A New Way to Sleep on Salt
From July 2027, travellers heading to Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni will have a new option: sleeping in an Airstream on the salt flat itself. Samkani Camp, a project by A&K Sanctuary, will place six custom Airstream trailers directly on the 10,582-square-kilometre expanse, making it one of the only accommodation options situated on the flat rather than at its edges.
The name Samkani translates to "the one who dreams" in Aymara, the indigenous language of Bolivia's Altiplano region. The camp will include five guest suites and one dining trailer, all architect-designed with interiors that use Bolivian blue marble, wood, and polished steel. The aluminium shells are meant to echo the mirror effect that covers the flat during the wet season, which runs from December through April.
The Salar de Uyuni sits at 3,656 metres above sea level in the Daniel Campos Province, near the Andes. Its eight-metre-thick crust of salt supports a sparse but adapted ecosystem, and the sheer scale and altitude create conditions unlike anywhere else. During the rainy months, a thin layer of water transforms the surface into a vast reflective plane, a draw for photographers and travellers willing to navigate the logistics of getting there.
What the Camp Offers
Each Airstream suite is designed to function as a self-contained room, with the polished interiors aiming to balance the starkness outside. The camp will provide more than 30 guided experiences, all led by a private guide and driver assigned to each booking. These experiences focus on the geology, culture, and daily rhythms of the salt flat, rather than adrenaline activities.
A&K Sanctuary describes the camp as built for solitude. The flat's silence and remoteness are part of the appeal, and the camp's design leans into that, with no large communal spaces or group programming. Guests will travel with their own guide, allowing for flexible schedules and a more intimate scale.
The broader region around Uyuni has leaned into unconventional accommodation for years. Many hotels near the flat are constructed from salt blocks, a practical choice given the scarcity of timber and other building materials. Samkani takes a different approach, importing the Airstream trailers and outfitting them for high-altitude conditions.
Booking and Access
Reservations are not yet open. A&K Sanctuary has indicated that Samkani will be bookable as part of its Tailormade journeys, which are custom itineraries built around individual preferences, or as a component of small-group trips. Interested travellers can sign up for updates through the company's website.
Access to Uyuni typically involves a flight to La Paz or Sucre, followed by a smaller plane to Uyuni town or a long overland drive. The salt flat itself has no paved roads, and weather conditions, particularly during the wet season, can affect travel plans. The camp's location directly on the flat will eliminate the daily commute from town-based hotels, but it also means guests will be subject to the same weather and altitude challenges.
The project reflects a broader trend in remote tourism, where the appeal lies in access to landscapes that feel untouched, paired with design-forward comfort. Whether that combination resonates with travellers willing to navigate Uyuni's altitude and isolation will become clear once the camp opens next year.
The Salt Flat Itself
Salar de Uyuni formed over millennia as prehistoric lakes evaporated, leaving behind a thick deposit of salt and other minerals. The surface is mostly flat, though small islands of rock and cacti dot the expanse, remnants of ancient volcanic peaks. The flat is also a significant source of lithium, and mining activity has increased in recent years, adding an economic dimension to the region's tourism.
Stargazing is another draw. The high altitude, dry air, and lack of light pollution create exceptionally clear night skies. During the dry season, the hexagonal salt patterns that form across the surface add a geometric texture to the landscape, while the wet season's mirror effect blurs the line between earth and sky.
For travellers who prioritise landscape over amenities, the Uyuni region offers something genuinely distinct. Samkani Camp is betting that enough people will want to stay in that landscape, rather than just visit it for the day.
