Among the very best ways to learn about the earth is as simple as backpacking and finding spots and scenery which you might not have imagined could exist. Featuring on the South American backpacking circuit is the Uyuni Salt Flats, a leading destination for uncovering new experiences. If you are heading from Chile to Bolivia or vice versa, then among the very best ways to cross the border between both countries would be to travel the path from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni via the Salt Flats.
If you are likely to travel this route be prepared for some spectacular sights not common to the world as you know it. The salt flats of Uyuni are completely remarkable and you will be awed by the sheer vastness of this landscape. The region was created as an ancient ocean slowly evaporated, leaving behind an extensive region of salt deposits as far as the eye can see. With the expansive size of the zone and the totally level terrain, you will experience the ability to witness our planet's natural curvature, a breathtaking view which you will never let slip from your memory. Another feature of the Salt Flats is an island like land mass easily spotted jutting from the earth in an otherwise encompassing white expanse. This is known as Fish Island due to the fishly shape the hill takes if you were looking down at it from above. Known as an island, although surrounded by solid white salt rather than water, the hill offers an excellent opportunity to uncover a unique landscape of towering cacti centuries old which impose magnificently into the sky; it's a terrain like no other.
If you are considering travelling this route its best to note some essential information and tips you need to consider to make the most of your time in the area and stay comfortable and prepared. Many of the locations you will be visiting are only accessible via jeep tours departing from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile or the town of Uyuni in Bolivia. The outing normally takes 3 days to reach the the opposite outpost, so it is essential you bring additional money along with you to cover a few expenses, although the majority of the activities are included in your tour, along with food and accommodation. Chances are you'll require cash to cover additional national park fees and entrances, plus there are opportunities to purchase drinks and snacks along the way from remote local communities. Also be aware that if travelling from San Pedro when you arrive to Uyuni, it is not rare that the towns one ATM machine may not be working, so best to have back up cash in the form of US dollars which is widely accepted in Bolivia.
No doubt over the course of the tour, conditions will get extremely cold at night due to the unobstructed winds gushing the plains and the regions location at high altitudes, so it's vital to bring warm clothes, a sleeping bag and remember that numerous guesthouses charge you additional fees for heated water to shower with; that is if they have water at all. Its important to remain rugged-up as the temperature plummets with the setting of the sun. Another important thing to consider is that during the wet season the salt flats can turn sludgy, and due to the extreme salinity can ruin footwear. Consequently it's worth a thought to consider athletic shoes and sandals to ensure that you are able to interchange shoes when needed.
It is likewise important that you take a good camera because you will be witnessing numerous opportunities for unique photography over the 3 days and therefore you will almost certainly be taking scores of pictures. Take additional memory cards and batteries along with you. Extra batteries become especially valuable as everyone tussles for the few power outlets the guesthouses offer for the use of guests to power up their electrical devices.
The personal benefits of undertaking this stunning route by means of a jeep tour between San Pedro and Uyuni is the self exploration of one's inner reaction to such an isolated and uniquely special corner of the world. By experiencing this area you should take away from it a little extra acknowledgment of how amazing this world can be outside the urban landscapes we face daily in our lives at home, and with luck this knowledge will stick with you helping to remind you how great it is to be a part of this creation called earth.
But to leave you with the most important tip available, come with only one expectation, that things may not always go to plan out there. Detours from regular itineraries often take place as a response to weather conditions and seasons, and be prepared that your driver will most likely not speak English. Although he acts as a basic guide using gestures more than words, you are left to ponder the region on your own without explanations about what your are witnessing. This actually could be the thing you appreciate most, as it is a nice escape to be guided by your senses rather than a rehearsed spiel from a guide. But if you are someone who can't adapt to basic conditions and extreme isolation, this trip is probably not for you and it would probably be best for you to go around this region between Chile and Bolivia by more conventional means. It would be fair to suggest to add patience and a sense of adventure to your packing list for this trip!
To find out more about how you can get from San Pedro to Uyuni take a look at the travel passes the Green Toad Bus offer!
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