about our “two day TAYKA RED LAGOON PROGRAM”:

this program is perfect for those SHORT IN TIME and would like to get the best of both the salt desert, red lagoon and the colorful Bolivian desert. This program is very complete compare to our 3 day programs, you would only be missing out on SUNSET in the salt desert and visits to Laguna Verde, Laguna Blanca or Volcan Licancabur. Read our BLOG on “GREEN LAGOON, TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE” 

going to CHILE?

About 70% of travelers taking this route visit CHILE, San Pedro de Atacama and Santiago to be exact, with this program you can get to San Pedro de Atacama with ease. San Pedro de Atacama is located exactly 45 minutes from the Chilean/Bolivian border, you probably will take more time (“like for ever”) to get done with the whole entering Chile routine, 1 to 2 hours to be exact. Read our BLOG on “CHILE BORDER CROSSING – WHY SO SERIOUS?”
If you take this options please keep in mind road and weather conditions, Hito Cajones Bolivian border is located at 4,500 masl, during the months of May to August is winter in Bolivia and this region gets covered with lots of snow, which will complicate your border crossing into CHile.

what to bring

– sunglasses (polarized recommended)
– sunscreen 50+ spf recommended
– colorful clothing (stand out in your pics)
– warm clothing (it does get cold after 4pm)
– woolen beanie (wool head cap)
– woolen gloves
– woolen scarf
– thick socks
– ear covers
– thermals (top & bottom)
– swimsuit (hot springs 3rd day)
– towel (hot springs 3rd day)
– water boots (gum boots – gummistiefel)*

got salt LUNCH

unlike other travel agencies who have BORING and DULL lunch in the town of Colchani or the salt hotel museum “Playa Blanca” we take you near the center of the salt desert and set up a very attractive open area lunch for you. Our set up includes table, chairs, outdoor umbrella and our tasty home made food served with cold drinks.

covid-19 special information

GOT SALT BOLIVIA as a company takes your safety and health as number priority, this is why we have taken the following steps to make sure your travel is pleasant and safe:

– all GOT SALT BOLIVIA personnel must have the covid-19 blood test done every month.
– all GOT SALT BOLIVIA personnel such as drivers and guide are to coordinate visits to each location at times when there is very few people, hence avoiding large group gatherings and potential contact with anyone outside your group.
– all vehicles will have a COVID-19 PACK for you to use, this pack includes:

• medical mask (nose/mouth cover)
• hand sanitizer gel
• personal alcohol disinfectant spray
• infrared thermometer (temperature control)
• oximeter (blood oxygen sensor)
• oxygen tank
• latex gloves
• COVID-19 rapid test kit*

– all vehicles have the required protective equipment such as:

• disinfectant alcohol bottle
• plastic divider between driver and passenger (you can always take this down to have better view and communication with guide and driver)
• before and after the start of the program all vehicles are cleaned and disinfected, all customer touchpoints are frequently cleaned during tour.

– temperature checks are mandatory throughout the expedition for our personnel and guests, especially upon arriving to hotels or restaurants.

hotels provided in this tour

• 1st night: HOTEL TAYKA DEL DESIERTO
  – located at 4,500 masl it is the only hotel in the region which offers heating, hot water for showers, comfortable and clean private rooms.
  – due to its location there is no direct energy source, so the hotel runs on solar energy during the day and gas generator between 6pm and 10pm (lights out, time to rest).
  – sorojchi or high altitude sickness is common here, so the hotel offers medicine, coca tea or poppusa andina tea and most important oxygen, we also have an oxygen tank for your personal use which we leave with you in your room.
• FAQ´S
  – is there a possibility that i don´t stay at TAYKA DEL DESIERTO? yes, because of its locations and altitude, snow on the road to the hotel and around the region can be a huge factor and we may NOT be able to access the hotel. In the event that this happens we will change accomodations to either MALLKU CUEVA LODGE or HUALLAJARA LODGE depending on accessibility and availability, please see our terms and conditions.
  – double bookings? it’s a very rare case but in the event that it may happen GOT SALT BOLIVIA will work with the hotel to provide a FULL REFUND from the hotel and we will do our best to accommodate you in a hotel or lodge the best way possible.

weather on tour

Weather around the Salt Flats Desert and the South West regions near the high deserts, lagoons and bordering Chile is mostly consistent, but when it rains or snows, it can dramatically change what you see and what is available during the trip, remember we do not have control over the climate or road conditions.

• RAINY SEASON JANUARY TO MARCH
  – SALT DESERT: during this months the rain cuts off access to several parts of the itinerary, including (often) visits to Isla Incahuasi and Volcan Tunupa. When this happens, it cuts about 3 hours from the normal itinerary, the driver and guide will focus mainly on silhouette and mirror effect photography.
  – SOUTH WEST REGION: due to rain in the southeast region of Bolivia the road condition becomes very slippery and broken, due to this prepare yourself for long hours in the car, for example when climate and road conditions are good it takes about 1 hour from San Cristobal to Uyuni (1 kilometer), during rainy season it take almost 2 hours, please expect changes in the itinerary especially if you have a flight to catch.
• WINTER MAY TO AUGUST
  – COLORED LAGOONS AND DESERTS: Bolivia has the most amazing landscape, colorful desert and lagoons which are located above 4,300 masl, during winter snow falls very heavily in this region covering with a thick white coat roads and trails, when this happens, sometimes (often) we may not be able to reach hotels, hostels or visit locations in the itinerary. In the event that this happens the driver and guide will do everything in their power to get you to your hotel or hostel and to keep visits to the locations, please expect changes in the itinerary especially if you have a flight to catch.

money on tour

You can change money in Uyuni before the start of the program, however please keep in mind that common currency accepted in Uyuni is dollars, euros, chilean pesos or soles. Another important thing to remember is that the money you bring must be in impeccable state, we are talking perfect, meaning; no torns, no writing, no stamps, no damage folds, no missing pieces, the newer the bill the better.
Credit card payment are welcome at some restaurants and hotels, but during the route you will need bolivianos (bolivian cash), here is an example of some expenses you will have:

• ENTRANCE FEES:
  – isla incahuasi 30bs per person
  – galaxias cave 30bs per person
  – volcan tunupa 30bs per person
  – REA (national park) 150bs per person
  – hot springs 10bs per person
• TOILET FEES:
  – generally speaking all toilets throughout the tour charge 5bs, during the tour we have 3 toilet stops on route.
• SNACKS/SHOPING:
  – during the tour we will pass small towns where you can get snacks and additional water from the small shops, keep in mind that they take only bolivian money.