Salar de Uyuni

From La Paz I headed off on the overnight bus to go on a three day tour of Salar de Uyuni, the famous salt flats and desert in Western Bolivia. I dozed off in my seat and awoke in Uyuni, it was the chilly early morning and I was happy to be greeted with a sign bearing my name. I had breakfast and piled onto the jeep that I was to travel in for the next three days. 

Day 1

First we headed off towards the enormous salt flats. On the way there we spotted some Llama, who seemed just as curious of us as we were of them. We headed onto the salt, and stopped at a bubbling salt spring. Then we drove out onto the vast expanses of salt flats that stretched out as far as the eye could see. 

Curious Llama.

Salt spring.

Amongst the salt flats we reached an Island, a strange rocky oasis full of ancient cactus trees. The oldest of the trees are 1,200 years old. It was amazing to see other signs of life in this arid place, a couple of birds and little white butterflies amongst the desert plants.

My bed (partially made from salt).

In the evening we got to our hotel which was entirely built of blocks of salt.

​The desert nights are very cold so it provided good insulation against the cold.

As you can see even the headboard of my bed was made from salt! After spending the night before in the bus I slept very well. Like a log, as we say in New Zealand :)

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Day 2

​We headed off into the desert. It was a very high altitude, nearly 5000m in parts, when we stopped we had to make sure we were wearing enough warm clothes. I was amazed to see signs of life even in the driest parts of this harsh landscape.

Laguna Colorada.

We stopped at a lake called Laguna colorada, a beautiful bright blue amongst the ochre surrounding hills. 

​Then we headed on towards a series of natural gysers. It is such a strange environment, almost like taking a tour of another planet. 

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We headed off to our accomodation for the night, and as night fell we took a trip around the corner to the little store for some bits and pieces. The stars were so clear and we could see the milky way.

Day 3

The next morning we headed off again and it was not long before we stopped at a lake full of flamingos.

We headed along and stopped again at some interesting rock sculptures in the desert.

Then stopped off again at another lake full of flamingos. I think this one was my favourite. 

Then we headed back to Uyuni. It was such a great trip with a lovely group of people. Then I headed back to La Paz on another night bus.