Salar of Uyuni in Bolivia
Located southwest of Bolivia and just over 200 miles of Potosi, the Uyuni salt flat is considered the largest and highest in the world. It has an area of 10,582 square kilometers and is located at a height of 3653 meters above the sea.
This semi-desert region of volcanic lands encloses major tourist resources by presenting landscapes of extraordinary beauty and exotic that are also very well regarded by their means. Inside, the salt contains a reserve of 9 million tons of lithium and other minerals.
Upon entering the salar, lost all communication with the outside and the days begin to be lived in extreme isolation where, besides all kinds of landscapes, climates coexist with other more temperate cold and warm, which of course affects vegetation and fauna.
The spectacular geysers, rock formations and volcanic wells with its sulfur fumaroles visitors back to the time of the formation of the Earth are among the attractions that can be seen as the days pass and loops through the various towns and highlights of the salar.
Among these, stands the town of Uyuni, a small town that serves as input to the salt. It is the cemetery of trains that presents the most important remains of the railway machinery of Upper Peru, which take us back to the nineteenth century.
From there, you can visit different places of interest, such as Colchan or “dry port”, where you can watch salt extraction by the residents of the area using traditional and rudimentary.
Other points of interest include Fish Island or “Cujirí island” which contains inside a picturesque rocky landscape in which the granite surface and organic soil has allowed to develop a kind of giant cactus over 6 meters height in an area so rugged and temperatures as low. Like Fisherman’s Island or “island Inkawasi”, this is an extraordinary place for photography and contemplation of the landscape in a unique, wild and lonely.
Driving, running or walking in the middle of this vast salt lake is a wonderful experience. The scenery at times seems lunar contrasts between the blue sky and white land marked uniquely.
Moreover, when it is cloudy white effect occurs out, by which the horizon becomes blurred to almost nothing, making it impossible to distinguish earth from heaven.
On “spectacular” and “magical” as the locals say, occur when it has rained and the salt has a thin layer of water. If the well-marked white clouds and land on the blue sky, the salt is transformed into a true mirror that perfectly reflects what happens in heaven and on its surface, making it possible to look, making faces, posing and play like we’re jumping on a huge endless mirror.
The best time to visit the Salar de Uyuni is between May and November, depending on the rains is also possible in December. We recommend visiting the Salar with legally established agencies and operators to include the guide. Wear comfortable shoes preferably double reed boots, wool hat or similar gloves, sunscreen 50 or higher (essential), 100% UV lenses, windbreaker, warm clothes, raincoat for rainy seasons, camera and / or video.