SALAR DE UYUNI
Located in the
Potosí and Oruro departments, this is the world’s largest salt pan. And when a
thin film of water gathers on the surface it is also the world’s largest
natural mirror. The best sight of this space can be observed from the central
Incahuasi Island. Salar De Uyuni is the remains of a prehistoric lake that
dried off and left behind void space of bright-white salt, rock formations, and
cacti-islands. This place harbors large flocks of beautiful pink flamingos that
can be seen grazing in the water. The best time to visit this place is in the
months of July and October.
Location:
Bolivia
Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is considered one of the most extreme
and remarkable vistas in all of South America, if not Earth. Stretching more
than 4,050 square miles of the Altiplano, it is the world’s largest salt flat,
left behind by prehistoric lakes evaporated long ago. Here, a thick crust of
salt extends to the horizon, covered by quilted, polygonal patterns of salt
rising from the ground.
At certain times of the year, nearby lakes overflow and a
thin layer of water transforms the flats into a stunning reflection of the sky.
This beautiful and otherworldly terrain serves as a lucrative extraction site
for salt and lithium—the element responsible for powering laptops, smart
phones, and electric cars. In addition to local workers who harvest these
minerals, the landscape is home to the world's first salt hotel and populated by road-tripping
tourists. The harsh beauty and desolateness of Salar de Uyuni can make for an
incredible experience or a logistical nightmare. Here’s a guide to help:
HOW TO GET THERE
Located at the crux of Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, the logistics and length of your trip to Salar de
Uyuni will depend where you’re coming from. Tours originate from three main
places:
Uyuni, Bolivia:
The most popular jumping-off point for salt flats tours, Uyuni is a small,
dusty town packed with tourism agencies in Plaza Arce, its main square.
Travelers can book tours in advance online, through tour offices in La Paz, or
they can simply arrive in Uyuni and peruse the options in town. Since Uyuni is
so close to the salt flats, tourists can easily book day trips. Flights from La
Paz to Uyuni can be booked through Amaszonas and BoA (one hour, about $130 round-trip). Overnight buses from La
Paz are available with Trans Omar
and Todo Turismo
(10-12 hours, $30 to $40 each way).
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: Agencies drive travelers to the border before handing the
tour over to a Bolivian operator. Due to the distance, this is a three-day
tour.
Explore Our Destinations
Tupiza, Bolivia: This is the best starting point for travelers coming from Argentina. Tour operators recommend four-day tours from Tupiza, visiting Salar de Uyuni on the final day.
WHEN TO GO
Salar de Uyuni has two distinct seasons. The rainy season
(December to April) is when visitors come to witness the Salar’s breathtaking
mirror effect. Be wary of excessive rain in December and January, as it can
cause tour cancelations. During the dry season (May to November) temperatures
are colder, the ground has hardened, and travelers can drive across the stark
white landscape to places that aren’t accessible in the rainy season. Tour
operators consider June through August their high period, and rates may rise
accordingly.
CHOOSING A TOUR
While the salt flats are one of Bolivia’s most popular
attractions, it’s only a small part of the gorgeous Altiplano region. Many visitors indulge in a three-day tour
(or longer) that includes the deserts, volcanos, geysers, hot springs, and
high-altitude lakes to the south. Tours out of San Pedro de Atacama and Tupiza
are already scheduled to drive through these sites.
Travelers can choose between a shared tour (cheaper and
standardized) or private tour (higher-priced and custom-tailored). Shared tours
generally provide Spanish-speaking guides who double as the driver and chef.
These follow a rigid itinerary that will not likely accommodate individual
requests and can hinder certain times of day, like sunrise or sunset. Private
tours, by contrast, can be customized to a client’s liking, giving travelers
more control over itinerary and the ability to go off the beaten path to
volcanos or caves. Private tours also provide an English-speaking guide, chef,
and a more comfortable vehicle.
Check online reviews and travel guides to carefully choose a
reputable guide. Avoid companies that offer rock bottom prices—they may not
provide an accredited guide or working car, which can endanger tourists. Also
ask your agency whether they carry an emergency radio and first-aid kit.
HOW TO TAKE GREAT PHOTOS
One of the highlights of Salar de Uyuni is an endless
horizon that allows photographers to play with perspective and depth of field.
Stage battle scenes with toy dinosaurs, cook your friends in pots and pans, or
crawl out of seemingly giant jars of peanut butter. The key to great photos is
to get the camera low to the ground and close to your prop. This gives the
perspective that the prop is larger than the human subjects, who stand farther
away. Don’t let your subjects venture too far, though—the larger the distance
between the prop and the subjects, the harder it will be to keep everything in
focus. If your camera permits, make the aperture as narrow as possible.
ODDS AND ENDS
At nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, visitors may
experience altitude sickness if they haven’t properly acclimatized. Symptoms
include nausea, headaches, and insomnia among others. Discuss various options
for preventing and treating altitude sickness with your doctor before your
trip.
Bolivia requires a tourist visa ($160 for U.S. citizens) as
well as a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate to enter the country.
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