Hiking a rocky path at 5am, we couldn't believe we were amongst thousand year old cacti. We were on our way to the sunrise over Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world of about 10,582 square kilometres and at an altitude of 3,656m. This was the pinnacle of our trip. The Isla Incahuasi, or Cactus Island (not the correct translation, it actually translates as Inca's house), is the top of remains of an ancient volcano which was submerged under the gigantic prehistoric Lake Michin that dried up and is now mostly the Salar de Uyuni. Hard to believe we sat on a fossil containing rock watching the sun rise a perfect circular ball above the mountains, across a 40,000 year old dried up lake.
After a delicious breakfast, ate in the sun on a salt table, and a quick tour of the small museum found on the island, we headed out in the jeep. We found a great spot to indulge our creative minds with some cool photos. You see, the Salar de Uyuni has an extraordinary flatness with altitude variations of only one meter across its whole area. This means that your depth of distance and view of the horizon is altered, making for some mesmerising, interesting and obviously some funny photos.
The entire experience was incredible and unforgettable. Driving across the Salar, mesmerised by the views, we knew we had reached a moment in our lives that would be hard to top. And sadly, reaching Uyuni, we knew our trip was about to end.
Our last stop was at the Train Cemetery in Uyuni. Built by British engineers in the late 19th century, the trains were mainly used by mining companies to carry minerals to Pacific Ocean ports. But the mining industry collapsed due to a mineral depletion in the 1940's, which led trains to be abandoned. Now it's a place for artsy photos, adventures for kids (and Matt), and an end to a tour.
Veredict: so worth it.
Highest altitude: 5000m
Best landscape: Salt flats
Second best (just because): Lagoon with flamingos
Cost: $100 each
In much need of a shower and clean clothes, what's next? We're travelling the length of Bolivia, crossing into Peru via Lake Titicaca. All in 10 days.
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