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The Landscape of Bolivia in Ten Stunning Photos

Updated: | Published: by |

The world's largest salt flat may be the most famous landscape of Bolivia, but the entire Bolivian Altiplano features breathtaking scenery.

The region between the city of Uyuni and the Chilean border near San Pedro de Atacama is dotted with mineral-rich lagoons, snow-capped volcanoes, and barren deserts.

The photos from my three-day trip to Salar de Uyuni are some of the best I've taken; they'd make a wonderful travel photobook album.

These are ten of my favorite Bolivian landscape photos. I hope they inspire you too.

A perfect reflection at the aptly-named Laguna Verde, one of the many beautiful landscapes of Bolivia.
A perfect reflection at the aptly-named Laguna Verde ("Green Lake" / 4,400m).
Laguna Blanca (4,350m) owes its white hue to the mineral Borax.
Laguna Blanca ("White Lake" / 4,350m) owes its white hue to Borax.
Sol de Mañana Geothermal Field (4,850m), a unique landscape in Bolivia.
This mud boiled at the Sol de Mañana Geothermal Field ("Morning Sun" / 4,850m).
The blood-red Laguna Cordoba (4,278m) in Bolivia.
Laguna Cordoba ("Red Lake" / 4,278m).
Árbol de Piedra (“Stone Tree”)
Árbol de Piedra (“Stone Tree”)

Related: Day 2 in Bolivia - From the Stone Tree to a Salt Hotel

Desierto Siloli in Bolivia
Desierto Siloli
Laguna Cañapa, one of my favorite Bolivian landscapes.
Laguna Cañapa is a popular lunch spot for a good reason.
Steam rises from Volcán Ollagüe (5,868m)
Steam rises from Volcán Ollagüe (5,868m).
Scenery like this is the norm when crossing the Bolivian Altiplano
Scenery like this is the norm when crossing the Bolivian Altiplano.
Giant cactus on Isla Incahuasi
Giant cactus on Isla Incahuasi ("Home of the Incas"), a rocky island in an ocean of salt.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. clay weir says

    i remember our 3 day tour into Bolivia via the altiplano...it's hard not to take good pics with such stunning and varied scenery and landscapes!!! a definite must for people who like a rugged trip and beautiful scenery!! thanks for sharing

  2. Amanda says

    These look amazing. I've had my eye on the Salt Flats in Bolivia for a long time. Definitely on the To Do list!!!

  3. Jenna says

    So beautiful! I especially liked the first one because it took a while for me to notice the man in the lower left, and when I did, it put the whole scene in scale for me.

    • Dave says

      Glad you noticed Jenna :) I was going to mention the traveler in the caption, but then thought I'd leave it up to readers to find him.

  4. Jen says

    What incredible photos Dave, I;m gobsmacked!

  5. Matthew Karsten says

    Wow Dave! These are incredible! Great job. That first one is especially awesome. Did you tell that guy to stand there? :-)

    • Dave says

      Thanks Matt, the first one is my favorite. A little editing in Lightroom brought helped to bring out the green in the lake. And nope, the guy in the white shirt was one of the young British backpackers on my trip.

  6. Dennis Kopp says

    Those are really great photos Dave and looking at them really makes me want to visit Uyuni again! I also did the three day drive and remember being totally amazing by how diverse the landscapes were. But especially the stone tree and the coral island with the ancient cacti were my absolute favorite… :)

  7. Brigid says

    Truly stunning photos Dave! We just finished our Salt Flats tour a couple of days ago and literally have about 1000 and 1 photos to cull down to a respectable amount...going to a be a tough job. Unfortunately we only had an Iphone, really the only time on our trip we wished we had one of those fancy, pro cameras. Oh the memories, will never forget bathing in the hot springs at night with a cold beer watching the clearest night sky I've ever seen. Salar de Uyuni...a must do when in Bolivia :)

  8. Jimmy Dau says

    Great shots. Seems like you were blessed with no wind. It was blowing quite a bit when I went!

    • Dave says

      Ah, that sucks. I imagine the wind caused ripples in the lakes, which then affect the quality of reflections?

      Or was it just a lot of sand and salt being blown into your face :)

  9. Corinne says

    I have yet to make it here...it's definitely on my list. Did you go with a tour or by yourself?

    • Dave says

      I went on a 3-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile to Uyuni, Bolivia. The only way you can go yourself is if you have your own 4x4 transport, or you're bicycling it.

  10. Rebecca says

    stunning!

  11. Mark says

    Is an SUV necessary to get to these areas?

    • Dave says

      Yes, as far as I'm concerned. There were no paved roads where I was taking these photos. You're driving on dirt, sand, and once you hit the salt flats... salt (with mud underneath). The only vehicles doing tours are SUVs.