Explora’s overland crossings from Atacama to Uyuni are among the most recommended ways to reach the Salt Flats, according to expert travel.
From Calama: Once in Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connection flight to the northern city of Calama (CJC). We advise you to book an early flight in order to be able to relax at the hotel and participate in an easy exploration during the afternoon. We will be waiting for you at Calama airport and will drive you to Explora.
After crossing the Bolivian Altiplano, the travesía ends in Uyuni. In the morning of the last day, we will take you to the International Joya Andina Airport (UYU) where you will be able to board a plane to La Paz (LPB).
From Uyuni: To start this travesía in Bolivia, you will need to reach the Internacional Joya Andina Airport (UYU). We will pick you up there to begin the journey.
Once the Travesía is over, we will take you to Calama Airport (CJC) from Explora , where you will be able to take a flight to Santiago (SCL).
TRANSFER ON ARRIVAL
1) When the Travesía begins in Atacama, Chile, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team. The pick up time is subject to the flight time.
– Hotels in Calama and San Pedro de Atacama: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before.
2) When the Travesía begins in Uyuni, Bolivia, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Uyuni Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team, according to flight schedule.
– Hotels in Uyuni: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before. We recommend the pick up at 09:00 to reach the lodge around 11:00.
*We recommend that travelers arrive in La Paz first and spend a day there to start their acclimatization process.
TRANSFER ON DEPARTURE
– Departure transfer from San Pedro de Atacama: Check-out is at 10:00. Transfers to the airport or hotels in Calama are until 12:00 and do not include lunch on the day of departure. The departure time from the lodge to the Calama Airport is three hours before the flight.
– Departure transfer from Uyuni: The departure time from the lodge to the Uyuni Airport is two hours before the flight. If travelers are staying at a hotel in Uyuni, the departure will be coordinated at 10:00.
If they need to return to Atacama, there is a private transfer service at 08:00 at an additional charge for a maximum of 2 people with lunch included. Due to the distance, we recommend booking flights departing from Calama after 17:30. (service not available between 15 Dec and 15 Mar)
Contact your travel agent or sales executive to consult availability and obtain further information.
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: After 13:00.
Check-out:
– Airport and Hotels in Uyuni: 10:00.
– Hotels and Airport in Calama or Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama: 08:00.
Before booking with us, we recommend that you check the frequency of flights from Uyuni to La Paz or from Calama.
Lunch service is included only for the trip back from Uyuni to Calama, where we recommend that travelers book a flight after 17:30.
Travelers Requiring a Visa
- Visa application sworn statement
- Color photocopy of your valid passport (must have at least six months of validity remaining)
- Two passport-sized, color photos with a white background
- Color photocopy of your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Photocopy of your Explora booking confirmation (must include your name)
- Photocopy of your flight tickets out of Bolivia, showing your name, flight details, and date.
- Proof of economic solvency: Photocopy of a valid credit card (front and back) in your name
- Visa fee: USD 160 in cash per person (please carry the exact amount for each individual traveler to avoid issues at payment).
Important Notes:
- All cash must be in USD, new, untorn, and free from any markings or writing.
-
Each traveler must have a separate copy of the required documents, even if traveling as a couple or family.
Child Entry and Exit Requirements for ChileWhen traveling with minors under the age of 18 to or from Chile, additional documentation may be required. It is important to verify the most up-to-date requirements
-
Passport for the minor: Valid and with sufficient remaining validity.
-
Parental authorization: If the minor is traveling with only one parent or a guardian, a notarized authorization from the non-accompanying parent(s) may be required.
-
Birth certificate: To verify the relationship between the minor and accompanying adults.
Additional Information
Explora’s overland crossings from Atacama to Uyuni are among the most recommended ways to reach the Salt Flats, according to expert travel.
-
How to Get Here
From Calama: Once in Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL), you need to take a 2-hour connection flight to the northern city of Calama (CJC). We advise you to book an early flight in order to be able to relax at the hotel and participate in an easy exploration during the afternoon. We will be waiting for you at Calama airport and will drive you to Explora.
After crossing the Bolivian Altiplano, the travesía ends in Uyuni. In the morning of the last day, we will take you to the International Joya Andina Airport (UYU) where you will be able to board a plane to La Paz (LPB).
From Uyuni: To start this travesía in Bolivia, you will need to reach the Internacional Joya Andina Airport (UYU). We will pick you up there to begin the journey.
