Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

The Sun Island, La Paz and Uyuni Tour

The Sun Island, La Paz and Uyuni Tour

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Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2023-01-31

Bolivia is an incredible land not on many people’s radar and a land of impressive adventure travel. There are a vast number of ecosystems and landscapes to explore, not to mention, a unique indigenous culture to get to know more intimately. Of everything this country has to offer, Lake Titicaca, and The Salar de Uyuni are Bolivia’s most distinctive sights to visit on a vacation to Bolivia.

 

Bolivia is  South America’s least traveled country. If people have heard of Bolivia, it is usually because of the world’s largest salt flats in Uyuni. La Paz is just one of the two capitals that Bolivia has and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with cable cars connecting one side to another. Find out more about a Bolivia vacation package and why the country is so special.

La Paz Rooftops

 

The Sun Island

 

The beautiful Sun Island is believed to be the birthplace of the Inca Empire. On the northwestern end of the island is a rock that is worshipped as the place where Manco Kapac and Mama Ocllo (the children of the god Viracocha) were born, who went on to found the mighty Inca civilization. Today on this island you can see agricultural terracing that pre-dates the Incas, the remains of an Inca temple and a fountain that offers eternal youth, as well as traditional communities of over 5,000 people and grazing llamas.  With an unparalleled view over Lake Titicaca, this is one of the signature destinations to visit on a trip to Bolivia.

 

Lake Titicaca is one of Bolivia’s most magical destinations. There are a plethora of hiking trails and endless ancient Inca ruins to explore. Here is how you get the most out of this enchanting lake on the Bolivian side. Lake Titicaca is sacred to Bolivia and its people, partly because the ancient Incas believed it to be the birthplace of the Sun. Visit on a Bolivia one week itinerary with Valencia Travel.

Sun Island

 

The La Paz City Tour


This tour of The Sun Island, La Paz, and Uyuni, will begin with the natural scenic lookout of Quilli Quilli, which boasts the best panorama of southern, central, and northern La Paz as well as the slopes of the surrounding peaks. During Tupac Katari's 1781 siege of Colonial La Paz, this spot was both a lookout point and a prison.
At a height close to 3,700 meters elevation, in The city of La Paz, you will visit the famous Witches Market. This unique market teaches us about the typical Andean rituals, such as blessings to Mother Earth, as well as asking for a prosperous and fertile upcoming year.  The San Francisco Church, is a great example of colonial architecture, and teaches us a little about the Baroque mestizo decoration and inside, the beautiful colonial paintings. One of the most emblematic streets of La Paz is La Calle Jaen. It is distinguished from other streets by preserving its colonial architecture and offers the opportunity to learn a little about the history, within the different museums that are located there.  The Plaza Murillo is the epicenter of modern Bolivian politics and it has certainly seen its share of events, from the first uprisings of the mestizo class in all of South America to recent political events, the history of Bolivia is proudly on display in this plaza.

 

La Paz is situated in the Altiplano region of the country. It is in the middle of The Andes Mountain range and is at a whopping 3600 meters elevation. The Altiplano also stretches into Peru and Argentina. Bolivia is the only completely landlocked country in South America. This makes it easy to visit on your vacations in South America on a combined trip of two countries!

La Paz Streets

 

The Moon Valley

 

The Valley of the Moon is a protected area and geological formation of the city of La Paz, it is located about 10 kilometers from the center of La Paz. The Valley of the Moon is formed due to the erosion that has consumed the upper part of a mountain, due to the clay soil. Over the centuries the winds and rains have molded this spectacular and unusual landscape of white towers. Forming sandstone monoliths, that were shaped over thousands of years. This gives the place an other-worldly lunar surface appearance.

 

The Valley of The Moon isn’t actually a valley,  but a maze of canyons and enormous spires. These rock formations, composed mainly of clay and sandstone, were created by the erosion of mountains and the strong winds and rains in this region. What has been left behind is a peaceful setting, full of wonder and intrigue just a day trip from La Paz.

The Moon Valley


Uyuni

 

Located in the Southwest of Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni is found in the Potosi region. This is also near the crest of the Andes, putting it 11,995 ft (3,656 m) above sea level. The Salar is a climatological transitional zone as you move from the Atacama desert towards the Chilean border into the salt flats, forming part of the Altiplano, or high plateau. 
Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Being one of the most famous places in South America and receiving more than 90,000 visitors per year, this region is as impressive as you can imagine! The salt flats have an extension of 10,582 kilometers and an altitude of 3,660 meters above sea level. However, what makes this place so unique is the mirror effect caused after rainfall, which fades away the limits between the sky and the land, making it look as if you were walking on the clouds.
Isla Incahuasi is one of the main attractions for most tourists, located in the heart of Salar de Uyuni. The entire place is covered by a native species of cactus, which are hundreds of years old. This island is the top of the remaining part of a volcano that existed when Uyuni was still Lake Minchin, about 40,000 years ago. Isla Incahuasi extends to almost 25 hectares and is the perfect spot for a great view of the salt flats.

 

The astounding Uyuni Salt Flats, with its never-ending horizon, are one of South America’s most astonishing sites. Remote, breathtaking, and unique, The Salar de Uyuni are the world’s most extensive salt flats. Uyuni Salt Flats are a photographer’s muse, that allows you to play with light and reflections as a kind of optical illusion. Visit Uyuni on a Valencia Travel Bolivia tour.

Wet Season Salt Flats

 

Visit the lakes! Near the Uyuni salt flats, in The Eduardo Avaroa National park, you’ll find different lakes that will blow your mind. The most recognized is Laguna Colorada, a breeding place for thousands of Andean Flamingos that you don’t want to miss. It was named Laguna Colorada because of its particular water coloration, caused by the concentration of red sediments and algae, which make the water go from blue to intense red colors. This natural lagoon was nominated to the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but couldn’t make it through the selection. Other lakes you will see are the Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde. These twin water bodies will amaze you because of their surroundings and mind-blowing colors.

Also, visit the Train Cemetery! Near the small town of Uyuni, you will find a group of abandoned trains that date back to the 1940s. These trains were left here to rot after the collapse of the mining industry. You will be able to explore the Train Cemetery and take awesome pictures as if you were coming out of an apocalyptic world!

 

Just imagine stargazing with that person who is a “sky full of stars” to you,in a place where there is no horizon. A stargazing tour can be combined either with a sunset or a sunrise over the salt flats. Experiencing a sunset/sunrise over the Salar de Uyuni is an unforgettable and romantic moment with zero light pollution.

Salar de Uyuni by Night

 

Book the magnificent  Sun Island, La Paz, and Uyuni Tour here!
 

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