8-11 November 2009, Salar de Uyuni to Reserva Eduardo Avaroa (Bolivia)
The southwest corner Bolivia consists of some spectacular landscapes all above 4,000 meters, from a giant salt lake, Salar de Uyuni, to breathtaking lagoons filled with pink flamingos. The only way to visit this region is by 4 WD with a tour operator - there are no roads. no signs, no nothing, just amazing scenery. So after quite some research we book a 3 night 4 day tour.
The pictures speak for themselves . . . except that in real life it is all that more fantastic, especially the colours, very intense! In the middle of the salt lake, we visit an island full of cacti, some of which are 1000 years old. We see mountains that shimmer in all colours, lagoons full of pink flamingos, rocks with the most bizarre forms, hot springs, steaming geysers, caves that look straight out of a science fiction movie, and come across many wild vicuñas, one of the Andean cameloids. One early morning, we take a walk along a lagoon and witness the flamingos waking up, some of them standing on one leg in the ice of the lake which froze over night. On our highest point, we ascend to 5000 meters.
We travel with a great team: Marcos, our driver and guide, and Roxanna, our cook. Marcos really has to know his way: during these four days, we do not come across any roads or signs, only tracks of other vehicles. Our accommodation is basic - no heating on 4000m altitude (no hot showers either, actually no showers at all). We're happy to have some warm sleeping bags with us, and one night Natasha wears her woollen hat and gloves to keep warm. One of our hotels is completely built of salt. Roxana has to take along food for four days, as there are no supplies on our way. She even brings along her own bottle of gas to cook in the primitive kitchen the accommodations provide.
Despite the harsh and basic environment, we really enjoyed this incredible corner of our amazing planet!
No comments:
Post a Comment