"Take me back to the Surreal Bolivian Altiplano!" Uyuni by SanguiniA

Uyuni Travel Guide: 299 reviews and 907 photos

It is ironic that one of the poorest countries in South America is so rich in natural beauty and has limitless tourism potential. My visit to Bolivia was brief, but I was mesmerized - the lanscapes are hands-down the most beautiful and surreal I have ever seen. The Bolivian Altiplano definitely became my favourite corner in South America so far, and I will surely return to see the rest of the country someday.

The Salar de Uyuni as seen from Incahuasi Island

The Altiplano in Bolivia is magnificent, words cannot adequately describe it - nor can pictures do it justice. The combination of the amazingly clear sky (due to high altitude and dry air), remoteness, quirkiness and stunning natural beauty makes it an ideal travel destination for those who want to see something extraordinary and don't mind roughing it up and giving up completely creature comforts. Also in this place of extreme harshness one can only be awed at the resilience of the wildlife - viscachas, vicunas, flamingos and other birds and animals have amazingly made this place their home despite the high altidude, and extremely cold temperature (-25C at night is not uncommon)

My visit encompassed the legendary Salar De Uyuni Circuit, a well known highlight in any South America travel itinerary. This is a journey through the south-west part of the country, where travellers can admire coloured lakes, mountain scenery, Dali-esque deserts and last but not least the Salar itself, a huge and imposive (10,000 squared km) white saltflat. This is definitely one of craziest road-trips you can ever embark upon.

Siloli Desert Scenery

Highlights:

* Admiring the different coloured lakes
* The weirdest beach in the world - overlooking a sea of salt
* taking crazy, perspective-less pictures on the Salar
* sleeping in a hotel made entirely of Salt

BBC's "Mountains" episode of the "Wild South America" Series has some fantastic footage of the region.

Pros and Cons

Pros:stunningly beautiful sceneries
Cons:the only viable way to see the area is via organised tour
In a nutshell:Unmissable - should definitely be in any 10 things to do before I die list!

Last visit to Uyuni: Jul 2009
Intro Updated Feb 27, 2010
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Reviews (23)

Tour Operators Transportation (2)

I started out this trip from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Similar trips can be organized from Bolivia of course, with... more travel advice

Our car and great driver/guide/cook Juan - Uyuni

Tour around the Salt Flats Transportation (2)

Travel by yourself to do this circuit is probably not done in this area - definitely not if you are going from San Pedro... more travel advice

Salt Hotel Hotels (2)

Try to find a tour operator that will take you to sleep in a Salt hotel for the night at the salar. These have small... more travel advice

Accomodations in the Uyuni Salt Flat... Hotels (2)

Accomodation everywhere on this circuit is very basic due to the complete remoteness and it is usually on a first-come... more travel advice

Things to Do (17)
See All Train Cemetary near Uyuni
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Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 27, 2010

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Crazy times on the Salar de Uyuni

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Comments (2)

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OH_DK Jun 3, 2010 at 12:36 PM

Wow Alison you were there. I was in La Paz in February but didn't have time to visit Uyuni - I hope also to go to Bolivia again.
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mircaskirca Mar 16, 2010 at 3:26 AM

Most beautiful salt desert with stunning lagoons, the place I've always wanted to visit. Must be an unforgettable adventure, would like to stay in a salt hotel. Excellent pictures, including perspective-less pictures ;) Thanks for the great tour, Alison!