Snapshot: The Great White Sea

When you keep absolutely still, it’s like you’re standing on top of a gigantic mirror, fanning out in all directions to a faint line in the horizon, where it meets the sky. Welcome to Salar de Uyuni, the largest Salt Plains in the world.

Part of the Altiplani in Bolivia, it’s located in the Potosí and Oruro regions, near the crest of the Andes. The Altipolano is a high plateau that emerged during the uplift of the Andes Mountains. The plateau rests at almost 12,000 feet (over3, 600 meters) above sea level, and includes fresh and saltwater lakes, as well as salt flats like the Salar de Uyuni. This natural surrealistic sight is a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes enveloped by mountains lacking drainage outlets.

The Plains are covered by a few meters of unusually flat salt crust. During the dry season, the Salt Plains is practically an expansive salt dessert, with dry salt spreading for miles and miles. The wet season brings about a thin sheet of water that allows vehicles to travel a little smoother. It also offers a surrealistic landscape with its reflective surface.

Tip: If you do visit, one absolute must are sunglasses. Because the Salt Plains are filled with fine white salt, it’s positively blinding. And bring sunblock. There are not shelter from the sun’s rays here.