Uyuni 3670m a.s.l.
Standing in defiance of the desert-like landscape that surrounds it, Uyuni occupies a desolate corner of southwestern Bolivia. Mention Uyuni to a Bolivian and they will whistle and emphasize harto frío (extreme cold). Yet despite the icy conditions, Uyuni’s got a cheerful buzz about it with hundreds of travelers passing through every week to kick off their tour of the Salar de Uyuni or the Southwest Circuit. There’s not much to see here, and the wind chill can strip your soul bare as you pace the wide streets, but Uyuni’s friendly populace always elicits an affectionate respect from visitors. Founded in 1889 by Bolivian president Aniceto Arce, Uyuni remains an important military base. Tourism and mining are the other major sources of employment in the town. The world’s largest lithium reserve – about 100 million tons – lies beneath the neighboring salt flat, and could potentially fuel all the iPods and electric cars the world could build over the next century. While work on building extraction and processing facilities has been slow going, expect more and more mining activity near Uyuni in coming years. Source: www.lonelyplanet.com
Standing in defiance of the desert-like landscape that surrounds it, Uyuni occupies a desolate corner of southwestern Bolivia. Mention Uyuni to a Bolivian and they will whistle and emphasize harto frío (extreme cold). Yet despite the icy conditions, Uyuni’s got a cheerful buzz about it with hundreds of travelers passing through every week to kick off their tour of the Salar de Uyuni or the Southwest Circuit. There’s not much to see here, and the wind chill can strip your soul bare as you pace the wide streets, but Uyuni’s friendly populace always elicits an affectionate respect from visitors. Founded in 1889 by Bolivian president Aniceto Arce, Uyuni remains an important military base. Tourism and mining are the other major sources of employment in the town. The world’s largest lithium reserve – about 100 million tons – lies beneath the neighboring salt flat, and could potentially fuel all the iPods and electric cars the world could build over the next century. While work on building extraction and processing facilities has been slow going, expect more and more mining activity near Uyuni in coming years. Source: www.lonelyplanet.com
Train Cemetery
It's a cemetery for trains, for locomotives. And it's so big that it looks as though all of the trains in South America were moved to Uyuni, Bolivia, to chug their last chug. Filled with hollowed out bodies that have completely rusted over and other remains, the "Great Train Graveyard" can be found on the otherwise deserted outskirts of Uyuni, a small trading region high in the Andean plain. Uyuni has long been known as an important transportation hub in South America and it connects several major cities. In the early 19th century, big plans were made to build an even bigger network of trains out of Uyuni, but the project was abandoned because of a combination of technical difficulties and tension with neighboring countries. The trains and other equipment were left to rust and fade out of memory. Most of the trains that can be found in the Graveyard date back to the early 20th century and were imported from Britain. In other places in the world, the mighty steel trains would have held up better. The salt winds that blow over Uyuni, which hosts the world's largest salt plain, have corroded all of the metal. Without guards or even a fence, these pieces were picked over and vandalized long ago. Source: www.atlasobscura.com
It's a cemetery for trains, for locomotives. And it's so big that it looks as though all of the trains in South America were moved to Uyuni, Bolivia, to chug their last chug. Filled with hollowed out bodies that have completely rusted over and other remains, the "Great Train Graveyard" can be found on the otherwise deserted outskirts of Uyuni, a small trading region high in the Andean plain. Uyuni has long been known as an important transportation hub in South America and it connects several major cities. In the early 19th century, big plans were made to build an even bigger network of trains out of Uyuni, but the project was abandoned because of a combination of technical difficulties and tension with neighboring countries. The trains and other equipment were left to rust and fade out of memory. Most of the trains that can be found in the Graveyard date back to the early 20th century and were imported from Britain. In other places in the world, the mighty steel trains would have held up better. The salt winds that blow over Uyuni, which hosts the world's largest salt plain, have corroded all of the metal. Without guards or even a fence, these pieces were picked over and vandalized long ago. Source: www.atlasobscura.com
