The Salar de Uyuni is the largest and highest salt desert in the world. It is located in the southwest of Bolivia.
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background
About 40,000 years ago the area was part of a huge prehistoric salt lake. When this dried up, the salt remained. The salt desert was created over an area of 160 km in length and 135 km in width Salar de Uyuni. The height of the salt crust varies greatly and can be up to 10 m thick in the center of the desert. It is estimated that 10 billion tons of salt are stored here. Only around 25,000 tons of this are mined each year.
preparation
All tours are carried out with off-road vehicles, usually older Toyota Landcruiser models, which can also be repaired with a screwdriver if necessary. The tour prices can vary enormously, depending on how many people are traveling in a car. 6 - 7 people are normal, in such a case you can get a 3-day tour for 50 or 60 US $. Many tours are specifically offered with an "English-speaking guide". Then, however, only the driver is able to communicate in English, under no circumstances will an extra travel guide come along!
Basically, all tours move more or less on the same route, but additional stop requests on the way can generally be taken into account. If you like it more comfortable, you should be prepared to pay 80 to 100 US $ for a 3-day trip and travel with a group of only 5 people.
Anyone who has heart and / or circulatory problems should consult their family doctor beforehand. The tour leads to an altitude of up to 5000 m above sea level. Here, the body can only adapt to the environment to a limited extent and, in addition to the altitude sickness, caused by Mate de Coca or appropriate medication can be contained, the constant lack of oxygen may cause uncomfortable shortness of breath and a racing heart.
Be sure to bring:
- sunglasses, if possible also closed on the sides, as the sun is strongly reflected by the white salt, in the worst case, there is a risk of snow blindness
- suncream With a VERY high protection factor (from 70 upwards) - the thin air does not filter the UV rays
- Headgear
- Replacement battery and memory cards for cameras and cameras - there is no way to recharge batteries when you are out and about
- Sleeping bag
- Warm clothing - At night it can get down to -10 ° C
- flashlight and spare batteries - the lights in the accommodations are switched off at around 10:00 p.m., there is only solar power
- water - the tour operators usually do not take enough water with them. At the accommodation on the second night there is a small shop where water is sold, approx. 7 Bolivianos
- Altitude sickness drug - Can be bought in any pharmacy in Uyuni, the guides are also happy to offer coca tea
- Possibly. aspirin - together with a lot of water, thins the blood and thus ensures better oxygen transport in the body
 | These medical notices have been carefully researched, but they are made no guarantee. A conversation with the person responsible Family doctor or one travel medicine or tropical medicine advice center is recommended in case of health problems or uncertainties. Also note: Note on health issues |
getting there
The actual tour starts in Uyuni or Tupiza, although there are also offers of La Paz out there. Uyuni can be reached from all major cities by bus, including the train Oruro or. Tupiza and Villazón the place is reachable.
Agencies
Tourists are often approached on the street and the agencies undercut each other with prices or special offers. There are many providers around the manageable center of the city of Uyuni. Those who travel alone or in pairs are most likely to find opportunities here to join a group or "set up" a group. Prices can be negotiated, this is of course easier in a group.
in the Oficina Regional de Turismo Uyuni, Av. Arce 7, Tel. (04) 62 20 60 there is a book in which tourists can write down their complaints. Here you can find out which agencies work seriously and have received good reviews. Of course there is always the possibility to ask other tourists about their experiences or recommendations.
Here we go...
Here the 3-day tour from Uyuni to Laguna Verde and described back. There are also tours that start in Tupiza San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) or last 4 or 5 days. In these cases the program would differ slightly from the one shown here, but all essential points are approached.
First day - drive through the salt desert to San Juan
The first day of the tour leads through the salt desert. When it has rained, spectacular reflections of the landscape appear in the puddles or lakes.
- Uyuni (3669 m) - Anyone traveling as a group is usually picked up directly from the hotel; if several people from different hotels come together to form a group, a meeting point is generally agreed upon that is easily accessible by everyone on foot. Departure is around 10:30 a.m., as the drivers refuel directly beforehand and the petrol stations usually don't open that early.
- Train cemetery (3669 m) - can be viewed at the beginning or at the end of the tour by arrangement. Since the introduction of the railways in Bolivia, all retired trains have been stored here.
- Colchani (3653 m) - a village on the edge of the salt desert. The residents here live exclusively from salt mining. A small museum explains how the salt is mined, processed and prepared for sale. In two rooms there are objects of daily use made of salt, a life-size llama sculpture and the like. issued. Admission approx. 2, - Bolivianos, use of the toilet 1, - Boliviano
- Salt mining (3653 m) - the area where the people of Colchani mine the salt is just outside the village. The salt is piled up with a shovel to dry in the sun for a few days. It is then brought to the town by truck and processed further.
