Altiplano Crossing - General Information
Welcome to South America’s high plateau – the Altiplano. A vast expanse of breathtaking scenery, the Altiplano is by far one of the best reasons to visit Bolivia.
Although the region encompasses parts of Peru, Bolivia and Chile, the most striking scenery can be found in the southern Bolivian section. South from Uyuni stretches a remote, rugged and windswept landscape of towering snow-capped volcanoes, aquamarine and red lagoons, steaming geysers and multicoloured mountains. The contrasting sky is impossibly blue. The immense landscape, entirely devoid of trees, seems desolate and inhospitable but on closer inspection harbours an abundance of life. Thousands of bright pink flamingos wade at the water’s edge while herds of llamas forage for fresh grass shoots nearby. The elusive vicuna, with its prized wool, wander freely amongst the hardy tufts of grass and plants – some of which are estimated to be over 3000 years old. Explore the bizarre rock formations and discover the timid viscacha from the chinchilla family. The Altiplano is a captivating place that takes your breath away. Sometimes literally – some points soar to over 5000m above sea level!
The isolation of this part of South America presents challenges for both travellers and locals. It is important that as visitors we adjust our expectations whilst passing through the area. Local resources are few and almost all food must be brought in from cities that are several days drive away. Outside of San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni restaurants and shops are non-existent. Meals will be prepared by your local hosts each night, and whilst adequate, will be basic. Lunch will be taken on the road and assembled by your local driver/guide from pre-purchased ingredients. Bathroom breaks may be au naturel with limited modern toilet facilities available.
Accommodation in local guesthouses is simple and very basic. Rooms feature exposed concrete block walls and have no added luxuries aside from a bed and several thick blankets. Some may have an ensuite but most have shared bathroom facilities with no hot water available. Guesthouses will usually have a wood fire in the evening to stave off the nightly cold.
Don’t let the hardships deter you. Though not the easiest journey, those who make the effort are rewarded handsomely with remarkable memories that will last a lifetime.
Altiplano Crossing Day 1
You will be collected from your hotel in the morning to begin your journey south. Pick-up time 05.40 hrs. for the flight from La Paz to Uyuni. Estimated arrival time 08.40 hrs in Uyuni.
Your first stop is the Train Cemetery near Uyuni, where you can explore a huge rusting collection of disused English trains that once crisscrossed Bolivia. It’s said that more than one of them was robbed at the hands of the infamous Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid while on the run from the law in South America. In the village of Colchani is an opportunity to observe the salt processing operations, Salt museum and even purchase your very own bag of Uyuni salt.
Begin your explorations of the famous Salar de Uyuni, one of the big highlights of the continent. It’s difficult to comprehend its enormity, blindingly white and impossibly flat, the largest salt flats in the world span an area of over 10,500 square kilometres. On closer inspection you will see that the salt dries into repetitive hexagonal shapes with jagged salty edges sharp to the touch.
Visit a hotel made entirely of salt blocks before visiting the Ojos del Salar/eyes of the salt flat where bubbling gases escape from underneath. Thought to have restorative powers, it is not uncommon to see rotund local ladies sitting in the knee-deep water splashing themselves liberally. Another photography stop at the some montones del sal/salt piles, where salt is dug up and piled into a series of cones to drain the excess water before being transported for processing.
You will visit Incahuasi/cactus island, a small hill of erupting in the middle of the flats. Take a short walk over the island alongside huge prickly cacti several times your height and enjoy the fabulous panoramic views. You’ll also have a chance to mess around with the lack of perspective in silly photographs. In the rainy season the salt flats are covered with a layer of water creating a mesmerising mirror effect. Although stunning, the water restricts access to Incahuasi and may result in diversions as vehicles are unable to cross the flooded flats.
Continue on to your evening’s accommodation.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
