Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The far southwest
Covering some nine thousand square kilometres of the Altiplano west of Uyuni, the
Salar de
Uyuni
is the world's biggest salt lake, and one of Bolivia's most extraordinary attractions.
Equally dramatic is the
Reserva de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa
, a 7147-square-kilo-
metre wildlife reserve covering the most southwestern corner of Bolivia and ranging between
4000m and 6000m in altitude. South of the Salar de Uyuni, en route to the Reserva Eduardo
Avaroa, you also pass
Ollagüe
, Bolivia's only active volcano, followed by a series of ancient
lava fields, several lakes populated by flamingos, and some surreal rocky outcrops.
Even compared to the rest of the Altiplano, the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa and, especially,
the Salar de Uyuni can get extremely cold. Though by day the sun can take temperatures
as high as 30°C, the high altitude and reflective surface of the Salar mean that little heat is
retained, so night temperatures can drop below -25°C, and as far as -40°C when the
wind-
chill factor
is included - one of the widest day-night temperature fluctuations anywhere in
the world. Take a good sleeping bag to supplement the blankets that are usually available in
the refuges, a warm hat, gloves, a windproof jacket and several layers of clothing including
a fleece or woollen jumper and, ideally, thermal underwear. You should also take sun block
and sunglasses to counter the fierce glare - snow blindness is a real possibility here.
