The Salar de Uyuni is a vast salt desert that extends in the Bolivian highlands. It is notable for the overwhelming feeling of space where the horizon seems endless. Additionally, the Salar de Uyuni is home to several species of flamingos and brightly colored lagoons, making it a popular destination for nature and photography lovers.
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Salt desert
To tell the truth, it is really a difficult area to access, and most visitors do so with an organized tour from different points in the South American region. To get to the salt flat, the first thing is to get to the town of Uyuni. The most common routes are from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, from Tupiza to Uyuni and from La Paz to Uyuni.
Walks in the salt flat
Walking along the white, flat surface of the Salar de Uyuni is a unique experience. On clear days, the blue sky and bright salt create a stunning landscape.
Incahuasi Island
It is a small island covered in cactus located in the middle of the salt flat. You can walk to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the salt flat.
The Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve
It is a natural reserve located south of the Salar de Uyuni and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as a series of tourist attractions such as the Sol de Mañana geysers, Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde.
If you wonder why it has this name, we will tell you that Eduardo Avaroa was a Bolivian hero who fought in the Pacific War against Chile in the late 19th century. The reserve has an area of approximately 7,147 km² and is located at an altitude of between 4,200 and 5,000 meters above sea level.
The area is home to a wide variety of animal species, including vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, flamingos, foxes, condors and guanacos. There are also several volcanoes, lagoons, geysers and other geothermal phenomena, which makes its landscape spectacular. Among the most popular places to visit in the reserve are Laguna Colorada inhabited by thousands of flamingos; the geysers of Sol de Mañana, a geothermal area with fumaroles and hot water pools; and the Salar de Chalviri, a salt flat that has hot springs. It is important to note that due to the extreme nature of the reserve, caution is necessary when visiting. If you visit you should be prepared for the cold and windy weather, the altitude and difficult road conditions.
Colorada Lagoon
It is a reddish lagoon in the highlands of Bolivia, located about 5,000 meters above sea level. It is a stunning place to see Andean flamingos and other wild animals.
The Green Lagoon
It has an emerald green color with a high content of magnesium minerals, calcium carbonate, piombo and arsenic in the water. There is also a goal of great attraction poiché if you find the foot of the Licancabur volcano.
Arbol de piedra [Stone Tree]
This geological formation is a structure with a shape similar to a trunk and branches and it has been shaped over the years by erosion caused by wind and sand.
The appearance of the Stone Tree resembles a solitary tree in the middle of the desert, making it a popular tourist attraction in the region. Surely, you will be able to explore the salt flat, walk around the Stone Tree and marvel at the extraordinary geological formations found in the area.
Sol de mañana [Morning Sun] Geysers
They are in a small pot-shaped valley where there are several holes with fumaroles rising high and expanding everywhere. The columns of steam during the morning reach between ten and fifty meters.
Quetena Chico
It is the only population that is within the reserve. It has several hostels, thus being a resting place for tourists who visit these wonderful places.
Stargazing
The Salar de Uyuni is an ideal place for stargazing, since there is no light pollution.
The city of Uyuni
It is located in the Potosí region, about 3,700 meters above sea level. It is known for being close to the Salar de Uyuni, and for being the starting point for many tourist excursions to this unique natural attraction.
This city is also known for its mining history and for its connection to the railroad that once transported minerals from Bolivia to Chile. Currently, the city has a variety of tourist options, including visits to the Salar de Uyuni, bicycle rides through the highlands, and tours of the area’s mines.
Uyuni has several hotels, restaurants and tourism agencies that offer services to visitors who come to explore the Salar de Uyuni and other nearby attractions.
The city of Tupiza
You can also stay in this small city and from there visit the salt flat and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, As in many cities in Bolivia, the main square is a lively place where you can enjoy the local atmosphere, visit craft shops and try Bolivian cuisine in nearby restaurants. Also from this city you can visit:
Inca Canyon
It is one of the main natural attractions of Tupiza. This canyon features impressive rock formations and spectacular landscapes. You can go hiking, horseback riding or just enjoy the views.
Inca Canyon
It is one of the main natural attractions of Tupiza. This canyon features impressive rock formations and spectacular landscapes. You can go hiking, horseback riding or just enjoy the views.
Valley of the Machos
This valley offers unique landscapes with reddish and orange rock formations. It is a popular place for horseback riding or hiking.
Mount Chorolque
It is a mountain near Tupiza that reaches an altitude of more than 5,000 meters above sea level. It is a challenge for the most experienced hikers and mountaineers.
Colchani
In Colchani, a small town near the salt flat, he lives from the extraction and production of salt. If you visit you will find several small family businesses that offer tours of the Salar and crafts made with salt.
In addition to salt production, in Colchani you can find small shops and restaurants that serve visitors who come to explore the Salar de Uyuni.
There are also some tourist accommodations where visitors can stay during their visit to the Salar. On the outskirts of Colchani on the road to the Uyuni salt flats is the Llama and Salt Museum that displays a collection of llama statues, many of them made with salt collected from nearby flats.
Vendors are usually outside the museum selling small salt sculpture souvenirs. The museum is dedicated to the history of salt and its importance in the region’s economy. In the museum you can find exhibits about the way salt is extracted and processed, as well as the lives of the workers who work in the region. There are also exhibitions about the flora and fauna of the Salar de Uyuni, which is one of the main tourist attractions in the area.
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT…
The Atacama Desert in Chile. There are tours that include both destinations. You can also travel it on your own.
FAQ
How to get to Uyuni?
BY TRAIN from Oruro towards Villazón.
BY BUS. They leave from Oruro daily or from Potosí.
BY BUS. From San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). This tour that we experienced is 7 hours.
When should you visit the Salar de Uyuni?
During the months of May to April and October and part of December is the ideal season to visit the salt flat since there are no extreme temperatures.
How to get to the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve?
From Uyuni, crossing the Salar de Uyuni.
If you are looking for an adventure that will leave a special place in your memories, don’t forget to add the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia to your list.