Salar de Uyuni
is the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over 4,000 sq. miles (10,582 sq. km) in south-western Bolivia. It was part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchín. Unlike traditional deserts which are filled with sand, the Salar de Uyuni features vast expanses of glistening white salt. Salt water deposits seeped from the surrounding mountains. Since there is no outlet to the sea, they were deposited here which is the lowest point of the Altiplano plateau. That water then formed a giant lake. High salinity means that whilst this vast lake has long since evaporated under the sun, a thick crust of salt remains, forming what we now know as the Salt Flats of Salar de Uyuni. There is no place else like it in the world. It is located in the Department of Potosi in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, at 3.650 meters above sea level. Some 40.000 years ago, the area was part of Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake. When the lake dried, it left behind two modern lakes, Poopó and Uru Uru, and two major salt deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the larger Salar de Uyuni. Salar de Uyuni is roughly 25 times the size of Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States and is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt of which less than 25.000 tons is extracted annually. Source: www.boliviahop.com - www.rutaverdebolivia.com
is the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over 4,000 sq. miles (10,582 sq. km) in south-western Bolivia. It was part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchín. Unlike traditional deserts which are filled with sand, the Salar de Uyuni features vast expanses of glistening white salt. Salt water deposits seeped from the surrounding mountains. Since there is no outlet to the sea, they were deposited here which is the lowest point of the Altiplano plateau. That water then formed a giant lake. High salinity means that whilst this vast lake has long since evaporated under the sun, a thick crust of salt remains, forming what we now know as the Salt Flats of Salar de Uyuni. There is no place else like it in the world. It is located in the Department of Potosi in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, at 3.650 meters above sea level. Some 40.000 years ago, the area was part of Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake. When the lake dried, it left behind two modern lakes, Poopó and Uru Uru, and two major salt deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the larger Salar de Uyuni. Salar de Uyuni is roughly 25 times the size of Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States and is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt of which less than 25.000 tons is extracted annually. Source: www.boliviahop.com - www.rutaverdebolivia.com
Inca Huasi Island
Incahuasi Island or house of the Inca is a usual stop for the tourists visiting the majestic Uyuni Salt Flat. It is part of the Llica and Tahua indigenous communities territory, located 99 kilometers to the southwest of Uyuni Town at 3822 m.a.s.l.. Surrounded by kilometers of salt, Incahuasi Island is situated in the center of the Salt Flat and at its highest point. This makes the island an ideal spot for the tourists to enjoy amazing 360 degree panoramic views of the Uyuni salt flat. The Island is particularly interesting for being covered by giant cacti (Trichoreus cactus) approximately 700 years old and 10 meters high. The island offers a unique landscape in the middle of this vast white sea. Incahuasi Island was used as a resting place for the Incas who crossed the lake with llamas loaded with goods for trade in Chile (border about 150 km to the west) and beyond. Set on the remains of a volcano, Incahuasi Island is a rocky formation of basalt and regolith that contains remains of corals and seashells: proof that the vast salt sea was once a sea full of life. Note: To gain access to the island tourists will need to purchase an entrance ticket (10 Bs.) on the island. Source: https://boliviatravelsite.com