- Salt hotel (3653 m) - Visit to a hotel that was built entirely from salt. The "entrance fee" is paid by buying a candy bar or something similar.
- Isla del Pescado or Isla Incawasi (3653 m) - During the rainy season, the reflection makes the island look like a fish, Incawasi means "House of the Inca". The cacti here only grow 1 cm per year, some are up to 12 m high. Since the island is a nature reserve, you have to pay 30, - Bolivianos entrance fee, these are mostly Not included in the tour price. Most groups stop here for lunch.
- San Juan (3660 m) - this is where you spend the night. The accommodations are simple, hot water for showers is only available on request. A little outside of town, semi-wild herds of llama roam the steppe. They willingly let themselves be photographed. Against 5, - Bolivianos entrance you can visit the "Mummy Hill" - the graves here are said to date from the pre-Inca period.
Second day - drive south to the Laguna Colorada
- Laguna Hedionda (4186 m) - a freshwater lagoon that provides food and habitat for flamingos. You may have lunch here.
- Laguna Chiar Khota, Laguna Honda, Laguna Ramaditas (4186 m) - further lagoons, each with different species of flamingo
- Arbol de Piedra (4412 m) - the "stone tree" got its shape over time through sandstorms and rain
- Laguna Colorada (4278 m) - the "Red Lagoon" gets its color from special algae. She lies in "Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andína Eduardo Avaroa"-Nature reserve, therefore an entrance fee of 150, - Bolivianos has to be paid again, which is not included in the tour price.
- overnight stay (4278 m) - Very close to the Laguna Colorada there are accommodations that were built especially for tourists. Dinner in the common room with the other groups. 6 or more beds per room, blankets are provided. The bathroom is clean and even has a shower, but it doesn't always work. Locals provide their coal-heated shower for 10 Bolivianos, it is best to ask the driver. Between June and August, temperatures can drop to -20 ° C at night.
Third day - geysers, hot springs and return to Uyuni
The tour starts at 5:00 a.m. in the morning without breakfast!
- Sol de Mañana geyser (4850 m) - sulphurous hot steam rises from various sources. Be careful: the mud is hot too!
- Hot Springs (4400 m) - if you want, you can swim. Don't forget your swimwear. Spectacular sunrise if you are there at the right time. Most groups have breakfast here. Use of the toilet 3, - Bolivianos, use of the changing room including a toilet 6, - Bolivianos.
- Salvador Dalí Desert (4400 m) - the name was coined by tourists, as this part of the desert with its different colors and shapes is reminiscent of the artist's works.
- Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde (4400 m) lie at the foot of the volcano Licancabur. In the past, both lagoons formed a unit, today they are only connected by a small trickle. The Laguna Blanca contains borax and therefore looks white Laguna Verde is colored green by various heavy metals in the water. This water is POISONOUS! The border with Chile lies directly behind the volcano.
- Valle de las Rocas (3800 m) - volcanic rock was formed here by wind and weather. The rocks are up to 30 m high; if you want, you can climb up and enjoy the view of the surroundings, but there are also interesting photo opportunities from below.
- Return trip to Uyuni
security
If you want to drive through the desert without a guide, you should consider that there are no roads, no signs, no gas stations and no drinking water oases. Despite various volcanoes that can serve as landmarks, it is easy to get lost. You should definitely bring enough drinking water and a radio with you. There is also the possibility of informing someone about the planned tour and its duration at the Uyuni tourist office.
The desert lies on the border with Chile and Argentina, i.e. military posts are stationed at greater distances who do not like to see the national border crossed away from the official crossings. Rumors about mines have not yet been completely silenced either, so special caution is required when going on a tour on your own.
The commercial tours are operated with older SUVs. It may be that a repair is required en route that can take a few hours. However, the drivers are very knowledgeable and know what to do in an emergency. Other drivers are also very helpful. Accidents are not to be expected, as the desert offers enough opportunities to evade if a vehicle does come towards you.
The rooms in the accommodations are usually not lockable, so you should always carry valuables with you or not even take them with you. However, thefts are rare.
In the accommodations and at various stops along the way, there are radio devices that can be used to call help in an emergency. Anyone who has problems with oxygen deficiency or the symptoms of altitude sickness should, however, bear in mind that there are neither oxygen bottles available nor medical care possible on the way. Due to the height, rescue helicopters cannot be used, every transport would be done by car!
trips
Please refer Uyuni and Tupiza for opportunities to continue your journey.
