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Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest and highest salt desert sitting at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level. This amazing salt desert covers 4,200 square miles which is about 25 times bigger than the Salt Flats in Utah and is surrounded by high Andean peaks. To stand in the middle of this amazing place is an experience like no other.
It is believed that about 25,000 years ago, the area was part of a giant prehistoric called Lake Minchin and that the lake covered much of southwest Bolivia. Eventually, the lake dried up and left behind a huge salt desert known as Salar de Uyuni. The Salar is said to be formed when the last waters from the lake evaporated, leaving behind salt that eventually deposited into the lowest lying part in that region and being leached by rain from the surrounding mountains.
Driving across Salar de Uyuni is one of the most fascinating experiences in South America. While taking a trip through this region and across this salt desert you encounter some of the most amazing natural wonders in the world; unusual rock formations, red mountains, geysers, hot springs, volcanoes, giant cacti, red and green lakes. You'll also find wildlife such as many flamingos, llamas, vicuña (llama relative), and strange looking rabbits. A trip to this remote corner of Bolivia can be extended by continuing south to see two of Bolivia's natural wonders, the fiery red Laguna Colorado and the greenish-blue coloured Laguna Verde. These spectacular lakes lie about 350 km (215 miles) southwest of Uyuni, across a desert landscape and over rugged dirt tracks and links the small town of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. This trip is best done as 2 or 3 night trip staying overnight in local accommodation on the edge of multi coloured lakes, which are watched over by towering volcanoes. THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Below is a list of things to see and do around Uyuni, but due to the wide variety of options available around the area and the remoteness of the region, we strongly recommend talking to us so we can create a specific itinerary for you.
Isla del Pescado (Fish Island). The island is an oasis in the middle of Salar de Uyuni, with a unique and isolated ecosystem that is populated by cacti, some of which are up to 30 feet tall (about 10 meters) and more than a thousand years old. Called fish island because the island looks like a huge fish from far away, but should really be called cactus island! Arboles de Piedra (trees of stone). This unusual rock formation looks like a tree. Geologists are baffled by this formation, but they know it was thrown out of one of the nearby volcanoes thousands of years ago. WEATHER
Since Salar de Uyuni is basically a desert, the weather conditions in the region can get extreme, from fiercely hot sun during the day to freezing night temperatures. It is not uncommon for temperatures in the Salar de Uyuni to reach 30°C (86°F) during the day and fall to -25°C (-13°F) the following night.
November through March is summer and warmer, but sees the highest levels of rainfall and the salt flats will typically be covered in shallow water. As far as weather, the best months to visit Uyuni are between June and October, after the worst of the winter chills and before the summer rains. At any time of year you'll need protection against sun, wind and cold.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Uyuni
This is a very basic lodge located in between Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde. Its sole function is to provide food and lodging for the night in between the Uyuni salt flats and the town of San Pedro in Chile
Atacama
Alto Atacama has been built from the very soil of Atacama and the native wood of Coligue which covers the roofs, creating beautiful displays of light and shadow. Alto Atacama also has state of the art facilities
Uyuni
The Luna Salada is one of the most interesting hotels in the whole of Bolivia, if not South America. Built entirely of salt blocks, the hotel sits on a small hill overlooking the Uyuni salt flats.
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