Salar de Uyuni and the Southern Altiplano

Uyuni is a must on any visit to Bolivia. The region’s famous salt flats stretch luminescent into the distance, appearing to merge with the deep blue of the sky. Jutting out of the ancient lake’s heart are cactus-topped islands that break the surreal effect of a world that seems coloured in only blue and white.

In the centre of the salt-flats is Incahuasi Island. This is a fascinating, totally isolated ecosystem of giant cacti, some measuring as tall as 12m. To the north of the salt-flat is Tunupa Volcano, named after the Amaya god of lightning and volcanoes, where you can visit a small cave to see the group of Coquesa mummies.

In and around Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni can be visited year-round. During the winter (April – October) the flats have a thick dusting of salt, resembling snow, and large hexagons form patterns as far as the eye can see. In the summer and the wet season (November – March), the area is covered in a layer of water, reflecting the bright blue sky and allowing for the best photo opportunities.

Vast in scale, Uyuni is best explored by vehicle. Heading south-west from Uyuni towards Chile, a 4-wheel drive excursion will take you across the barren salt flats to the Laguna Colorado, the ‘red lagoon’, coloured red by algae and home to flocks of Andean flamingo. Then on to the Laguna Verde, the second of the Altiplano lagoons, whose waters glow lime green.

The image of the Isla Incahuasi cacti is used with the kind permission of V. Lewis.