SALAR DE UYUNI

The Salar de Uyuni, also known as Salar de Tunupa, is located at 3,658 meters above sea level and covers an area of 10,582 square kilometers. Like the Salar de Coipasa and Lake Poopó, it was formed by the disappearance of Lake Tauca over 14,000 years ago. It is the largest salt desert in the world.

This circuit is feasible all year round except in rainy periods. It can of course be coupled with a longer tour (4 days) covering the whole South-Lípez region. Leave early in the morning: the dawn on this salt desert can be a real symphony of colors.

The 4WD trip will first take you to the Colchani salt mine. You will be shown the process of iodizing and packaging the salt for marketing.

Then, ask to stop at the Ojos del Salar, where you will be careful not to fall (there is still water under the salt). You will then pass by the Dakar salt monument, and then by the old Playa Blanca salt hotel, transformed since 2001 into a handicraft store and small museum (everyone stops there, it is not a place for touristophobes). It is probable that you will make a lunch break there before penetrating then really on the Salar..

Emotion guaranteed, it will be without any doubt one of the strong moments of your stay in Bolivia. However, there is nothing, there is only white, as far as the eye can see, all around you. Only the sacred volcano Tunupa, in the north, allows you to orient yourself. It is strongly recommended to stop the vehicle and to walk on the Salar. Ask the driver to pick you up after half an hour. It is difficult to imagine that only ten years ago men and llamas regularly made the complete crossing in 2 or 3 days.

Obligatory stop at the Isla Incahuasi ( "the house of the Inca" in Quechua) or on the Isla del Pescado.

At the end of the afternoon, it is possible to return to Uyuni or, better, to continue towards the north in order to spend the night in Coquesa, in one of the refuges of the village (there is even one built in salt). The sunset on the Salar is a spectacle not to be missed under any pretext. For the most courageous, it is possible to make a night trip to the edge of the Salar, to observe the stars and admire this salt expanse in the light of the moon. An advice: cover yourself well!

The next day, we start the ascent of the Tunupa volcano (5 321 m).

It will be then time to join Uyuni or to continue your way towards the south, in general the villages of Atullcha, San Juan or Coquesa.