Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni & the Coloured Lakes

Not only is the Salar de Uyuni the highest salt lake in the world standing at 3650m, but it is also the largest and twice as big as the Great Salt Lake in the USA, covering approx. 10,000 sq kms.

Why visit Salar de Uyuni & the Coloured Lakes ?

• Head off the beaten track to see the spectacular red & green soda lakes
• Explore the weird and wonderful salt lake in an iconic Airstream Camper
• See the workers at Colchani dig out the salt into piles ready for sale
• Marvel at the giant cacti that live on some of the islands in the Salar
• Soak up the surreal views of bizarre rock formations and salty hexagons

For those seeking some of South America’s most extraordinary scenery and isolated pristine wilderness, then to journey across this surreal landscape of strange hexagonal shapes encrusted in the salt and ten metre high giant cacti is a truly other-worldly experience. Drive to the Isla Pescado where you can find unique fauna and flora, completely isolated for thousands of years by the vast plains of salt or climb Volcan Tunupa for an amazing view across the great Salt Lake.

Further south from Salar de Uyuni is a world of bizarre rock formations, snow-tipped volcanoes and sparkling soda lakes of dizzying shades of jade and red, filled with flocks of pink flamingos. The Laguna Colorada (Coloured Lake) at 4278 metres high and 60 square kilometres, gets its name from the effect of wind and sun on the micro-organism that live in it. The pink algae found in the less than 1 metre deep lake provide food for the flamingos and also gives them their pink colour.

South of the red waters of the Laguna Colorada lies the Laguna Verde (Green Lake) which gets is impressive colour from magnesium, calcium carbonate, lead and arsenic. The lake lies on the foot of Volcan Licancabur which is on the border between Bolivia and Chile.

This journey south is for the more hardy traveller and uses the best available accommodation, which is basic, but this extraordinary travel experience is reward enough.

Airstream Campers

Luna Salada

LOCATION

BOLIVIA KEY INFO

Visa

No Visa is required for UK passport holders.

Health Requirements

No mandatory vaccinations are required.

Time Difference

GMT - 4 Hours

Flight Time

14.5 hours with one stop

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"Many thanks indeed. Fab holiday! Everything went incredibly smoothly, and all the staff/drivers etc charming and all our connections etc went smoothly. Highlights included white water rafting, zip wires, releasing new-born turtles into the sea, being in a boat amongst 200 dolphins, riding on beaches... Children and parents ticked off many from our “must do things in our lives” list. In terms of lodges, would rank Pacuare and Lapa Rios equal first. Quite different, but both outstanding in terms of people, location, set up, activities, comfort etc. So overall a brilliant holiday, expertly organised by WO/HL/JF! Many thanks indeed, and see you soon!"
J. & A. Family - Costa Rica: December
"Thank you so so much for including me in your adventure... Salt cathedrals, courtyard lunches, llamas, steak, Botero, humming birds, treks, cool pools, birthdays and lovely pressies, snorkelling, eating, drinking, music, bars with pools, boganvilla, large breakfasts, history, balconies and wooden windows, cocktails at sunset with humid sea breeze, Carribean ocean, ceviche, convents, markets, views, avocado, music, street acrobats... warmth in people, temperature and friendships. The list is endless... It was wonderful. Thank you."
Mrs S. Crawford - Colombia: November
"Couldn’t have been better, we took 1,400 pictures! We can’t thank you enough for putting the itinerary together, it was as perfect as perfect can be. If I can help you in return by being a reference or whatever, please just let me know. Rest assured next time we go on a serious vacation we’ll be in touch H xx"
M. Party – Peru: August 2016
"We have had a marvellous holiday! All the arrangements ran smoothly, the itinerary was just what we wanted and the guides, without exception, were fantastic. The hotels were very good too. The guides exceeded our expectations in terms of punctuality, courtesy and attentiveness. We have so many amazing memories and everyone agreed that it was one of the best holidays ever! Special highlights (and there were many) included Condors at Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Machu Pichu and the Galapagos. Thank you for all your help in making the arrangements".
The M. Party - South America: June
"We had the most fabulous time at the bottom of the world. We believed it would be good but in fact it turned out to be one of the best adventures ever. All of our arrangements rolled as planned and we felt very well cared for. Our guides were superb. Their English was excellent and they were good company."
Eileen & Jane - Chile & Argentina
"Couldn’t have been better, we took 1,400 pictures and it was a very good balance between being busy and having time to relax. We can’t thank you enough for putting the itinerary together, it was as perfect as perfect can be. If I can help you in return by being a reference or whatever, please just let me know. Rest assured next time we go on a serious vacation we’ll be in touch"
Margerrison Party - Peru
"Fab holiday! Everything went incredibly smoothly, and all the staff/drivers etc charming. Your partner on the ground was efficient and good. And all our connections etc went smoothly. So overall a brilliant holiday, expertly organised by WO/HL/JF! Many thanks indeed, and see you soon!"
J&A - Costa Rica