Salar de Uyuni & Laguna Colorada: An Unforgettable Review
Okay, so you are thinking of hitting up Salar de Uyuni and Laguna Colorada? Very cool! I mean, let’s be real, you have come to the right place if you are looking for an incredible look at just what this adventure has to offer. Very unlike anything you may have experienced, this South American treat provides an adventure that honestly, just sticks with you. A multi-day visit out into seemingly nowhere across the Bolivian Altiplano…that’s very hard to beat.
The Allure of the Salt Flats
Salar de Uyuni…honestly it feels like another planet, doesn’t it? What happens is that it starts with miles, really quite endless miles actually, of gleaming white salt which then stretch out in every direction, meeting with an endless sky that becomes, well, an unbelievable, seamless horizon. Apparently it’s the world’s largest salt flat, covering an area so large it is actually difficult to even attempt to see the very end, and that fact alone makes it feel extra special. Now what is super cool is that after even a little bit of rain, it transforms into a giant mirror, reflecting the sky so it completely blurs the lines between earth and heaven. This sort of naturally surreal landscape ends up turning into a giant playground for photographers which allows them to mess with perspective and, like, basically capture some pretty out-of-this-world pictures that very much do the area justice. Very mind-blowing stuff, it really is.
Speaking of photo ops…very worth knowing about for the traveling content creator that you are – planning around the rainy season might really be worth the damp socks. Very picture perfect conditions, those reflections will get you thousands of likes!
Laguna Colorada: A Crimson Dream
Then, very contrasting to the seemingly endless white expanse of the Salar, the Laguna Colorada explodes with unbelievable life and what is essentially red vibrancy. That almost blood-red color comes, obviously, from the algae and sediment in the water, and because of this, it’s really a stunning sight. So worth a trip! But even more, Laguna Colorada is also home to thousands of flamingos, so really it’s a unique and important breeding ground for these incredible birds. It’s very awe inspiring to see these really elegant creatures strutting about in the shallows, so definitely a big win for nature lovers. Is this enough to make a non nature lover a lover? Probably.
But now here is an idea you might very well benefit from: the altitude is quite something around Laguna Colorada, so maybe you could grab some medication for altitude sickness beforehand and definitely try to take it very easy when you first arrive.
Choosing Your Tour: A Practical Look
Selecting a good tour is very important when venturing to these landscapes. The most basic option is the type, meaning there is a decision to make about if the trip should begin from Uyuni, or from Tupiza. This then makes the rest of the choices slightly less important. Is there a very major distinction? Not really. Both are fantastic ways to do it.
The Uyuni start, like, really offers more of a ‘hit the ground running’ type experience, so it’s generally a fast in and out kind of trip that may really well be better if you are really, actually pressed for time. Meanwhile the other choice, starting in Tupiza, is a very slow immersion into the landscape with lots of very fantastic opportunities to adjust to the higher altitude during some pretty wonderful stops along the way. Do be certain to check out a couple of things before settling on the correct selection for what you really need to get out of the experience; does your budget allow for a slightly more luxurious vehicle and stay experience with oxygen? Then what is the plan in case of emergency with access to vehicles, translation and care? Making sure your choice for tour operation puts emphasis on both comfort AND the practical needs of you and your crew might be really important to having fun when trouble comes about.
What to Pack: Preparing for the Extremes
So, what should you toss in your bag? Layers, really, that is your mantra here. Think thermal underwear, because it really gets really chilly out there at night and also early in the mornings. What’s needed are some sweaters and a seriously dependable jacket to fight off those harsh winds. Really good, sturdy boots are seriously key to handle the rough ground, and of course, that sun is something else, so don’t skip on the sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Like I stated earlier, it gets very cold. Now is there some more practical information? I very highly suggest a sleeping bag even when it’s “provided”, and snacks/water. Lots of snacks/water!
And I’d throw in, like, a portable charger for your phone/camera, because outlets could be hard to find. Okay, so how about entertainment? This is very helpful advice to heed. The long drives could be really boring, so some music, podcasts, or books will pass the time. You, like, probably won’t have service for quite a bit of it, so prep beforehand.
Cultural Considerations and Respect
It’s worth keeping in your mind that this place, very awe inspiring that it may be, isn’t really just some photo backdrop, it’s literally peoples homes and communities! Trying to show real, actual respect to the locals is so important. So trying out some very basic Spanish phrases can really go a long way. So very far that it will most likely surprise you!
When buying trinkets, buy from the smaller business folks and haggle appropriately, and above all be kind. What could be important, if you would want to be thoughtful is asking about the environment in this space; not messing with the wildlife is crucial, and then actually being respectful towards the environment by picking up every piece of your own mess or waste to leave the zone is very important. The trip needs you, the world needs you, to do that simple bit.
Okay so, to bring us home on what’s most crucial:
- Very vivid, otherworldly landscape that will certainly change perspective
- Consider Uyuni or Tupiza when planning tour route – weigh pros/cons, also plan for worst case scenario
- Pack carefully…the zone is intense and without supplies is going to make the entire affair seriously, extremely miserable
- Realize that this trip also requires you be hyper respectful of nature and those whom call the region home – we are so very privileged to be guests here!