Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flat & the Scenic Route into Chile

When people start planning a South America trip, Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia is almost always the first destination that comes to mind. An endless expanse of white salt stretching to the horizon, mirror-like reflections of sky and clouds, and a night sky blazing with stars — Uyuni alone is more than enough to be the highlight of any South American journey.

But if you're already planning a trip to Uyuni, it's worth considering more than just the salt flat itself. The route heading south from Uyuni toward northern Chile opens up an extraordinary journey through vast high-altitude deserts, vivid mountain lakes, remarkable wildlife, and one-of-a-kind lodging experiences. Today, we'd like to introduce the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve and the natural wonders you can discover along the way as you travel from Uyuni toward Chile.

The southbound route from Uyuni through Ramaditas and into the reserve

📌 The High-Altitude Desert Route from Uyuni to Chile
Continue south past Uyuni Salt Flat and you'll find yourself entering the high-altitude desert landscapes of southwestern Bolivia, leading into the remarkable Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna Reserve.

This route is typically covered over 2 nights and 3 days by 4WD vehicle, sweeping through salt flats, highland lakes, and rugged desert terrain before reaching the raw, untamed scenery of the reserve. If leaving after just the salt flat feels like you're missing something, extending your journey south into the reserve is absolutely the way to go.

📌 Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna Reserve
Straddling the route between Uyuni and the Chilean border lies the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna Reserve — a high-altitude nature sanctuary in southwestern Bolivia where desert, vivid lakes, and volcanic landscapes converge. While Uyuni is remembered for its dreamlike white expanse, the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve reveals a rougher, more primal side of the Andean highlands.

Iconic highlights along the reserve route

📌 Rock Tree of the Siloli Desert

Along the high-altitude desert road leading into the reserve, you'll come across one of the Siloli Desert's most iconic landmarks: the Rock Tree. Centuries of fierce winds and sand have sculpted a solitary rock formation into something eerily resembling a tree. Standing alone in the middle of the vast highland desert, it makes for a truly striking sight.

📌 Laguna Colorada — The Crimson Lake

Laguna Colorada is where the surrounding desert terrain meets the deep, rust-red hues of the lake, creating an atmosphere completely unlike the white expanses of Uyuni. Flamingos are a regular presence along the shores, adding a touch of pink to the vivid landscape.

📌 Sol de Mañana Geysers

Another unmissable stop on this route is the Sol de Mañana geyser field — a high-altitude geothermal zone where steam and heat rise dramatically from the earth. Watching white plumes billow upward in the middle of a barren desert feels like landing on another planet entirely. This is where you'll experience the raw, volcanic soul of southern Bolivia, a world apart from the serene salt flats.

📌 Laguna Verde and the Volcano

As you approach the Chilean border, the vivid green waters of Laguna Verde and the commanding silhouette of Licancabur Volcano come into view. True to its name, the lake shimmers with a striking greenish hue, while the volcano rising behind it creates one of the most dramatic landscapes on the entire route.

Extraordinary experiences continue at your accommodations

📌 A Night at Ramaditas

Traveling south from Uyuni, your midway overnight stop will be Ramaditas. The Explora Ramaditas Mountain Lodge sits right along the highland route connecting Uyuni and Chile's Atacama, and feels far more like a mountain refuge in the middle of the high-altitude desert than a conventional city hotel. Here, the draw is the immediate proximity to extraordinary nature — not polished hotel amenities. Do keep in mind that, given its remote highland location, it may not match the attentive service or convenient facilities that Korean travelers might typically expect from a hotel stay. It's best approached as a base for experiencing the desert scenery, wildlife, and nature exploration activities firsthand.

📌 Vizcacha — the Andean Highlands' Charming Resident

The Ramaditas area is a landscape of high-altitude desert and rocky outcrops, and you may well spot a vizcacha near the lodge or during your tour. Resembling a cross between a rabbit and a chinchilla, these animals are known for their round, fluffy bodies, long tails, and endearing expressions — a highlight for many travelers who encounter them along the way.

Planning your journey beyond Uyuni

If you'd hate to leave South America having only seen the salt flat, extending your trip along the highland desert route toward Chile is a wonderful choice. That said, the journey from Uyuni into northern Chile requires careful planning — routing, altitude, accommodation conditions, and local tour schedules all need to come together. It can feel a bit overwhelming to piece it all together on your own, but with AhmoTravel, we can tailor everything from the Uyuni Salt Flat and the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve to the road toward Chile's Atacama to fit your schedule and travel style. ​

AhmoTravel takes the guesswork out of planning — we help match you with the all-inclusive accommodations that best suit your itinerary and travel preferences, and handle the reservations for you. If you're not sure when to go or how to plan your South America trip, feel free to reach out to AhmoTravel anytime!