Heights on the Uyuni route
A day trip stays on the salt flat at roughly 3,600 m. Multi-day tours climb into the highlands, past lagoons and a geothermal field above 4,000 m, and sleep at heights that are well above the flat. Altitude sickness can affect anyone who has not acclimatized, and being fit does not protect you reliably. What counts is the height where you sleep and how fast you go up.
This page gives general guidance only and cannot replace medical advice. If you are planning a 3-day Uyuni tour, read it before you book.
Heights of places on the tour routes
Rounded values.
| Place | Height | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Salar de Uyuni | About 3,600 m | Also given as 3,656 m or 3,663 m |
| Atullcha, first night of a round trip from Uyuni | About 3,700 m | Approximate figure |
| Laguna Colorada | 4,232 m | Tour programs round to 4,300 m |
| Huayllajara, second night | About 4,300 m | Approximate figure |
| Laguna Verde | 4,425 m | Near the Chilean border |
| Hito Cajón border | 4,549 m | Some programs give 4,400 m |
| Sol de Mañana | About 4,900 m | Approximate figure |
A day trip keeps you near 3,600 m, while the 3-day tours reach the highest points. If you are not sure how you cope with height, start with the day trip.
Our pick: a single day on the flat
A one-day tour keeps the outing short and your base in Uyuni, instead of several days on the road.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Uyuni tours by length
Day trips and multi-day jeep tours across the salt flat and the high lagoons, with live prices and availability.
How to prepare
General advice from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Spend nights lower first
The best preparation is 2 to 3 nights at about 2,450 to 2,750 m. Above 3,000 m, try to raise your sleeping height by no more than 500 m per night, and add one extra night of acclimatization for every 1,000 m. Compare the sleeping heights of your itinerary with these guidelines.
Go easy at first
In the first 48 hours, keep the activity light and skip alcohol. Do not rely on being fit. Sleeping height and speed of ascent matter more.
Medication
Ask a doctor about the trip before you leave. Whether any preventive medicine suits you is an individual decision for your doctor, and this page does not name medicines or doses.
Know your itinerary
A route from San Pedro de Atacama climbs into the highlands immediately. A tour offer does not show that you will be acclimatized in time. Read our San Pedro de Atacama route page and consider a night or two at height before you start.
Symptoms and what to do
Take early signs seriously.
Early signs
A headache with nausea, dizziness or tiredness after going up is a warning. Do not climb higher while you have symptoms. Rest, and tell your guide.
When to descend
If symptoms get worse despite rest, go down. Breathlessness at rest, confusion or loss of coordination need urgent help and a descent. Tell your guide at once, and do not wait for the next stop.
Coca tea
Buying, owning and drinking coca tea is legal under Bolivian rules, but bringing it into Germany breaks narcotics law. No evidence shows that it prevents or cures altitude sickness.
Choosing an operator
Look for a registered operator with first-aid training, working equipment and, for high-altitude trips, oxygen on board. Ask before you book. For clothing and cold nights, see our packing list.
Plan the rest of your trip
The high stops in more detail.
Altitude sickness on the Uyuni trip: frequently asked questions
How high is the Salar de Uyuni?
About 3,600 m. You will also see 3,656 m and 3,663 m, which are more precise values for the same surface. The lagoons and geothermal field on multi-day tours lie higher, up to about 4,900 m.
Can I get altitude sickness on a day trip?
Yes. Unacclimatized people can fall ill from sleeping heights around 2,450 m, and the salt flat lies well above that. Go easy at first and drink alcohol only after you have settled in.
How long does it take to acclimatize?
For preparation, 2 to 3 nights at about 2,450 to 2,750 m are recommended. Above 3,000 m, the guideline is a maximum of 500 m of sleeping height gained per night, with an extra night for each 1,000 m. Individual tolerance varies.
Does coca tea help?
It is legal to drink in Bolivia, but nothing shows it prevents or cures altitude sickness. Do not take coca leaves or tea back to Germany.
Should I take medicine for altitude?
Ask a doctor before the trip. This page does not recommend medicines or doses, because they depend on your health.
Is this an official health site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with general information only. It is not run by a health authority, the Bolivian tourism authorities or a tour operator.