I still remember when I first knew about Salar de Uyuni. I googled it and my mind was blown away for its surreal beauty. Then the insane decision of going South America was made right that night just because I craved for beholding it with my own eyes.
Indeed, it was not easy, but I have to say that it worth all the effort to make it there and it lived up to all my expectations and even far beyond what I imagined it to be. Along with Machu Picchu, Salar de Uyuni was undoubtedly a highlight of my South America trip.
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world (cover an area of over 10,000 km²) and one of the most amazing natural attractions of Bolivia. Whether you're walking on the seemingly endless white, desolate surface of the dry flats, or admiring the simply perfect reflection of the clouds and blue sky above when there's water - all travelers agree the Salar de Uyuni offers an out-of-this-world experience.
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Technically, it is a flat, but it is extensive as a scale of a desert. And instead of plenty of sand dunes, you’re gonna find tons of salt here. To see the white and vastness of Salar de Uyuni, you can go there around June – October when weather and climate are at its best, but to see the flat turning to a huge mirror reflecting the whole blue sky above which is definitely one of a kind, you better pay a visit when it’s wet and that time is in March and April like I did.
Regardless of how much you love to travel on your own, taking a car tour is highly recommended to explore the place as it is very hard to navigate the way around if you are not very well-experienced in doing so. Then going with a guide who can show you the best part of this immense place seems to be a better, safer and also cheaper option.
While most people went for 3-day tour in the flat, it sounded a little rough for me, so instead of the most chosen tour, I took 2 separate tours which were Start gazing tour (including sunrise) and a day tour (including sunset) – sound like I had a full day on the desert. Although there were not as many things to do as the 3-day tour such as seeing flamingoes, staying in salt hotel, visiting cactus islands, etc. but it was definitely sufficient to be an experience of my lifetime.
Stargazing tour
Waking up at 3 am, getting on a 4x4 car with 6 other people. From Uyuni town which is located right in the edge of the salt flat, we headed to the place to admire the stars. Getting off the car and looking up the night sky, for a moment I thought this scene could go on forever. I had never really admired the stars since the night sky in the place I lived was blocked by the glare of city lights. Perhaps for the first time in my life, I saw something that pleasantly surprised me so much. There was a dense, sparkling starry sky, stretching all the way to the horizon for as far as the eye could see.
Have you ever look up the starry heavens on a clear night and been filled with wonder?
The temperature was undoubtedly minus, but I didn’t think anybody even noticed. Everyone seemed to be frozen, not for the coldness but probably the surreally stunning view that made them unable to move. The scene was breath-taking, and It was a gorgeous night. The sky seemed to be very close to the point that I thought I could just reach up into it and touch the whole Milky Way. It is totally impressive and just indescribable. The photos didn’t do it any justice compared to what I saw with my bare eyes. Feel like all the thing that I ever wanted from my South America trip was fulfilled with just one night on the salt flat.
I was frozen and a girl gave me this body warmer pad
The sun came up, everything was getting brighter and finally, I could see the vastness of the place, although we were just at the edge of the salt flat. With a little water on the surface, we had some fun with little trick photos and videos as our guide was very good at taking shots.
However, it wasn’t just that. There were more fascinating things Salar de Uyuni had to offer. If the Starlight tour gave me a heart-melted experience, what I got from a day tour on the salt flat was impressive, enjoyable and totally worth it, too.
A day tour in Salar de Uyuni
To be continued
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