A REAL GEM OF BOLIVIA! (Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia))

Member Name: poonam82

Product:	Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
Date:	17/05/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A beautiful place unspoilt by tourism!

Disadvantages: none that I can think of!

Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat) is what has been left behind after the drying up of a huge salt lake - yes, salt lake, not fresh water!!!

The Salt flat I was told is beyond 20 metres deep and crystallised salt can be seen for miles - as far as the eye can see - and yes of course, you have to taste it to believe it is salt! You see salt formations along the way - like the lines of salt boulders or little mini pyramids! By looking at photos, it looks like snow. It is an incredible sight!

In the middle of the salt flat, like a traditional mirage, is a desert island, with its very own llama and a few other friendly animal folk! The island has cactuses growing, is rocky, and just looks so out of place to the rest of the surroundings - which is white as far as the eye can see! It is incredible!! The slat crackles as you walk on top of it and you do feel in awe of the scale of the salt flat!

With the sun beating down on you and the refection of the sun in the white salt, you do feel somewhat blinded - like if you were somewhere snowy! It is one of those gems that haven't been plagued by people dropping litter, whilst in high season, it is frequently visited, it is so huge, that you are far away from other tourist jeeps so you have your own space to take in the natural beauty.

(Don't forget to pick up a tiny piece of salt for the mantelpiece at home!)

Without a doubt, you have to see this. It is just simply amazing!!
Best way to do it is a three day tour from San Pedro de Atacama - the final stop is at the salt flat - in Bolivia, or the other way around, so a really good way to border hop into the next country!!

Summary: If you're in Bolivia or near the Chilean border, you must see this place!