Bolivia is a country of contrasts: hot humid rainforest versus snowy cold mountains, thick biodiverse jungle versus barren desert landscapes, vivid and frantic city life in La Paz versus peaceful serenity in the Salar de Uyuni... these contrasts make Bolivia a fabulous and fascinating country to visit, and a beautiful country in which to travel with endless photographic opportunities to capture those memories of your holiday forever. Here we have selected some of our favourite photographs of Bolivia from our own travels in this wonderful country to showcase the sights you can expect to see if you decide to choose Bolivia as your holiday destination...
Salar de Uyuni
Probably the most famous of Bolivia's wonderful sights the Salar de Uyuni is the worlds largest salt flat, and is a bizarre, unique, and incredible place to visit. During the dry season, from May to late October, the surface hardens into a salty white crust; whilst during the rainy season, from late November through to April, water lies on the surface of the salar creating a spectacular mirror effect. The Salar is best visited on two, three or four day 4x4 tours that incorporate visits to other sights in the region.
Salar de Uyuni During the Rainy Season
During the dry season (which runs from May to October) the surface of the Salar de Uyuni is dry, vivid white, and cracked with the famous hexagonal formations of salt ridges. However during the rainy season (roughly from late November to March) the salar is covered with a blanket of water, and this creates the mirrored reflective surface that is popular for photographers. One thing to bear in mind is that the wet season is incredibly popular with certains types of travellers, so if you want to travel on your holiday to Bolivia at this time of year be sure to book further in advance.
Laguna Colorada, Bolivian Altiplano
The waters of Laguna Colorada are tinged a shade of red and pink due to algae in the lake, and the lake is home to populations of flamingos. This lake is visited on extended 4x4 tours through the altiplano in and around the Salar de Uyuni region of Bolivia. The landscape here is stunning, and Laguna Colorada has to be one of the most unique and picturesque landscape locations on earth.
Laguna Verde, Bolivian Altiplano
This lake is situated in the altiplano region of Bolivia near the Salar de Uyuni and is bright green or turquoise in colour due to arsenic and other minerals that are suspended in the waters. The conical volcano "Licancabur" sits as a beautiful backdrop to the lake. Laguna Verde sits close to the border with Chile, so holidays that include visits to this lake can either return back to Uyuni or continue onward into Chile and the atacama desert, depending on preference or your holiday itinerary.
Flamingos in the Bolivian Altiplano
Tours of Bolivia through the Salar de Uyuni region pass many salt lakes and James's Flamingo, as well as Andean and Chilean Flamingos, thrive on the algae-rich waters. This area of Bolivia has wonderful landscapes, but is also an excellent choice for bird-watching holidays due to the beauty and abundance of avian life here.
The Bolivian Altiplano
With endless mountain vistas, white and turquoise salt lakes, vivid blue skies, and some of the most isolated, barren, and stunning landscape in the world, the Altiplano of Bolivia is a fascinating place in which to travel. To experience these landscapes go on a 4x4 tour through the region surrounding the Salar de Uyuni, close to the border with Chile.
Bolivia 4x4 Tour
The best way to experience Bolivia is to travel on a 4x4 tour. These journeys provide the best way to visit the more rural, rugged, and beautiful locations in and around the altiplano and Salar de Uyuni. The landscape here is peppered with volcanoes, salt lakes, shrubbery and birdlife.
Arbol de Piedra / Stone Tree, Bolivian Altiplano
This natural rock feature, formed from wind-erosion over many thousands of years, is just one of the wonderful and completely unique sights visited on the extended 4x4 tours across the Bolivian altiplano and region surrounding the Salar de Uyuni.
Polques Hot Springs, Bolivian Altiplano
This natural thermal hot spring can be found in the Bolivian altiplano, and is in the same region of the fumeroles and Laguna Verde. 4x4 tours normally stop here to offer people the chance to bathe in the warm waters, and the view from the pool must be the most fabulous scenic view from any pool in South America.
Sunrise and Sunset Over the Salar de Uyuni
Both by day, and by night, the Salar de Uyuni offers a spectacular vision of a strange and magical landscape. The salar is the highlight of a holiday to Bolivia, and during a visit it is worth making the effort to observe the sunrise and sunset, an experience that will leave you with incredible memories of the staggering beauty of this region of Bolivia.
Sol de Manana Fumaroles, Altiplano
Sol de mañana is a geothermal field of boiling, bubbling pools of sulphuric mud. For those that can stomach the smell, and the altitude (the site is around 4800 metres above sea level), this location is yet another unique and fascinating site on the Bolivian altiplano.
Isla Incahuasi, Salar de Uyuni
This "island" is situated in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni, and is a regular stopover point on Salar de Uyuni tours. The island provides a haven for wildlife, and giant cactus, viscacha, and bird-life can be spotted on the island. A path leads to the peak and provides fascinating views over the salt flats and beyond.
Night Sky Over Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni and the surrounding region are amongst the worlds most remote and isolated locations, and light pollution is incredibly low, meaning this is one of the best places on earth to observe the night sky and the milky way. The scenery here is stunning both day and night!
Train Cemetery, Uyuni
In the late 19th century British engineers built a railway line that passed through Uyuni. The train line carried mineral deposits from the Andes towards the Pacific ocean, however when the mining industry disappeared the trains were left to rust and erode on the outskirts of Uyuni for almost 100 years. The result is a unique and astonishing tourist attraction visited on tours to the salt flats: Uyuni's train cemetery.
Basilica of Our Lady, Copacobana
This fabulous 16th century colonial basilica is in the centre of the Bolivian town of Copacobana, a delightful lakeside town on the banks of Lake Titicaca. Boat tour excursions to the island of Isla del Sol run from the small port in this town, and visits to Copacobana and Isla del Sol are a good option as an extension to a holiday in Peru due to the towns proximity with Puno in Peru. Copacabana is a great place to experience Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria in February, with colourful and vibrant street processions.
Inca Table, Isla del Sol
The Inca Table is an ancient Inca ruin that can be found on Isla del Sol, an island on Lake Titicaca that is visited on boat excursions from the lakeside town of Copacobana. According to Inca religion, the Inca Sun God was born on Isla del Sol, and the island remains an important place in Peruvian and Bolivian heritage. The Inca table is just one of many Inca ruins that can be found across the island, with others including Chinkana, Pillkukayna, and Titikala.
Bolivian Andes Region
The western region of Bolivia bordering Chile and Peru is located in the high Andes mountain region and stretches far and wide over rolling mountain peaks and deep valleys. The region to the north of the city of La Paz contains some pristine landscapes, complete with llamas, alpacas and other Bolivian wildlife, and can make a great region for trekking or day trips from La Paz.
The City of Potosi
Potosi is famous for its silver mine that sits underneath the grand mountain of Cerro de Potosi, or Cerro Rico, which overlooks the city. Due to the fabulous wealth that originated from the mine during the time of the Spanish rule Potosi was once one of the richest cities in the world. Mining still occurs in the city, which is one of the highest in the world at an altitude of over 4000 metres.
All photos Copyright Go Andes.
