Tour the Salt Flats in Bolivia
Step into a world that’s made up of 10 million tonnes of salt, a land that forms polygonal shapes across 10,000 square kilometres of the Andes. Salar de Uyuni, or the Uyuni Salt Flats, is a result of prehistoric lakes evaporating over the years. Occasionally, depending on the season, a thin layer of water over these lands will act as the world’s largest mirror, reflecting the skies (and yourselves) perfectly. Although not much other wildlife can survive here, fabulous flocks of pink flamingoes are often spotted.
These salt flats provide Bolivia with the lucrative business of salt and lithium extraction. Lithium is the element used to power batteries for laptops, phones, electric cars, etc; and it is said 70% of the world’s lithium reserve is found right here. It is thanks to this economical help that tours to Salar de Uyuni have been recently made possible.
The best way to witness Salar de Uyuni is by riding a 4×4 across the salt flats. Note that these environments are gorgeous just as they are harsh, and it is important to book your tour with a trusted tour operator. Let us provide you with the best experience possible.
Best Time to visit Salar de Uyuni
Salar De Uyuni is majestic all year round. Both the dry and wet season have their own advantages:
May to November – Dry season. No risk of rain. Temperatures are colder. The grounds are harder, which means you can drive across further landscapes which may be inaccessible when it rains.
December to April – Wet Season. It is during these months that you’ll be able to witness the incredible mirror-effect. Once the rain hits the salt, it creates a shiny glass-like effect.
How to Get There
Most of the Salar de Uyuni tours start at the small town of Uyuni. Here’s how to get there:
From Oruro : 7 hours by train or 8 hours by bus.
From La Paz : 12 – 15 hours by bus
From Potosi : 6 -7 hours by bus
If you are short on time, catch a flight from La Paz to Uyuni, which only takes less than two hours. Now is a good time to visit the Salar De Uyuni salt flats, as they are still relatively pristine and under-visited.
Get the Best out of Salar De Uyuni
Choose the best experience for you. You can decide if you prefer mainly being seated and riding about in a 4×4, or going on long distance hikes. Within these salt flats are many points of interest worth visiting. This includes the rocky outcroppings, national parks, cactus islands, geyser fields, clandestine lagoons, mountain peaks, and other extraterrestrial looking terrains.
Comfortable accommodation with private bathrooms, hot water, and heated rooms are available; including ‘”salt hotels” built from salt brick. Nevertheless, it will still almost always be cold. The altitude and reflections enhance the effects of the sun’s rays during the day, while the same altitude and desert climate makes it bitingly cold at night. Be prepared with sufficiently warm clothes.
And finally, Salar de Uyuni is over 3,600 meters above sea level. It would be important to know how your body acclimatizes with the altitude, and how we can prevent or treat possible altitude sickness. It is due to all of these elements that we recommend booking with a highly well-reviewed tour operator. You don’t want to miss out on this salt flats experience!
Don’t miss out on this dazzling, dramatic, divine, natural Bolivian beauty. Salar de Uyuni is unlike anything you have ever seen in your life and unparalleled to anything else on earth. Book your Salt Flats tour now!
Best Salar de Uyuni Trips 2019
