Uyuni Salt Desert

From La Paz we took a night bus to Uyuni (South West of Bolivia). Near this town lays the world largest salt flat 'Salar de Uyuni' (more than 10 000 square meters, i.e. 4 times the surface of Luxembourg). It was formed from a prehistoric lake that existed 40 000 years ago.

The bus drive to get there was rough because of the terrible conditions of the road in Bolivia. We arrived at 6 o'clock in the morning and it was freezing cold (way below 0°C). We decided to avoid standing in the icy temperatures and joined the first tour operator into her cosy office.

Before coming to Uyuni, we read that these past years in this region a lot of terrible accidents occurred during tourist tours. Mainly because of the obsolete conditions of the cars, the lack of knowledge and skills of the driver, too much alcohol and the absence of adequate first aid material. Furthermore, there is no village near the salt sea, no ambulance, no satellite phones, no water resource and an emergency helicopter will not enter the region to transport the injured people to the nearest hospital because of the lack of oxygen in this high altitudes.

We knew that we would take a risk booking this tour.

With the many advices in mind, we inspected the material and after some discussions, we decided to book a 3 days tour.

With us on board were a Dutch Art Teacher Mirte, a German Office Lady Heike, a Dutch Attorney Arnold and a Mexican Jurist Jessica.

The first day we visited the train cemetery (where more than 100 years old train wrecks rust in the desert) and then drove straight into the salt flat. After a nice photo shooting we had a lunch in the oldest salt hotel and continued our way on the 'Dakar trail' towards the Island 'Isla Incahuasi', famous for its large number of cactus plants. We enjoyed a lovely sunset and headed to our first night's lodge made entirely out of salt.

The salt flat in Bolivia contains the highest amount of Lithium (primary component of the modern batteries) in the world and could lead Bolivia to high prosperity in the coming years (if the Bolivian government handles it correctly). Furthermore, the area is so flat, that NASA uses it to calibrate the sensors on board of their newly-launched satellites.

The second day we visited three Lagunas and ended next to the completely red 'Laguna Colorada'. Here on 4278m we stayed for the second night. The outside temperatures dropped below -20°C during the night and there was no heater inside the accommodation. Fortunately, we had already our experience with the horse covers in Choquequirao, therefore we took precautions. We negotiated with the travel agency to provide us good (!) sleeping bags before leaving for the trip. Best choice ever :)

After a 'cosy' night, we continued to 4950m to visit some spectacular Geysers and hot springs before dropping off Arnold and Jessica at the Chilean border.

The landscapes throughout the trip were amazing, probably the best views in whole Latin America so far.

During our way back to Uyuni, we had to entertain our driver to prevent him from falling asleep (which is a serious risk on those long straight roads).

But we finally made it back safe and sound.

Two days after our trip, we read the tragic news in a local newspaper.
During the same trip on the salt flat, a driver lost control over his car and flipped upside down on the road. 3 young Belgian women, one Italian woman and one Peruvian man were killed during this tragic accident. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families and with the loved ones of the victims.
May their souls rest in peace.

Our Land cruiser in the salt flat.

Everywhere we go...they go! Thanks Pol, Anik, Carole, Christophe, Charel, Caroline, Michel, Kim, Ben, Carmen, Mira, Yannick, Cathy, Ricky, Ender, Georges, Ronny, Myriam, Mike, Claude, Isabelle, Annick, Lionel, Sally, Yolene and Muriel.

A small step for you, but a big one for mankind ;)

Having the world on a string while balancing on the edge of a colourful woollen hat.

Due to safety reasons the 'Rally Dakar' is held since 2009 in South America instead of Africa.

Every magician should have one of those sorcerous hats where such lovely ladies jump out :)

'I really wish that you were smaller // Not just small but really really short // So I could put you in my pocket // And carry you around all day' (Milo - You and me)

Not only in the desert, water has a higher value than gold.

The Island can be reached by bicycle during dry season/winter time from the mainland.

 

The island with its cactus is the top of an ancient volcano.

Our first lodge was completely made out of salt.

The village Julaca (that connects Bolivia to Chile to transport goods from one country to the other) seemed like a ghost town from an old wild west movie.

 

The llama is very popular because of its flesh and its fur.

Icy temperatures in this high altitudes.

The endless long roads that lead you deep into the desert.

Having fun on the dry salt lake :)

There are a lot of wild vicuñas along the way, often in big herds.

The frozen outskirts of the first Laguna.

The stone trees are shaped by the up to -25°C cold winds.

Like driving on the surface of the planet Mars.

The earth's crust bursts under the constant pressure.

Wherever there is smoke, there is fire, even though it's deeply rooted under earth's surface.

What Mother Earth doesn't digest, she spits out again.

Bright, silent and still lies the lake.

The water flows burning hot through the veins of Mother Earth.

On the left the water is burning, on the right it is frozen.

We did a short trip to Chile.

On our way back, we were welcomed by a huge number of llamas. They seemed to be everywhere.

Time to say farewell.