The Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest continuous high salt desert in the world, with an area of 10,582 km² (4,085 sq mi ) – about half the size of Wales. It is located at about 3,650 m above sea level in southwestern Bolivia. It is on every overlanders itinerary and we were really looking forward to spending a few days out on the salt pan. Javier, Dana and the kids came with us – it was really nice to have company.
We entered late in the afternoon and arrived at the Dakar Monument/Salt Hotel for sunset, by which time most of the tours had departed and we had the place to ourselves overnight.
The next morning we visited a wetter part of the pan hoping to get pictures with some of the famous reflections, but there was not enough water and, not having wellington boots, it wasn’t the nicest part of our visit.
From there we headed to a maze constructed from salt blocks. Rather appropriately, we had difficulty finding it – our maps showed multiple locations and there are no signposts on the pan. We had great fun in the maze, forming teams to see who could get out first. We finally managed to find the exit, before they had to come in and get us!
The next day we visited Incahuasa Island and then Pescadoro Island (both with cactus vegetation) before returning to Incahuasa to spend the night.
On our fourth and final day we visited the sculpture park before exiting the pan and returning to Uyuni. Importantly, after having been on the salt, we treated Big Bertha to a comprehensive wash down.
Whilst out on the salt pan, we of course took advantage of the infinite horizon to take some funny photos!
What a welcome difference with fun in the salt pans – with illusory transportations of Dave to Lilliput and Francine to Brobdingnag – did BB ever imagine being held in the palm of anyone’s hand or wholly underfoot to anyone – the evidence is undeniable – onward and forward with the adventure.
Loved the funny photos
Looks like fun, fantastic salt statues, amazing Cacti.
I bet the children are having a great adventure.
The photography is wonderful! really clever.
Whoaah! The video of the salt pans from the cactus island is truly memorable. Thank you (once again!).
And, yeah, the beer cans are epic.
Fantastic you two!
It brought back good memories of our trip to those salt flats some years ago.
We loved it there and the salt hotel was a lot of fun.
So nice to see your photos..and the cacti too.
Thanks for sharing..
Jean and Fraser
Thanks Jean – the flats are really special, aren’t they? Love to Fraser.
Loved the photographs and films, great fun. Think I would have gone a little crazy in the maze🙄🙄🙄. Amazing experiences😀😀. Keep them coming👌👌
Thanks Jean xx
great place to visit, thank you for creating this article