Category: UYUNI SALT LAKE

 

PACKAGE: SALT CRYSTALS
Code: W.B.S.U. 1003 RT
Duration: 3 Days/ 2 Nights.
Number of people: From one up

 

 

 

Day 1:

Today we will take an unforgettable trip through 12,000 sq. Km. of fantastic salt landscapes. Get your camera ready! The amazing white crust at the Uyuni Salt Lake (Tunupa) is very similar to an enormous glacier.

In winter time, (dry season from May to October) when the surface is hard, some geometric figures formed by salt crystals gathered in polygons appear on the lake. In summer time, (rainy season from November to February) the saline desert becomes a huge mirror that connects itself to the sky – the purest sky in America.

We will get into the salt lake through Colchani where we will get familiar with the salt processing plants are located. We will visit one of them and will be briefed on the family salt economy based on cooperatives that governs the inhabitants´ daily life.
Once in the lake, we will stop at the Montículos de Sal (salt piles) and then will head to the magnificent Thunupa Volcano and climb onboard our vehicle and visit the Momias de Coquesa (Coquesa mummies) which lie at a very high altitude and will able to admire this endless and monumental salt lake.
Afterwards, we will descend to Tahua and have lunch at Tayka Salt Hotel.

In the afternoon, we will go north by car to Chillguilla town and will climb up to La Pucara where a 60 to 90-minute stroll to the impressive Pucara de Chillima – a hideaway in the salt lake of impressive wonder as well as spiritual presence that comes from the rocks. This place makes one wonder about ancient people´s life. From this spot we can see the Salar Sensual (sexy lake) to the west that is very little known and is full of islands and bays
Return in vehicle (approximately 30 minutes).
If the tourist likes to walk, he/she can go back to the hotel via a path that the ancient inhabitants used for ritual visits to this mystic center. It is a 135-minute trek that at sunset light the slat lake and Thunupa Volcano make it an unforgettable and one-in-a-life experience (ask the tour guide about it)

Overnight sleep at Tayka Network Salt Hotelthat offers private bathrooms, hot running water and central heating (L, D)

Day 2: ISLAND, CAVE, LAGOON CLUSTER & MULTICOLOR DESERTS

Today we will go across the salt lake from north to south. The first attraction is the Incahuasi Island touristic attention center that has an ascending path that leads to a 360° observation deck; then to Mala Mala Bay; once this point is left, we will had to Cueva Galaxia (Galaxi Cave) a cactus and petrified stromatholith and then to a Chullpa (mummies) Cemetery. This cave has a unique sub aquatic formation where one can find the Michin Lake (300000 years old) and Tauca Lake (40000 years old)

The journey continues to San Pedro de Quemes where the Tayka Network Salt Hotel is located. We can rest for a while and have lunch.

In the afternoon the tour will head Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda y Ramaditas lagoons that are populated by numerous flamencos of three different species and other  kinds of birds there such as Andean seagulls and ducks that allow the tourist to take pictures. This beautiful scenery of lagoons framed by high snowcapped volcanoes portray a green coverage mixed with Andean straw, yareta and thola and mix up in ochre-like and rare colors that the wind has carved through thousand of years which combine borax and sulfur in its color.

After passing by the last lagoon, the tour heads almost directionless to endless sand and rocky plains of the Siloli Desert.  These fantastic deserts combine a palette of terracotta colors: reds, oranges, bronzes, browns, beiges that amaze the tourist. In the middle of such a place the Hotel del Desierto (Hotel of the Desert) has been built which offers the tourist rooms with private bathroom, hot runny water and central heating (B, L & D)

COLORFUL LAGOONS AND LADIES OF THE DESERT (Eduardo Avaroa Nat´l Reserve)

The day starts early to make a circle illuminated with the first sun rays. We will be able to see the untamed vicuña – an haughty aukenid – that roams in small groups. We will have our first contact with the Reserva de Flora y Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (Nat´l Reserve) by visiting the Árbol de Piedra (rock tree), seeing viscachas and yaretas.

The tour continues towards the Sol de Mañana Geysers (geysers of the early morning) at their most active period with the first sun rays. This is the highest place of the tour approximately 5000 m (15000´MSL) as well as the coldest. Here the tourist could also see noisy steams and wells where the water actually boils in reddish and gray mud. If one wants to the water can be collected from the shores. Next is the The Chalviri desert and salt lake is another place of impressive view. This place combines white snow, ochre soil, blue waters and white borax. In one of its corners the tourist can bathe in Termas de Polques (Polques thermal waters) and enjoy an open air breakfast.

Further on, the tour passes by las Damas del Desierto (the ladies of the desert) or Dali that were carved in the rock by the wind. Almost at the end of the tour, we will get to Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) that lies at the bottom of Licancabur Volcano which is one of the most impressive attractions of this Nat´l Reserve.
The tour gets there in time for lunch and the tourist will be able to admire how its waters change form an emerald green to a dark green.

Next, we will go to the other most impressive attraction: Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) where the three flamenco species nest and whose algae, plankton – activated by the solar radiation, and strong wind give the lagoon its pinkish color as well as giving color to the flamencos’´ feathers and feet.

As we return, we will visit San Cristobal town and its church. This town had to be moved due to an enormous world-wide mining complex built in this place.

We will say good-bye to llamas and vicuñas that were along side to us during this voyage right form the beginning, but we will still be looking for the Ñandu or Suri that is very hard to spot.

None of the visitors will be able to forget the journey to the end of the world!

End of our services (B, L)

Tour fare includes:

  • Spanish spoken Driver
  • Private transportation equipped with radio transmitter (4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar)
  • Accommodation at Salt and Rock hotels or similar
  • Meal program and mineral water as listed above (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • All listed activities
  • Tourist´s tax
  • Also included: A first aid kit that contains an array of local herbs for altitude sickness, sorojchipill, stress pills, oxygen and fire extinguisher

Tour fare DOES NOT include:

  • Admissions
  • US$ 1 per person per overnight stay at the community

 

All payments are for the conservation of the attractions

WHAT TO TAKE WITH

The salt lake and the route are too cold and windy with high solar radiation.  It is recommended to take the following:

  • A warm sweater
  • A heavy jacket
  • Wool gloves
  • Wool socks
  • Wool bonnet
  • Hat to protect the user of the sun rays
  • Boots
  • Towel
  • Chapstick
  • Sun block 30 or more
  • UV Sunglasses
  • Flashlight
  • From December to April, it is also recommended a poncho or raincoat

Important: As a security measure, the tourist should bear passport and personal insurance

Notes:

  • Hotel availability at the moment of reservation. In case there is not hotel availability, same class hotels will be provided.
  • The company is not responsible for additional costs that arise from flight, bus or train changes, cancellations or itinerary changes. Changes due to major force problems (strikes, climate, road condition, closing because of authority decision and the like)
  • This program can be subject to change according to operational conditions, climate or tourists´ interest.