If you see any photo of the salt flats and you don't want to jump on a plane and head straight there, you don't have the travel bug, & you can't buy it, learn it or grow it. See that x on the top right, click it and move on, thanks!
We flew in from La Paz to Uyuni on Amazonas air, pretty good airline. Shame what we have become accustomed to in the States. But I digress. You are landing in a pretty remote airport, so don't expect frills. They get you and your bags there, don't fuss. Standard cab fare to the town, can be arranged by your tour company. If I ever were to say that the selection of a safari / tour company is critical, this is the one time. The company is Red Planet. Do not pick someone else. Here is why" it's not the service, its not the price, its not the guide. It's simply the Hot Springs (one of the grandest experiences of my travels is floating in a Hot Spring at night, on a mountain that's 5,000 meters above see level). All tour operators get you there, but what Red Planet does, is get you there at dusk before the rest of the operators who arrive just after dawn the next day. You and your group are the only ones there and you have the Spring to yourself and group (8 ppl, and yes, you do have ample room). Next morning, there will be 2 dozen jeeps with 8 times as many people fighting to get into the Spring. Its like pigs fighting under a blanket. Horror. We actually felt sorry, because they missed the experience when it was empty and had the night sky and stars blanket your view. Can't stress this enough: Red Planet.
ok, Day 1, is all about the salt flats. The pictures are enough, we had a blast. Taking stupid photos, played Frisbee, walked for a mile or two, starring at nothing but the vastness and the beauty of the honey combed ground, stretched as far as the eye can see. 2 major regrets: a) bring the flag of your country and plant it in the area where others have done the same. Leave your mark. b) Should have had a football with me (soccer for the yanks). The flats are so smooth, couldn't stop thinking how great it would be to play a game of pick up. At night, you stay in a dorm made of salt. very cool.
Day 2: Amazing scenery, the green lake, the red lake. The water is actually as green as the Hulk's skin and the other as Red as when Moses turned the Nile's waters to blood (yes, i was there. No, I don't have pictures) Wild life in these remote areas were amazing, flamingos for one. Who doesn't like flamingos? Enjoy the mountains terrain, colors out of fantasy land. Finally Geysers. These were my first, so I was really impressed. Here you get to the Hot Springs. After dinner (really good food), you are free to jump into the hot spring. Just your group gets to enjoy this experience, you watch the sun set below the clouds, which are at the same elevation as you. Imagine that. Beverage in hand, stars in the night sky, excellent company, warm water drowns you as the cold air brushes up against your face and shoulders. No words can describe the satisfaction.
Day 3: Wake up early before sunrise, watch it as you take a final dip in the hot spring. About the time you are beyond satisfied, the other jeeps start rolling in. Nearly a hundred people show up, they push each other to get into the spring. You are done and you enjoyed it. You head back to town, with alot of great scenery again. Spend the rest of the day walking around Uyuni, nice small town, with some markets and pretty good food and pretty darn cheap. Next day, catch your flight out, and be content, you just did something not alot of people can claim. Travel fever, temporarily cured.
Now: important, have protein bars, toilet paper (primitive through out the trip, yes, I do mean hole in the ground), a towel (REI sells some great camping ones). Sunscreen, hat, scarf, sunglasses, ipod for the long drives and warm clothes for when you are high in the mountains, and some light clothes when your burning in the desert heat.
If you want to enjoy it the most, go during rainy season. We went during dry season, (we are professionals, time is tight), and the benefits are a) cheaper b) less tourists.