Visit the Salar de Uyuni
In the sud Lipez region of Bolivia, near the border with Chile, lies a vast salt desert. Located near the city of Uyuni, for which it is named, this is not just a high-altitude salt flat. It is the largest one on the planet.
History
This salt desert formed roughly 14,000 years ago following the disappearance of Lake Tauca. The evaporation of that lake also created the Salar de Colpasa further to the north.
The Salar de Uyuni
Covering 10,582 square kilometers, an area slightly larger than the state of Connecticut, the Salar de Uyuni is indisputably the world's largest salt desert. The numbers here are eye-opening. This salt flat sits at an elevation of 3,658 meters, which dwarfs the highest ski resorts in the Rockies that typically top out around 3,400 meters.
Across this expansive surface, the salt crust ranges from 2 to 120 meters thick, holding an estimated reserve of 63 billion tons of salt. Currently, industrial extraction is limited to 25,000 tons per year, leaving the vast majority of the reserve untouched.
Another unique feature sits in the center: the Incahuasi island. It is a coral formation covered in cacti, some of which are over 1,000 years old.
The site is also a critical economic resource. With global exploitable lithium reserves estimated at 11 million tons, the Salar de Uyuni holds 5.5 million tons of that total. As lithium is a key component in electric vehicle batteries, the region is seeing rapid industrial development.
This beautiful yet harsh environment supports limited wildlife. You will mostly encounter flamingos, vicuñas, and culpeo foxes.
It is a remarkable destination for those who appreciate wide-open spaces and surreal landscapes.
The Salar de Uyuni is a natural wonder. It is a massive salt flat, something you rarely see anywhere else in the world. You can take beautiful photos by playing with optical illusions. When it has rained, the reflections are incredible.
You will also go on a short hike to a viewpoint and visit a small island with cacti. Amazing, we even spotted an ostrich! It is also possible to sleep in a salt hotel or at least visit one. Two days are essential.