cash: It is recommended that you carry the precise amount.
Documentation requested for the entry and departure of minors under the age of 18 to and from Chile. Entry and departure of minors from the country
It is important to note that Explora does not process visas or documents. If you need help with reservations, quotes or more information, please contact our reservation team at reserve@explora.com.
How to get there
From Calama: Once in Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connection flight to the northern city of Calama (CJC). We advise you to book an early flight in order to be able to relax at the hotel and participate in an easy exploration during the afternoon. We will be waiting for you at Calama airport and will drive you to Explora.
After crossing the Bolivian Altiplano, the travesía ends in Uyuni. In the morning of the last day, we will take you to the International Joya Andina Airport (UYU) where you will be able to board a plane to La Paz (LPB).
From Uyuni: To start this travesía in Bolivia, you will need to reach the Internacional Joya Andina Airport (UYU). We will pick you up there to begin the journey.
Once the Travesía is over, we will take you to Calama Airport (CJC) from Explora , where you will be able to take a flight to Santiago (SCL).
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
TRANSFER ON ARRIVAL
1) When the Travesía begins in Atacama, Chile, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team. The pick up time is subject to the flight time.
– Hotels in Calama and San Pedro de Atacama: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before.
2) When the Travesía begins in Uyuni, Bolivia, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Uyuni Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team, according to flight schedule.
– Hotels in Uyuni: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before. We recommend the pick up at 09:00 to reach the lodge around 11:00.
*We recommend that travelers arrive in La Paz first and spend a day there to start their acclimatization process.
TRANSFER ON DEPARTURE
– Departure transfer from San Pedro de Atacama: Check-out is at 10:00. Transfers to the airport or hotels in Calama are until 12:00 and do not include lunch on the day of departure. The departure time from the lodge to the Calama Airport is three hours before the flight.
– Departure transfer from Uyuni: The departure time from the lodge to the Uyuni Airport is two hours before the flight. If travelers are staying at a hotel in Uyuni, the departure will be coordinated at 10:00.
If they need to return to Atacama, there is a private transfer service at 08:00 at an additional charge for a maximum of 2 people with lunch included. Due to the distance, we recommend booking flights departing from Calama after 17:30. (service not available between 15 Dec and 15 Mar)
Contact your travel agent or sales executive to consult availability and obtain further information.
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: After 13:00.
Check-out:
– Airport and Hotels in Uyuni: 10:00.
– Hotels and Airport in Calama or Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama: 08:00.
Before booking with us, we recommend that you check the frequency of flights from Uyuni to La Paz or from Calama.
Lunch service is included only for the trip back from Uyuni to Calama, where we recommend that travelers book a flight after 17:30.
VISA to Bolivia
VISA to Bolivia
The following countries do not need a VISA and only need to present a national ID Card or passport: Germany, Slovakia, Norway, Andorra, Estonia, New Zealand, Argentina Mercosur, Finland, Netherlands, Australia, Philippines, Palestine, Austria, France, Panama, Belgium, Hungary, Paraguay Mercosur, Brazil Mercosur, Greece, Peru, Canada, Iceland, Poland, Colombia, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Costa Rica, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic, Japan, Great Britain, Chile Mercosur, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Croatia, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Turkey, Ecuador, Luxembourg, Uruguay Mercosur, Spain, Mexico, Vatican, Slovenia, Monaco And Venezuela Mercosur.
Travelers who do need a VISA: Though a Bolivian visa can be obtained on the border, due to the remoteness of this border crossing and to avoid possible delays, we recommend obtaining the visa at the consulate in your country of origin before traveling. For this, you need to complete the following paperwork:
- Visa Application sworn statement
- Photocopy of current passport + 4 passport size photos
- Photocopy of Explora booking
- Photocopy of round-trip tickets.
- Economic solvency: Photocopy of front and back of a valid Credit Card.
- Yellow fever vaccination.
- USD 160 in cash: It is recommended that you carry the precise amount.
Documentation requested for the entry and departure of minors under the age of 18 to and from Chile. Entry and departure of minors from the country
It is important to note that Explora does not process visas or documents. If you need help with reservations, quotes or more information, please contact our reservation team at reserve@explora.com.
How to get there
How to get there
From Calama: Once in Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connection flight to the northern city of Calama (CJC). We advise you to book an early flight in order to be able to relax at the hotel and participate in an easy exploration during the afternoon. We will be waiting for you at Calama airport and will drive you to Explora.
