The surreal beauty of the world's largest Salar de Uyuni salt field
In the rainy season, the reflection on the salt fields of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia creates a unique natural scene.
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Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, stretching over 10,500 square kilometers in the Altiplano plateau, southwestern Bolivia. Located at an altitude of 3,650 m above sea level, the topography of the area is completely flat and is dotted with small "islands" such as Isla Incahuasi.
Scientists discovered this area as part of Lake Minchin about 40,000 years ago. In prehistoric times, the lake covered the entire southwest of Bolivia. Over time, the water gradually dried up, today only two small lakes are left, Poopo and Uru Uru. In some caves there are still coral fossils, traces of a sea that existed in the past
The Altiplano Plateau has no outlet, so when the lake water evaporates under the harsh sun, a layer of salt and calcium sulfate remains on the ground. Along with the wind, the salt dunes at Salar de Uyuni are constantly changing over time.
The Aymaran people living in Bolivia have a legend to explain the formation of Salar de Uyuni. Formerly three mountains surrounded the salt field, Kusina, Kusku and Tunupa were giants. Because of Kusina, Kusku's husband betrayed his wife - Tunupa, causing her tears to fall and form a giant salt lake Salar de Uyuni.
During the rainy months in southwestern Bolivia, the thin water transforms the Salar de Uyuni into a giant mirror, reflecting the sky, flamingos, cars and even people. The climate here is very harsh, at night it is bitterly cold, with high winds and rainfall of only 400 mm per year.
Natural creatures that can adapt and live in Salar de Uyuni include flamingos and cacti up to 12 meters tall. Along with endless salt fields and the unique volcanic landscape of the Andes, Salar de Uyuni possesses breathtaking beauty that cannot be found anywhere in the world.
The salt field is located in a remote area and has a high altitude. Some tours also take guests up to an altitude of 5,000 meters, which can cause health problems such as altitude shock, shortness of breath and dizziness. To overcome, you can get used to the altitude in La Paz city for a few days or bring medicine.
The most popular way to visit the Salar de Uyuni salt flats is on an all-terrain truck tour. Each tour includes a maximum of 6 visitors. You need to bring enough warm clothes, a sleeping bag, a raincoat, boots, sunscreen, and accessories that help reduce the impact of the sun on your eyes and skin.
If traveling on their own, guests can stay overnight at famous salt hotels in this area. Due to its geographical location, construction materials are difficult to deliver to Salar de Uyuni. Local people make bricks out of blocks of salt. In addition, beds, tables, and toilets in the hotel are also made from this material.
The best time to visit Salar de Uyuni is in July-October, when the climate is pleasant. However, to admire the giant mirror, visitors should come here in March - April. Most tours to the salt fields depart from the town of Uyuni or Tupiza. To get here, visitors can choose flights to Ororo city, then connect by train or bus, travel time 7-8 hours. Alternatively, visitors can also depart from La Paz city and Potosi city.
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