Uyuni–Atacama Altiplano Route

A classic three-day 4WD cross-border route from Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flat past highland lakes such as the Red and Green Lagoons, over the Andes to Chile's Atacama Desert.

This is one of South America's most popular cross-border off-road routes, connecting the Uyuni Salt Flat in southwestern Bolivia with San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. It crosses the Altiplano for about 500 km at elevations of 3,600–5,000 m. Highlights in Bolivia: the train cemetery at the town of Uyuni; the Uyuni Salt Flat, the world's largest salt flat (the mirror effect in the rainy season, hexagonal salt patterns in the dry season, and cactus-covered Incahuasi Island); the Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree) in the southwest; and volcanoes and highland lakes, including the Red Lagoon (home to large numbers of flamingos), the Green Lagoon and Licancabur Volcano in Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, the Sol de Mañana geysers and the Polques hot springs. In Chile: the Valley of the Moon, the Valley of Death, the Tatio Geysers, the Altiplanic Lagoons and the Chaxa lagoon in the Salar de Atacama, and world-class stargazing. The standard plan is to join a 3-day, 2-night 4WD tour from Uyuni (about 6 people per vehicle, staying in salt hotels or basic hostels), then on day three change vehicles at the Hito Cajón border post and descend to San Pedro, followed by 2–3 more nights exploring the Atacama; you can also do the route in reverse. Choose a well-reviewed agency and check the vehicle and driver. Overnight accommodation at high altitude is basic and unheated, so bring a sleeping bag and plenty of drinking water. Bolivia and Chile each have their own visa/entry procedures, and Chile has strict quarantine rules on food entering the country.

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