Salar de Uyuni Sunset & Stars Tour Review 2025: A Day of Magic

I was standing on what looked like a giant, frozen sea of white, you know. The “Full day Salar – Sunset and Stars” tour in Salar de Uyuni for 2025 is actually something that sticks with you for a really long time. So, I wanted to share my personal take on this day trip, sort of what it felt like from the beginning right to the starry end. Honestly, it’s more than just a tour; it’s pretty much a complete sensory reset button. We got picked up in a rugged 4×4, which you definitely need out here. The anticipation was, like, palpable among the small group of us bundled up in the vehicle. The air was thin and crisp, and right from the start, it felt a little like we were heading to a different planet.

First Stop: The Train Graveyard and an Endless Expanse

Our first stop, actually, was the famous Train Graveyard just outside Uyuni town. I mean, it’s a bit of a surreal playground full of rusting hulks from Bolivia’s past mining boom. We spent a good hour climbing on them, and you could almost hear the ghosts of industry whispering on the wind. It’s pretty much a photographer’s dream, with the corroded metal looking stark against the bright blue sky. After that, we seriously drove onto the Salar proper. And, well, words can’t quite do it justice, to be honest. You see this impossibly huge, white hexagon-tiled floor stretching out to the horizon in every direction. It’s a very humbling sight, you know. The sheer scale of the place sort of makes you feel incredibly small, in a good way.

Our guide, a local who really knew his stuff, explained how the salt flats were formed. He was basically a walking encyclopedia, but he told the stories in a way that was completely gripping. We then stopped at the original salt hotel, which is almost entirely built from salt bricks. Obviously, you can’t stay there anymore, but it’s a cool spot to see. I mean, we were walking on salt, sitting on salt furniture, and just surrounded by salt. At the end of the day, it was a crazy thought to process. Next to the hotel are all these flags from different countries, like a little splash of color in the middle of all that white. Of course, we added our own mark, feeling like part of a global community of travelers who’d been there before.

An Afternoon of Illusions and Watery Reflections

The afternoon was, like, all about having fun with the weirdness of the landscape. Our driver knew exactly where to go to find a dry, expansive area that was perfect for taking those classic perspective photos. You know the ones—where you’re standing on a giant banana or running from a toy dinosaur. I mean, it’s a little cheesy, but honestly, it’s so much fun. Our group was just in stitches laughing as our guide directed us into all sorts of silly poses. As a matter of fact, these photos are now some of my absolute favorites from my trip to South America.

After the fun and games, our guide drove us to a different part of the flats, a spot where a thin layer of water had collected. This is apparently what everyone really comes to see. It’s just like the world’s biggest mirror, and honestly, it’s absolutely mind-bending. You can’t really tell where the ground ends and the sky begins. We just walked around in it, with the water barely covering our ankles, feeling like we were literally walking on clouds. Lunch was set up right there, more or less on the water. We sat on the back of the 4×4 and had a really delicious meal of quinoa, llama meat, and fresh vegetables that our guide had prepared. Okay, eating a hot meal in such a stunning and bizarre location is an experience I will never, ever forget.

The Sunset Show: When the Sky Catches Fire

As the day started to wind down, we settled in for the main event: the sunset. At the end of the day, this is what the tour is named for, and it does not disappoint. The sun begins its slow descent, and the whole world, both above and below your feet, just sort of ignites with color. The white salt flat and the water on top of it acted like a giant canvas, you know. We saw brilliant shades of orange, deep pinks, and fiery reds reflected so perfectly that you felt like you were floating in a dream. It’s almost too beautiful to be real. Our guide handed out some Bolivian wine, and we all just stood there, completely silent, watching the spectacle. You are just completely present in that moment. Seriously, no photo can ever fully capture that feeling, but we all definitely tried.

Honestly, watching the sun dip below the horizon on the Salar is like watching two sunsets at once—one in the sky and an identical one right at your feet. It’s incredibly profound, and you feel a real connection to the planet. It’s just one of those core memories, for sure.

A Universe at Your Feet: Stargazing on the Salt Flats

Just when you think it can’t possibly get any more magical, it does. As the last bit of color faded from the sky, the stars began to appear. I mean, first it was just one or two, then a dozen, then thousands, then millions. So, with no light pollution for miles and miles, the view of the night sky is absolutely staggering. You are seeing the Milky Way so clearly it looks like a thick, shimmering cloud painted across the heavens. And, you know, the reflection on the water was still there. It literally felt like we were floating through space, with stars both above us and beneath us. It’s a completely disorienting and utterly awe-inspiring feeling.

Our guide, still full of energy, used a laser pointer to show us different constellations, some of which I’d never seen before, like the Southern Cross. He told us some of the local indigenous stories about the stars, which was really just a beautiful touch. It connected the amazing view to the culture of the land we were on. We laid down on blankets, sipped on some hot tea, and just stared up, or down, at the universe. It was really, really cold by then, but I barely even noticed. I mean, I was too busy having my mind completely blown. At the end of the day, it’s that part of the tour that really earns its name, ‘Magic Salar’.

What You Need to Know: Practical Pointers for a Perfect Day

Okay, so if you’re going to do this trip, there are a few things you definitely need to keep in mind. First, layer up, seriously. The weather on the Salar changes dramatically. You’ll be warm, maybe even hot, under the midday sun, but once that sun goes down, the temperature plummets incredibly fast. So, thermal underwear, a fleece, a warm jacket, a beanie, and gloves are pretty much non-negotiable for the sunset and star-gazing part. Also, sunglasses are absolutely a must-have; the sun reflecting off the white salt is so intense, it’s like being on a ski slope. Sunscreen is also very important, obviously.

Here’s a quick list of what I’d recommend packing:

• Warm Layers: Like, more than you think you need. A thermal shirt, a fleece, and a windproof/warm jacket are a good start.
• Sun Protection: High-SPF sunscreen, a hat with a wide brim, and good quality sunglasses are your best friends here.
• Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots are good, but most tours will actually give you rubber boots (wellies) for the parts with water. Just make sure to wear thick, warm socks.
• Camera and Extra Batteries: The cold can really drain your camera and phone batteries surprisingly fast. So, bring a portable power bank just in case.
• Snacks and Water: Although our tour provided lunch and drinks, having some extra water and a few snacks is always a smart idea, you know.
• A Sense of Wonder: I mean, just be ready to be amazed. Go with the flow, have fun with the photos, and just soak in the incredible scenery around you.

Read our full review: Full day Salar- Sunset and Stars; Magic Salar Full Review and Details
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