Despite Bolivia being one of the cheapest and poorest countries in South America, it boasts some extraordinary geographic features. Bolivia’s highest peak is the snowcapped Nevado Sajama, which stands at 6,542m above sea level. Potosi, a silver mining town, is one of the highest cities in the world at 4,090 metres. And then there are the biggest salt flats in the world — the Salar De Uyuni.

Walking across the border from Peru was my first glimpse into Bolivia. My second was on a local bus that took me from the border town of Copacabana into the city of La Paz. It’s not everyday you have an old lady wearing a bowler hat, sat on a sack of potatoes in the aisle next to you.

Bolivia truly was unique. From cycling the world’s most dangerous road, to buying dynamite and giving it to a miner, there are experiences here I couldn’t have had anywhere else in the world.

The Salar De Uyuni

Approximately 200km South West of Potosi lies Uyuni, the gateway to the largest salt flat in the world.

Formation

Around 40,000 years ago, the area was part of a giant prehistoric lake. The whole area was covered with water. Thanks to years of climate change, this area became a desert. The water from the lake was heated and eventually evaporated into vapour. The salt and minerals dissolved in the water were left behind as a solid layer. Thus, the salt flats are dried up desert lakes.

A Travel Photographers Paradise

The large white salt area, clear blue skies, and the exceptional flatness of the surface make the Salar de Uyuni a truly unique place, and — unsurprisingly — one of the most photographed by travellers across the globe.

The salt flats sit at 3,656 metres above sea level (that’s higher than Mount Etna). They also hold intensely blue skies, red and green lagoons, pink flamingos, smoking volcanoes, giant cacti and hot springs to bathe in.

Incahuasi Island

Right at the centre of the Salar de Uyuni lies ‘Isla Incahuasi’, or Incahuasi Island. This now small rocky outcrop is the top of the remains of an ancient volcano, which was submerged when the area was part of the giant prehistoric lake.

Standing on the island gives a unique perspective of just how vast the Salar de Uyuni is, and what it may have looked like 40,000 years ago.