San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni at a glance
The tour from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni is the same landscape as the Uyuni tours, driven in the other direction. You leave Chile in the early morning, cross the border by minibus, change to a Bolivian 4x4 and spend 3 days on the way to Uyuni. The salt flat comes last.
If you must return to Chile, a 4-day round trip exists. Private express trips of 3 days also run, so the number of days alone does not tell you which direction a tour goes. Check the start and end point of every offer.
Our picks: from San Pedro de Atacama
The three-day trip starts in San Pedro and ends in Uyuni, in a small group. The four-day tour returns you to San Pedro and includes accommodation and all meals. If you start in Uyuni instead, the tour with the border transfer takes you to Chile.
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.
Three days from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama
- Two shared overnights
- Meals as described
- Border transfer to San Pedro
The route ends in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, with the border transfer at Hito Cajón included. Park entries, including the reserve fee, are extra.
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Four days from San Pedro de Atacama across the salt flat
- Accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Oxygen bottle
The longest option here, a round trip that brings you back to San Pedro around midday on day four. Bolivian park fees, including Eduardo Avaroa, are extra.
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Three days from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni
- Small group
- Meals included
- Basic hostel stay
Starts in San Pedro and ends in Uyuni, where you are dropped at the bus station or in the centre. Eduardo Avaroa at 150 BOB and Incahuasi at 30 BOB are extra.
Check availability →Tours between San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni
One-way and round-trip jeep tours across the border, with current prices and availability. Check the start, the end point and the border arrangements in each offer.
The route in the reverse direction
An example 3-day route. Lodges and stops vary by offer.
Day 1: border and lagoons
The minibus takes you to the border, where you change to a Bolivian 4x4 for 6 guests. The day goes to Laguna Verde and Blanca, the geothermal area of Sol de Mañana, hot springs and Laguna Colorada. The first night is in Huayllajara or Villamar.
Day 2: rock landscapes and villages
The second day crosses rock landscapes and small villages. The second night is in a salt hotel in Colcha K, such as Andina Maypo. Offers can name alternative lodges, so ask which one you get.
Day 3: salt flat and Uyuni
The last day brings the salt flat, Colchani and the train cemetery. The tour is planned to end in Uyuni around 15:00. In the flooded season, the island visit can drop out.
The route climbs into the highlands straight away. A tour offer does not mean you are acclimatised to the height. Read the general advice on altitude before you book.
Options compared
Per person in 2026. Currencies are shown as each offer states them.
| Option | Length | Ends in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Pedro to Uyuni | 3 days, 2 nights | Uyuni, around 15:00 | CLP 245,000 or $260 |
| San Pedro round trip | 4 days, 3 nights | San Pedro de Atacama | CLP 285,000 or $300 |
| Uyuni to San Pedro | 3 days, 2 nights | San Pedro, around 13:00 | BOB 1,680 or $210 |
For most travellers heading on into Bolivia, the one-way trip to Uyuni is the better choice. For those who have to be back in Chile, the 4-day round trip or the Uyuni-to-San Pedro direction fits better. The last row is described on the page for the 3-day tour from Uyuni.
Transport, lodging and meals are included in the 3-day one-way offer. Park entries, water and snacks are extra. That operator does not take children under 6 or pregnant women.
The border at Hito Cajón
Rules and hours as of 2026. They can change.
The crossing is Hito Cajón on the Chilean road CH-27. It suits smaller vehicles and minibuses and lies at roughly 4,400 to 4,550 m, depending on the measurement. Do not expect to arrive in a large coach.
Opening hours are given as 08:00 to 18:00 or as 05:00 to 15:00, so check the current hours before you go. Tours cross in the morning. Ask your operator for the hours and the time zone they use.
Entry rules, money and Chile on return
What to check before you cross.
Visa for Bolivia
As of May 2026, US citizens can stay in Bolivia without a visa as tourists for under 90 days per year. German passport holders can stay up to 90 days per calendar year without a visa. This does not apply to every nationality. When you enter by land, check that you receive an entry stamp.
Chile and the SAG declaration
If you re-enter Chile, adults must complete the SAG declaration for animal and plant products. It is free, in digital or paper form. SAG warned in April 2025 about websites that charge for it. Declaring an item does not mean it is allowed.
Money
Park entries are paid in bolivianos. Cash machines are not available once you leave Uyuni. Ask your operator how and where to pay. See what to pack.
Fuel shortage in September 2026
In September 2026, fuel shortages in Uyuni led to cancelled tours. Check the current situation before you book.
San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni: frequently asked questions
How long is the tour from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni?
The one-way offer takes 3 days and 2 nights and ends in Uyuni around 15:00. A 4-day round trip returns to San Pedro. Check the end point of each offer.
How much does it cost?
In 2026 the one-way trip costs CLP 245,000 or $260 per person, and the 4-day round trip CLP 285,000 or $300. Park entries, water and snacks are extra.
When does the border open?
Hours are given as 08:00 to 18:00 or 05:00 to 15:00, so check before you go. Tours cross in the morning. Ask your operator for the current hours.
Do I need a visa?
US citizens need no visa for tourist stays of under 90 days per year, and German passport holders can stay 90 days per calendar year without one. Check the rules for your nationality and make sure you get an entry stamp.
Is it better to start in Uyuni or in San Pedro?
That depends on where your trip continues. Choose the direction that ends where your trip continues. See the 3-day tour from Uyuni for the other direction.