Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni is a white plain of more than ten thousand square kilometres at three thousand six hundred metres. In the middle rises the Isla Incahuasi with its giant cactus; at Colchani, families still cut and dry salt by hand; near the town, old steam locomotives rust in the desert. South of the salt flat, towards the Chilean border, the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa holds the red Laguna Colorada with its flamingos, the green Laguna Verde under the Licancabur volcano and the geysers of Sol de Mañana.

The usual way in is from San Pedro de Atacama: three or four days by 4x4 across the altiplano, crossing the border at Hito Cajón and sleeping in simple lodges at Alota or near the lagoons, before reaching the salt flat. Two nights on the salt flat allow Colchani, Incahuasi and a sunset on the salt. The other way in is from Argentina, through La Quiaca and Villazón, by road or train towards Uyuni.

From December to March the salt flat can turn into a mirror, and the altiplano crossing can be difficult; from April to November it is dry and white. Nights are very cold all year.