Salt, Water & Rocks - Southern Bolivia
The southwestern tip of Bolivia offers some of the most magnificent landscapes in South America. Before getting there, we crossed into Bolivia from Paraguay in the east, going through Tarija and Tupiza in order to acclimatize to the high altitudes again..
Tarija
Tarija is famous for its wines, although not so much outside of Bolivia. The wines are either sweet or of lower quality compared to more famous wine countries.
Tupiza
Tupiza is a tranquil little town at 3000m altitude. It is surrounded by bizarre rock formations of various colors.
Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni is one of the most amazing and unique places on our planet. It is the world's largest salt flat. Driving a car on this huge area, you can chose any direction without hitting an obstacle for miles on end.
The small islands are great for spending the night, which we did twice. Walking up those small hills also gives another perspective of the salt flat.
- Salar de Uyuni - Isla Pescado
- Salar de Uyuni - Isla Pescado
- Salar de Uyuni - Isla Phia Phia - Cueva del Diablo
- Salar de Uyuni - Isla Pescado
Some people seem to be looking for trouble and ignore the fact that the edges of the Salar can quickly become a wicked mixture of mud and salt, which is a recipe to get stuck big time. Even the signposted ramps are not to be underestimated when rain sets in.
Nor Lípez
We took the route from the Salar going through Colcha "K", San Agustín and Alota. This connection between the salt and the water also has some stunning views on offer.
- From Julaca to San Agustín
- From San Agustín to Alota
- From San Agustín to Alota
- From San Agustín to Alota
Sud Lípez
This region is also known as the Lagunas route among travelers and for good reason. Lagunas are countless in this area and almost every single one of them has a different color. Unsurprisingly that is what many of them are named after.
We drove pretty much the standard route southwards to the border with Chile at Hito Cajón. The landscapes on this stretch are simply mind-blowing.
Laguna Hedionda is one of the first lagunas coming from the north. We could observe flamingos from close up on the edge.
Laguna Colorada is one of the biggest lagunas and its colors are extraordinary.
Sol de Mañana is a geothermal area with many boiling mud pools and steam blowing from the ground.
What is hard to spot on pictures is the fact that these roads consist of extreme washboard for the most part. Oftentimes it is not possible (or not advisable) to drive faster than 10mph. In search of a new and better track these roads have widened to literally a few hundred meters in some places. Yet, it has become close to impossible by now to find a stretch without washboard. While this puts a heavy strain on the vehicle, it allows for more time to admire the landscapes.
Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde with the impressive Volcán Licancábur in the back drop were our last stop. We camped right underneath the volcano and high above the Laguna Verde at 4500m altitude.
