Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Andean flamingos at Salar de Uyuni
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andean_Flamingos_Laguna_Colorada_Bolivia_Luca_Galuzzi_2006.jpg
Luca Galuzzi


Salar de Uyuni, also known as Salar de Tunupa, is the largest salt flat in the world. It covers an area of 10,582 sq km (4085 sq miles) in the Potosí and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia.

The area where Salar de Uyuni is located is near the crest of the Andes, at a height of 3,650 meters. It is part of the Altiplano of Bolivia, a high plateau that was formed during the uplift of the Andes mountain range. The major minerals found in the salar are halite and gypsum.

Salar de Uyuni is part of a Lake Minchin, a prehistoric lake that dried up 40,000 years ago. When Lake Minchin died up, it created two present-day lakes, Lake Poopó and Lake Uru Uru.

Isla del Pescado, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isla_del_Pescado_in_Uyuni.JPG
Ricampelo


Also formed were two salt flats - deserts of salt - the larger called Salar de Uyuni and the smaller called Salar de Coipasa. Salar de Uyuni is 25 times the size of the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States.

Studies indicated that Salar de Uyuni contains an estimated 10 billion tons of salt. Salt is mined here, but only 25,000 tons is extracted annually.

All miners working in the Salar belong to Colchani's cooperative. They labour from dawn to dusk with a break for lunch, in order to take advantage of the time. They chew coca leaves for energy.

Every November, Salar de Uyuni becomes a breeding grounds for three species of South American flamingos: the Chilean, James's and Andean flamingos. It has become a growing tourist attraction, and has now included a salt hotel.

Salar de Uyuni salt making, Bolivia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SALT_Salar_de_Uyuni_Bolivia_Luca_Galuzzi_2006.jpg
Luca Galuzzi

Visiting Salar de Uyuni

There are tours by 4WD vehicles such as Toyota Landcruisers to Salar de Uyuni. The tours usually takes 3-4 days.

Accommodation is basic in this frigid, hostile region, but the scenery more than make up for all the discomfort. As you will be camping there, bring along items such as sleeping bag, flashlight, hot water bottle, warm clothing, and lots of water.

Make sure to have with you sunglasses and sunblock, as the sun can get quite intense here.

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