After crossing the Bolivian Altiplano, the travesía ends in Uyuni. In the morning of the last day, we will take you to the International Joya Andina Airport (UYU) where you will be able to board a plane to La Paz (LPB).
From Uyuni: To start this travesía in Bolivia, you will need to reach the Internacional Joya Andina Airport (UYU). We will pick you up there to begin the journey.
Once the Travesía is over, we will take you to Calama Airport (CJC) from Explora , where you will be able to take a flight to Santiago (SCL).
Required
for all activities
Explora provides travelers with trekking poles, helmets and riding gaiters for horseback rides and give them a bottle of water.
- A hat for the sun
- A hat for the cold
- 1st layer: T-shirts and thermal underwear
- 2nd layer: Fleece
- 3rd layer: A Jacket for the rain
- 4th layer: Warm jacket
- Long- and short sleeve t-shirts
- Hiking trousers and mountain trousers during the winter
- Long hiking socks
- Hiking shoes
- Thermal gloves and windproof gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Buff or protective neckwear
- Small backpack (25 liters)
- Bottle of water
Optional
for all activities- Swimsuit
- Sandals
- Camel Back
Altitud
During the journey through the Altiplano, the altitudes fluctuate between 3,600 and 4,700 m.a.s.l. (11,811 and 15,419 f.a.s.l)
Uyuni is located at 4,700 m.a.s.l (15,400 f.a.s.l.) while the oasis of San Pedro is located at 2,500 m.a.s.l. (8,200 f.a.s.l.) Iquique is at sea level.
During the first day of the travesía, we will only take small walks that won’t require an important physical effort in order to gradually acclimate our bodies to the altitude before the rest of the journey.
Climate
With more than 90% of sunny days, San Pedro de Atacama has a privileged weather all year-round. During the day, temperature goes from 8°C to 23°C in winter (June to September) and from 12°C to 28°C in summer (December to March).
Uyuni´s weather is as dry as San Pedro’s but, because it is at higher levels, it is usually colder. During the winter (June to September), daily temperatures fluctuate between 2°C and 18°C, and during the summer (September to December) between 5°C and 20°C. Temperatures at night can be as low as -20°C.
Between January and March, the area if affected by “the Altiplano Winter” whose heavy rains deeply damage the tracks.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
To be healthy enough to be able to face heights and fluctuating temperatures. Adventure and good spirit.
Some people are sleep deprived when in altitude. Only in that case, we advise you to bring some products that can help you sleep.
Wifi and Voltage
- Because we are in remote areas, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited.
- The voltage in our Travesía Atacama & Uyuni is 220V.
Tips
Tips are voluntary.
If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.
Altitud
Altitud
During the journey through the Altiplano, the altitudes fluctuate between 3,600 and 4,700 m.a.s.l. (11,811 and 15,419 f.a.s.l)
Uyuni is located at 4,700 m.a.s.l (15,400 f.a.s.l.) while the oasis of San Pedro is located at 2,500 m.a.s.l. (8,200 f.a.s.l.) Iquique is at sea level.
During the first day of the travesía, we will only take small walks that won’t require an important physical effort in order to gradually acclimate our bodies to the altitude before the rest of the journey.
Climate
Climate
With more than 90% of sunny days, San Pedro de Atacama has a privileged weather all year-round. During the day, temperature goes from 8°C to 23°C in winter (June to September) and from 12°C to 28°C in summer (December to March).
Uyuni´s weather is as dry as San Pedro’s but, because it is at higher levels, it is usually colder. During the winter (June to September), daily temperatures fluctuate between 2°C and 18°C, and during the summer (September to December) between 5°C and 20°C. Temperatures at night can be as low as -20°C.
Between January and March, the area if affected by “the Altiplano Winter” whose heavy rains deeply damage the tracks.
Other requirements
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
To be healthy enough to be able to face heights and fluctuating temperatures. Adventure and good spirit.
Some people are sleep deprived when in altitude. Only in that case, we advise you to bring some products that can help you sleep.
Wifi and Voltage
Wifi and Voltage
- Because we are in remote areas, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas is limited.
- The voltage in our Travesía Atacama & Uyuni is 220V.
Tips
Tips
Tips are voluntary.
If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.
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