Salar de Uyuni
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We traveled with Colque Tours from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile across the border into Bolivia for a 3 day tour of the surreal landscape of the altiplano in southern Bolivia. The trip took us over rough dirt roads at an average elevation over 14,000 feet. We travelled with 4 others and a guide.
The trip started at this remote Bolivian border crossing of Hito Cajon.
The first stop was at Laguna Verde.
The surreal Bolivian landscape.
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Some of the highest geyers in the world at 16,700 feet. This was the highest elevation we reached in our 6 months of travel.
Laguna Colorado is a popular spot for seeing rare James flamigoes as well as the Andean and Chile species which live on the altiplano year round.
The second day was filled with equally interesting scenery. Very reminiscent of the southwestern U.S. we drove for hours through different red rock formations.
While a remote part of Bolivia we did travel through several small towns.
The third day was the highlight when we travelled through the highest and largest salt desert in the world. The salt is nearly 10 feet deep and covers over 600 square miles..
In the middle of the salar, which is more than 100 miles across, there is a single island, Isla Pescado. The island is a small mountain covered in giant cacti.
There are also active salt mining operations. The salt is placed in piles, approx. 8 feet high, to dry before it is shipped.
Don't eat the salt though.
