After the four days in Atacama, we took a trip to Uyuni, Bolivia. We contracted an operator in Atacama for a guided tour from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni Salt Flats. We departed from San Pedro de Atacama early morning and reached the Chile / Bolivia border post of Hito Cajon by 8.30am. The queue in both Chile and Bolivia immigration was quite long and we entered Bolivia around 10am.
We first stopped by Laguna Blanca, then by Laguna Verde. Both lakes had stunning views, surrounded by the Andes.
Our next stop was the Dali Desert, named after Salvador Dali. Our guide took a very nice photo of me and my wife.
We stopped for lunch at Polques Hot Springs. The view of the rain over the lake was awesome.
Our next stop was Sol de Maňana geysers (Morning Sun) which is at an altitude of 5000 meters. We spent a few minutes breathing from an oxygen cylinder before reaching the geysers. There are many geysers here, and the views were great.
Our next stop was Laguna Chiar Khota, followed by Laguna Colorada. Our last stop of the day was by some volcanic rocks.
We stayed overnight at a lodge near Laguna Hedionda. In the morning we walked to the lake and saw lots of beautiful Flamingos, with snow covered mountains in the background.
We started driving towards Uyuni salt flats round 8am in the morning. We stopped by a couple of lakes and volcanic rocks on the way. We stopped at San Cristobal town to have lunch.
After lunch at San Cristobal, we arrived at Uyuni around 2.30pm. We first visited the Train Cemetery. The Uyuni Train Cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes) in Bolivia houses abandoned 19th and early 20th-century British steam locomotives and carriages that once serviced a booming mining industry, transporting silver and tin to Pacific ports. After the industry collapsed in the 1940s and plans for network expansion failed, the trains were abandoned, with harsh, salt-laden winds from the nearby salt flats accelerating their decay.
Around 5pm in the evening, we drove to Uyuni salt flats. The views were absolutely amazing. We really enjoyed watching the sun set slowly, and in the distance we could see rain clouds.
Next morning we visited Pulacayo, about an hours drive from Uyuni. Pulacayo, located in Bolivia’s Potosí Department, was a 19th-century industrial powerhouse and the world’s second-largest silver mine, anchoring the national economy. Founded in 1833, it modernized mining with the first railroad in Bolivia (1888). Now an abandoned industrial heritage site, it features preserved machinery and a historic train.
The following morning we took the flight from Uyuni to La Paz. We were able to capture a good view of Uyuni salt flats from the flight.
After landing in La Paz, our first visit was to Mirador Killi Killi, by Uber. The views of the surrounding Andes mountains was great.
Next, we visited the Valley of the Moon in La Paz. The valley looked surreal.
On our second morning in La Paz, we first visited the Witches Market. Then we visited the Metropolitan Cathedral in the centre of La Paz.
Then we went to Plaza Murillo, and saw the Legislative Palace of Bolivia.
Our last sight of the day was a drive to Mirador Monticulo, which has great views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
On our return to our apartment, we saw the La Paz Carnaval with lots of people dancing, wearing colourful dresses.
Overall the trip to Uyuni was amazing, and we also enjoyed the couple of days in La Paz.
My Travels - by Sivamani 