Incahuasi Island or house of the Inca is a usual stop for the tourists visiting the majestic Uyuni Salt Flat. It is part of the Llica and Tahua indigenous communities territory, located 99 kilometers to the southwest of Uyuni Town at 3822 m.a.s.l.. Surrounded by kilometers of salt, Incahuasi Island is situated in the center of the Salt Flat and at its highest point. This makes the island an ideal spot for the tourists to enjoy amazing 360 degree panoramic views of the Uyuni salt flat. The Island is particularly interesting for being covered by giant cacti (Trichoreus cactus) approximately 700 years old and 10 meters high. The island offers a unique landscape in the middle of this vast white sea. Incahuasi Island was used as a resting place for the Incas who crossed the lake with llamas loaded with goods for trade in Chile (border about 150 km to the west) and beyond. Set on the remains of a volcano, Incahuasi Island is a rocky formation of basalt and regolith that contains remains of corals and seashells: proof that the vast salt sea was once a sea full of life. Note: To gain access to the island tourists will need to purchase an entrance ticket (10 Bs.) on the island. Source: https://boliviatravelsite.com
Village of Atulcha
On the South side of the Salar de Uyuni lies the small village of Atulcha. It doesn’t have much more than a few houses but it does make an interesting stop on the tourist route of Uyuni and its surroundings. There is a simple museum about Quinoa, the grain of the Incas. The cycle of the plant, its many uses and the customs and traditions that come with it are explained by a local. Ask the man from the museum to bring you to the mummies of Atulcha, called the Qhatinchu Archeological Site. He’ll take you on a small walk outside the village across a small hill where there are a few caves with mummies that are in quite good shape! Atulcha is not the only place around the Salar the Uyuni that has a salt hotel but this is a quite nice one. The walls, tables, benches, beds, etc are all cut out of blocks of salt. Source: http://www.globespots.com
On the South side of the Salar de Uyuni lies the small village of Atulcha. It doesn’t have much more than a few houses but it does make an interesting stop on the tourist route of Uyuni and its surroundings. There is a simple museum about Quinoa, the grain of the Incas. The cycle of the plant, its many uses and the customs and traditions that come with it are explained by a local. Ask the man from the museum to bring you to the mummies of Atulcha, called the Qhatinchu Archeological Site. He’ll take you on a small walk outside the village across a small hill where there are a few caves with mummies that are in quite good shape! Atulcha is not the only place around the Salar the Uyuni that has a salt hotel but this is a quite nice one. The walls, tables, benches, beds, etc are all cut out of blocks of salt. Source: http://www.globespots.com
Miradorrustico - Valle de la Rocas - Arbol de Piedra
Eduardo Avaroa National Park
With its brightly coloured lagoons, volcano and the highest mountains on the Bolivian border with Chile and Argentina, it's unsurprising that Eduardo Avaroa is the most visited national park in the country. The largest of the three coloured lagoons is the 6km wide Laguna Colorado. Algae growing in the water dye it a vivid blood red, which is contrasted with bone white islands made of the mineral borax. Owing to the Laguna Colorado's height above sea level (4,278m) and the surrounding landscape of salt, very little wildlife can be found here for most of the year. In Novemeber, however, flocks of three different species of flamingo make it their home for the breeding season. Amongst the smaller lagoons are the green Laguna Verde and sky blue Laguna Celeste. Both derive their colour from various copper mineral deposits in the water, which makes them beautiful but not ideal for swimming in. The Laguna Verde is situated at the foot of the spectacularly symmetrical Licancabur volcano and a short distance from natural hot springs. The park itself attracts some 40,000 visitors a year. Its non-human population includes 23 species of mammal, a range that covers the rabbt-like vizcacha, Andean foxes and pumas. Look out for Andean condors, yareta and keñua too, just some of the many endangered species which enjoy protected status in the park. For the best chance of seeing rare wildlife, head to the Laguna Colorado National Wildlife Sanctuary, an area of the park established in 2001, following the expansion of the park's borders. This area boasts over 80 species of bird and more than 190 species of plant and tree. Source: www.bolivia-online.net
