There are days that feel like several trips in one. Tour 3 of the 2026 Gunslingers Route is exactly that: culture, geology, landscape, and “wow” moment after “wow” moment. It’s the day when the companion takes ownership of the Salar de Uyuni and its surroundings, while the cyclists write their own story on the bike.
The journey begins heading north, towards the imposing Tunupa volcano, a multicolored mountain that rises like a guardian of the salt flat. Along the way, you pass by wetlands where llamas and alpacas graze, and where the intense green contrasts with the dry land around. It is a great opportunity to see Andean life up close and understand that the high plateau is much more than desert and salt.
At the foot of Tunupa lies the community of Coqueza, a small village that guards one of the archaeological treasures of the region: the chullpas with pre-Columbian mummies. A visit to the archaeological center allows one to get close to these human remains, preserved for centuries by the cold and dryness of the cave. It is not a conventional museum; it is an intimate, almost sacred space where time seems suspended. Leaving there leaves a strange and powerful feeling: that of having stood before a very ancient, yet very present, history.
From Coqueza, a short but intense hike leads to a viewpoint of Tunupa, from where one can get one of the most impressive views of the Salar de Uyuni. From above, the white surface stretches as far as the eye can see, like a motionless ocean of salt. It is one of those places where words fall short, and one can only look, breathe, and hold the image forever.
The tour continues to the Chiquini Cave, a fascinating geological formation created by ancient volcanic processes. Entering the cave is like stepping into a world of textures and shapes carved by lava and time. The guide will explain its origin, but even without a technical explanation, the place is impressive on its own: columns, walls, and ceilings that look hand-carved, but were designed by nature long before we arrived.
Then comes one of the great moments of the trip: the special lunch in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni. The trucks stop on the salt crust, a table is set up, and suddenly, you are eating in the midst of a completely white landscape, surrounded by a 360° horizon. It’s a simple luxury, but unforgettable. This is where the best conversations of the trip often arise, shared laughter, and many photos.
The afternoon continues with a visit to Incahuasi Island, famous for its giant cacti and panoramic views of the salt flat. A marked trail leads to a viewpoint from which the scale of the place can be understood: the salt flat, the mountains, Tunupa in the distance, all in a single scene. It’s the kind of place where the camera doesn’t rest for a second.
Before the golden hour, the group passes by the Playa Blanca Museum, the Plaza de las Banderas, and the Dakar Monument. These are iconic spots, perfect for “postcard” photos: your country’s flag waving alongside many others, the Dakar logo carved in salt, salt sculptures that change over time. At this point in the day, you’re not just visiting places anymore: you’re completing a small mental album of memories.
The perfect ending comes with the sunset over the salt flat. The group stops at an open spot, pours some wine and snacks, and all that’s left is to watch the sky change color over the white of the salt flat. If there is a bit of water on the surface, the reflection turns everything into an infinite mirror. If it’s dry, the salt polygons create a hypnotic pattern as the sun sets. In both cases, it’s an ending that is hard to forget.
This tour is, for many travelers, the day that justifies the entire trip: the moment when the salt flat stops being a picture on the internet and becomes an experience lived with all the senses.