Reflections from Uyuni: An Amazing Experience
By Miroslava Godoy
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). It is located in the Daniel Campos Province in Potosí in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes and is at an elevation of 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above sea level. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average elevation variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar. [x]
With that being said, our vicarious trip to the Salar starts at the train cemetery near the town of Uyuni, which is made in four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The ride goes on passing by the Sioli desert where you can see the Árbol de Piedra, a rock carved by the wind.
Already in the Salar, there are hotels made entirely of salt and the Isla Pescado, a piece of land lost in the middle of the Salar where you can find unique giant cactuses.
During rainy seasons, the Salar becomes a mirror that reflects the sky and visually gives the impression that you are walking above the clouds.
The next day, a visit to Sol de la Mañana is a must; you will find geisers and thermal waters where the most enthusiastic tourists dip in the waters completely naked.
The next stop is in the Eduardo Avaroa Park, where pink flamingos dabble in white, green and red lagoons.
The trip ends at San Pedro de Atacama; but as a bonus track, on our way back we’ll pass by the Salvador Dali Desert formed by a set of surrealistic volcanic rocks.
The trip through the Salar de Uyuni is a fantastic experience where you can see the splendor of the Bolivian nature at its maximum.
Photos: Matthieu gallet (Salvador Dali desert), Alvaro (Laguna Colorada) and Jeroen Fransen (Isla Pescado).