Once the Travesía is over, we will take you to Calama Airport (CJC) from Explora , where you will be able to take a flight to Santiago (SCL).
-
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
TRANSFER ON ARRIVAL
1) When the Travesía begins in Atacama, Chile, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team. The pick up time is subject to the flight time.
– Hotels in Calama and San Pedro de Atacama: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before.
2) When the Travesía begins in Uyuni, Bolivia, we offer a pick-up service at the following locations:
– Uyuni Airport: Prior coordination with the reservations team, according to flight schedule.
– Hotels in Uyuni: The time will be coordinated with travelers the day before. We recommend the pick up at 09:00 to reach the lodge around 11:00.
*We recommend that travelers arrive in La Paz first and spend a day there to start their acclimatization process.
TRANSFER ON DEPARTURE
– Departure transfer from San Pedro de Atacama: Check-out is at 10:00. Transfers to the airport or hotels in Calama are until 12:00 and do not include lunch on the day of departure. The departure time from the lodge to the Calama Airport is three hours before the flight.
– Departure transfer from Uyuni: The departure time from the lodge to the Uyuni Airport is two hours before the flight. If travelers are staying at a hotel in Uyuni, the departure will be coordinated at 10:00.
If they need to return to Atacama, there is a private transfer service at 08:00 at an additional charge for a maximum of 2 people with lunch included. Due to the distance, we recommend booking flights departing from Calama after 17:30. (service not available between 15 Dec and 15 Mar)
Contact your travel agent or sales executive to consult availability and obtain further information.
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: After 13:00.
Check-out:
– Airport and Hotels in Uyuni: 10:00.– Hotels and Airport in Calama or Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama: 08:00.
Before booking with us, we recommend that you check the frequency of flights from Uyuni to La Paz or from Calama.
Lunch service is included only for the trip back from Uyuni to Calama, where we recommend that travelers book a flight after 17:30.
-
Visa Requirements for BoliviaCountries Exempt from Visa RequirementsThe following countries’ citizens do not need a visa to enter Bolivia. Travelers can present either a national ID card (for specific countries) or a valid passport: Germany, Slovakia, Norway, Andorra, Estonia, New Zealand, Argentina (Mercosur), Finland, Netherlands, Australia, Philippines, Palestine, Austria, France, Panama, Belgium, Hungary, Paraguay (Mercosur), Brazil (Mercosur), Greece, Peru, Canada, Iceland, Poland, Colombia, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Costa Rica, Italy, Russia, Czech Republic, Japan, Great Britain, Chile (Mercosur), Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Croatia, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Turkey, Ecuador, Luxembourg, Uruguay (Mercosur), Spain, Mexico, Vatican, Slovenia, Monaco, and Venezuela (Mercosur).
Travelers Requiring a VisaIf your country requires a visa to enter Bolivia, you can obtain it at the border. However, due to the remote nature of this crossing and to avoid delays, we highly recommend securing your visa at the Bolivian consulate in your country before traveling. To apply for a Bolivian visa, ensure you have the following documents prepared:- Visa application sworn statement
- Color photocopy of your valid passport (must have at least six months of validity remaining)
- Two passport-sized, color photos with a white background
- Color photocopy of your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Photocopy of your Explora booking confirmation (must include your name)
- Photocopy of your flight tickets out of Bolivia, showing your name, flight details, and date.
- Proof of economic solvency: Photocopy of a valid credit card (front and back) in your name
- Visa fee: USD 160 in cash per person (please carry the exact amount for each individual traveler to avoid issues at payment).
Important Notes:
- All cash must be in USD, new, untorn, and free from any markings or writing.
-
Each traveler must have a separate copy of the required documents, even if traveling as a couple or family.
Child Entry and Exit Requirements for ChileWhen traveling with minors under the age of 18 to or from Chile, additional documentation may be required. It is important to verify the most up-to-date requirements
-
Passport for the minor: Valid and with sufficient remaining validity.
-
Parental authorization: If the minor is traveling with only one parent or a guardian, a notarized authorization from the non-accompanying parent(s) may be required.
-
Birth certificate: To verify the relationship between the minor and accompanying adults.
Check them here, and please ensure all documents are in order to avoid delays during entry or exit procedures.
Additional InformationIt is important to note that Explora does not process visas or travel documents. For assistance with reservations, quotes, or further information, please contact our Reservations Team at reserve@explora.com.
