This high-altitude itinerary connects La Paz, Lake Titicaca and the Salar de Uyuni in twelve days. It includes a three-day southwest tour and a return buffer, but road closures or altitude illness can require a longer trip. Book flexible transport and discuss your plans with a health professional before departure.
What to know before you go
- For altitude: La Paz, Titicaca and Uyuni are already high, and the southwest circuit climbs higher. Flying directly to La Paz carries a risk even with rest days. Discuss your plans with a health professional and read the CDC’s altitude advice. Do not go higher with symptoms; if they are severe or worsening, descend and seek urgent medical help.
- For the Uyuni tour: Ask where you will sleep and what the vehicle, heating, drinking water and emergency arrangements include. Nights in the southwest can be cold, so bring warm layers and a headlamp.
- For flexibility: Keep a night between the tour and your flight; road closures or illness can disrupt the return.
Day 1: Arrive in La Paz
Arriving in La Paz from low altitude means a sudden change in elevation. Keep the first day quiet: settle into your accommodation, eat a light meal and postpone strenuous sightseeing. Discuss altitude prevention with a clinician before travel, especially if you have existing health concerns.
If you feel unwell, do not go higher. Worsening symptoms require descent and medical attention. Allow more acclimatization time or choose a lower-altitude start if your health or travel history calls for it.
Day 2: La Paz at a gentle pace
Explore the city slowly, taking breaks as needed. Mi Teleférico connects neighbourhoods and offers views across the valley without a steep climb on foot. Visit a market and try salteñas, savoury filled pastries, for a local snack.
Avoid heavy exercise and alcohol during the first 48 hours at altitude. Ask your accommodation about transport to Copacabana and check current road conditions before booking.
Day 3: Travel to Copacabana
Travel to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca and spend the afternoon by the waterfront. Check the bus or private transfer arrangements, including the crossing at the Tiquina Strait, and leave room for delays. The lake is high, so continue to take activity slowly.
If you feel well and the weather is clear, consider the climb towards Cerro Calvario. It is steep: turn around or skip it if breathlessness or other symptoms make it uncomfortable.
Day 4: Isla del Sol
Take a boat to Isla del Sol and choose a walk that fits the boat schedule and your energy. Ask locally which paths and archaeological areas are open, where fees are paid and when the return boat leaves. Carry water, sun protection and warm layers.
The island communities manage access to their land, so respect local rules and ask before taking photographs. Return to Copacabana or stay overnight only if your accommodation and next connection are confirmed.
Day 5: Return to La Paz
Travel back to La Paz and use the rest of the day to prepare for Uyuni. Confirm your flight or road connection, tour pickup, park fees and the route back from the southwest. Road disruptions can happen, so check with your transport provider before departure.
If you still have altitude symptoms, do not continue to higher, more remote areas. Change the plan and seek medical advice.
Day 6: Travel to Uyuni
Travel to Uyuni and allow the day for the connection and tour preparations. Flights and road schedules vary; choose a service that leaves a buffer before the salt-flats departure. The train cemetery outside town is an optional short visit if you arrive early and feel well.
Meet your operator and ask about the vehicle, driver, accommodation, drinking water, heating and emergency arrangements. Confirm where each night is spent and what happens if conditions change.
Day 7: Salar de Uyuni
Begin a guided salt-flats trip. The broad white surface, salt-working areas and distant mountains make for a distinctive first day. Depending on water and road conditions, your operator may also include Isla Incahuasi; its paths and views are not always accessible.
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and warm layers. Follow your driver’s route across the salar, especially in the wet season, and avoid leaving rubbish or disturbing fragile areas.
Day 8: High-altitude lagoons and flamingos
Continue towards the southwest highlands if the booked itinerary and conditions permit. Laguna Colorada is known for flamingos and striking colour, but wildlife sightings and the route depend on the season and weather. Watch birds from a distance and follow protected-area rules.
This stage is higher and more remote than Uyuni. Cold nights, limited medical access and altitude make operator selection and acclimatization essential. If anyone develops worsening symptoms, descend and seek medical help rather than continuing higher.
Day 9: Return across the highlands to Uyuni
Return to Uyuni with your tour, using the third day for the long drive and stops your operator has confirmed. The exact circuit varies with weather, road access and where you spent the night; ask how much of the day will be in the vehicle.
Stay in Uyuni instead of tying the tour directly to a flight. If you chose a one-day salar excursion rather than the higher lagoons, use these days for a slower stay and an additional buffer.
Day 10: Return to La Paz
Travel back to La Paz and keep the rest of the day flexible. Check flight or road status before leaving, and leave more time if strikes, weather or roadblocks affect your route. A booked transfer through your accommodation can simplify the final connection.
Enjoy dinner in town and take a quiet evening after the long excursion. If transport is delayed, use the following day as your buffer.
Day 11: Tiwanaku or a reserve day
If your return went smoothly and you feel well, visit the archaeological site of Tiwanaku as a day trip from La Paz. Arrange transport and check opening hours, then take time at the museum and ceremonial area. The site is exposed, so pack a hat and water.
If the Uyuni return was delayed, keep this day in reserve. You can also choose an easy city visit instead of another road trip.
Day 12: La Paz and departure
Confirm your airport transfer and leave ample time for check-in and traffic. With a later flight, spend the morning at a market or museum rather than planning a distant excursion. Weather and road conditions can change quickly, so keep checking your departure information.
For the lake and island, Bolivia’s tourism information is a starting point; confirm boat and community access locally.