Formed by prehistoric lakes that gradually transformed, the Uyuni salt flat is the largest salt flat in the world that will leave you breathless. This unique geographical curiosity is described emphatically in most Bolivian tourist itineraries so that travelers could take maximum advantage of their time and the most outstanding wonders. The salt flat is the dream of every photographer, an incredible natural Pandora’s Box with reddish mountains, green and red lagoons, hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, giant cacti and a large variety of rare animal species, such as the vicuña camelid, the Bolivian viscacha rabbit, flamingoes and the culpeo fox. Even newcomers to professional photography will have a lot of fun here, taking amusing and memorable complicated pictures and pictures in perspective. When the salt flat is covered with water it becomes the world’s largest and limitless mirror. A must-see phenomenon

This vast area of salt has become a tourist attraction in the last couple of years, because of its beauty and uniqueness. No other place can be found anywhere in the world as beautiful as the Uyuni salt flat. It is the world’s largest salt lake, with over 9,500 square kilometers. But it has not always been a salt lake; 40,000 years ago, there was an inland lake called Lake Minchin. Over time the lake dried up. When completely dried up, two lakes formed – Lake Uru Uru and Lake Poopó. In addition, the dry salt lakes formed – the Coipasa salt lake and the more famous and larger Uyuni salt lake. Thanks to the Uyuni salt flat, the area prospered, with many people working with and extracting salt, piling up the salt for drying prior to processing. Around 25,000 tons of salt are extracted from the lake every year. But as the lake holds more than 10 billion tons of salt, there is no way they will ever run out of salt! People have realized that the salt lake is an enormous opportunity for tourism, if managed properly. The number of tours in the area has grown, with tourist operators taking tourists to the Uyuni salt lake and its surroundings, including the foothills of the Andes mountains. Hence, Uyuni is growing year after year and is becoming more and more popular among travelers - it is no longer only adventurers that visit this place. Today, the area has become a friendly place for tourists of all ages and nationalities. You can find accommodation and lodgings at an incredibly low price as well as handicrafts with a reasonable price tag. All in all an incredible place to visit. Besides the Uyuni salt flat, you can visit several islands in this sea of salt and you can even visit a salt hotel. Another attraction is the flamingoes gathering on certain areas around Uyuni. The Andean, James and Chilean flamingoes can be observed. If you take a tour around Bolivia, consider a stop at the salt desert; it is something you have never seen. Directions A growing number of travelers choose an eco-vacation or a trip to different parts of the world where they can admire natural wonders. One of the most popular destinations, particularly in recent years, is the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia. You may wonder what this small town (around 14,000 inhabitants) has to offer; well, most people would answer: the Uyuni salt flat. And that is the truth. Tours in 4x4 vehicles are probably the most popular option in this area. But there are other things to see as well, such as the archeological museum and the train cemetery. How to get there How can you get to this remote place called Uyuni? There are various possibilities, including by plane, by train and by car. You could take the bus. Depending on where you take the bus, the trip to Uyuni will vary considerably. From La Paz, the trip takes around 10 hours, from Oruro around seven hours, and from Potosí around seven hours as well. You can buy your bus tickets in advance to make sure you will not miss the bus. If you miss the bus, you will have to wait for several hours before boarding the next bus. Daily trains to and from Oruro or Tupiza. The best way to travel to Uyuni is probably to rent a car in another city. This way, you can travel at your own rhythm and even have a rest in the car. You can leave your car in Uyuni while you take a tour and pick it up on your way back. This is certainly the most convenient way to travel, but you need to check if it is ok with your budget. When you finally arrive in Uyuni, you might have to stay one or two nights in town before taking the tour of the salt lake and the wild surroundings. This means you will need a place to stay. Main Attractions The Uyuni salt flat, this famous desert of salt, covers thousands of square kilometers. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bolivia. The salt lake is located near the town of Uyuni, from where most tours leave. When you embark on a journey to the Uyuni salt lake, you can expect a variety of interesting places. Below is a list of places most visitors to this area wish to see. When you book a tour, check at what places it stops so as to fully take advantage of your trip to Uyuni. Train Cemetery For visiting the train cemetery just outside the town, you don’t need a guide. Simply walk to the trains and take pictures of the rusted train cars from the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. A strange place in the desert, a place forgotten and surrendered to the desert. Indeed, a strange place, but certainly worth a visit. The train cemetery is just a few steps away from the town, but as in all hikes, you should bring enough water. And bring your camera because this cemetery is a unique picture shooting spot. It is often the first (or last, depending on the program) place where the tourist stops in the Uyuni salt flat tour. Stone Tree

The Stone Tree is a peculiar rock formation that seems to be sprouting from the soil and that looks like a real tree. As many places on the tours, this unusual formation is something you absolutely need to take a picture of to share with your friends. The name does not do justice to this exceptional stone tree.

Lagoons

You will see many lagoons on your journey, the most interesting ones of which the Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and the Laguna Colorada (Colored Lagoon). Located on the border with Chile, the Laguna Verde is an attractive green-colored salt lake. The reason explaining the green color is the high arsenic content in the water. The Laguna Colorada is colorful because of red-colored sediments and pigmentation of the algae. Many flamingoes of various species live in this lake, including the James, Chilean and Andean or Bolivian flamingoes. The two lakes are out-of-this-world landscapes of a surreal beauty.

Isla del Pescado (Fish Island)

The Isla del Pescado island is a unique ecosystem located in the middle of the salt desert.

The "island" is full of cacti, some of which up to 10 meters high. Though you won’t find any fish here… The reason why the island is called Fish Island is because of its shape.

Fairs

On certain days of the week (Thursday and Sunday), there is a fair in the streets of Uyuni from the clock tower in the city center and along various blocks. Here, you can find handicrafts, including some hand-made items such as woolen shawls and salt sculptures. You can find all sorts of things, including souvenirs, in the fair and also in the local shops.

Mummies in and out of town

Even though they are not located in the town itself, you can take a tour to personally see some of the mummies found in caves in nearby hills. The mummies rest in the traditional fetal position, and though it is impossible to know the cause of their death, they are believed to be victims of starvation. Some of the local guides can give you more information on these mummies and on the ancient inhabitants of this land, including the Incas. These caves are worth visiting even though you may be a bit afraid or intrigued! If you do not want to visit the caves outside the village, you can also see mummies, skulls and other artifacts at the local archaeology museum. This should keep you entertained for a few hours.

Above are just some of the different things which you will see during your tour to the Uyuni salt flat. Bring warm clothes and sun block and you will certainly have a good time at the salt lake.