Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia, The World’s Largest Mirror
The Uyuni Salt Flat, located in southwest Bolivia, is the largest salt flat in the world, measuring 4086 square miles (10,582 square kilometres).
The Salar de Uyuni has enormous areas of sparkling white salt, in contrast to traditional deserts, which are characterised by an abundance of sand.
Except for a few tiny “islands” like Isla Incahuasi, the terrain is essentially flat, which only serves to emphasise its strange beauty.
There are substantial quantities of brine rich in lithium beneath the cemented salt.
In reality, Salar de Uyuni has around 70% of the world’s lithium reserves, so it’s hardly surprising that there is a whole business devoted to its mining.
The Salar de Uyuni is unlike any other place on earth and offers an incredible experience that will not be soon forgotten.
The origin of Salar de Uyuni, which contains an estimated 10 billion metric tonnes of salt, is frequently questioned.
As a result of the Altiplano’s (high plateau’s) lack of drainage outlets, a sizable lake was previously formed when water from the region’s mountains met.
Due to their high salinity, Salar de Uyuni’s salt flats still exist today, even though the enormous, ancient lake they once covered has long since dried up in the scorching Andean sun.
An alternate explanation offered by Aymaran folklore involves the Kusina, Kusku, and Tunupa mountains that surround the salt flats.
According to legend, Tunupa and Kusku were married when enormous people used to live on these mountains.
It is stated that Tunupa’s tears, shed when Kusku deserted his wife for Kusina, created the salt flats.
A 4×4 trip through the salt flats is the best and most popular way to fully experience the Salar de Uyuni.
It’s important to note that shared tours frequently carry up to 6 people; therefore, booking a private tour is advised for a more relaxing experience.
It is advised that you pack lots of warm clothes and a comfortable sleeping bag for the night because such tours often require at least one night’s stay in very modest accommodations.
Sunscreen is also a must because the salt’s reflections intensify the sun’s effects.
Travelers with a sense of adventure might also want to consider booking a night at one of the area’s famous salt hotels.
Since there are no nearby building supplies for miles, some villagers have taken it upon themselves to construct buildings using bricks made of cement-salted.
Everything in these hotels, including the flush toilets, tables, and mattresses, is made of salt blocks.
Even if you don’t intend to stay, you can usually view these hotels during the day for a small fee.
Salar de Uyuni is a surreal experience that should not be missed during the dry season.
But when it rains, it goes to a whole new level.
It is impossible to distinguish between the sky and the land because the thin sheet of water that covers the flats perfectly replicates the sky above.
Your desired experience will ultimately determine the optimal time to visit Salar de Uyuni.
We suggest travelling between July and October to get the best weather.
However, you should go between March and April to have a better chance of spotting the shiny surfaces.
The little village of Uyuni is where most journeys to Salar de Uyuni begin.
You can choose from a variety of methods to go to Uyuni.
The majority of travellers opt to depart from Ororo, which is accessible by bus or train in 7 hours.
It is advised to make a reservation in advance because these tickets frequently sell out on the day of the event.
As an alternative, you can travel by bus from Potosi or La Paz (12–15 hours away) for 6-7 hours.
Finally, you have the option of flying into Uyuni’s little airport from La Paz or renting a car.