With its brightly coloured lagoons, volcano and the highest mountains on the Bolivian border with Chile and Argentina, it's unsurprising that Eduardo Avaroa is the most visited national park in the country. The largest of the three coloured lagoons is the 6km wide Laguna Colorado. Algae growing in the water dye it a vivid blood red, which is contrasted with bone white islands made of the mineral borax. Owing to the Laguna Colorado's height above sea level (4,278m) and the surrounding landscape of salt, very little wildlife can be found here for most of the year. In Novemeber, however, flocks of three different species of flamingo make it their home for the breeding season. Amongst the smaller lagoons are the green Laguna Verde and sky blue Laguna Celeste. Both derive their colour from various copper mineral deposits in the water, which makes them beautiful but not ideal for swimming in. The Laguna Verde is situated at the foot of the spectacularly symmetrical Licancabur volcano and a short distance from natural hot springs. The park itself attracts some 40,000 visitors a year. Its non-human population includes 23 species of mammal, a range that covers the rabbt-like vizcacha, Andean foxes and pumas. Look out for Andean condors, yareta and keñua too, just some of the many endangered species which enjoy protected status in the park. For the best chance of seeing rare wildlife, head to the Laguna Colorado National Wildlife Sanctuary, an area of the park established in 2001, following the expansion of the park's borders. This area boasts over 80 species of bird and more than 190 species of plant and tree. Source: www.bolivia-online.net
Laguna Colorada
Also known as the red lagoon, the shallow salt lake lies in southwest Bolivia, on the border of Chile. It is found in the beautiful Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, which fascinates with amazing landscapes, fauna, flora and is a tourist attraction in the country. The amazing bloody red coloration is caused by red sediments and algae in the water. The lake is found on the Altiplano plateau, in the Andes mountain range, which is seen in the horizon. The lake also attracts the James’, Chilean and Andean flamingos, the latter being the rarest flamingo species in the world. Laguna Colorada is easy to access. The area is surrounded with small villages, where you can spend the night. The spot can be visited as part of the Andes tour. Another famous location – the salt flat De Uyuni – lies not far away. Source: www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com
Also known as the red lagoon, the shallow salt lake lies in southwest Bolivia, on the border of Chile. It is found in the beautiful Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, which fascinates with amazing landscapes, fauna, flora and is a tourist attraction in the country. The amazing bloody red coloration is caused by red sediments and algae in the water. The lake is found on the Altiplano plateau, in the Andes mountain range, which is seen in the horizon. The lake also attracts the James’, Chilean and Andean flamingos, the latter being the rarest flamingo species in the world. Laguna Colorada is easy to access. The area is surrounded with small villages, where you can spend the night. The spot can be visited as part of the Andes tour. Another famous location – the salt flat De Uyuni – lies not far away. Source: www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com
Geyser
Polques
Between the Salvador Dali desert and geysers Sol de Manana is located a relaxing place of Polgue Thermal. Large basin, if it can be so called at all, a place at an altitude of 4400 meters above the ground, fills the vast Salar Challviri, whose western flooded part is called Laguna Salada. Due to volcanic activity a pleasant warm spring originated. It is drained into a simple pool and invites you to have a bath. Until a few years ago it was a natural pool - just surrounded by stones. Now it is concreted. Even so, there is a pleasant and basically almost the only possibility to have a hot bath on the entire salar tour. Source: www.gigaplaces.com
Between the Salvador Dali desert and geysers Sol de Manana is located a relaxing place of Polgue Thermal. Large basin, if it can be so called at all, a place at an altitude of 4400 meters above the ground, fills the vast Salar Challviri, whose western flooded part is called Laguna Salada. Due to volcanic activity a pleasant warm spring originated. It is drained into a simple pool and invites you to have a bath. Until a few years ago it was a natural pool - just surrounded by stones. Now it is concreted. Even so, there is a pleasant and basically almost the only possibility to have a hot bath on the entire salar tour. Source: www.gigaplaces.com
Dalí Desert - Laguna Verde
Dali Desert, at 4750 m. In this place of volcanic and geothermic activity, the grounds abound in minerals which confer on the landscapes and the lakes a range of uncanny colors. Source: www.alovelyworld.com
Dali Desert, at 4750 m. In this place of volcanic and geothermic activity, the grounds abound in minerals which confer on the landscapes and the lakes a range of uncanny colors. Source: www.alovelyworld.com
Bolivia-Chile Border