In far southwestern Bolivia, near the Chilean border, are the largest salt flats in the world, a remnant of an ancient sea that once covered this area. We went on a three-day tour of this remote corner of the world.
We arrived in Uyuni, the windblown jumping off point, via a 10-hour overnight bus from La Paz. The last 7 hours of the ride bumped us over washboard dirt roads that jarred our entire bodies with vibrations. No surprise, the bus broke down within sight of the white salt. After about an hour (in which the driver and another crew member were seen getting out with two wrenches) we were miraculously up and going again.
Salt, pick-axed out of the ground by hand, piled up to dry.
Nothing in sight but never-ending white.
Opening our eyes in the blinding light was a major feat!
A salt hotel where (almost) everything is made of salt, including the walls, chairs and tables.
Photo at the island of Incahuasi, an otherworldly island surrounded by salt full of cacti that are over 1000 years old.
Altiplano, Lakes & Flamingos
After leaving the salt flats, we headed south to see the altiplano (high plains) of Bolivia, along with its lakes and wildlife.
After leaving the salt flats, we headed south to see the altiplano (high plains) of Bolivia, along with its lakes and wildlife.
Here we are, along with 4 Canadians who shared our tour, in front of our trusty Land Cruiser that our guide seemed to repair at every stop. Those two jugs on top are full of gasoline as there were no service stations anywhere on route.
Altiplano lake full of flamingos. We will no longer only associate the pink birds with the tropics (it was freezing!).
Fox
Stone tree formed by erosion.
Flamingos at Laguna Colorada, or Red Lake. It's hard to tell from this photo because the sun was setting, but this lake is red due to algae growth.
The road.
Geysers.
Vicunas, small deer-like animals that are now endangered due to overhunting (they have extremely soft fur).
The only road sign we saw out here!
