South West Bolivia

Uyuni, South West Bolivia
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Salar de Uyni is the largest salt plain in the world, a total over 12,000 square km coverage producing 20,000tonnes of salt a year.  It was formed 25, 000 years ago when a lake dried and evaporated.  The place is completely in the middle of nowhere, the nearest town, Uyuni has about 2 streets and dirt roads.  In fact the whole of Souh West Bolivia has a feeling of complete remoteness.

We went on a 3 day trip in a jeep to see the Salar and the various other bizarre landscapes and lakes in the area.

Little local girl
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Laguna Colarado is a red colour due to the high sodium and magnesium content and Laguna Verde is green from the arsenic, sulphur and lead.  Both are over 4000m and Laguna Verde is -20C (it doesn't freeze because of the mineral content and because it is so windy the water moves too much!).

We also went to see the geysers at sunrise.....at 4,850m it was absolutely freezing!!!

The accomodation on both nights was basic to say the least and it was -15C on the second night.  Luckily my fab new sleeping bag (and about 3 layers of clothes) kept me warm!