La Paz to Uyuni: 10-Day Private Bolivia Highlights Tour
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
10 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness recommended; ability to walk uneven stone paths and tolerate long drives at high altitude.
Overview
A private 10-day arc from La Paz to Uyuni that stitches highland archaeology, salt-flat spectacle, colonial cities and living Andean culture into a single trip. Expect thin air, long drives, and unforgettable light.
La Paz to Uyuni: 10-Day Private Bolivia Highlights Tour
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You step out of El Alto airport and the air pushes back—thin, clear, a physical reminder that you are already high in a city that grew vertically along a ravine. The cable cars—Mi Teleférico—slice like colorful threads between ridgelines, and below them La Paz unfurls: plazas crowded with vendors, the Basilica de San Francisco’s carved stone face, and the Witches' Market where bundles of herbs and llama fetuses wait as offerings. This ten-day private itinerary moves with the same deliberate pace as the landscape: fast on the maps, slow in the body.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Acclimatize on arrival
Spend your first 24–48 hours in La Paz taking it easy—avoid heavy exertion, hydrate, and sleep well to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Protect your eyes and skin
Uyuni’s salt reflects intense UV—bring high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and glacier-rated sunglasses.
Carry small cash
Markets in Colchani and Tarabuco, and some remote vendors, accept only cash—carry Bolivianos for souvenirs and tips.
Layer for drastic temperature swings
Daily highs can be mild while nights drop below freezing—pack insulated mid-layers and a packable down jacket.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Vizcacha (rock-dwelling rodent) around rocky outcrops
- Andean flamingos in high-altitude lagoons near Uyuni
History
The route traverses Tiwanaku ruins—an advanced pre-Inca center linked to Lake Titicaca—and Cerro Rico, whose colonial-era silver output reshaped global trade and the region's fortunes.
Conservation
Uyuni’s salt flat is fragile; avoid driving off marked tracks and support local guides who follow sustainable practices. Local communities manage many sites—respect cultural zones and avoid single-use plastics.
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Adventure Hotspots in La Paz
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Insulated down jacket
Keeps you warm during cold nights in Uyuni and high-altitude towns.
High-UV sunglasses and sunscreen
Protects against intense solar reflection on the salt flats and at altitude.
Sturdy walking shoes
Necessary for uneven cobblestones, archaeological sites, and Isla del Sol trails.
Reusable water bottle with filter
Hydration is crucial for acclimatization; a filter helps where potable water is uncertain.