Bolivian Backlog:¡Salar Espectacular!

As the dirt road peters out, the crunch beneath our tyres signals our entry in to the Salar De Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. A vast white expanse of nothingness, measuring over 12,106 sq km.

Under the dazzling light our eyes begin to adjust. Stopping for a moment we gaze ahead, the scale difficult to comprehend as the horizon bends to meet the clouds. Unsure whether it is a reflection from the shimmering white surface or the sheer scale of this natural marvel.

Gazing

As we turn our pedals each of us is absorbed in our own personal thoughts, as we attempt to comprehend the scale and vastness before us. Slowly adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings which envelope us for two days of cycling.

Drama

The characteristic hexagonal shapes of Salar De Uyuni provide many photo opportunities each seemingly better than the last.

Hexagons

Arriving at Isla Incahuasi we watch the sun drop, and salt crystals glimmer like diamonds as the last of the sun’s rays catch them before the sky glows pink.

Sunset

As the last of the tourist jeeps leave, we ride on to find a campsite at the edge of the Salar.

Searching for a campsite

Looking up to the night sky, stars twinkle and constellations leave us slack jawed at their clarity. In the distance we watch as electrical storms flicker and illuminate the sky, their proximity difficult to judge.

Camping

Riding on the following morning we reach a quieter side of the Salar away from the buzz of tourist jeeps.

Road

Its easy to think we alone, yet there are other adventurous travellers like us. A French family from Grenoble with two children aged 2 and a half and a 5 years old.

French Family

An Italian couple, Nordic Walking the length of the Salar.

Italian Couple

Passing through the town of Lliac we a treated to the closing ceremony of a two week fiesta. Tone deaf bands, slurring drunks and festivities continue on until the early hours which see us depart the town as bleary eyed as many of the locals.

Leaving town we head to the Salar De Copiasa, along the way we pass a pen of inquisitive Llamas who want a stroke and nuzzle. If only they didn’t taste so good….

Llama

Clouds pop from the sky.

Church

As we approach the Salar De Copiasa, we remember some advice we are given. Cass got the wrong idea when they said “carry a stone to knock the tent pegs in”.

Stone

We blaze a trail heading directly to the Salar before eventually grinding to a halt.

Blazing Trail

Back tracking we find a more sensible route.

Road

Introducing the latest in Bolivian leg wear. Who said leg warmers were for girls?

Leg Warmers

Circled by volcanoes the Salar De Copiasa is dimuntive in comparison to its bigger brother, yet it’s compact nature has a more tangible feel.

We ride on…..

Cass

And on…..

Space

Before selecting a prime camp spot out on the Salar. With little shelter, the tail wind we have enjoyed for the afternoon now becomes a headache as we pitch the tents and hope that the wind does not change direction over night.

Camping

Riding across the Salar the following morning we take it in turns to shut our eyes and continue riding. As the time increases we begin to count in minutes.

Seemingly minor corrections see us veering off in differing directions much to the delight of each other. As we open our eyes we hastily look around for our compadres.

Riding

Occasional geyser holes appear. The equivalent of Bolivian crop circles we summize.

Geyser

Riding free form across the Salar following a compass bearing, we eventually reach the end of the Salar and with it a reminder of what lurks underneath the thick salty crust; Water.

Water

Clouds reflect.

Water

Our Salar Spectacular over we roll in to the small village of Copaisa. The now legendary Petronilla accosts us in the village square, and takes us to her comedor for a lunch of Llama Jerky and Rice.

Its an enchanting few hours as she asks inquisitively about our home countries, native language and tells about life on the Bolivian Antiplano. Treating us to homemade ice cream on the house, it’s difficult to get a shot of this warm, kind lady between a fit of girlish giggles.

Petronilla

Returning to the type of trail we know, we head toward the Sajama National Park on the border with Chile. Our eyes drawn to snow cone of Nevado Sajama (6542m) in the distance.

Sajama Views

Route

Uyuni – Isla Inchausi – Lliac – Copaisa – Sajama National Park

4 Comments

  1. Søren Tomas
    12/09/2014

    Wauvvvv ! Tanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nick Gilbert
    12/09/2014

    Beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  3. Debbie
    15/09/2014

    My comments are getting pretty samey, with the “amazing pics, great writing” theme. But you DO take amazing pictures, and I love reading your posts! I wish I could have seen the Salar like this, instead of via a tourist jeep, and your post just makes me know it would have been as amazing as I had imagined it would be! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Bolivian Backlog: The Road to La Paz » Mike Howarth
    30/09/2014

    […] the Salars behind, we enter the Sajama National Park. The snowcapped peak of Nevado Sajama off in the […]

    Reply

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