Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
height, but diminishes in power later in the day. After the geyser the trail drops down to
La-
guna Polques
, which has a series of
hot springs
on its southern shore. The deliciously warm
waters are the perfect antidote to the high-altitude chill.
Laguna Verde
Thirty kilometres further on from Laguna Polques is
Laguna Verde
, a striking green lake set
at over 4300m in the southeasternmost corner of the reserve - and, indeed, of Bolivia. Cover-
ing about seventeen square kilometres and divided into two sections by a narrow causeway,
the lake owes its dramatic green hues to the arsenic and other minerals that are suspended in
its waters - the lake's colour ranges from turquoise to deep emerald depending on how much
the wind stirs up its sediments. Above the lake rises the perfect snow-covered cone of
Volcán
Licancabur
, a 5868m dormant volcano straddling the border with Chile; on its peak are the
ruins of an Inca ceremonial site.
There's a small
refuge
beside the lake, though most groups press on from here; some trav-
ellers return to Uyuni, others cross into Chile.
CROSSING THE CHILEAN BORDER: THE FAR SOUTHWEST
Via Laguna Verde
You can cross into Chile at the border post 7km from Laguna Verde in
the far south of the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa - it's usually possible to get an exit stamp here,
though it's advisable to get one in advance in Uyuni. If you want to continue into Chile you
shouldletthetourcompanyyou'retravellingwithknowbeforeleavingUyuni,astheyshould
be able to arrange onward transport to San Pedro de Atacama, 35km away, which otherwise
may be hard to come by.
ACCOMMODATION
There are some wonderful places to stay around the
Salar de Uyuni
and the
Reserva
Eduardo Avaroa
, including several hotels made from salt. It is illegal to build on the salt
flats themselves, however, which is why
Hotel de Sal Playa Blanca
should be avoided.
Another result of this regulation - and the desire to give guests a sense of isolation and tran-
quility - is that hotels in the region are spread out over a wide area.
Luna Salada Hotel
7616 9888,
lunasaladahotel.com
.
Located 30km from Uyuni and
7km from Colchani, this slick hotel is constructed almost entirely from salt - from the walls
to the c
hairs to the
beds (though thankfully not the mattresses) - and also boasts a good res-
taurant.
Bs770 ($110)
Palacio de Sal
02 6229512,
palaciodesal.com.bo
.
The “Palace of Salt”, 25km from Uy-
uni, has comfortable en suites, a restaurant-bar, and - somewhat bizarrely - a nine-hole golf
course (par 36; open May-Nov). If you need a post-rou
nd pick-me
-up, there's also a spa with
sauna, whirlpool, massages and salt-based treatments.
Bs945 ($135)
